I'm sorry, but i cannot disagree with John Pergolizzi more on this subject. I have a raleigh pro, 1974, 24.5, and it's a screaming hoot to ride. Every time i climb aboard it brings a big smile to my face. I have heard that the later 1970's bikes w/o fastback seat stays were terrible bikes.
I don't think it would be difficult to ride no-handed, and I often use the bike to tow a 100-lbs trailer filled with kids up some very steep hills !!
And the cheapest all-campy bike in the mid 1970's was the Windsor Pro, not the Raleigh Pro.
- Don Gillies
San Diego, CA