Raleigh International 650b conversion
My contribution for the Peter Weigle’s virtual French Fender Day is this Raleigh International 650b conversion. It’s not French and the components are mostly Italian (there are the MAFAC brakes, TA rack, Stronglight cranks, and Berthoud saddle though).
This was actually my first 650b conversion and I have to say it was kind of fun!…although it took me an eternity. I’ll probably quit them while I’m ahead and leave them to Peter Weigle who is the master of the Raleigh 650b conversion. He definitely could have given me some advice on this one but I preferred to stumble along on my own as usual.
Fernando de la Torre
March 18, 2024 @ 9:44 am
Hey Brian, What Campagnolo rear derailleur is that one? And, is it modified?
Saludos,
Fernando
Brian
March 18, 2024 @ 4:04 pm
It’s a Campy NR with a Soma cage on it. Hope that helps! https://www.somafabshop.com/shop/soma-derailleur-cage-threaded-set-2790#attr=3684
Greg Halliday
September 18, 2023 @ 7:13 pm
What a beautiful build. That’s a sexy bike.
chris
June 15, 2023 @ 1:56 am
I am researching the process for doing my own 650b conversion similar to Steve Frey’s FREK mod. I am under the impression that I will need MAFAC RAID brakes to reach the rims, but you’re showing Racers here which, are much easier to find. So Racers are long enough to reach the rim and allow for a nice fat comfy tire?
Brian
September 2, 2023 @ 9:50 pm
Sorry, just seeing this. MAFAC Racers are fine for 38mm tires. 42mm would be too tight.
Robert Lombardo
March 14, 2023 @ 6:53 pm
I love the International. Always wanted one but I do have a 1970 Motobecane Grand Jubilee which has similar lug work. Came with a TA Cyclotourist crank and all those light weight shifters and deraileurs. Set up as a town fixed gear and saved all the other parts. Very nice work indeed on your part!
Roger Whiter
January 29, 2023 @ 1:00 pm
That is delightful.
A couple of years ago, I took an old hand built French frame (3 layers of hand painting on it when purchased) and I didn’t know what brand it was. I had recently read an article by Jan suggesting you could braze the bosses straight on to the frame with those old Mafac centre pulls. So I got some, made a jig and did it. It never occurred to me that a 650b conversion would be possible at the same time. I just dabble and have only ever built two children’s bikes for Bespoked and mended broken drop outs for myself and friend’s favourite old frames up until now. I am trying to get the courage and time together to build myself a lugged touring bike. Over the past few years, looking at your and Peter Weigle’s machines has really inspired me. You both build bikes as I should like to. My father was a North London Cycle shop owner in the 1940’s to the early 1960’s.
After that he ran the service dept. of the main cycle in Hollywood Calif. He built lovely frames in that era’s style. I am so pleased to see you guys continuing the tradition with such dedication and passion.
Regards, Roger Whiter Bristol England
Calder
May 23, 2022 @ 7:39 pm
Sick!! Building a 650b right now. What are those bars?
Brian
June 5, 2022 @ 9:57 pm
They’re the Nitto B135 Randonneur, I believe.
Andres Montero
April 22, 2022 @ 1:05 pm
Hola ,todos los marcos de bicicletas italianas,francesas y japonesas,con 120 a 126 mm de ancho trasero,se pueden poner llantas 650B ?gracias
Brian
May 8, 2022 @ 8:51 pm
Well, you can put any size rim on any size frame but the frame would need to be modified to accept that wheel (bridges moved, brake studs added, etc.). The hub spacing has little to do with it. Good luck!
Jochen
February 4, 2022 @ 2:24 am
Hello!
I am doing a rework of an old ’86 Koga “Traveller”. Your work is always an inspiration for the many things to consider during the rebuild. These days I will change the front hub to a SON – did you succeed in pulling the cable for the lamp through the frame or would you recommend to put the cable routing on the inner side of the fork?
Besides many other aspects, I also really love the brake cable hangers! Did you make them or is it possible to purchase them anywhere?
Best regards
Jochen
Brian
February 4, 2022 @ 8:47 am
I did get the wire through the fork! I use the thin but stiff wire from Velo-Lumino. It was a little bit of a struggle! And those straddle hangers are from Grand Bois.