cyclocross project

[scarygerbil]

guys I know this is a bit oof topic but
in my area there are some nice bridal and offroad cycle paths (not mountain bike routes) and this has started an itch ive had for while since I spotted a picture of a carlton being ridden in a cyclocross race to build a nice steel cyclocross bike
so I am now turning to your great minds for hints, advice or even just a big "NO don't do it"
due to my inside leg of 30" I was thinking of a 19 or 20 inch frame with 10 speeds and putting bar end shifters on it. because it would an occasional ride and the wife's nasty looks I am not looking to spend a fortune on the build and was thinking of Raleigh from the 70s or 80s at the youngest
also what would be the best brake and wheel set up

 

[screenman]

Have you thought about a complete second hand one, £300 ish would get you one of that era.

 

[scarygerbil]

I have been looking but most are modern

 

[raleighnut]

A suitable Raleigh frame won't be listed as a CX bike though, it'll just be listed as 'retro' and then you'd have to convert it to cyclocross spec (at the time this involved simply changing the tyres) the rest was just left standard.
I'd go for one with 700c wheels which would be an 80s one (for tyre choice) although a racier 27" wheel frame may work with 700c wheels and longer 'drop' brakes giving more tyre clearance (they're slightly smaller wheels)

 

[scarygerbil]

thanks @raleighnut this is what I was thinking as there would be some road riding involved and the bar end shifters are in someways so I can have more control on rough ground

 

[raleighnut]

thanks @raleighnut this is what I was thinking as there would be some road riding involved and the bar end shifters are in someways so I can have more control on rough ground

You never know @biggs682 may have summat up for sale suitable to convert and sizing on those older Raleighs is a bit different to modern quoted sizes so a 21.5" in their sizing may well be small enough.

 

[screenman]

Hope you are going for canti's on a bike that age.

 

[raleighnut]

I'd use something like these on a conversion from 27" to 700c but I'd be running 28mm tyres max.

http://www.google.co.uk/aclk?sa=L&a...ahUKEwj8qbPF0YHOAhVCBBoKHfn_BA0Qwg8ILQ&adurl=

 

[mikeymustard]

I've got a Raleigh touriste frame with canti's that would be ideal for a cx conversion but at 19.5" it would be way too small for you, but a touring bike would be worth looking at

 

[biggs682]

thanks @raleighnut

@scarygerbil the only thing i have that would fit the bill is this project Brace of Bromwich's

 

[Nibor]

A Dawes Galaxy would be a good call too if you can get hold of an old one.

 

[raleighnut]

I've got a Raleigh touriste frame with canti's that would be ideal for a cx conversion but at 19.5" it would be way too small for you, but a touring bike would be worth looking at

He was originally looking for a 19 or 20 inch frame, it was only me who said a bigger one may still fit.

 

[mikeymustard]

He was originally looking for a 19 or 20 inch frame, it was only me who said a bigger one may still fit.

I've just sold an identical-sized Raleigh flyer to a girl who was about 5'3" and it fitted perfectly, there's no chance @scarygerbil would fit unless he was an actual gerbil

 

[raleighnut]

I've just sold an identical-sized Raleigh flyer to a girl who was about 5'3" and it fitted perfectly, there's no chance @scarygerbil would fit unless he was an actual gerbil

Hence my earlier post.

[

You never know @biggs682 may have summat up for sale suitable to convert and sizing on those older Raleighs is a bit different to modern quoted sizes so a 21.5" in their sizing may well be small enough.

He does mention suffering from 'Ducks syndrome' though.

 

[cyberknight]

I assume your cable enough to have the rear drop out spacing stretched to accomodate 10 speed ?
The older frames are liable to have a126 mm gap in the dropouts whereas newer bikes tend to have 130 mm .