November 17, 2025
Over the years we've collected many used parts and old frames in need of restoration. Much of the old vintage equipment is ideal for building up nice city bikes as it is functional, easy to repair, and durable. And, of course, it is better to reuse parts than have them sit on shelves for years or end up in the landfill.
Recently, we built up a city bike around an old Raleigh Professional that had been damaged years ago in an accident. The forks were missing and the rear stay was bent. In the workshop we fixed up the frame, gave it a fresh coat of paint, and found an old Mariposa fork that would suit the purpose. The frame was originally built for 700 c wheels which didn't have the clearance for larger tires and mudguards. Using 650's with Tektro extra long reach brakes we were able to increase the clearance enough to allow for large 42 mm tires and the mudguards.
In the end, a bunch of old parts and a bent up frame became an elegant looking city bike that will have a few more good years of use.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Raleigh Professional Frame with Reynolds 531 Tubing and Nervex Pro Lugs with a vintage Mariposa Fork.
- Super Champion 650 B Rims
- Campagnolo Large Flange 36 hole NuovoRecord Hubs.
- Tektro R559 Extra Long Reach Brakes
- Dia Compe Reverse Levers
- Sachs Gear Lever
- Specialites TA Pro V Vis Crankset (1 x 42 with TA flange)
- Simplex Long cage rear derailleur
- Maillard 14-30 freewheel
- Elite Bottle Cage
- Rene Herse Babyshoe 42x650 B Endurance Casing Tires
- Silca Pump with Campagnolo End
- Selle Italia Turbomatic Saddle
- Nitto Moustache Handlebars
- Cinelli 1A 14 cm stem.
- Ritchey Seat Post
- Mariposa Leather Tape
- Velo Orange Mudguards
- Reelight Magnetic front and rear lights
- Campagnolo Record Headset
- FitBikeCO Pedals
