1987 Raleigh Road Ace

[MyNameIsEarl]

My first vintage build. Thanks to everyone who helped with their advice, and apologies to the purists

Not sure about the brown saddle/tape. Views welcome!

1987 Raleigh Road Ace - 22.5"
Tape: Fizik superlight honey brown
Saddle: Charge Spoon
Shifters: 105 5600
Rear Derailleur: 105 5600
Front Derailleur: 105 5600
Chainset: 105 5600 52/39
Cassette: Ultegra 12-30
Brakes 105 5600
Bottom Bracket: Tiagra BB-RS500
Headset: Stronglight A9
Handlebars: Deda Speciale
Seatpost: Deda Elementi
Stem: Zenith 26mm quill stem
Tyres: Panaracer Paselas
Wheels: LBS hand built
Cables: Jagwire
Pedals: Shimano M520 SPD
Chain: KMC X10-93 10 Speed

 

[CTK]

Looks great.

 

[Midlife]

Cracking looking bike....I'm from the 70's when all bar tape was white lol

 

[Nob]

Bars could do with lowering leveling off

 

[MyNameIsEarl]

Cracking looking bike....I'm from the 70's when all bar tape was white lol

Haha, I was going to go with white saddle and tape, shame it only looks good for 5 minutes.

And thanks for the compliment!

 

[MyNameIsEarl]

Bars could do with lowering leveling off

You're right; it may be the photo, but I think the bars are level. I had them lower (in line with the stem), but I get RSI now and then and it's more comfy if they're level (or slightly up) for me.

I think it's also the old style bars as well, the hooks look a bit weird on a vintage bike if they're not in the traditional track style. I'm also used to modern bikes and riding on the hoods, rather than the tops.

 

[Peachy!]

Great looking Bike.... are you going to enter it into RBotM?

 

[MyNameIsEarl]

Great looking Bike.... are you going to enter it into RBotM?

Thanks! I don't think so, mine's not that special and I didn't build it to original spec.

I also agree with Nob, the bars look wrong, and I can't wrap tape for toffee

It's my 50'th next year, so I hoping for something really special like a Colnago master frame to build up.

 

[Fr188]

Great looking bike , I hope my road ace looks as good as yours, is that a short cage rear derailleur? Does it shift fine with the 30 tooth cassette? I’m looking to work with a 30 cassette, but I don’t know if to use my long cage 105 or try a smaller old style 6500 Ultegra.

 

[MyNameIsEarl]

Hi Fr, yep it's a short cage derailleur - shifts fine. I went for a 12-30, as I thought a 11-32 would be pushing it too far. Apparently it's okay for a 32, but you have to fiddle with the b-screw (take it out an reverse it), so you get enough space. Lots of people seem to have done it - a quick Google "11-32 cassette short cage" should help if you wanted to go that route.

Good luck with your build and post pics!