Hard to find Large framed vintage raleigh

[shadaboot27]

I want to buy a 1950's Raleigh Trent Sports bicycle, but these bikes always seem to have really small frames. I am about 6 ft 2 and all the Vintage Raleigh bikes I find are too small. Is this because people in the 50's were generally shorter than today? Does this mean they didn't make larger framed bikes? Or are they just harder to find?

 

[sidevalve]

People were a little smaller but I've seen quite a few 23 and some 25 inch frames from that era but I don't know about the specific one you mean. I suspect the problem may be that a smaller bike has more possible users/buyers and thus may survive but a large frame is limited and once it's original owner moves on to another it may just end up being scrapped

 

[Vapin' Joe]

Cycling went through several phases re frame size. Back then I believe the commonly held view was that a small frame was better, when I came into it in the late sixties everyone seemed to be riding something resembling a garden gate with minimal seatpost showing. We're now back to smaller is better, so it may be the case that in the fifties not many large frames were made. And as you say, people were generally shorter then.

 

[shadaboot27]

I've just bought my second Trent sports and this one just like the first one is too small for me, I think I will just take the good parts I need and keep searching for a larger frame to put them on. Also its not just the frame size that is the issue, all these 1950's bikes seems to have 26'' wheels, do you think I could re-lace the original hubs into 27'' rims? Would they still fit the frame?

 

[Cycleops]

I think maybe people were a bit shorter plus there may have been an element of "fashion" to it. Maybe best to look at a slightly later era when there seem to be more larger frames available. Hopefully someone will be along soon who has more expertise on this question and can give a definitive answer.

You might be better off posting in the Classic & Vintage section.

 

[shadaboot27]

Thanks for your replies. I know that I could easily find a later era bike with a larger frame but I specifically want a 1950's or older Raleigh racing bicycle. I love vintage bicycles but I don't really like anything newer then 1960's, there too plasticy and have less quality to them the newer they get. I know it may be hard for me to find the right bike but I guess it will be more satisfying to own knowing how hard it was to find.

 

[Gippy]

Also its not just the frame size that is the issue, all these 1950's bikes seems to have 26'' wheels, do you think I could re-lace the original hubs into 27'' rims? Would they still fit the frame?

27 x 1 1/4 rims will not fit. 700c rims are unlikely to fit unless there is room to move the brake blocks away from the centre of the wheel by about an inch (doubt it). 650 rims will fit, but go for the wider 650A (26 x 1 3/8) rather than the 650C that would look wrong on your bike. Its only worth "upgrading" if your current rims are chrome steel.

 

[Gravity Aided]

I've only seen a couple, over here. I've seen a fellow list some on Craigslist not far from me , in Western Illinois or Quincy, Illinois Craigslist, and he appears to have 3 old Raleighs that have extended size frames, but they also appear to have rod brakes and 28" wheels. Cannot tell the model.

 

[raleighnut]

Raleigh still made quality frames/cycles through the 70s-80s. Just look for one where the frame No starts with a W for Worksop (the Carlton factory) although they continued with the W after they closed Worksop but the frames were still made by re-located Carlton craftsmen as were frames made by their special products factory (can't remember where that was)
I personally have a 531 Worksop built Raleigh that has a 25" frame and dates from either 73 or 83 though 83 is more likely, as well as an Equipe (18-23 steel) ,a 3spd (S/A) townbike and an 18-23 mountain bike along with a Pursuit (on permanent loan to my Nephew just so he can't sell it)

 

[shadaboot27]

Also its not just the frame size that is the issue, all these 1950's bikes seems to have 26'' wheels, do you think I could re-lace the original hubs into 27'' rims? Would they still fit the frame?

27 x 1 1/4 rims will not fit. 700c rims are unlikely to fit unless there is room to move the brake blocks away from the centre of the wheel by about an inch (doubt it). 650 rims will fit, but go for the wider 650A (26 x 1 3/8) rather than the 650C that would look wrong on your bike. Its only worth "upgrading" if your current rims are chrome steel.

Would 27 x 1/4 fit if I remove the mudguards? Because I'm planning on removing them anyway.

Raleigh still made quality frames/cycles through the 70s-80s. Just look for one where the frame No starts with a W for Worksop (the Carlton factory) although they continued with the W after they closed Worksop but the frames were still made by re-located Carlton craftsmen as were frames made by their special products factory (can't remember where that was)
I personally have a 531 Worksop built Raleigh that has a 25" frame and dates from either 73 or 83 though 83 is more likely, as well as an Equipe (18-23 steel) ,a 3spd (S/A) townbike and an 18-23 mountain bike along with a Pursuit (on permanent loan to my Nephew just so he can't sell it)

Yes Raleigh did still make good quality frames and bikes through the 70's and 80's but what I meant to say is, as these bikes got newer they used more plasticy parts on them, all the sturmey archer lamps became plastic and so did mudguards and gear levers.

 

[tyred]

I doubt if 27" would fit a Raleigh Trent (I own one - never actually measured the frame, assumed around 23" Mine is the touring version with straightish bars and 4 speed Cyclo Benelux gearing - the cycling equivalent of a crash gearbox).

https://www.flickr.com/photos/29091...jPz-gR1J7r-gQYdr7-gR2aqv-mBP7ha-dLqCBt-fm4unW

I'm running the original Dunlop 26 x 1 1/4" steel rims but they are in great condition (which is more than I can say for the paintwork). I like this wheel size but the problem is tyre selection - you seem to be able to get Raleigh Sports or Raleigh Sports. They are functional. If your rims are in poor condition, I would fit 26 x 1 3/8" in alloy and have better brakes and a slightly better selection of tyres.