Pinno718
Über Member
- Location
- Way out West
Raleigh: A documentary...
- Thread starter Pinno718
- Start date
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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.
OP
OP
Pinno718
Über Member
- Location
- Way out West
I had a Raleigh Pioneer for commuting. I really liked it. It was sturdy and... got stolen.
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- The Urban Fringe
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.
Would you get that service from anywhere now.
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- The Urban Fringe
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.
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.
Didn't know the background of Highpath engineering. They shortened a couple of my cranks some years ago and they are still in use on my bikes.
And coincidentally, I found out that my daughter's MIL was an item with Chris Bell when they were young. Remember that Chris Bell did an epic bike ride in his last few years.
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- The Urban Fringe
Chris Bell was much respected, and Dave Wrath-Sharman a minor demigod among the knowledgeable MTB historians.
www.63xc.com/dws/hubbrake.htm
www.63xc.com/dws/hubbrake.htm
I swapped a few emails with Chris and he came across as a very nice man.
