Advice needed on old road bike

[SKoob]

Hi folks, my dad has kindly given me his old Albion road bike, it's in need of some tlc after years of not being used. It's steel framed and running 27" wheels, 5 speed on the rear 2 on the front. Looking at the wheels they seem past it, they must be chromed steel judging by the rust, I've done a breif bit of research and am keen to keep the 27's as from what I gather they are bigger than the 700c's and I can keep the existing gearing. I'm not that familiar with what makes a good wheel but I'm guessing you can get alloy rimmed 27's these days but some advice would be great. The frame, gears and calipers all seem to be in good condtion and just need a clean, it definitley needs new tyres as they are rotten so will probs opt for gator skins. Will try and get some pics up when I got the lead for my camera

 

[SKoob]

Quick bit of searching has found these https://www.parkersofbolton.co.uk/p-812-27-weinmann-front-and-rear-alloy-wheels.aspx They seem very resonably priced, are they a good buy?

 

[PoweredByVeg]

Hi there,

Doing the same sort of thing to an old bike too, now I'm very tempted by them

Check the rear dropout spacing, the new wheel is 130mm, and I reckon a bike the age you have there will be nearer 120mm.

You can spread the rear to accomodate the new wheel, called "cold setting", or fiddle about with the spacers on the axle.

Have a look on Sheldon Brown's website, the bloke has left behind a legacy of cycle related info.

Also, Gatorskins in 27"?

 

[SKoob]

Well here's some pics of my new aquesition

Side on

The make. It was built up at a bike shop thats no longer open in my home town.

The wheels are pretty bad, gonna try cleaning them up on saturday, but I'm pretty certain its gonna require new rims

The tyres are well and truley past it, got some gator skins on order tough

Anyone got any info on Albion? or any help on getting soem wheels it would be much appreciated

 

[smokeysmoo]

Here's a LINK to what PBV was talking about re: frame spacing.

If you do need to re-space it don't panic, it's a doddle, but use the threaded bar method instead of the plank of wood method if you do it, gives far preciser control
EBC have some 27's on their site too, can't comment on them though, never used 27's.

 

[SKoob]

Put my gators and newinner tubes in and took her for a spin. WOW! what a difference compared to my hybrid. Very smooth and fast, struggling to get used to the tube shifters so looks like i'll be saving for some posh ones Tried cleaning the wheels with some wire wool but they are too far gone On the plus side the sapcing of the frame seems fine to suit a pair of new alloy 27" 1 1/4s So ordered them.

 

[gbb]

The chrome plated wheels are the incarnation of the devil himself Skoob, absolutely useless for good braking. best thing you'll ever do is swap them for alloy rims.
As for cheap wheels, while they'll never be as good as modern budget wheels, they'll be fine. O

One thing ive found with cheap wheels is the hubs are often poorly adjusted. Spin them while holding the axle either side. Feel any graunchiness ?..adjust them and lube them. I brough a cheap as chips pair for my hybrid, bloody awfully adjusted. Set em up before fitting, they're still running perfectly 3 years later.

Its a nice bike for fettling and playing with, nothing better than a project. I'm sure you'll get many miles from it.

 

[casper-d]

Hey Skoob,

Thanks for the post. Looks like a beaut - good luck with the restoration!

I too have an old racer to restore - a recently aquired Raleigh Carlton Kermesse - early 80s - and could do with the sort of advice that your questions are seeking!

I will be watching this thread. Good luck!

cd

 

[YahudaMoon]

I had them little mudgaurds and that Ever Ready lamp on my tracker fixed bike back in the early 80's. Im having a moment !!

 

[SKoob]

The braking is shocking at best which is worrying with the speed I can build up. Roll on the alloy wheels (baddum tish)It's a bit of a time warp, hadn't been touched for a good 15 years. My dad wasn't a keen cyclist so just dumped it in a shed lol. I thinks its going to take alot of elbow grease to get the guards sorted as although they are alloy they are seriously corrroded. Lamps a gooner by the looks of things, the switch is ceased

 

[YahudaMoon]

I noticed you have suicide levers (brake levers) on your bike. They were nicknamed 'Suiced Levers' as they dont work. I had them as a kid. Its was fun at the time. Not sure Id find it fun nowadays lol

 

[SKoob]

I'm guessing you mean the handles you can reach when not using the drops? They don't seem to apply a great deal of leverage on the brakes lol. Will all be sorted when I get some different shifters.

 

[casper-d]

Skoobs, you might like to give some Silvo a go. You can get it in most hardware stores and supermarkets. Works wonders on chrome and ally. Even if your guards are seriously corroded, a good session with Silvo will bring out their best. If they are falling apart don't bother - but if not, they will come up bright and still protect you somewhat from the detritus slewn off your wheels.

 

[SKoob]

Might have to have a ganders at that then, guess it's like brasso, but more for alloy and silver? I love the period look of the bike so really want to keep the guards if poss. I've heard coca cola is good at removing rust so might chuck the panier rack in there to see what it does :S

 

[SKoob]

Well heres some updated pics, gave it a quick clean, took the rack, gaurds and light off. Waiting for my allow wheels to arrive. Think it looks alot better