Raleigh Misty

[rb58]

Daughter returns from uni soon and wants a bike to run around on for the summer. I'm looking at this....

http://cgi.ebay.co.u...=item4aaaa5740a

But I wondered how easy it would be to get parts etc if it needed fettling. I'm guessing t will have chrome wheels which will need to be replaced.

Any other recommendations for a cheap summer run-about?

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

Imho something like that is an excellent candidate for fettling, being steel such bikes can withstand a lot of neglect and abuse by prior owners. It seems in reasonable original condition so chance is that modest adjustment and maintenance will see it providing good (and nowadays pretty fashionable) service for years to come.

The wheels don't look like chromed steel to me, not shiny enough - even if they were, replacing/upgrading parts of bikes such as this is regularly performed by many knowledgeable Ccers here.

I am pretty sure it has more than 4 gears at the back, even if the stem shifter was problematic replacements that can be clamped on the handlebars are available very cheaply.

The alternative of course is to get a £100ish bike from Decathlon.

 

[david1701]

its pretty and will earn you many many many brownie points espesh if there is evidence of you having to work hard on it (ie buy a new chain and cassette then spend a few days fitting them and cleaning it with a case of cold beer

 

[Amanda P]

It's a lovely bike, but just to introduce a note of caution: it may be old enough to have 27" wheels, rather than the current 700C size.

It can be a little tricky to source replacement wheels in 27", should it need them, and tyres may be hard to find. If the wheels and tyres it has are OK, no problem. Otherwise, be aware it might be a problem.

You may be able to simply switch to the slightly smaller 700 size - but you may find that the brakes won't quite reach the rims.

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

New 27" alloy wheels are not uncommon, and tyres from Continental, Schwalbe, Michelin etc. are still commonly available from Evans, CRC, etc. and including Halfrauds - the simple reason being that there must still be hundreds of thousands of durable machines from the era running around in the country, and undoubtedly will for years to come. But Uncle Phil is absolutely right that model choice is more limited than 700c.

 

[biggs682]

should not be a problem to keep it going for many a year

 

[rb58]

Thanks for the advice guys. There are two on eBay - one not far from me, so worth a punt I think. Spec is:

27 x 1 1/4 chrome rims (32-630)
Raleigh 610 Weinmann side pull brakes (front), 750 (rear)
Shimano Positron 400 5 speed derailleur gears (stem mounted lever).

 

[palinurus]

You'll be able to get bits for that. There are quite a few bike shops around which tend to stock parts for, and repair, bikes like that (your local Specialized dealer might be no use but there will be others). Parts also available on eBay and elsewhere.

 

[rb58]

Great, thanks.

 

[Zoiders]

Cheap 27" tyres for it are available in Wilko's as well as the same pattern brake pads.

I have worked on this model of bike, it's an 80's manufacture Raleigh IIRC and the rims are chrome steel, the rims on the bike in the picture are slightly rusted so have lost their shine, the spokes are rustless and not stainless so they tend to perish and break quite easily.

They are pretty enough bikes but not quite as foolproof or as well made as slightly earlier Raleigh utility bikes with hub gears, a full chain case and possibly even rod brakes.

 

[Zoiders]

I would watch this item.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LADIES-VINTAG...UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item33672cd17b#ht_500wt_1156

It looks tatty but it's got full stainless steel rims and spokes which were an option that cost more, the hubs and headset are basically indestructible as well.

 

[brokenbetty]

Don't assume you have to replace the wheels. I commuted on a steel rimmed Raleigh for about a year and while the braking wasn't great it was manageable, so if this is just for pootling around not that fast in reasonable weather and if weight isn't a concern the wheels will be fine.

One thing though, if you keep the original wheels I do recommend changing the brake pads for salmon koolstops.