raleighnut
Legendary Member
- Location
- One of the 'Elite'
Same tubing as this is made of, just the basic Raleigh frame material.
They ride quite nicely
This one looks a bit cleaner than mine though.
Bike Identification
- Thread starter 71Murray
- Start date
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They ride quite nicely
This one looks a bit cleaner than mine though.
mikeymustard
Guru
so in other words - "steel" 
I've never had an issue with what others unkindly call gaspipe, but I suppose steel with "controlled carbon" sound much more exotic!
I've never had an issue with what others unkindly call gaspipe, but I suppose steel with "controlled carbon" sound much more exotic!
raleighnut
Legendary Member
- Location
- One of the 'Elite'
Back in the days bikes were often advertised as having 'Best quality gas specification tubing'. (a mark of quality)so in other words - "steel"
I've never had an issue with what others unkindly call gaspipe, but I suppose steel with "controlled carbon" sound much more exotic!
mikeymustard
Guru
LOL an example of how language changes
Illaveago
Guru
- Location
- Chippenham,Wiltshire.
You can improve the basic bikes by fitting alloy components which will make them lighter. I have a couple of high tensile steel frame bikes and they feel nice to ride. The Carlton Kermesse I wanted in the 70's I think was aswell.
mikeymustard
Guru
My criterium I bought in 1980 was too and it rode lovely. Back last summer I happened to have some frames and a pair of scales to hand, so what else could I do?
Raleigh Sirocco (23.5") frame, forks and headset came to 3.2kg
Raleigh Elan (21.5") frame, forks, heeadset and BB was 3.7kg
Carlton 70s truwel (21.5") frame forks and hs was incredibly only 3.5kg so a lighter bottom bracket could eliminate that extra weight!
Edit: the Raleigh frames are 501
Raleigh Sirocco (23.5") frame, forks and headset came to 3.2kg
Raleigh Elan (21.5") frame, forks, heeadset and BB was 3.7kg
Carlton 70s truwel (21.5") frame forks and hs was incredibly only 3.5kg so a lighter bottom bracket could eliminate that extra weight!
Edit: the Raleigh frames are 501
Update. As i'm new to all this I was worried how difficult any of this work would be. Pleased to say that after a few youtube videos, I managed to strip, clean and reassemble the front bearings. Problem solved. I also managed to tru both wheels. New handlebar tape and some new tyres and tubes and she's ready for a spin this weekend. Next job, painting the frame. Had a quote from a local company to strip and powder coat the frame and forks for £60 but not sure if i fancy the challenge of doing it myself? Any tips?
mikeymustard
Guru
Don't do it!