Raleigh pioneer

[Andy in Germany]

We've been "donated" a Raleigh pioneer: only the frame is remotely usable and I was wondering about a rebuild into a trekking bike with drop bars. Has anyone used one? are/were they any good?

The frame feels like Cromoly, is this the case?

Just to be clear, I'm looking for a steel frame, which uses V-Brakes. It'll get repainted.

 

[All uphill]

Raleigh made lots of bikes under the Pioneer name. There are Reynolds 501 and 531 frames along with Cro-Mo frames. I believe there are more recent Alu frames under that name.

I built up a bike for Ms AU based on a 501 frame and it was great.

There are some old threads somewhere with contributions from @Skipdiver John sharing knowledge of the steel Pioneers - well worth a read.

 

[Drago]

As above. The Pioneer tag went on a lot of bikes ranging from quite unremarkable to really quite decent. Any pics?

 

[DCLane]

Which model is it? I've got a 'high-end' version, but there were some very basic gas pipe ones as well.

 

[mickle]

Ignore those people who say that the only good Raleigh is one at the bottom of a body of water. Preferably a canal.

 

[FrankCrank]

Ignore those people who say that the only good Raleigh is one at the bottom of a body of water. Preferably a canal.

Ignored.

 

[Jameshow]

Which model is it? I've got a 'high-end' version, but there were some very basic gas pipe ones as well.

The best ones I've seen are late 4130 models.

 

[DCLane]

The best ones I've seen are late 4130 models.

That's the one I've got, which is from 1996

 

[Punkawallah]

The steel Pioneer is what the cockroaches will be riding come the end of civilisation as we know it. Put a pair of 700 Weinmann wheels on with Kenda 37mm tyres, add Shimano SIS mechs and a 14-28 freewheel and the whole thing is pretty much bomb-proof. Will go up the hills, and over the dales. Add two-inch MTB brake blocks for better stopping power.

 

[biggs682]

The steel Pioneer is what the cockroaches will be riding come the end of civilisation as we know it. Put a pair of 700 Weinmann wheels on with Kenda 37mm tyres, add Shimano SIS mechs and a 14-28 freewheel and the whole thing is pretty much bomb-proof. Will go up the hills, and over the dales. Add two-inch MTB brake blocks for better stopping power.

That all sounds like great advice

 

[Punkawallah]

That all sounds like great advice

I live to serve :-)

 

[Andy in Germany]

Ignore those people who say that the only good Raleigh is one at the bottom of a body of water. Preferably a canal.

Agreed, although as the happy owner of a 29 year old Raliegh M-trax I may be biased there.

On the other hand, I have seen some really strange and downright bad bike with the Swan logo, so I'm a bit cautious.

I'll try and take picture of the sorry remains at some point...