Raleigh Competition

So, having just recently finished my Koga Miyata build, the time has come for my other bike.

It's a Raleigh Competition with 531 tubing. Serial number says it was built in 1980 at the Worksop factory in England, which it also says on the frame "Craftsman built by Carlton Cycles, Worksop England".

It's currently built up as a singlespeed bad weather bike (hence the raceblades), but it's actually a fairly nice frame in decent condition, so I figure it would be a bit of a shame not doing something more with it, also I want to convert it to fixed.

Here's what I'd like to change:

**Wheels: ** I'm thinking anodized box (Open Pro CD, H+son tb14, Mavic MA-40) rims with gumwall tires, silver spokes and high flange hubs. Something like these, should give it a nice classic look:

http://www.pedalroom.com/p/cinelli-mash-bolt-2012-3830_6.jpg

The only problem is that those rims are all fairly expensive, does anyone know of any other rims which look similar, but are a bit more affordable?

I'm hoping I can find some used, but that's a waiting game at this point.

Chain and cog: I'm keeping the cranks, BB and chainring. The chainring is a 52t stronglight, so a 19t cog should give it a nice ratio for fixed. Chain: KMC Z610 Premium HX Chain - 3/32".

Handlebars and stem: 38 cm Nitto B105AA bullhorns and an 80mm stem, as I mostly ride on the hoods.

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/images/products/medium/22290.jpg

Brake levers: No idea, I like riding on the hoods, so no crosslevers, something comfortable. Any suggestions?

Also does anyone know of brake hoods which could be matched to fx. dark brown bar tape? Or do I need to stop being so anal and just get black ones.

Brake cables: Silver ones instead of black.

Bar tape: I have Brooks antique on another bike, which I'm quite happy with and I'm thinking it would match the saddle. However I'm a bit unsure if the dark brown combined with black hoods (if I can't get matching hoods) would look bad and I'd be better off just getting black tape? Or maybe save some cash and just get something entirely different, fx. tan cinelli cork?

Pedals: Thinking MKS Sylvan Road or Track, they seem to be the same, except the Road is a bit wider? Would one be preferable for double toe straps and cages?

http://www.cnc-bike.de/images/mks_sylvan_track.png
http://www.totalcycling.com/images/large/18785_062623.jpg

Cages and straps: MKS Steel Toe Clips - Deep Twin. I'm kind of unsure about straps. I want double straps, however it seems they're either complete crap, or really expensive. Does anyone have experience with the BLB extrastrong freestyle straps? Or any other suggestions that cost around £40?

http://bricklanebikes.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/BLBDoubleDoubleNewComp.jpg

Anyways, all suggestions and ideas are welcome, so let me know what you think.

I've had those blb straps for a couple of years with no problems whatsoever. Would give them 10/10 if it weren't for the blb logo.
I kinda like the bike in it's current guise tbh, maybe some nicer mudguards and some north road bars would be the finishing touch. Paintjob is understated in a classy way.

Thanks for your comment. Sounds good with regards to the straps.

I actually wanted to get rid of the mudguards. Don't really want to change too much, however I need new wheels if I'm gonna convert it to fixed and the current ones are pretty ratty as well.

I get what you mean with regards to the overall character of the bike, which I don't want to change either. Hopefully I can keep it understated and classic looking, just with nicer parts.

I actually have a pair of north road bars (or something very similar at least) lying around, maybe I'll give those a go.

Does anyone know why my pictures get changed to links?!

Uts function

http://www.nikolaus.dk/files/cykel/raleigh.jpg

Click on the image.
Copy the http image address from the top bar.
Click on the pic of the yellow box with mountains in it which is in the tool bar when writing / editing a post.
Paste the image address into that.
Enter it and it appears with the brackets [URL] at either end.
Submit post and Robert's your mother's Bro - bro.

Hey guys, thanks.

That's exactly what I did and initially it works fine and the images get posted, however when I return to the post, all images have been changed to links instead?!

It might be because the original image is too big so it regulates itself.

Thanks Wrongcog, resized the image and it seems to work now :)

Anyway, does anyone have suggestions for good road brake levers?