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RALEIGH DRIVETRAIN

Shimano mix-and-match

I built my Raleigh Grand Sports with the goal of creating a stylish bike with quality components. I also wanted to do it spending as little as possible. I find incredible value in sourcing old parts, not in the best condition, and doing the work to revive them. Good sources include local bike co-ops, Craigslist, and, to a lesser degree, eBay.

I found the Shimano 600 derailleurs, shifters, Ultegra cassette, and chainrings at Street Level Cycles in Berkeley, here in the Bay Area. To find them, I sorted through drawers packed with dirty/old/used parts (a common activity for bike addicts). It pays to be patient because it often yields finding really nice parts under the layers of grime. In return, you get great deals: most parts were only $5; the chainrings, $1 each. I found the Dura Ace crankarms and Octalink bottom bracket on Craigslist for just $40 and a BART ride.

Of course, saving on cost often means hard work cleaning and rehabbing the parts. The derailleurs were particularly dirty, but not damaged. They really just needed the years of gunk to be removed. The crankarms were fairly worn and scratched, in need of stripping, sanding, and polishing.

Once cleaned and installed, the reborn parts look amazing and work like new. Even better, they provide the satisfaction that you get from saving an old component from the landfill and reviving it yourself.