Raleigh 20 folder custom project

New R20 project here:

 Started out with this neat looking Stowaway.

I already had this brown Raleigh 20 that I bought intending to customise it. (Alloy wheels etc.)

Very nice & almost original, as seen here minus its mudguards & chain guard.

I found some suitable alloy rims, but they are powdercoated green... So not for this bike.

Checking ebay I found this lovely green R20 folder with no wheels!!

Perfect I think, to go with my new alloy wheel-set. My rims are 457 rather than the original Raleigh 451mm. Tyres available in Holland & I have a pair of 457 brown tyres ready & waiting.

Just need 72 spokes to put it all together: ) Therein lies another story. (See below.)

Tyres are 47 rather than the original 37, so a little fatter. Great for comfort & they do just (I sincerely hope) fit into the standard R20 forks & rear end.

So, when the two items are together I'm sure it'll be a very nice, neat & distinctive R20 folder in super condition..

That's the project: )

Rear hub will be either the original SA AW 3 speed, or, a later SA X-RD3 with hub brake! That sounds best to me. Dispense with the long drop, flexible, Raleigh calipers then.

When the spokes arrived for the front wheel I built it up.

With this result: )

Spokes too long. I ordered 220mm rather than 202mm... Back to the drawing board then, or rather the Spoke Calculator.

£20 down the drain. Anyone need 36 x 220mm spokes??

Currently thinking I'll go for a simpler Radial spoking on the front.

And at least I can lace up a 3 cross rim in 20mins now.

A couple weeks later & I have the wheels built up with the Sturmey Archer X-RD3 hub in a Cross 3. Front has a Cross 2. Front wheel has at least a 5mm clearance at the crown to my relief. Rear wheel has just enough clearance for a guard even.(Being optimistic here: )

Set up for me at 6' 1" above & still temporarily using the Raleigh stem. Saddle should be higher, but I have a longer Alloy micro-adjust seatpost on the way. Also looking for a suitable long riser stem, so that I can fit a conventional pair of Allrounders. Looking for an upright riding position here.

The hub brake is an awkward thing to fit into these dropouts! The hub has a 117mm OLN & the bike has 115mm as standard. Clearance for the brake lever & torsion arm is very tight.

Got it ridable today & out for some photos & see how it rides.

A gloomy day amid the showers but it rides very nicely. Brakes are excellent, as expected, & the fat 47 tyres make for a smooth ride. Gears are too low for me with a 20tooth cog, so I try an 18 tooth next.

Quite pleased with this one at this stage. Stem & bars are next for attention, & will be updated at some point. Not seen another 20 like this one...