I'll see your Raleigh and raise it with mine.

I've posted it before, but may as well include it in this thread
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8594220...n/photostream/

What was going to be a simple 'buy a cheap quando hub from Dutchy, lace it
to the original rim and call it done' turned into 'replace everything except
the frame/fork, headset, bars & brake, with new/ebay parts, learn how to
build wheels and (most importantly) ride it exclusively, neglecting bikes
with such frivolous things as derailleurs, gears and freewheels'

450km on it so far and I feel no desire to ride geared/unfixed anymore. Have
just geared up from 70 to 74" (42-16 to 44-16) and can still get up the
hills I have to and there's a 46t waiting in the wings. Set a new top
speed/cadence yesterday too, 54km/hr at 154rpm on a false flat, my pedals
were eggbeaters in more ways than one.

After my first wheelbuilding success I'm now going to relace the original
front rim/hub with new spokes so I have a spare wheel that also matches the
brake reach nicely. It's amazing what some time spent with progressively
finer silicon carbide paper and metal polish can do for 31 year old alloy
rims and hubs, they look like they're chromed now.

Andrew.

"eddiec" wrote in message
...

ooh. gratuitous pic opportunities..

Can't let this slip without including the new pride & joy I've added to
the stable:
(http://groups.msn.com/gumbercules197...oto&PhotoID=15)
- The completed hard-rubbish-resurrected ss townie, cobbled together
from the remains of about 4 nature-strip outcasts. Took its first
shop-run yesterday for tofu and spring onions, and I was very pleased
with how its come together, not to mention delighted at my first taste
of ss since childhood. Something remarkably 'freeing' about it all...

eddiec