frame quality

[Lancj1]

Here's my mid 90's Raleigh. Owned from new

Its a really comfy ride and it appears to be a well made steel frame - neat welding, no rust etc.

When the new bike arrives I am going to spend a few quid in this upgrading bits and using it as I see fit.

Are Raleigh frames of this era "any good"...

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Well, looking at the photo, I don't think it's anything particularly special but it comes from the era when Raleigh still made their frames in this country so it will be robust and well put together.

There is fun to be had from upgrading a bike to your own spec,especially as you obviously like it, so I'd say do it but don't do it with the intention of increasing the value of the bike because it won't.

It seems common on 90's Raleighs for the rear dropouts to be 132mm. If this is the case it gives a lot of flexibility as a modern cassette type rear wheel can be made to fit fairly easily.

Best of luck with it.

 

[black'n'yellow]

the frame looks to be TIG-welded, which means it wasn't made by Raleigh in the UK. Probably far eastern. No offence, but I doubt if you will see any huge benefit in upgrading it. If it's rideable, just ride it as it is...

 

[Lancj1]

No offence taken. it's all subjective I suppose and I could spend money on some new bits or the same amount of money on a Tesco bike with no perceptible difference...... But it wouldn't be the bike I have had for twenty years.

Your right though it's rideable, and with new bits it wouldn't be the bike etc.....

Ta

 

[HovR]

No offence taken. it's all subjective I suppose and I could spend money on some new bits or the same amount of money on a Tesco bike with no perceptible difference...... But it wouldn't be the bike I have had for twenty years.

Your right though it's rideable, and with new bits it wouldn't be the bike etc.....

Ta

No no no no... Whilst this may be of the "Nothing special" catagory, it is still far better than a Tesco bike!

I'd personally ride it, and upgrade bits as you feel necessary, or as they wear out.

Be on the look out for good deals if you don't want to spend a lot of money.. I got a new Alivio rear derailleur from Chain Reaction for £20, where it is normally sold in stores for £30+. Deals like these will give you the upgrade you want without breaking the bank.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

No no no no... Whilst this may be of the "Nothing special" catagory, it is still far better than a Tesco bike!

I'd personally ride it, and upgrade bits as you feel necessary, or as they wear out.

Be on the look out for good deals if you don't want to spend a lot of money.. I got a new Alivio rear derailleur from Chain Reaction for £20, where it is normally sold in stores for £30+. Deals like these will give you the upgrade you want without breaking the bank.

+1. This is nothing like a Tesco bike! Your bike would have been a decent entry level model in its day (Raleigh only went "bargain basement" after 2000) and it will be a decent frame. Upgrades don't have to be expensive (the cassette wheel etc was just a suggestion)

If you want to improve it on a budget then sourcing, say a 7 speed freewheel, appropriate shifters, a rear derailleur and a new chainset would cost no more than getting a cheap supermarket bike but would make the bike worth keeping for years to come.