Doug,
I can't speak for riding in the '50's and 60's in the UK but when I came of cycling age in the early 70's there were no custom frame shops anywhere near Lexington, Kentucky. Actually I didn't become aware until much later that a frame could be made one off. The only real road bikes in my neck of the woods were the Schwinn Paramount and the Workshop-built Raleighs. And later, the Ilkeston Raleighs. I started riding seriously on a one-year-old 1973 Raleigh Competition and could only dream of owning a Pro. A few years later, a shop opened in town that sold Falcon, Frejus, Gitane, Peugeot and the occasional Cinelli. I then started to realize that there were more bikes available but I still didn't have the means to acquire them. If I would have had access to all the wonderful frames being made in the UK or the Continent my interest in Raleighs certainly would have been diminished. I suppose the old saw is true: we tend to collect what we couldn't afford when younger. My collection of Raleighs consists of the following:
1971 International rider 1974 NOS International 1972 restored Professional 1973 near-NOS Competition 1979 Competition GS rider 1975 restored 531 Team Pro, Team colors 1977 restored 753 Team Pro, Team colors 1979 excellent condition 753 Team Pro blue and black 1981 near NOS 753 Team Pro, Team colors
As my time on the CR list has goes on and I learn more of the wonderful makes of bikes available, my interest in Raleighs has waned. I am much more interested in the early American builders, Eisentraut, Sachs, Weigle, Baylis, Carlsbad Masi, Gordon, Mooney, Moon, Moulton (well maybe half-american). And I'm sure there are other notables that I have omitted. (If anyone would like to chime in on quality American builders that I left off please chime away) If I were aware of these makers in the 1970's and early 80's I'm sure I would have found a way to own one. For me, they represent the very genesis of a reemerging American bicycle industry. Also, the history of this period is interesting with the West coast guys emanating from Masi and the East coast guys maybe more influenced by the English. And in my very humble opinion, the build quality on many of these frames is second to none. I suppose my newfound interest in these American builders mirrors the interest in the UK of your own fine marquees. I've now been fortunate to acquire a stunning Carlsbad twin-plate (thanks again Bob and Tom), a beautiful Bruce Gordon, a very early Wizard crit bike and a simply stunning KOF Weigle. BTW, Peter must be the nicest person in the bike business. So it looks like some Raleighs may be on the market soon. And if anyone comes across an Eisentraut "A" or an early Sachs for sale please give me a shout. 58cm to 60cm only please.
All the Best,
George Allen Lexington, KY USA
At 05:03 PM 6/20/2006, you wrote:
>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