Just watched the first 12 minutes. Very interesting.
Never had (knowingly), a Raleigh myself, but I bought a frame from a local cycle shop, in 1970, , that was painted in the shop's colours. I suspect this was a Raleigh underneath.
My first real road bike was a Raleigh,bought from Drakes Cycles in Harehills Leeds .A customer had it built then never coughed up the money.25" frame i could not believe it,i got a bargain .They were having trouble selling it as it was custard yellow,and not shiny.I loved it as soon as i saw it.I had red mudguards put on it,just like the car in Noddy.This is the model i had a Brooks B17 on and brown tape.This one looks a bit limey mine was a good custard yellow.
We all had Raeligh's as kids, but were desperate for anything a bit different. If you had a Falcon or Carlton you were a lad of substance, someone to be reckoned with.
I have several Raleighs they were always good bikes. I bought a Raleigh Titanium special products mountain bike. After riding an event when putting the bike on the roof rack noticed a hairline crack on the bottom bracket weld. I took in to the shop where I bought it from on Monday, a Raleigh dealer they said leave it with us. I got a call on Thursday saying your bikes ready. Bike completely rebuilt with a new frame.
Would you get that service from anywhere now.
A gentle whirring can be heard emnating from the grave of Geoff Apps over Raleigh's claims to be the first British mountain bike manufacturers. Apps was building and selling the Range Rider under the Cleland branding as far back as 1979, and shifted several hundred of these expensive, high quality machines. He was also selling them in 700c and 650b form!
Then English Cycles and Highpath were making their own derivatives of Apps' designs as early as 1982. I'd give my left nut for a Highpath today.
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.