Raleigh Eclipse 501 - newbies first buy, need some help

[razorpirate87]

Recently bought this, kind of an impulse buy ive always liked retro road bikes but after reading about upgrading the bike im completely baffled, the most ive ever done is change a tyre on my old bmx or put a chain back on :facepalm:

any suggestions on things that would be worth updating/upgrading? i dont mind spending a little money on it
ill start with some new handlebar tape.

heres the description from ebay;

21" / 53.5 cm Reynolds 501 double butted lugged and brazed steel frame.
12 speed Sach Huret gears, with Shimano light action rear mech, SAKAE SA crankset, SR SP250 pedals, Raleigh Custom alloy stem and bars.
700c Alesa rims with Mallard hubs.

 

[Midlife]

Looks damn fine as it is

Shaun

Ok, maybe not the saddle................

 

[Ideale]

Change saddle and bar tale and then ride it for a while,see how you like it and if you do do some more changes and that's how it goes!
And then you'll find another one....

 

[razorpirate87]

Thanks guys. Ive ordered a new seat post, seat & black cork tape for the bars

Bikes on its way now, will update the thread soon but you are right, i should at least ride it first

 

[razorpirate87]

new tape and saddle

im looking to upgrade to brake lever shifters, now its currently a 12 speed would i need to change the rear flywheel? or any other bits? also decent brake/shifters you can recommend. gear changeing feels a little sloppy other than that im quite happy with it

 

[AndyMart]

It's pretty expensive to go integrated, maybe popping on some indexed Downtube shifters would improve the shift and keep the retro look.

 

[xxnick1975]

I wouldn't change to stis, it's great as it is

Not keen on the new saddle to be honest

The post and bar tape are nice.

Drop the handlebars a bit.

As already stated some alloy shifters would be nice

New tyres would improve it a lot, but stick with amber walls

Better pedals maybe.

Great bike

 

[kingbling]

From the look of your DT shifter you need to sort out the cables looks like it a bit stretched otherwise its looking good +1 on the saddle though

 

[razorpirate87]

Re:

not too fussed about the shifters but they seem to need some tweaking, i cant really select all gears on the rear but selecting between the front 2 is fine. seems clunky when selecting rear gears? not too sure how to go about tuning them

i know the seats not your typical racer but i have a wide arse so to speak lol have never got on with racer thin type saddles but may try one out in the future

any links for a decent set of alloy shifters? or even an improved chain that will fit? i only look on ebay as i dont really know where else to look

 

[kingbling]

Ok set your shifter to 6th gear lowest on the rear freewheel (cogs) where the cable is clamped on the rear mech pinch/clamp bolt loosen it off and pull the cable tight the do up the pinch bolt and check the shifting let me know it you have all gears