It’s Spring 2019 and, after seeing Drew’s Raleigh Classic, Dave approached Dead Rats Cycles with his mid ’80s Raleigh 531 frame complete with Deda bars & stem (plus a used 2×10 speed Ultegra 6600 groupset and new tyres & tubes) and asked us to build him what’s become the first ‘special’ to roll out of our new workshop. It’s a tough, no-nonsense and (just) sub-10kg retro/modern steel road bike that’s almost the sequel to Lemmy from a couple of years ago – and that’s a good thing IMO. After stripping the bike of its original Shimano 600 Tricolour groupset and MA40 wheels and modifying the frame, we supplied various parts including numerous doo-hickeys to make it all run like clockwork, albeit with a very loud freehub!
Enjoyed the process, the pics look good and I’m delighted with how the planters look outside the shop too :)
Frame & Fork: 1986 Raleigh, Reynolds 531, 57cm
Headset: Stronglight A9
Stem: Deda Logo ahead (with quill adaptor)
Handlebar: Deda
Bar Tape: Cinelli Gel (new)
STIs: Shimano Ultegra 6600 (with new Campy DT adjusters)
Brake Calipers: Miche Performance (new)
Front Derailleur: Shimano Ultegra 6600 (with new RSP adaptor)
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Ultegra 6600
Cables: new
Cassette: Shimano 105 5700, 10 speed (12-25t)
Chain: KMC
Cranks: Shimano Ultegra 6600, 172.5mm
Chainrings: 53/39
Bottom Bracket: Shimano RS500 (new)
Pedals: Shimano R550 (new)
Wheels: Cole Rollen CX
QRs: Shimano
Tyres: Continental Gatorskin 700 x 25c (new)
Saddle: Selle San Marco (temporary)
Seatpost: Kalloy 26.4mm
Bottle Cage: Elite (new)
Weight: 21.9lb (9.95kg)