In the '60's Raleigh enjoyed as successful name recognition as Schwinn, being the staple of bike shops offering an alternative to the mainstream shop replete with ape hangers or more grown up multi-speed racers. Here in Stockton, the local Raleigh dealer was within spitting distance of the University of Pacific, in keeping with Raleigh's carefully crafted sophisticated image. The famed poster featuring Raleigh's fabled 3-speed commuter with the big cat in tow easily cemented an image of adventure and access much as Land Rover had for the Jeep alternative. My first 10-speed was a used Raleigh Record in metallic burgundy with black lugs. Raleighs were serious rides. I even purchased the tricycle conversion kit for the 3-speed so my father could ride in an effort to keep him heart healthy. The added marketing kudo was the price point for various models. The 3-speed Sturmey Archer mount cost $69 in the mid -60's with racing bike price points well within sight. So it was in 1969 that I purchased my mink brown and silver Raleigh Professional with a Campagnolo group that even included Campagnolo brakes for $298 from Sugden and Lynch. This was a serious ride, which was noticeably stiffer and quicker than my PX-10e, and the brakes felt more solid and offered more control than the Mafacs on my Peugeot. Raleigh was so highly sought after by riders, especially those of limited means, that the Raleigh Professional became numero uno on wish lists circulated amongst bike thieves. These guys were serious go getters and quickly made Krypton bike locks passe when they discovered these expensive locks were easily cracked with Freon or gummed into open positions with sugared spit or gum. When a high school junior where I was teaching rode by on his own Raleigh Pro in 1970, I asked one of my students about this new ride and learned of the group of thieves. High end Raleighs were ridden to be seen, and their visibility and recognition was part of the cache. At this late date, I am so grateful that these were Carltons in disguise. Forty years ago these putative wall hangers were pure fun on the road; today they're a source of bruised pride, saved by faulty recollection.
Harrison Lee
Foreclosure Capital de Estados Unidos
Stockton, California