Upgrading components on a 531 frame.

[gbb]

Nice bike!!!!

Yeah, I read about expanding the dropouts..... I'll have a go at that

Would a 10 speed shifter work with a 9 speed cassette?

The 10 speed shifter on ebay is by far the cheapest I've seen and that makes me think.... is that too good?

So, I will get some wheels, I was hoping that I could use my current wheels

I will get a nice pair of shifters and a chainset - any recommendations?

Getting to the gritty stuff, a few questions Manonabike..

What size wheels have you ? 700 or 27's. 700s no problem but if you've 27s, you may end up fitting deep drop calipers which i've found..less than perfect.

Spacing the rear triangle...go nice and easy. I was worried i'd crack the brake bridge. Do a little each side, measure, then adjust again if neccessary.
I didnt have any problems.

I consider mine an upgraded winter workhorse. It still cost IRO £230, and i didnt have to get shifters...although just about everything else was purchased for the bike (mostly from ebay)...some bits were used, some new.
I dont love it...but its a strong beast...its ok and it is very satisfying to do.

 

[Manonabike]

Thanks for that link and the information given, it's much appreciated.

Well, I started by winning a set of wheels on ebay. They are a pair of shimano R505 and the seller said "Cassette is for 9spd, but will accept 8, 10 and probably even 7 speed if you use a spacer." So, I'm still keeping my options opened

I don't like the look of 8 speed shifters so I don't think I will go down that road.

I have a set of Shimano Ultegra STI shifters in mind but if I buy them then I would be left with about £70 for the cassette and rear mech ( I know I was being too optimistic with £300 for the lot )

 

[Manonabike]

Getting to the gritty stuff, a few questions Manonabike..

What size wheels have you ? 700 or 27's. 700s no problem but if you've 27s, you may end up fitting deep drop calipers which i've found..less than perfect.

Spacing the rear triangle...go nice and easy. I was worried i'd crack the brake bridge. Do a little each side, measure, then adjust again if neccessary.
I didnt have any problems.

I consider mine an upgraded winter workhorse. It still cost IRO £230, and i didnt have to get shifters...although just about everything else was purchased for the bike (mostly from ebay)...some bits were used, some new.
I dont love it...but its a strong beast...its ok and it is very satisfying to do.

The wheels are 700!

Yes, I read about the risk of cracking the bridge and the advise given is to tape the joints before attempting to expand the dropouts.... I need to find out what tape they use

I bet it is satisfying.... I'm already having fun planing the upgrade and looking for parts!

Thanks for the information.

 

[Manonabike]

Could I ask for opinions on these groupsets please?

9 speed
http://www.cyclingbargains.com/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=454



10 speed
http://www.cyclingbargains.com/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=1303

9 speed sora compact 3400
http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=D0064&source=webgains&siteid=47683


I guess a Raleight would have an English thread BB, am I right?

For the front changer, what is the difference between braze on and band on?

Thanks

 

[PpPete]

With a 531 frame there is usually plenty of "spring" in rear triangle. IIRC your drop-outs are 126 mm. Just pull them apart with your fingers to get 130 mm hub in there. No need to reset the frame.

For the front changer you'll want a band-on with 28.6 mm diameter clamp. Or you can buy an adapter that will allow you to fit a braze-on mech.

Buying a whole groupset like that is cheating....buy individual components on ebay, and then work out which ones aren't compatible with each other, try to resell those at a profit.

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

Could I ask for opinions on these groupsets please?

9 speed
http://www.cyclingbargains.com/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=454

10 speed
http://www.cyclingbargains.com/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=1303

9 speed sora compact 3400
http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=D0064&source=webgains&siteid=47683

I believe the Sora's have reliability issues for some people. Sora brifters are also operationally different to that of Shimano's higher groups. You might want to go to a big LBS to see whether you prefer Campag or Shimano levers' operations.


I guess a Raleight would have an English thread BB, am I right?

Yes.

For the front changer, what is the difference between braze on and band on?

Your frame either has brazed on bosses on which the front mech is bolted on, or alternatively your front mech has an integral band wrapping around the frame. The latter setup gives you freedom for major changes re chainset/chainring diameter unconstrained by boss position/range.

I agree with Porkypete's comments re drop-outs and changers.

I bet it is satisfying.... I'm already having fun planing the upgrade and looking for parts!

Thanks

It is a drug...

 

[Manonabike]

It is a drug...

Thanks for all the comments and information.

Good news about the dropouts having plenty of spring - thanks for that tip!!!!


Porkypete, I take your point - there is a set of ultegra 10 speed shifters that I like.... the question that I'm asking myself at then moment is, assuming ultegra are good shifters and worth having in my upgrade , should I go to 10 speed? What would be the advantage and disadvantage over 9 speeds? Are 10 speed shifters better shifting technology?

Do I need to buy a new chainset to go with the new cassette? At this point I'm still to decide whether to go for 9 or 10 speed.

I would really like to have a 3 rings chainset if I can - would that make a serious difference to tackle hills?

 

[PpPete]

The more speeds you got, the components are more expensive and have shorter life. That's probably an over simplification... but it's a fair rule of thumb.
If you're going for a triple, then maybe stick to 8 speed cassette? you can still get a good range of gears like that with reasonably close ratios.

Have to admit, I decided on a triple 9 speed set up, and I'm sticking with it although still playing with precise choice of gears. Basically a standard road triple 52-42-30 and a 12-26 road cassette doesn't quite give me the range I want for hills. I'm planning on trying a 11-32 cassette next, and if gaps on that too big I'll drop back maybe to 11-28 cassette, and get some smaller rings up front. My OH didnt want a monster top gear for blasting down hills like I did and prefers to spin up hills, so she has 48-38-26 front and 11-32 rear.

The standard advice is to figure out what gear inches you need or use most with the existing drive train, and then figure most effective way of getting them on the new drive train. Trouble is your new wheels will change what you want....

 

[Manonabike]

It seems easier to find 10 speeds components than 9 speed. I'm having problems to find a 7 speed cassette 30T so I don't really want to go through that again.

Where do I measure the BB so I know which one to get?

Would you need a MTB cassette for a 12 - 32 cassette?

 

[PpPete]

Measure across the width of the BB shell on the frame. 99% certain it will be 68 mm - which means "English" rather than Italian.
Raleigh has some non-standard threads in places on some older bikes but I think all English BB shells are standard.
Don't forget the drive side has a left-hand thread.
(Italian BBs are 73mm and both regular RH thread)

The other measure you need is the length of the axle... which determines your chainline. So you need to figure out what other components you are going for - especially which chainset. Check the chainset manufacturer's website for chainline & axle length information for whatever model you select. Don't rely on retailer's recommendations, they have been know to make mistakes.
Also be aware that there are 2 subtly different standards of square taper (ISO & JIS) Shimano & all the far-east manufacturers work on JIS. Campag is ISO. Stronglight make both! Make sure you BB is same standard as your chainset (although a chainset of one standard will fit on BB spindle of t'other the chainline will be "off" by a few mm)

12-32 cassette is indeed classed as MTB territory, but there is no reason not to put it on a road bike if you need that gearing.

 

[Manonabike]

Porkypete, thanks for the information..... a couple of very useful points that I had not considered - simply, I had no idea

I made a decision to go for a Triple chainrings now, otherwise I can see myself wanting a triple within a year .

Not many triple 9 speed shifters available on eBay..... so I guess it's going to have to be a 10 speed.

My current setup has a 42 ring and 30 sprocket to tackle hills and on a good day I can manage OK but on others that is too much for my legs I think 52 - 42 - 30 and a 12 - 28 at the back would be fantastic.

How do you attach the STI cables on a 531 frame?

 

[Manonabike]

Will a 9 speed chainset work in a 10 speed drive system? All shimano components and all in the 105 flavour

 

[Manonabike]

I'm having problems to remove the drive side of the BB. I know it's a left thread but the thing is solid . I've tried fitting the 36mm spanner and on the other end gently tapping with a rubber mallet... no luck so far.

Is there any other technique? Is it ok to heat it enough to remove it?

Thanks in advance

 

[Manonabike]

Not to worry, I found a technique --- just need to get a bolt and nut!!!!

 

[Manonabike]

In my upgrade I want to replace the '7' shaped stem for one that can be raised a further inch.... I'm looking at these two following components:

1.1/8"

adaptor

and

stem


Also, the headset appears to be in good health but I would very much appreciate it from those that have done this kind of upgrade to point me the direction of a compatible headset.

One more question, if I may, after removing the fork, I could not remove the ring that sits at the bottom of the shaft and holds a rubber seal before the bearings. It seems that is stuck there or perhaps is not supposed to come out. There is no damage on that but I would like to know if that can be removed if I need to in the future.

Thanks for all the advise.