2500 High Tensile Steel

[Jezston]

Being offered an old Raleigh bike that looks rather pretty, but obviously for a price.

Owner states it's labelled as being manufactured from '2500 High Tensile Steel'. A Google about yeilds 0 information. Anyone know much about this material and how it compares to the various Reynoldses?

 

[Gerry Attrick]

I have struggled to find info too and its not a steel I have ever come across although a few manufacturers used it in their frames, notably Puch. The best I can offer is this. From that list of specs which does not include 2500, I can only assume that the Raleigh frame is fairly low down on the tube quality. Another reference I found refers to a Puch ladies' bike and it was described as "heavy".

Certainly a frame made out of tubing such as 531 or higher would generally bear the appropriate sticker assuming no refinishing had taken place.

 

[Jezston]

I'm guessing we're talking gas pipe type stuff then. Shame, as it is a very pretty bike!

 

[alecstilleyedye]

go see it and see if you like it. if you're not racing or going up steep gradients, the bike may still be of use, if it's comfortable to ride.

 

[tyred]

Raleigh didn't build rubbish in those days. It will be heavier than their top line 531 models of the time but if the frame is a good fit for you, I would expect it to be comfortable and very nice to ride.

 

[fossyant]

It's gas pipe. Raleigh did 18-23 Hi Ten steel (18-23 was frame sizes). Won't be terrible, just abit heavy. If the bike is in good nick, then it's not a crappy steel

 

[Gerry Attrick]

Now I've had a bit more time, this link seems to throw a little more light on it. It appears to be a 5% nickel steel. How its properties compare with say 531 though I don't know because I don't think Reynolds publish analyses of their tubes. As Fossyant has said, it's not the best by any means, but it isn't gas pipe.