Building up a slightly retro mixte - drivetrain question

[retro-rich]

Looks a spitting image of mine, except ours has a rack and kickstand added.

They seem to keep well don't they these wisps? And I love the look of the cranks and chainset, wonder if I could source a matching double.

TBH one of the reasons we went for the wisp was that the levers were up on the stem, I don't think she'd have taken to down tube shifters too well.

I'm having a bit of trouble with the fenders scrubbing on the tyres but will work that one out.

I see yours has the original cable outers too, any luck finding a matching colour? I've ended up just putting plain black on mine, colour variations seem a bit costly.

Again, can't believe how tidy it looks.

Rich

 

[ianfoot]

thanks. we'll see just how tidy it is, when my friendly LBS try and take off the bottom bracket. If it's tidy, it'll come out nicely and won't cost me a fortune. But there's the scope for 30 years of rust in there!!!

not looked for cables yet - i'll try and find a grey i think. unless i do the respray in cream, and then i'll go with lurid green cables.

 

[ianfoot]

ok, so my LBS have stripped the frame. Big thanks to Fred Baker cycles in Bristol! They were all prepared to find a good amount of rust inside the bottom bracket, but there was nothing - it was so clean!!

I'll drop it off at the powder coaters tomorrow. Probably going for RAL 6033 with a clear laquer, unless I change my mind again!!!

Bits have been arriving.

 

[tonyf39]

I built up one of these into an 18 speed with a flat bar configuration. Much easier for ladies who aren't used to riding and gear shifting options are more plentiful though I did buy a band on double cable stop which enabled me to use pretty much anything.
With some decent ally wheels it was around 13.5kg even with the steel rack. The Stainless steel mudguards are nice though.
The old Custom cranks did come in a double but were 52/42. Unless she's a strong rider make sure to have a wide range rear freewheel.
Most Stronglights have 86mm BCD but I think yours look like 122 or 130mm which is a shame as the c/rings for the 86bcd went down to 28T.
Watch out for the chromed rims in the wet(If you're keeping them), had a bit of a bad rap for being pants for braking.
good luck n all that

[/i]

 

[Jonny69]

Check the spacing at the back before you dive in with a 6-speed. I have a Raleigh Richmond in 531 and it's very very narrow at the back (110mm I think). It was a mighty squeeze getting a 125mm with a 5 speed on it.

 

[tonyf39]

Check the spacing at the back before you dive in with a 6-speed. I have a Raleigh Richmond in 531 and it's very very narrow at the back (110mm I think). It was a mighty squeeze getting a 125mm with a 5 speed on it.

From out personal experience the wisps could take a 6 speed cog no problem. IIRC the rear was about 124125mm, certainly didn't have any issues with a newer set of wheels designed for 6 speed which is what we fitted.

 

[Dead Rats]

Nice project, I've built a few customised mixtes myself including a Wisp (mine was standard steel though, are you sure yours is cromo?). One question though, have you considered how you're going to hang the new mech - will you not need a hanger between the wheel nut and the frame - ? SJS Cycles stock them I think

EDIT why do you need a triple cable guide?

good luck, I'll be watching with interest!

 

[ianfoot]

Funny that - I've got the rear mech hanger from SJS - arrived last week.

And I've realised I don't need a triple cable guide - I forgot that the rear brake cable is mounted using clips on the underside of one of the top tubes.

I will need a replacement double though - the current one is riveted on, and I need to remove it before going to the powder coaters.......which should have been two weeks ago, but a lovely holiday to Cardiganshire got in the way!!

 

[ianfoot]

the rear dropout is 126mm, so no issues getting a 6 speed 14-28 freewheel in there......

I'm still trying to work out whether to use the original 27" steel rim / maillard hub wheels which are in excellent condition, or replace them with 700c alloys. It's not going to be used in the wet, so the poor braking associated with steel rims son't be an issue.......

 

[Dead Rats]

Funny that - I've got the rear mech hanger from SJS - arrived last week.

And I've realised I don't need a triple cable guide - I forgot that the rear brake cable is mounted using clips on the underside of one of the top tubes.

I will need a replacement double though - the current one is riveted on, and I need to remove it before going to the powder coaters.......which should have been two weeks ago, but a lovely holiday to Cardiganshire got in the way!!

or you could drill the old one out, clean off all the rivet and superglue it back in place :?