Clueless of Colchester!

[david.ross66]

I have just bought my third bike, what was to be a custom restoration project for this winter, and is a lightweight Reynolds 531c road bike with full Campagnolo and Cinelli spec with silver paintwork.

But am having a hell of a time tracking down any information about the make of frame. The model is a Rapide, so at first, and before I'd even seen it, I thought of Raleigh, and so was quite prepared to get it stripped down for a re-spray. But no, the headset "badge" for want of a better word is just an 'R' in the same typeface as that used for the model. Try as I might the nearest I seem to get in terms of clues are several mentions via Gumtree and the like of a Revell Rapide, which has lead me via this very forum to a reference for Revell of London, and a certain Gents Reynolds 531c tubed racing or touring bike with no photo.

Can anyone shed any light on this? I know that there's a company called Revell producing mountain and jump bikes now, but am pretty sure they're something to do with Anthony Revell, the former European BMX champion.

david.ross66

 

[Paulus]

Is it anything like this?

http://static.lfgss.com/attachments/72d1207171621-imgp1071.jpg

 

[Paulus]

There is a Raleigh Rapide as well.

http://picasaweb.goo...084750365731922

http://picasaweb.google.com/matt.sparkes/RaleighRapide#5251084715371029922

 

[david.ross66]

The first bike is certainly closer, although mine appears a little more sporty, but that may just be down to the paint work, definitely not the Raleigh. I see you've found several of the photographs I've turned up myself. I have rear stays that are more heavily tapered from top to bottom and are scalloped, also Shimano ends and the kind of braised on cable loops I have only ever seen on a 3Rensho bike. Am trying to work out how to attach some images to help with identification.

 

[david.ross66]

Well, I seem to have uploaded five images to the members bikes gallery, but for some reason I cannot rotate them.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I doubt if it will help much but the pictures on the members gallery look very similar to the 531 Raleigh frame I brought about 1990

 

[david.ross66]

Thanks Dave, there is a resemblance, though I lack the mudguard flange things.