Raleigh Royal Audax / Randonneur

^this is true and also you still have to reach down with barend shifters, that and they're more expensive.

No you don't, your position still stay the same, as the bar end shifter is a lots nearer to you than the downtube if not easier than stem shifter (which is not as easy as it sound), it's also accessible when you're in the drop, look how much higher it is compare to where the downtube shifter is in this picture;

Can you imaging descending and needing to change gear? not very pracitical on the stemshifter (unless you perfected the art of shifting with your chin).

It's also possible to purchase the pod itself so you can mount your downtube shifter to, not sure where to buy in the UK though;

http://www.rivbike.com/product-p/sh13.htm

Best solution? pop down to says, Herne Hill jumbie and you'll find some great part for cheap.

I've got the stem ones for the moment, i liked them when i was riding back from my lbs. I'm not going to change them without a proper trial.

If I do decide to change I'd probably get the Dia Compe ones:

On that basis wouldn't brifters be a better solution?

No you don't, your position still stay the same, as the bar end shifter is a lots nearer to you than the downtube if not easier than stem shifter (which is not as easy as it sound), it's also accessible when you're in the drop, look how much higher it is compare to where the downtube shifter is in this picture;
[pic]
Can you imaging descending and needing to change gear? not very pracitical on the stemshifter (unless you perfected the art of shifting with your chin).

brifters = £££.

Shimano's especially are notoriously diffcuilt to service if it go wrong (unlike campag), some of the Shimano's shifter like the Sora are almost unreachable from the drop to shift down.

also no ability to trim derailleur positions

brifters = £££.

Shimano's especially are notoriously diffcuilt to service if it go wrong (unlike campag), some of the Shimano's shifter like the Sora are almost unreachable from the drop to shift down.

I really fucking hate this, up on the hoods it's nice and really convenient, in the drops it is so awkward to shift/brake...

This thread has tempted me to sell my Gazelle road frame and build up my unknown 80s Raleigh touring frame instead... mmmnnn.

Spotter, have you sold the old mudguards yet? About a year ago you said you'd give me first dibs on them when you got new ones!

hey Spotter, if you are after some of those dia compe shifters I have some on e-bay

This thread has tempted me to sell my Gazelle road frame and build up my unknown 80s Raleigh touring frame instead... mmmnnn.

Spotter, have you sold the old mudguards yet? About a year ago you said you'd give me first dibs on them when you got new ones!

Ah i knew i said someone could have them, yes I'll have to dig the out (currently in a pile of stuff as i'm rebuilding the workshop ATM) and then i'll drop you a PM

hey Spotter, if you are after some of those dia compe shifters I have some on e-bay

If i dont get on with the stem ones I'll give you a shout cheers.

as for the downtube bosses, this is what they look like now

it slightly pains me to mix campag and shimano but there we go, i quite like the little d rings actually.

Cool, thanks Spotter.

Uh, may not want them. I'm still umming and ahhing about building my touring frame.

got the gears sort of working last night, next problem is that the brake drop doesnt seem to be long enough so it looks like I might have to get some different brakes. might splash out on centre pulls

Old Malfacs with new pads? They're not cheap- cheap, but they must be cheaper than those grand compes(?).

I got some of them tektro long drop calipers (can't remember the number designation) for my GFs bike. They aren't for recessed nuts either which could be a bonus, they also work very well.

£50 though

If you could find out how long they are that would be great. The ones I've currently got, Tektro R538 which are 47-57mm, I reckon the front one is just long enough but the ear one is 2-3mm to short, so the top of the pad rubs against the side wall. Any suggestions of longer brakes are welcomed.

In other news, I've decided to make quite a change, I'm going to buy this...

I have considered getting a modern groupset before, but they were always too much money/ wouldn't look right as they're black/carbon.

This ticks all the boxes, nice shiny silver so will look good, i already like the hood shape (I've got the levers on atm) and its a great price.

What conivnced me is this photo of classic steel with a new the same groupset:

should be badass.

I was looking at that thinking a similar thing.

If I had some cash and didn't already have most of the parts for my Dawes I'd have snapped that up.

I just need to find out now what the largest cassette I can use with it will be.

I got some of them tektro long drop calipers (can't remember the number designation) for my GFs bike. They aren't for recessed nuts either which could be a bonus, they also work very well.

£50 though

actually would these be Tektro R559?

Nicee, looking forward to see it build up with that group :)!

Old Malfacs with new pads? They're not cheap- cheap, but they must be cheaper than those grand compes(?).

This.

Old Mafac centerpull are still quite powerful and you can still buy KoolStop pads for it.

Super long drop tektro's mentioned above have been ordered, Groupset has arrived, and in addition I've ordered this:

Medium cage silver X5 mech

and this:

PG 1050 11-36 cassette

going to strip down the bike for the new groupset now

shit-just-got-real.jpg

11-36 sounds fucking great, will you need a long cage rather than medium though?

Its a MTB medium, which as I understand it is equivalent to a road long cage. SRAM make a medium and long X5 rear mech, which are both rated for 36t so I assume that the long is for use with a tripple.

I stripped the bike this evening, I realised that I need to get a shim for the front mech as its band on, won't be a problem though I got one made in work before for road build. Other than that its all looking good.

medium sound right.
11-36 seemed rather high for a road bike, I still trying to find a used for my 34/32 combo which was more than enough for hill like Ditchling Beacon.

unless you're going to overload the bike with enough luggage to carry the entire ladies' equipment to Brighton, I do think 11-36 is pretty steep.