Friday, November 25, 2011

mid-late 70's Raleigh Sprite

Are you looking to repair this bike?
Links below for parts you can buy now on amazon.
Over the years we repaired thousands of these and became experts in finding alternatives to original bike parts. 
Buying parts for older bikes is confusing, as most of the original parts have been discontinued. 
We use these parts everyday and created this list to make it easier for you to repair your bike.

Shifter cables and housing: https://amzn.to/38g40ol
Brake cables and housing: https://amzn.to/2DZqPPk
Handlebar Tape: https://amzn.to/2qxHiaf
Tires (good): https://amzn.to/2s9eipE (similar look, casual use, choose 27x1 1/4)
Tires (better): https://amzn.to/33YwOyl (super flat resistant and fast rolling, choose 27x1.25 or 27 1 1/4)
Shifters: Front and rear (right and left): https://amzn.to/347vWrv
Rear Derailleur (good): https://amzn.to/2DYUOXF (choose w/ direct attachment)
Rear Derailleur (Better): https://amzn.to/2PupyVA (choose GS type)
Front Derailleur (good): https://amzn.to/3415IXm (choose double)
Front derailleur (better): https://amzn.to/2LAI262 (better quality, fit and finish)
Bottom Bracket: https://amzn.to/2RydlSI (Likely 68x122.5 but must measure spindle length before purchase)
Crank (good): https://amzn.to/2Yw7miQ (better quality fit and finish, will likely need a new bottom bracket)
Crank (better): https://amzn.to/2rg0YQx (lesser quality option, likely will not need a bottom bracket)
Headset: https://amzn.to/38EkfvQ (Choose 27.0 but it's better to remove crown race and measure inside diameter for sure)
Pedals: https://amzn.to/3593fvC (Modern style)
Pedals: https://amzn.to/2DZbNZP (same style as original)
Chain: https://amzn.to/38ayVCI (fits 5, 6, 7 and 8 speeds)
Brake pads (good): https://amzn.to/36eEldP (casual use)
Brake pads (better): https://amzn.to/38ixNN7 (Improved performance and wet/cold condition)
Brakes (rear): https://amzn.to/2P31N8o
Brakes (front): https://amzn.to/2Prqcn2
Brake Levers: https://amzn.to/2LQALz9 (similar to original
Brake Levers: https://amzn.to/356h3Hc (modern style)

Beautiful Raleigh sprite we refurbished at Bike Boom. If you are not familiar, Bike Boom is a used bike shop in Somerville MA, close to Cambridge and Boston. This bike was bought together with the men's version of this white elegant beauty. As sheldon brown says: The upright "all-rounder" handlebars, and mattress saddle made these something of a precursor of the modern "hybrid." but in fact these are relatively heavy bikes though steady and stable. Definitely one of the most elegant bikes I've seen. At some point in it's previous life Shifting was upgraded from clunky stem Shifters to early nineties thumb snifters, A trick we used on other sprites which modernizes them and creates a better user interaction. It's not a known fact but british raleighs had unique bottom bracket   thread per inch (TPI). Though there is a solution for the problem when you need to replace the bottom bracket or spindle, it still can slow down a project. We only buy when the bike is in excellent condition, meaning very low mile bike, such as this women Raleigh sprite example. Bought by a young Cambridge men as a gift to his girlfriend, super nice guys.  






1 comment:

  1. I have this bike in Chattanooga, TN and want to sell it. Can you recommend a source. Thanks

    ReplyDelete