Raleigh Competition 1985 Build

Hi All,

So started this off on the main board but moving it here, have bought a 1985 Raleigh Competition, frame only, Reynolds 531c, in original paint, rally nice condition.

Build is going to be full Shimano 600 tricolour.

Progress so far...

The finish on the 600 parts go very nicely with that frame colour. Looking lovely.

Hi sjc,

Yeah I’m hoping it will all come together, I was tempted to go with 6207 derailleurs as they’re all silver, and then maybe some Dura Ace or later Ultegra brakes to keep it silver all round as I want dual pivot brakes (last bike had 1050 105 single pivots and they’re ok but not really up to hauling me to stop down hill in an emergency!)

So far I’m pleased with the 6400 stuff, it’s cleaned up nicely and I’ve got wheels coming with 6400 hubs, stainless spokes and Mavic MA40 rims in really nice condition, so hoping that will finish it off nicely.

Yeah, I guess it can be a bit of a balance between the newer (generally better) components and keeping it looking right. In this case, I think you've got no worries there - unless you're going for a completely period restoration, why not go for something that actually makes for a better ride?

Sounds like a good wheel choice - looking forward to seeing it all together.

Does anyone have any experience cold setting a frame, there’s lots of YouTube vids etc of it being done, but has anyone actually done it and had good/bad experience?

The wheels I’ve got have a 6400 7 speed rear hub, but I have a good 8 speed rear hub too, which I’m tempted to swap the free hub body and axle out of into the built wheel to give me the extra sprocket, but the frame is 126mm and the 8 speed hub would require re-spacing the frame to 130mm, and probably need the wheel re-dishing too.

For now 7 speed is ok and I’ve got a 14-32 cassette which should get me up most of the hills round here a little easier than the 28 I was running on my last bike, but I wouldn’t mind a 34 tooth rear, and I don’t really want a cassette with massive jumps between sprockets which you tend to get on the 7 speed ones which go up to 34, so going to 8 speed would help this.

Any thoughts?

Just put the wheel in.

Its only 2mm each side

But do check that the chain doesnt foul the stays on the last cog.

Yup, the wheel will fit fine, no need for any special treatment. I've swapped wheels with 6-8 speed hubs between various steel frames, and never had an issue.

Thanks for the feedback, will try fitting the spare 8 speed hub to check and then swap over the free hub from that to the built up wheel if it’s ok.

Shimano 600 engraved aero seat post just arrived so will get that cleaned, polished up and fitted later.

I think LGF has a special technique for this.
I was there at Twatgate.

Not much progress as still waiting for wheels and handlebars to arrive.

Polished up the seat post, it had a couple of deeper scratches in the back at the base of the saddle cradle, looks like it had been pushed/dropped down onto the seat tube and had left marks, so a little bit of time with a fine curved needle file, some wet and dry and a bit of Autosol and elbow grease and it’s looking much better.