My FIRST bike at I think age 15yrs WAS a Raleigh! It was my uncles bike,that he gave me to RACE! on he came back from WW2 and went to work for Cyclo In Aston Brum, He took the three speed Sturmey off and replaced it with a Cyclo 3 speed. I never could get the bloody thing to change OK and talked my Dad into financing a Claud Butler for me, This was first and last Raleigh, The lads would NEVER ride and race on a Raleigh, Stories about been cheap and poor workmanship,etc, BUT I do think later on Raleighs with the team bikes did make a much better machine,But then like cars,Austins where cheap Rollers where not, So you got what you could afford Cheers John Crump OldSorrySrWalterBrit, Parker. Co USA