A new project…
A
Dyna-Tech frame, made by Raleigh's
Special Products Division.
It's NOS, unused but with some scratches... which is good, because if it was perfect, it'd feel moderately guilty about stripping, repainting
(a glossy battleship grey I'm thinking - though not sure whether to spray it myself or get it powder coated) and generally molesting it.
Unbelievable quality though... bonded
(not welded) with a mix of Reynolds 531/653 tubing and comparatively light
(even by contemporary steel standards) coming in sub 3kg.
Should form the basis of an excellent cross-country bike, being the frame only, I'm exonerated from going down the entirely retro-route, so it's going to be built up with contemporary bits & bobs… discs, maybe front suspension etc.
The main dilemma is whether to go down the derailleur route, or to consider a hub system
(the new Alfine 11-speed or Rohloff), I've never been a spinner & default to riding in higher gears regardless, rather than spinning… that and I really love the clean & simple looks of derailleur-less bikes like the
iO.
Decisions…
decisions.