Re: [CR]Raleigh Carlton Questions

(Example: Bike Shops:R.E.W. Reynolds)

From: <OROBOYZ@aol.com>
Date: Sun, 21 Jan 2001 11:58:07 EST
Subject: Re: [CR]Raleigh Carlton Questions
To: bikecg@worldnet.att.net, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org


In a message dated 1/21/01 8:48:04 AM Eastern Standard Time, bikecg@worldnet.att.net writes:

<< I have just acquired a 1972 (I'm almost positive about the year) Raleigh Competition bike with frame by Carlton Works. The frame is Reynolds 501 as are the forks. >>

A Carlton Competition was pretty much the same bike as a Raleigh Gran Sport in the early 1970s.

But first, I think yours is not a 1972 model as I am pretty sure Reynolds 501 was not introduced that early. It might be a late 70s or after, if in fact there are 501 decals attached.. Most early 70s bikes at this level were full 531. The Competition and Gran Sport etc were the first models in the line(s) to feature full 531. Models immediately below (Super Course, etc.) had three tubes 531.

If you meant 531 rather than 501, and it IS early 70s, then the typical components would have been Stronglight mod 93 or 49 cranks, Simplex Delrin plastic or Huret Svelto derailleurs including dt shifters, GB alloy bar & stem, Weinmann center pulls, Atom/Maillard hi flange hubs laced to Weinmann dimpled alloy clincher rims. SOME of these bikes had Zeus and TA cranks on rare occasion.

I currently have a Carleton Competition bike from the early 70s, Nervex lugs & Huret dropouts, that came equipped with a TA Pro crank set (What I used to improperly call a "Cyclotourist" double and the aforementioned Huret derailleurs.

My first "good" bike bought new in 1972 was a Competition with Zeus cranks and dropouts(!) Bocama lugs, and all else typical Weinmann, Simplex, Atom, etc.

Both these above bikes are the very popular Carlton signature color, "Lagoon Blue (kinda a med., turquoise inclined blue)and white. Also the Carlton bikes should have a metal Carlton headbadge with the little rider see at the top of the CR Carlton page..

http://www.cyclesdeoro.com/Carltonmain.htm

Dale Brown