Raleigh Road Ace / 650b conversion

[andm...@gmail.com]

Hello,

I have a Raleigh Road Ace 12 (59,5 cm) frame and I am thinking to convert it to 650b.
Do you think this frame provides enough tire clearence for 38-42 mm tires and 50 mm fenders?
Because I am new to this, do you think it is overall a good candidate for a project like this?

Greetings, Andi

[Brad]

Issue number one- you don't have mud guard eyelets.

Clearance has two components.  The wheels will fit since the completed diameter is roughly the same as a 700 x 23 wheel and tire.  But will the tires bind in the stays?   Hard to tell from the pictures.  See if you can borrow some built wheels with tires and test it.

It will not be  a low trail bike with the fork, but that does not mean it won't be super fun.

[andm...@gmail.com]

Morning Brad,

I dont own the frame yet. I first wanted to make sure everythin would work out.
Thanks to your reply, I know about the missing eyelets. But no fenders is a bummer.
Yeah, low trail is not necessary I guess, because you cant miss what you dont know.

It is so hard to find a frame without spending the same compared to a full vintage bike.
Is this forum a good place to go if it comes to buy old steel frames?

Andi

[Brad]

Lot of opinion here.  Not a lot of sales, except those mandated by moving/ wives/ floor collapse.   Get info here and look at eBay.  Also it would be wise to locate a powder coater near you.   The vintage frames with fork rakes that fit the low trail criteria tend to be no longer in good paint shape even though the steel is just fine.  The alternative is to locate a low trail fork which isn't easy, but if it is out there it is getting talked about here.  You will also hear alternative views.

[Steven Frederick]

Low trail certainly isn't a requirement for 650b conversions-early on,
the main point of putting 650b wheels/tires on older sporty frames was
to increase clearance for fatter tires and fenders. Even w/out fenders
(or with fenders creatively mounted via P-clips, zip ties, etc) it's a
worthy experiment. I can't tell from the pictures you shared how much
clearance there is for fat tires on that frame, but it doesn't look
like a bad choice as far as I can tell.

Steve

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[Andi]

You are right to mount the fenders via P-clips etc., but I think the crown widh is the problem.

[Christopher Grande]

I vote for no on the Road Ace if you want 38-42s with fenders. Guessing purely but I'd say the best it could do is 32mm with fenders, which other bikes can do without going to 650b. If you were a weird size then maybe, but there are plenty of 80's sports touring frames out there in the 59cm range that can go bigger. If you're going for a light tubing set for spirited riding, then you might have to be less picky about tire size.

[Nick Favicchio]

I think there are other candidates out there that would be less of a struggle.

Maybe do some image searches and see what comes up. I love my Motobecane Grand Jubile, Grand Record is a higher end version of the same bike, Raleigh Competition is Weigle's favorite, Austro Daimlers I've seen are lovely - there are lots of options. But eyelets and more clearance would make life better and there's lots of great old cheap steel out there.

[Andrew Fatseas]

Miyata 310 and 610 frames work well. I've got a 310 that I spent a bit of money getting brazeons added and a black powder coat. It makes a good commuting, touring, park it at the airport bike. 

On Friday, 29 May 2015, Nick Favicchio <nickfa...@gmail.com> wrote:

I think there are other candidates out there that would be less of a struggle.

Maybe do some image searches and see what comes up.  I love my Motobecane Grand Jubile, Grand Record is a higher end version of the same bike, Raleigh Competition is Weigle's favorite, Austro Daimlers I've seen are lovely - there are lots of options.  But eyelets and more clearance would make life better and there's lots of great old cheap steel out there.

[Andi]

Thank you for your suggestions. These are some really nice frames. I also drive a motobecane myself.
I did a quick research on the modell names above and found some interesting offers.

Do you have some more impressions for me?

Greetings, Andi

[Andi]

Does anyone now, if the Motobecane Mirage 8 could be used for a conversion?
Ive found a great deal, but the seller doenst respond.

Andi

[Nick Favicchio]

Sure :). There's lots of options and making your own mistakes and learning personally from experience is, I think, important. Plus, if you just listen to folks here, how will we all learn about NEW old frames that are appealing for this reason or that?

To that frame specifically, the Mirage was the tourer I believe. In the '76 catalog at least. The one in your picture there looks newer, '80s maybe. I see points for fenders, nifty rear brake routing, nifty verical rear drops, chain hanger - so sure, why not? Jump in!!

If the seller ever gets back.

[Andi]

Hey, thanks for your motivational answer (serious).  As a student my biggest concern is the money. So i wanted to be sure its not wasted.
I talked with the seller and the bike seems very promissing. If somebody wants to know the proportions for future projects: tire width front 49mm and back 56mm.

Greetings, Andi

[Brent Avery]

   Just a suggestion since I spent some time looking for a likely candidate and found the 1980 - 82 Fuji S10s, S12S and LTD versions of both to be excellent. They will take 38mm with about  a 47mm fender and 42mm tires should fit without fenders, though with some work you might get 5omm ones to mount, more an issue with the fork clearance like most vintage bikes. All you need is a pair of Dia Compe 750 brakes and you are good to go. I am using 38mm Soma B line tires with V.O. fenders. It will be a low trail bike which I prefer. The Fuji woks out so well it is like it was made for 650b. They also tend to be affordable. Hope that helps.



          


      Brent Avery

      Burnaby, B.C., Canada