Confused, - frame re-tracking & chainring size

Hi guys, im in the process of rebuilding my 84 raleigh Quasar with reynolds 501
this is areally steep learning curve for me so id appreciate some more info on this...

i recently dropped the frame off at Kiwi Cycles to get the crank removed/rebuilt as i dont have the tools for this.

they guys were really decent and i got great service.

basically my crank is being rebuilt, replacing the BB for a new one, beacuase a) mine hasnt been serviced ince 84 b) a new one witll help with the chainline

the original chainrings are 52 tooth on the big one and i cant remember the smaller.
i would ideally want to use one of these original rings as i am on a strict budget, my question is, is 52 tooth too big, (i havent built a wheelset yet so i can vary the rear cog to get a good gearing), would the smaller 2nd ring be better, should i scrap them and fit a 44tooth 80's bmx ring? is this even possible with the original crank/spider?

lastly it was suggested my frame was 'retracked' or 'coldset' in order to allow for a wheelset to fit without spacers
my questions are will this harm the integrity of the frame in terms of strength or will it affect the paintwork?
is it a much better option, will it make things much easier when getting wheels than spacers?

A 52x19 gear would be about 72 inches which is okay for London. Rear cogs larger than 19 teeth are not easy to come by though so you may struggle to go any smaller.

Coldsetting a frame is a posh term for bending it. If done properly it shouldn't damage the integrity (or the paintwork) of the frame.

I used to use 39x15 - it's OK.. as is 39x14 52x20 or 52/21.
It is down to personal preference.
What size is your 2nd chainring?
as for cold-setting. please do a search. 'cold set
dropout sheldon' or some bollocks... also search 'gear inches'
Out of interest - how much is the charge for cold-setting?

Also it (coldsetting) might not be needed- if the dropouts are 126mm and you are using a conventional 120mm track rear wheel you should be fine.

The dropouts will flex in as you tighten up the nuts.

thanks a lot guys great informative replies, i never searched for coldset sorry man i tried retrack i;ll do that now though.
i cant remember what size the second ring is,
i do remember using a gearing calculator before for a bmx and yeah i believe 52 - 19/20 gives good gearing. just worried a 52tooth will look a bit huge,

what about using a 44t sugino chainring for a bmx would it fit?

yeah when i asked what coldsetting meant the boys in kiwi cycles said you dont wanna know it invloves big tools bending the dropouts needless to say i was concerned.

i dont know what the cost of this is i will find out as i know he's doing it as part of crank rebuild.
the guys seem insistant this is the best way to go for a 120mm track wheel, i tought it was abit severe and surely all these single / fixed speed conversions on old frames havent went through this!?
i more than happy as long as i dont notice it in anyway as in paint/angles/strenght/cost but it just seems severe.

Your BMX chainring will probably be 110mm BCD, whereas the Cranks on there could be anything - likely 130mm.
Google 'Sheldon BCD' for the lowdown david..
EDIT - My steel frame, 126mm squeezed to 120mm, 2+ years, No issues. Its only a tiny bit of a hassle when you need to get teh rear wheel back on. I hook one dropout under, then spring the other one in. If you have a long enough standard axle on your hub, you can get some spacers (from Londonfixiebike or washers).

aren't some sugino bmx cranks 130??

I can't remember murtle - My BMX had a Tioga Powerdisk so could fit anything.

thanks lads, i think some bmx cranks, 3 piece etc were 130mm i will investigate
i will try and dissuade kiwi cycles from the coldset, though as i say if it doesnt affect the bike and is included in the labour for the crank rebuild i will probably comply
thanks a lot guys

How much is all this costing? To be honest on a 501 frame I wouldn't bother, unless it has some special sentimental value for you.

How much is all this costing? To be honest on a 501 frame I wouldn't bother, unless it has some special sentimental value for you.

hi mate yeah i know im on a strict budget as i know theres not much point ploughing cash into a 24year old raleigh 501,
it doesnt have sentimental value to me but it ticks all my boxes,

• had to be a raleigh
  
• love the fact that its the aerospace tubing used on the raleigh pro bmx's
  
• love the graphics and colour scheme
  
• its as light as i could afford to go,- 531's and above were creeping out of my budget
  
• it alows me to interact with my old raleigh mates
  
• allows me to customise and build
  
  

the most money will be spent on wheels as they are transferable.

Old School Sugino 5 bolt bmx chain rings & most modern equivalent are 110 bcd.

i like the look of the gerbhardt chainrings kiwi cycels can supply so once the bike is on the work bench i'll look at the possibility of one of these
and i'll let you know the coldset situation
cheers