[CR] Carlton/Raleigh downtube shift boss history

(Example: Production Builders:Tonard)

To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2010 09:46:53 -0700 (PDT)
From: donald gillies <gillies@ece.ubc.ca>
Subject: [CR] Carlton/Raleigh downtube shift boss history


The Carlton 'Flyer' was a full-custom frame, 'anything goes' according to Jerry Mortimore, the Carlton Marquee specialist until recently, at the VCC of Great Britain. So, you only had to order the bike with downtube shifters to get them. I have photos of one with downtube bosses.

The Carlton 'Franco-Suisse' came standard with nervex lugs and downtube shifter bosses. It was very much like the Raleigh International model in the USA ~ chromed lugs and a long wheelbase, relaxed geometry. I have 2 or 3 photo sets of these frames.

I also have photos of two Carlton Internationals (a hetchins-like model, but much less expensive) with downtube shifter bosses.

There was also a revival model in 1985, red with white panels, the name starts with a 'C' I think but it escapes me - maybe Corsair. I believe it also had downtube shifter bosses, but I have no photos.

There were some late-model versions of the Raleigh Record Ace with downtube shifter bosses, made at the Carlton / Worksop factory. And, I think the later Carlton Kermesses (e.g. 1980), in some instances, had downtube shifter bosses. Also, some of the Raleigh Team replica framesets made at Worksop had downtube shifter bosses :

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TI_RALEIGH_TEAM_PROS

Have you looked at the Carlton catalogs?

http://www.bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/ http://www.bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/Retro-Raleighs/

Have you looked at the Carlton Marquee website, originally created by Jerry Mortimore, with many different framesets in his collection?

http://www.carltoncycles.me.uk

If you'd like photos, email me and I will send them to you.

- Don Gillies
San Diego, CA, USA