Why can't I find a new Bicycle that I like?

[raleighnut]

It's a Rayleigh Record Sprint something, the guy at Halfords couldn't believe the size of the frame, never thought they made them so big, accused me of being a liar as well which I thought was weird... so I wheeled it in.

The Bicycle is knackered, a car pulled out in front of me and since my brakes aren't very good I wasn't able to stop, broke my Collar bone and the frame is slightly bent along with everything else being broken including two very buckled wheels. I'm still using it, but I've had to make it into a single geared bicycle and I've taken the brakes off and just pedal backwards to brake now.

Yet it still feels better to me than anything else.

I've looked at the Genesis Bicycles from a recommendation, are the frames really tiny? I love the larger 80s style frames. I'm only 6ft, but I have oddly long legs and for some reason I like the seat being close to the frame, I hate it being lifted off it... I dunno why but I like the feeling of almost sitting on the frame.

The Raleigh Record Sprint was made in up to a 25 inch frame but these do come up on E-bay from time to time (I've got a 531 Raleigh Road-Ace that is as big) Lovely riding bikes, just a matter of keeping your eyes peeled for one.

 

[jonny jeez]

It's a Rayleigh Record Sprint something, the guy at Halfords couldn't believe the size of the frame, never thought they made them so big, accused me of being a liar as well which I thought was weird... so I wheeled it in.

The Bicycle is knackered, a car pulled out in front of me and since my brakes aren't very good I wasn't able to stop, broke my Collar bone and the frame is slightly bent along with everything else being broken including two very buckled wheels. I'm still using it, but I've had to make it into a single geared bicycle and I've taken the brakes off and just pedal backwards to brake now.

Yet it still feels better to me than anything else.

I've looked at the Genesis Bicycles from a recommendation, are the frames really tiny? I love the larger 80s style frames. I'm only 6ft, but I have oddly long legs and for some reason I like the seat being close to the frame, I hate it being lifted off it... I dunno why but I like the feeling of almost sitting on the frame.

Is it the black and gold one, I think they were pretty plush in their day. You say you have already converted to a fixed, sounds to me as if it's job done. How is the frame bent, I mean where on the frame?

A quick Google tells me that is a 501 frame so is possibly lighter than modern steel (that's Google talking not me, I know zip all about steel frames...in fact most frames to be honest) but the idea of a once top of the range classic staying on the road floats my boat.

Plus, you already love it, you can't beat that.

 

[Fab Foodie]

The Raleigh Record Sprint was made in up to a 25 inch frame but these do come up on E-bay from time to time (I've got a 531 Raleigh Road-Ace that is as big) Lovely riding bikes, just a matter of keeping your eyes peeled for one.

This.
But the 25" frames had relatively short top- tubes so with the seat right down on the frame even relative short arses like me could ride them. It was a very 80s trend and Raleigh were the worst offenders.
The big frames are also much more flexy making them feel more comfortable too.
Nice bikes but I wouldn't want to go fast down a hill with a bend on one ....

 

[raleighnut]

This.
But the 25" frames had relatively short top- tubes so with the seat right down on the frame even relative short arses like me could ride them. It was a very 80s trend and Raleigh were the worst offenders.
The big frames are also much more flexy making them feel more comfortable too.
Nice bikes but I wouldn't want to go fast down a hill with a bend on one ....

They can 'whip' a bit, mine has spat me off a couple of times.

 

[Fab Foodie]

They can 'whip' a bit, mine has spat me off a couple of times.

... not really a Sprinters machine is it!

 

[User19783]

@scaramoosh what size frame do you want , any colour hates ?

where are you based ?

i normally have at least 2 + retro road bikes that have either been overhauled or repaired as required for sale , all available for trial before buying

@biggs682 he's your man, he has some great bikes, I would send him a pm, if I was you.
you won't regret it.
Wishyouluck.

 

[biggs682]

@scaramoosh i have this large framed bike for sale at mo http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/r...ike-ideal-commuter-or-touring-bike/1122655828

thanks @User19783

 

[AndyRM]

It's a Rayleigh Record Sprint something, the guy at Halfords couldn't believe the size of the frame, never thought they made them so big, accused me of being a liar as well which I thought was weird... so I wheeled it in.

The Bicycle is knackered, a car pulled out in front of me and since my brakes aren't very good I wasn't able to stop, broke my Collar bone and the frame is slightly bent along with everything else being broken including two very buckled wheels. I'm still using it, but I've had to make it into a single geared bicycle and I've taken the brakes off and just pedal backwards to brake now.

Yet it still feels better to me than anything else.

I've looked at the Genesis Bicycles from a recommendation, are the frames really tiny? I love the larger 80s style frames. I'm only 6ft, but I have oddly long legs and for some reason I like the seat being close to the frame, I hate it being lifted off it... I dunno why but I like the feeling of almost sitting on the frame.

Riding a crashed bike isnt a great idea. I get that you love it, but if it fails you could be in for even more damage yourself. Better to have lost in love and all that.

As other have said, @biggs682 is your man for a nice bit of retro steel. Kona (amongst others) do nice modern frames which won't break the bank either, I love my Honky Tonk.

 

[mikeymustard]

Or if you have a spare couple of grand (or 3 or 4) sitting around you could always have a bike hand-built in Reynolds steel e.g.http://www.merciancycles.co.uk

 

[Drago]

Scaramoosh, you've inadvertently highlighted the problem people face when buying bikes from the likes of Canyon etc that they can't test ride. You really can't tell from a catalogue how well a bike rides, and magazine tests are largely an irrelevance unless the tester is physically identical to you.

The classic frame with modern bling sounds viable. Failing that the likes of Genesis do some excellent steel framed bikes at decent prices and you could probably get to test ride them at Evans.

 

[MichaelW2]

A quick Google tells me that is a 501 frame so is possibly lighter than modern steel

501 is a chromoly steel tubing made by rolling and welding sheet metal. It is not a bad tubeset, with butted ends and thinner middle section, but not as good as the classic Reynolds 531, which was formed into a tube in one piece. Seam welded tubing now only used on the cheapest of bikes.
Modern steels are better, with high quality found lower down the scale: stronger, thinner walled and with more even wall thickness.
Modern midrange, chromoly butted tubeing is usually fatter and stiffer than in days of old. My old 1970's Falcon has an old style frame, unbutted chromoly , and rides very well.

In a blind tasting of various grades of tubeing, few riders were able to place the frames in correct order of cost.

If you like the feel of old frames, they make excellent commuter bikes. You can get them in race or sports style. You can also get touring and Audax style light tourers. The only point of issue for modern components is the rear axle spacing. Modern brakes make a huge difference to the performance of old midrange bikes.

 

[mikeymustard]

I always thought the record sprint frame had a really nice stiff feel to it (tho mine was only 23"), this of course could've been setup, geometry, the 19mm tyres or simply placebo, but after riding other bikes I was always glad to get back on mine

 

[contadino]

The old Raleigh's that come up on eBay are a bit of a mixed bag. Some are in great nick and some are quite tatty. Some hugely overpriced others good value. Plus of course you don't get the opportunity to test ride them. It took me a several months, a chunk of luck and a leap of faith to find one that ticked the right boxes for me.

First off, I'd recommend getting it to a decent bike shop and get them to check whether the frame is still true. If it is, I'd strip it down, get a new paint job, then build it back up. Put some newer brakes on it (Tektro seem to be a popular choice). Stick with 27" rims - to me they seem to feel better than 700s.

If you're stuck for a good bike shop, just ask on here. People can usually point you to a good 'un fairly local to you.

 

[marzjennings]

Raleigh (USA) still make some nice steel bikes...

http://www.raleighusa.com/bikes-road-steel-record-ace

Which is more than Raleigh (UK) seems to be doing.

 

[vickster]

If wanting new, how about condor or Pearson? Both will build a frame to your spec and not big money like a bespoke. Often plenty of second hand condor frames among others on eBay if Biggs hasn't anything suitable