Re: [CR]753 Raleigh Team

(Example: Events:Cirque du Cyclisme:2007)

Date: Thu, 31 Aug 2006 19:09:23 -0700 (PDT)
From: "dave martinez" <dmart84815@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [CR]753 Raleigh Team
To: Steve Leitgen <sleitgen@charter.net>
In-Reply-To: <FE792F6B-9787-456B-9583-2447F4309127@charter.net>
cc: CR List <ClassicRendezvous@bikelist.org>

Hello Steve,

I lusted after a Raleigh 753 at that time. It was when the Peter Post Dutch riders where kicking butt. It seemed that 753 frames with the team colors where hard to find (At least all the Raleigh dealers that I remember contacting didn't have them.) Palo Alto Bike shop had a Gold 753, but I wanted Team colors. At the races and at the shops I learned that the 753 frames were soft (flexy) and they had frame failures, ie. chainstays breaking at the bb. When the latest issue of Buycycling arrived, I noticed an ad for Michael's Bikeshop in Ames, Iowa. They had 753 and 531Team bikes. Due to the history of 753 frame failure and the incredible investment that I (a 24 year old with his first REAL JOB) was going to make, I wanted a safe, hassle free frame. So I bought the 531 Team. It actually looks just like the Pro of the same time period, except its red-black-yellow. It has served me well. I raced it, did centuries, tons of club rides and courted my wife while riding it. Thank you Gerald O' Donvan.

Regards, Dave Martinez Fremont Ca

Steve Leitgen <sleitgen@charter.net> wrote: I'm curious and this question came up over the recent e-baying of a Team 753.
>From about 1978 to about 1981 I remember the Team 753 bike to be "THE" bike to lust for. You would show up at a race and there would be usual gaggle of Treks, a bunch of Italian jobs, a couple of customs and then the Team bikes. Everyone seemed to drool over them. Me included. Then all of a sudden about 1981 you just never saw them anymore. The same Treks, Colnagos and customs were there but the Raleigh Teams just weren't.

So what happened? Why did they fall out of favor so quickly? Was there something bad about them? Anybody know anything?

Steve Leitgen
La Crosse, WI