Raleigh Road Ace 1987 - couple of queries

[MyNameIsEarl]

Hi, I've just picked up a 1987 Raleigh Road Ace frame & fork and would like to do a modern build on it.

Does anyone know if I can use a modern 68mm English BB?

Can I also use a standard 1" headset?

Can you use a quill stem with modern bars?

It's my first retro-modern build. Do you think it's a bad idea and I should keep it original? (600ex groupset)?

Thanks for your help!

 

[onegoodbike]

Re:

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Yes to your first two questions, although it might be worth checking the rear dropout width to check you can fit a modern cassette in?.

The last is a bit more of an issue, modern bars tend to have a clamp diameter of 31.8mm and there is not a lot of choice for 1" quill stems that take that size of bar (velo orange do one but it ain't that pretty! :shock: ). So either source some bars with a more traditional diameter of between 25mm and 26mm (ish) and use a 1" quill stem of the right size, or buy a threadless adapter/convertor that fits into the forks and takes the quill diameter up to 1 & 1/8" allowing you to use any modern stem you wish.

Hope this helps and good luck with the build.

Matt

 

[MyNameIsEarl]

Thanks for the response, that makes life easier

I think the rear dropout is 126mm, so will need to cold-set to 130mm (will get LBS to do it hopefully!).

I'll look into a quill adapter, but don't want it to look awful, so may stick with skinny bars like a Nitto Noodle, or something.

 

[Nob]

Re:

If your rear dropouts are 130mm then you can use a modern 10 or 11speed set up.

 

[JSH]

I’ll post mome pics later. Ive got a nice retro mod with quill adaptor and silver Ritchey bars, stem and seatpost. A quill stem does look better if you can get bars with the correct profile for you.

Bottom bracket dimensions have essentially been the same dimensions for decades so that will be OK. On an 87 RRA, the brake drilling should be for Allen key fixing so no problem there either.

Worth carefully checking the OLN distance. If it is 126mm, you can cold set it.

 

[JSH]

These

 

[legrandefromage]

Hi and welcome

1979 MKM with very modern 10sp Ultegra. A quill to Ahead converter will give you access to new bars and stems but I prefer quill. Theres plenty of good quality 25.4/ 26mm bars about

 

[JSH]

Re:

I agree a quill will look better but the choice for bars will be much better with an adaptor.. Modern compact bars work better for me with modern shift levers.

I’m sure I’ve seen someone making new quill stems that fit modern bar diameters. Possibly Velo Orange?

 

[MyNameIsEarl]

I’ll post mome pics later. Ive got a nice retro mod with quill adaptor and silver Ritchey bars, stem and seatpost. A quill stem does look better if you can get bars with the correct profile for you.

Bottom bracket dimensions have essentially been the same dimensions for decades so that will be OK. On an 87 RRA, the brake drilling should be for Allen key fixing so no problem there either.

Worth carefully checking the OLN distance. If it is 126mm, you can cold set it.

Very nice! Thanks for the replies and the welcome all.

Regarding the brakes, I've got some Shimano R650 long drops. Is it a pain to drill out the brake bridge to fit Allen key fixing? or is it possible to convert them to a nutted fixing?

Just answered my own question - doesn't look difficult either way - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74RBbMoAy4k

That 10sp Ultegra's nice legrandefromage, just something with polished arms to keep the retro feel would be good.

 

[G60MAT]

Nice frame, I had one back in the day, rode great!