It has always amazed me the amount of interest shown in the Raleigh bikes by the folks mainly in the USA . There has been many discussions and debates over the years which has always interesting to one and all. No one can fault the marketing by the Raeigh Industries and the quality of their products. I understand the manufacturing of these machines have been produced both here and in the States but Im uncertain whether the same designs or frame finish and components were used by both countries. Every credit must go to this great Company for their contribution to cycling in general over the past years.
Now it brings me to the point I wanted to make and my personel views based on my experiences regarding the popularity of Raleigh bikes in use both domestic and sporting use over the years. Firstly their use and being a household name for the working family population who were lucky enough to own "an all steel bike" despite its weight and fitted with all the needs anyone could wish for. Secondly and to my observations on the sport/lightweight machines which is always the most popular side of the subject by most folk. I cannot ever remember these bikes been popular with the club folk here , both for touring and racing alike. The outlets in the UK were numerous and Raleigh Agency cycle shops were everywhere but when it came to the serious cyclists they had little or no response to speak of. I must say the Raleigh Lenton was in my memory about the only model who made the grade in any worthwhile numbers but these were far short of an enthusiasts idea of a lightweight. Other models were plenty around the time because of their popular professionals Reg Harris, Eileen Sheridan and Ken Joy to name but a few.
My conclusion is Raleigh never were the machine for the hoards of the serious cyclists here in the UK .Mostly they chose to have their frames handbuilt from one of the more popular well known builders in their area and then build up their bikes to their own specifications.
Doug Smith
North Dorset
UK