The 40T x 5-1/2 arms are for Junior size bikes, usually 24" wheel size.
Later when the Raleigh "Twenties" were made the bikes were really designed
for adults, and long cranks with bigger chainwheels were installed on the
bikes and with the proper rear cog the ratio was brought up to full size
wheel bike.
Ted ernst
Palos Verdes Estates, Ca
> At 5/23/2006 12:45 PM -0700, Eugene Powell wrote:
>>Till we recover the Kish (the stolen bike of the previous message), Nikki
>>wants to ride her almost new-late '70's Raleigh Sprite 3-spd to work.
>>However, she'd like a lower gear (or 2) so.................
>>
>>Does the Sachs 7-spd internal have a wider range, or just more gears than
>>the Sturmey AW? What about the other 7-spd internals?
>
> Wider range, 303%
>
> But two cable Sturmey 5 speeds are way cooler. And the 225% range is
> plenty for most riding if you put on a large rear cog.
>
>>Were there chainring options available for the Raleigh Heron cottered
>>cranks?
>
> Most came with 6-1/2" arms and 46t but I've seen a few with 44t. IIRC
> Earler, longer arms had 48s. I've a set with 40t but 5-1/2" arms.
> Sounds like they were thinking "Gain ratio" way back then.
>
>>I know I'd have to change out the whole arm, but did they make different
>>ring sizes?
>>Any other thoughts?
>
> Harris Cyclery carries 24t SRAM rear cogs, and Shimano makes a much
> cheaper 22t.
>
> On Sunday, after the finish of this years http://3speedtour.com I sold 7
> of the Shimano 22s to people who wished they'd had them for the Bay City
> and Maiden Rock hills. (Also sold 3 cotter pin presses to people who
> wished they'd had them to firmly seat their cotters before the hills.)
>
>
>
> Mark Stonich;
> Minneapolis Minnesota
> http://mnhpva.org
> http://bikesmithdesign.com