Raleigh Caprice - Excited!!

[Sara_H]

I've won this auction today, am picking up on tuesday - cant wait!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150892983963

It doesnt have the basket bracket, but does have a pannier rack, which I was more bothered about! Love the detail on the chain guard!

Totally impracticle for me as I live at the top of a big hill, I shall only be able to take it for pootles near by!

Can't wait to get my hands on it!!!

 

[Mark Grant]

Looks great. I'm sure I've seen a seller on Ebay with the basket supports.

 

[Sara_H]

Looks lovely doesn't it.

Looks to me like its had a bracket removed - I shall get a basket on it somehow, don't worry!

 

[Mark Grant]

Clas Ohlson do one that clamps to the handle bars, my daughter has one on one of her bikes.
http://www.clasohlson.com/uk/Handlebar-Basket/Pr348260000

 

[Alembicbassman]

I bought one for my mom last year, it was a minter, in purple, virtually unused for £60. The one I bought had a large metal basket bracket on the headtube, looks like this may have been cut off yours. It took a Caprice specific basket, but I managed to zip tie a £5 wire frame basket bought at TKMaxx to it.

 

[Sara_H]

Looking closely at the photos of mine it looks like the bracket has been removed, which is a shame - No worries though, I'll get a basket on it somehow.

There's another one listed on ebay at the minute thats identical to mine which states its a 1994 model.

It's a bit of a folly for me really, I shan't be able to do much more than ride a couple of miles to my Mum's house, the supermarket or my sons footie matches which are on a level to me, everywhere else I go involves coming back up a very long, steep hill - but I had to get the need for a pretty bike out of my system!

 

[tyred]

I recently serviced one of these for a neighbour. I have to say it rides like a dream. Far better than I was expecting.

Stick a 22 tooth sprocket on the Sturmey and it will be easy to ride up hills as well.

 

[Sara_H]

I recently serviced one of these for a neighbour. I have to say it rides like a dream. Far better than I was expecting.

Stick a 22 tooth sprocket on the Sturmey and it will be easy to ride up hills as well.

You've gone a bit technical on me there - but I'm always interested in ways to make hill climbing easier. What exactly is a 22 tooth sprocket and how do you stick it on a sturmey?

Edit to add, I've googled sprockets so understand a bit better - how many teeth do you think are on the origional sprocket?

 

[tyred]

You've gone a bit technical on me there - but I'm always interested in ways to make hill climbing easier. What exactly is a 22 tooth sprocket and how do you stick it on a sturmey?

The lower the gear ratio, the easier the bike is to pedal. The gear ratio on a single speed bike is the ratio of the large front chainwheel and the smaller sprocket on the rear hub. The SA 3 speed allows a lower gear and a higher gear. 2nd gear is the same ratio you would have if it were a single speed bike.

Standard issue roadster gearing on a 26" wheeled bike like yours was 46 teeth on the front and 18 on the back. That leaves high gearing more suited to time trialling than normal riding. By replacing the 18 tooth sprocket with a 22 tooth one (about a fiver from Ebay) you will lower the ratio which lowers alll three gears leaving you with a top gear which isn't too much higher than you would normally choose for a single speed bike and two climbing gears.

Changing the sprocket is quite simple, take the wheel of, clean the existing sprocket and you will see a large spring clip which can be popped off with a screwdriver. Remove the old one, put in the new one, paying attention to the dishing and where the spacers are (should be two of them). A new chain may also be necessary but you might get away with it, if it's not too worn or very short. Before doing anything have a look at how the wheel is fitted. Is it well back in the drop-outs? Changing an 18 tooth sprocket with a 22 will bring it forward half an inch in the drop outs. If there isn't enough adjustment, you will need to add a link or just fit a new chain.

 

[Sara_H]

The lower the gear ratio, the easier the bike is to pedal. The gear ratio on a single speed bike is the ratio of the large front chainwheel and the smaller sprocket on the rear hub. The SA 3 speed allows a lower gear and a higher gear. 2nd gear is the same ratio you would have if it were a single speed bike.

Standard issue roadster gearing on a 26" wheeled bike like yours was 46 teeth on the front and 18 on the back. That leaves high gearing more suited to time trialling than normal riding. By replacing the 18 tooth sprocket with a 22 tooth one (about a fiver from Ebay) you will lower the ratio which lowers alll three gears leaving you with a top gear which isn't too much higher than you would normally choose for a single speed bike and two climbing gears.

Changing the sprocket is quite simple, take the wheel of, clean the existing sprocket and you will see a large spring clip which can be popped off with a screwdriver. Remove the old one, put in the new one, paying attention to the dishing and where the spacers are (should be two of them). A new chain may also be necessary but you might get away with it, if it's not too worn or very short. Before doing anything have a look at how the wheel is fitted. Is it well back in the drop-outs? Changing an 18 tooth sprocket with a 22 will bring it forward half an inch in the drop outs. If there isn't enough adjustment, you will need to add a link or just fit a new chain.

Thanks for that - I'll certainly be something I'll be considering.

I'll still be using my mountain bike for my commute etc - but was thinking of pressing the Caprice into action for little pootles out and about.

 

[Sara_H]

Thanks for that - I'll certainly be something I'll be considering.

I'll still be using my mountain bike for my commute etc - but was thinking of pressing the Caprice into action for little pootles out and about.

Do I just replace one sprocket?

 

[Sara_H]

Look what I found!

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Nice Sara, want one too now

 

[Sara_H]

Nice Sara, want one too now

Loads on Ebay, Pat - A few on preloved and Gumtree also. Available in pink, white, mint, pale blue.

Picking mine up tomorrow, cant wait!

 

[biggs682]

so 1 more sleep then