I remember International riders often wanted to make their new bikes more suitable for touring. The biggest change they wanted to make was typically to have us swap out the Campy crankset for a TA triple, preferably mounted to a Phil Wood BB. This, of course, meant that the rear derailleur needed to be changed as well. The best wide range derailleur then was the Shimano Crane (sorry). The real tourists wanted Phil Wood hubs, but the romantics could not let those Campy high-flange hubs go. Sewups were swapped out for wide 700C clinchers, usually Super Champion 58 rims and those raised center ridge tires. If it's a later International, you might go for those funky Weinmann concave rims. Steel cage Campy pedals are another must-keep for an International, and those beautiful GB bars with the engraved map of England would be a joy to look down on. Weinmann centerpulls are the right binders for this bike. A bit mundane, but they work well with the generous clearance and will make a lot less noise than Mafacs. Top the mix off with SunTour bar-con end shifters, a Brooks saddle, Blumels fenders, a SunTour freewheel (The 70s Regina freewheels don't work well when you go above 26 teeth), a Sedis chain, black cloth tape and you have a cool gentleman's tourer.
Make sure you finish with an old-style Silca or Blumels pump, a Campy umbrella clip, and a steel Campy pump head. It not only works well, but gives good swing weight when striking out at dogs.
Steve Barner, dreaming of champagne (colored Raleighs, that is) in Bolton, Vermont
Hell-o All. This is my first posting to any list.
Raleigh International, S/N F1715, 1971(?)
I'm sure to have many specific inquiries later. For now, here is the situation.
Frame set needs entire grouppo. It will be a rider, not a museum show piece so, high quality components correct-to-period-sort-of are acceptable. I assume OE was some flavour of Campy R/NR/SR and Weinmann.
Can anyone suggest high quality components (manufacturer & model) other than Campy ? I'm familiar with the names of several manufacturers but honestly don't know enough to discern whether bad or good and ditto for any models. No Shimano, please.
Any Raleigh people out there ?
Richard Cielec
Chicago, Illinois