Springing an old frame.

[Globalti]

So my 1990 Harry Hall refurb project is going well; I've spent far more cash than I intended modernising some of the components - crankset, bars and brakes. Now I'm a MTBer and it's hilly round here but currently the bike has a 7 speed 14-28 screw-in block with a compact chainset with something like 38/50.

I like to sit and spin so I'd like a still lower first gear, around a 32 tooth would be fine. The wheels are ok quality but the ceramic coating is wearing through on the Mavic rims and looks unsightly, also I believe I might be able to shave some useful weight by fitting a quality wheelset with butted spokes. The choices seem to be:

1 - Fit a triple chainset and probably new derailleurs. However I reckon it won't be long before I can't actually buy a replacement 7 speed screw-on block.

2 - Get a frame builder to "spring" the rear dropouts apart then realign them to accept a modern hub, giving me the ability to fit an 8 or even a 9 speed cassette on a nice new wheelset.

Which option? The essential point is that here is a quality Columbus SLX frame, which needs lightweight modern components to make it as nice a ride as when it was built in 1990.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

option 2

 

[peanut]

if it was built in 1990 it should have 130mm rear dropouts for 8 speed not 126mm for 7 speed or less.?
My Ribble 653 is a late 80's frameset and takes 8 speed comfortably .

9 speed is a little wider but the cassette is recessed at the rear to fit onto an 8 speed freehub. 10 speed is narrower than both of them and actually needs a small packing washer on an 8 speed freehub.

I would measure the dropouts accurately and just confirm they are only 126mm because that is very surprising for a 90's frame.

Cold setting a steel frame chain and seat stays is nothing more scientific than brute strength applied very carefully. You just stretch the stays a little beyond where they need to end up and when the stays spring back they should be around 130mm .

You could use a solid axle and two axle nuts and washers between the dropouts.
Just turn the nuts out a little to widen the dropouts release to re- measure occasionally. Don't try to do it all in one go. Its a trial and error thing and its easier to gauge each time you do it. Be careful because a Harry hall is probably 531C ?


Frankly as you are only talking about 4mm you can simply pull the drop outs apart by that much to put a 8,9,10 speed freehub wheel in . Unless you plan to be taking the wheel in and out regularly like transporting in a car I shouldn't bother.
Just get a cheap set of R500 10 spd wheels for as little as £40 and fit 8,9 or 10 speed cassette.
It will cost a packet to upgrade all the rest of the transmission though

 

[Globalti]

Interesting reply, thanks. I'll give that some thought.

The HH is Columbus SLX with cast lugs. I measured it at 126mm.

 

[Christopher]

[snip]It will cost a packet to upgrade all the rest of the transmission though

Not necessarily. I have it on good authority (my own two eyes) that RR has an 8 speed RH Sora shifter, courtesty of ColinJ. All he has to get now is the wheel, hub, chain and cassette!

BTW it is a gorgeous bike. Pics when done please!

 

[MartinC]

!990 was still well into the days of 126mm drop outs. 126 to 130 is only 4mm so as peanut says you might get away with it. Especially if it's a loose 126 - nothing in life is exact. By the same token getting it sprung and realigned (essentially making sure the drop outs are parallel again) shouldn't be a big job. There is a possibility that if you don't have it cold set (sprung) then the wheel alignment may not be exactly right when you spread the drop outs to get the 13omm axle in. But this'll be more cosmetic than a real problem - depends how finicky you are.

If you go this route then you have the pick of modern wheel components and the benefits of a freehub (stronger axles).

 

[Globalti]

Not necessarily. I have it on good authority (my own two eyes) that RR has an 8 speed RH Sora shifter, courtesty of ColinJ. All he has to get now is the wheel, hub, chain and cassette!

BTW it is a gorgeous bike. Pics when done please!

Thanks! It rides really nicely too - there is a picture in the photo gallery section.

When you think about it, that frame probably represents the culmination of many decades of steel tube and frame development because it wasn't long after it was built that carbon began to creep onto the scene. So to take what seems to me like the Mercedes Benz (but possibly not Rolls-Royce?) of steel frames and fit it with modern equipment seems like a worthy project to me.

BTW who are you Frustruck? Were you on ColinJ's ride?

 

[peanut]

Not necessarily. I have it on good authority (my own two eyes) that RR has an 8 speed RH Sora shifter, courtesty of ColinJ. All he has to get now is the wheel, hub, chain and cassette!

BTW it is a gorgeous bike. Pics when done please!

and front and rear mechs as a 7 speed will not work

Sora 8 speed are excellent I still have a Sora 8 setup on my 1990 Ribble frame which is excellent

130mm Harry must have been a bit behind the times building that frame. he was never known for being `cutting edge' if you know what I mean. More the classic 531 club bike frame


just seen the picture very nice in yelloow. I'm amazed that has 126mm dropouts .
Did you initially have a different photo linked in your first post by any chance ?

 

[robbarker]

Get it cold set to 130 - or see Sheldon Brown' s guide and do it yourself. Just take it slowly and carefully and you'll be fine.

 

[Globalti]

Well I've just re-measured it carefully and it looks more like 128mm, so I'll borrow a newer wheel and try it for fit.

 

[fossyant]

128mm - you will get away with that !

 

[Globalti]

Yep - just tried it and the frame only needs to spring apart by another couple of mm to take 130mm.

SJS Cycles are always advertising sets of Sora wheels on Eblag for silly money so I think I'll bid on those.

 

[MartinC]

Result! Sounds like the framebuilder was hedging his bets as 130 OLN 8 speeds hubs were on the way in. Have a pint for him - he was a smart bloke.