I had gone out rambling today, and stopped for a bit at one of the local charities thrift stores. As always, I looked over the bikes. They were all junk, alas ... but I stopped and looked again at one of the exercycles - hmmm, that's almost old-style bluer Celeste ... wait a minute, a Raleigh decal?
The lady behind the counter said it was okay climb up and look at it in the window, so I did. Huret shifter, currently disconnected from some sort of contraption like a flywheel; Huret speedometer (the odometer portion still works!); grey plastic pedals marked with a familiar, Italian looking "B" - and a "Made in Italy" sticker just like the ones I've seen on numerous Bianchis.
It also has a couple of Raleigh emblems, including a "The Raleigh" decal on the seattube. The downtube/forward tube (from the side it looks like an X, with a hinge just above the BB to allow easier storage) is marked "Shapemate."
For $5, I couldn't go wrong. With the exception of the speedo (inaccurate as all get out), it seems to all work, now that I've replaced the broken shift/resistance cable.
Anybody remember selling these? Any idea of how old this puppy is? It still has a decal indicating it came from BicycleCenter in Miami, FL ... and if nothing else, I can say I simultaneously filled my need to buy another Raleigh AND another Bianchi ...
Russ Fitzgerald
Greenwood SC
rfitzger@emeraldis.com