Cycling UK Forum

SimonCelsa wrote: ↑9 Oct 2023, 6:47pm Raleigh Record Ace, a very versatile bike:

from a load lugging 13.8 kg monstrosity:


to a relatively svelte fixed gear run around at 9.8 kg:


I prefer the fixed gear setup and was planning to shave a further 400 gms or so building another wheelset around some Ryde Pulse Sprint rims (the lightest 'traditional' rims I could source). Then I came down to Earth and decided to just enjoy it as it is, I've even learned to skid it, which probably looks a bit daft to any onlookers (silly old geezer) but gives a lot more confidence riding with only the front brake. Oh to be young again!!

Tastes vary. I rather liked the former version with 1x gearing, tough wheels and hub brakes (bet they were heavy though). Bottle dynamos are very light, a rack is handy and I wouldn’t do without mudguards. The original looked very utilitarian to me and that’s my preference, wouldn’t suit all though.

mig wrote: ↑13 Oct 2023, 9:10am does the langster have space for mudguards? and fairly large volume tyres? my fixed winter commuter runs in a similar fashion with the occasional bucket of soapy water and splash of chain oil. just keep the chain relatively tight and ride.

It has clip-on SKS Raceblade mudguards which do a reasonable job - not as good as a proper full set but the clearances are nowhere close to coping with that!

It will (just about) take a 25c tyre but that is wafer thin clearances, I normally run it with 23c and it's fine.

If I was building or buying a "simple commuter" bike now I'd be looking for 30c minimum, mudguards and then running it with a belt drive / hub gear and disc brakes. But, for its time, this bike was perfect.

Carlton green wrote: ↑13 Oct 2023, 9:47am

SimonCelsa wrote: ↑9 Oct 2023, 6:47pm Raleigh Record Ace, a very versatile bike:

from a load lugging 13.8 kg monstrosity:


to a relatively svelte fixed gear run around at 9.8 kg:


I prefer the fixed gear setup and was planning to shave a further 400 gms or so building another wheelset around some Ryde Pulse Sprint rims (the lightest 'traditional' rims I could source). Then I came down to Earth and decided to just enjoy it as it is, I've even learned to skid it, which probably looks a bit daft to any onlookers (silly old geezer) but gives a lot more confidence riding with only the front brake. Oh to be young again!!

Tastes vary. I rather liked the former version with 1x gearing, tough wheels and hub brakes (bet they were heavy though). Bottle dynamos are very light, a rack is handy and I wouldn’t do without mudguards. The original looked very utilitarian to me and that’s my preference, wouldn’t suit all though.

Bottle dynamos are light, but I don't think I'd consider them simple. All that wiring for a start, and the protrusion of the "bottle" itself. A hub dynamo probably weighs more (but does it weigh more than bottle dynamo plus hub?) and although the wiring is effectively the same, somehow the entire set-up looks neater, by not involving an additional item. And of course it's more efficient! So it might not be simpler, but it might give the impression of, if not greater simplicity, at least less complexity. It may be a spurious impression, but it impresses!

Seven years after building the thing... and testament to Brucey's original concept. Its still trundling on.
Although admittedly it now looks like a 1950's roadster from mad max (mad max: beyond the turnip shed? Mad max: fury farm track?)

1 x 5 friction shifting, drum brakes, bottle dynamo powering a 2nd hand led headlamp and 0.8 watt filament bulb rear (courtesy of an auto jumble find).. here's to the next 7 years...

Thanks, - sadly it doesn't look any better the right way around...

Well, I own three bikes, but my favorite has to be my Thorn Nomad. It's by no means my lightest, but by far the most comfortable.
You cannot beat a steel frame with touring forks.

I love my old rockhopper.
I fitted surly rigid forks replacing suspension, butterfly bars and mudguards and it comes in at around 13 kilo so quite light. Just replace drive train but wish I had converted to nexus hub but too late now.

Bmblbzzz wrote: ↑13 Oct 2023, 2:44pm ......(but does it [hub dynamo] weigh more than bottle dynamo plus hub?).....

yes, almost always.

Mine is very similar to the OP's. 3x7, ideal London commuter. Took it to the Remebrance Day service in Westminster yesterday.

This is my second mixte frame. Step through is ideal for shopping, urban etc. Bought for £27. Sadly, now has retro desirability, so probably more at risk of being nicked than when I got it 14 years ago.

Of course, it is heavy, and it is less well made than my Belgian Diamant steel frame, let alone the two Italian steel racers. So I never use it for club rides. Now has Schwalbe Marathon Plus 28mm tyres, which kill the ride a bit, but have not punctured. Perhaps in summer I will put a lighter tyre on the front.

The saddle came off a discarded / stolen Pashley found on Wandsworth Common. It had been outside for months. It's alright.