I had a Raleigh “Palm Beach” straight handlebars,I wasn’t a speedster,for passing the 11+.I was still riding it in my twenties.
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I hope your bikes have ali rims. I hated steel rims, the brakes don’t work in the rain.
Hydraulic disk brakes are available these days, very effective they are too. Puts up the cost of having the bike serviced but worth it.
I gave my son and grandson my bikes fairly recently, their only complaint is the V brakes. They said every bike they park with now has disc brakes.
Personally I always serviced my own bikes, they are very simple machines.
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They are, although with the hydraulic brakes the lines have to be bled properly etc which is way out of my league. I have my fold away for everyday use which is a doddle!
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Didn’t you bleed the brakes on your car? I don’t recall it being that difficult (though I haven’t done it for years).
I don’t drive Bruce…got kicked off a two week Royal Mail driving course on the third day many years ago, and I was getting paid to learn to drive… it’s on my OFC profile 
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They are still the original chrome rims on the bike. They do have some knurling on the sides to improve brake grip. The front wheel is still perfect chrome, but the back wheel has plenty of corrosion and really needs replacing. A bit like me really…
I fancied buying some Mavic alloy wheels but at my age and condition I don’t know if it will be worth it.