I just finished reading The Story of The Raleigh Cycle that I picked up from a CR member. This was a book published in Great Britain in '75 describing Raleigh's rise to be the number one bicycle company in the world. They couldn't have succeeded if all they manufactured were cheap, inferior bicycles.
My first racing bike was a "69 Carlton Raleigh Pro that I wish still owned. I own a '51 Raleigh Clubman, '51 Humber Clubman (Raleigh), and a '69 Raleigh Sprite SA 5speed. They were good, affordable entry level bikes when new and I'm sure they're owners were proud of these bikes at one time. According to the book, when Raleigh first took interest in Reg Harris and his young racing career, he was presented with a new Humber racer. The book didn't tell that the Raleigh he was riding late in his career was actually built by Masi. We all have to start somewhere and if all racers began their racing careers on a Claude Butler, Hetchens, or Ron Cooper, then those companies would also have looked for ways to manufacture bicycles quickly and economically to meet the demand.
CR members have been commenting on how nice their PX10s ride and how they have been overlooked. They were great and affordable machines in the early '70s. They certainly didn't compare to the fine Italian bicycles. Just look at the lack of workmanship in the Nervex lugs and the quality of the paint on all Peugeots. They were entry level bikes but still performed well.
I like my '70 PX10 almost as well as my vintage Italian bikes but my Raleighs are also beautiful bikes. It's like comparing an Austin Healey to a Ferrari, or an apple to an orange.
Ted Trambley
Martinez,CA USA