I wrote:
> > That sounds like the same bike. I believe there was a Rudge badged
> > version too, but I can't recall the name.
Bob Reid wrote:
>Rudge 'Rapide' - same frame and a mix of Components from each of the other
>two models referred to - Same cranks, Benelux Gears, GB metric '70' stem
>drilled down to take the brake cable onto the Coureur 66 CP's. Generic
>Raleigh Industries HF hubs (steel) on pattern Dunlop rims (R.I. again) same
>chainset as the Gran Sport. Produced in a beautiful flamboyant red with a 5
>panel seat tube (wt/grn/wt/grn/wt) and white head tube. Chromed fork tips
>and head lugs....
No, that can't be the same. The Gran Sport had Campagnolo Grand Sport derailers, not Benelux, and aluminium hubs (Racelite?)
I don't know what you mean by "metric" stem. The Gran Sport had the type that said "Forged Hiduminium" on the side, and the deluxe GB bars had a red-anodized reinforcing sleeve at the centre. I've seen the stems drilled for brake cable, but never as a factory feature.
The rims were the Dunlop Special Lightweight, the finest steel rims ever made, with 4-way aimed, dimpled spoke holes. These were drilled for presta valves, supplied with fancy latex tubes in the Dunlop HPRR (High Pressure Road Racing) tyres.
Dunlop was _not_ owned by Raleigh, though they had a special relationship for many years, and used to be the exclusive tyre supplyre to Raleigh. The HPRR was indisputably the finest clincher of the day, and was specifically designed to match up with the Special Lightweight rim.
When Dunlop abandoned the bicycle tyre business, many of us got very good at booting our HPRRs to get a bit more life out of them. For a couple of years, a booted, worn HPRR was better than anything you could buy new! Eventually, the Japanese came on the scene with even better tyres, nylon corded, but it took a while.
Sheldon "Rode Elswicks, But Coveted Raleighs" Brown Newtonville, Massachusetts
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