Switching Wheels

[Kaner]

Hello all

I'm new to road bikes but have been building old school bmx for several years, so I'm not entirely new to building, but definately new to all these geared bikes!

So I have picked up a 1970's Raymond Poulidor and I want to change the standard heavy steel wheels to a set of Campy hub Mavics. The bike I have is a 10 speed and my question is if I find a wheel set with a 6-8 geared cassette will it work with the rest of my gearing/derailuers? Will they just need dialling in etc to set it up or is it more complicated?

Apologies for what is probably a dumb question but this is the first bike I've had with gears for 15 years.

Thanks in advance.

Ben

Below is the bike in question:

 

[MrW]

Firstly, welcome to the forum!

Secondly, given the condition of the bike in question do you own a Tardis?!

Thirdly, hopefully this will answer your question: http://sheldonbrown.com/frame-spacing.html

 

[mrcpea]

What a beauty.
A lovely looking bike if I may say so and welcome from me also.
I can't answer your question, but the advice from MrW sounds good.

BTW, if you change the wheels, please contact me via a PM and I might be interested in the hubs on your current wheels, that's of course if you want to go down that route!

Rich

 

[Kaner]

Re:

Thanks I will take a look at that.

It is a very original bike, it looks barely used.

 

[nammonk]

Re:

The gearing should be OK up to 8 speed; the derailleur should be able to manage the extra distance across the freewheel. The two main issues should be: (1) chain -- if you go for more than 6 speed, you'll need a narrower chain. 7/8 speed are widely available at a range of prices. Sram seem to work fine, but there are others; (2) rear-end spacing. Your frame will be spaced for 5 speeds, so 120 OLD. 7 speed needs 126 OLD and more recent hubs need 130. 130 may be a bit of a push for your frame though not impossible.

You have two options for 126 hubs (e.g. Campag 7 speed cassette): either just pull the rear ends apart as you put the wheel in to the frame. It is only 6mm difference, so perfectly do-able, and no harm will be done. Alternatively, you can "cold set" the frame to 126. There are lots of threads on how to do this, and it is not difficult and won't do the frame any harm. You should be able to find some nice 7 speed wheels still.

One last thing: are the rims 27 x 1 1/4"? If you change to more modern wheels, you'll almost certainly get 700c which have a smaller diameter. Your brakes may then not reach the rims (although it looks like you probably have enough reach on those brakes). If in doubt, try slipping a pair of 700c wheels in at a friendly bike shop.

Nick

 

[Kaner]

Re:

This is really great information. Great descriptions too.

Thank you

 

[Midlife]

......keep the bike as is and get fitter so you can ride it, seems a shame to break it up for modern kit as it looks like the day it left the shop The Eternal Second will turn in his grave if you mess with it LOL

Rims look like steel 27 X 1 1/4 look out for an alloy rimmed equivalent

Shaun

 

[Kaner]

Here are a few more photos of the bike:

Paint work is really flat:

But with some T-cut it comes up really well:

New Star hubs:

Even the cable clips are mint:

I'm going clean it up and polish it up so it's all shiny, the metal components clean up nicely too, but to be honest I'm not sure I'm going to keep it. I'm not trying to make money on it or anything like that, i doubt i would get back what i paid for it, I'm just not sure I like it enough to keep it :-/

I've got a new (used) seat for it though a San Marco Rolls in brown which will improve it nicely.