I've got a total beater blue and mink one in 23.5" and around that time, but I've not dated the frame. It is a truly wonderful descender, and I've not found the bike to be twitchy at all, but a very stable, good no hands machine. I've got a local ride from home with a steep, twisty, hairpinned downhill to finish up (those who've done my vintage ride will know it). I topped my personal best by at least a mile per hour the first time I rode the Pro down that hill. Firm, but it goes where you point it! It's a pretty good climber, but doesn't feel like the best I've ever had.
What mine is, is stiff!!! I've got 22-23 mm veloflex's on it and a week on Bike Florida this Spring carved me a new, well we won't go there. I think it would be fabulous with the Grand Bois 28's, or maybe something light and in between. Hi Emily, I see you've got that slipping rear axle licked!
Dan Artley in Parkton, MD
Archive-URL: http://search.bikelist.org/
> When you get some
> turny riding in on your Pro, Rich, I'd be interested in your
> impression of the ride. Also interested in Emily's impression since I
> think her Raleigh is the same model as mine (?). BTW, my Pro is the
> 23.5".
My Raleigh is a 1974 (Mark IV), 21.5". It has a pretty high bottom bracket and is very responsive. It's maybe twitchier than some, and takes a little more work to ride with no hands than some of my other bikes, (but not so much as to prevent me from putting on/taking off clothing layers while riding, etc, even by the end of a long brevet). I have mine set up as a fixed gear, so I've never had it over 40 mph, but it's always given me complete confidence that it it would go where I wanted to, and doesn't shimmy even at high RPMs. It even handles well with a handlebar bag. You may have figured this out, but I love the way the bike rides. It fits really well, and it responds and accelerates well while still being very comfortable for the long haul. Anyone want to sell me another one? ;)
Emily O'Brien
Medford, MA