At 11:55 AM 12/5/2005, you wrote:
>What is the widths that GB bars came in? I have a 1974 Raleigh
>International that has a set in 38 width, and as I understand,
>that was the style then, narrow bars. Did these come in 40s
>or better still 42s?
>And the stems, did these come with longer reaches? The set I have
>look to be maybe < 10cm, but I haven't measured.
Widest bars I've seen were 41cm "Ventoux" models, with deep drop, and "engraving". The narrower width, shallower drop bars I have seen (and prefer) don't have a model name on them, but I haven't seen them all. Might be different for the plain bars.
GB stems were usually the 95mm reach, but there are longer ones out there. If yours has the recessed allen head expander bolt, and you feel compelled to maintain that situation, you may be in for a long and expensive search. I've never seen those on anything other than the Internationals, and not in a longer reach. They do show up on ebay.
>Now, for the $64,000 question, are these equal to hens teeth
>in terms of availability, or ...
Prices have been all over the place on ebay, but the bars and stems are out
there. If you find the early engraved bars under $50 in nice condition, be
happy. The plain ones should go cheap. Raleigh littered the planet with
them, and with the basic 95mm stem with hex head expander bolt. There was a
later 70s or early 80s engraving pattern on the bars as well that was a
little different, and said "Premier Marque de Grand Bretagne" on them.
These should go a little cheaper than the earlier ones that included the
ribbon / banner pattern in the engraving.
Check the CR website to see the differences in the patterns.
>AtDhVaAnNkCsE,
>
>rob hawks
>richmond, ca
Happy hunting.
Larry "Heebie-GBs" Osborn
Morgantown WV