Need some info on this beauty!

[Alex11]

Was hoping the experience/knowledge/wisdom of you vintage bike lovers could enlighten me on this interesting bike!


This very much caught my eye recently, bought it from a guy who didn’t really seem to know much about it! So this is what I know so far, from looking over it, and my own (all be it basic) knowledge! :

He thought the frame might have been Claud Butler? It’s fully chrome all over, really lovely finish. There doesn’t seem to be much marking on the frame or bike generally, wheel hubs have “Pelisser” engraved onto them, Rigida labelled wheels, unbranded brakes, Shimano 105 brake levers, a later addition I think. Suntour friction shifters on Raleigh mounts?! and a Suntour/Raleigh front and rear mech. 10 speed, 5 on the back, 2 on the front. There are a few wires knocking about for Dynamos or something and the lights are on there too. Bottle cage too, and pedals with toe clips. It’s got a cracking ‘Brooks B17 Champion Narrow’ saddle also, in great nick!

As for condition, the frame is good, a couple of surface rust spots but they will definitely be removed with ease (I'll do that later). Wheels are perfectly straight and true and have not got any significant pitting or rust spots! Tyres good, holding air. Some of the mounts for bottle cage and stuff are a bit rusty too, but I'm not too worried about those. Brooks is in good nick!

I’ve attached some photos below, hope they are useful!
Is it valuable? What do we think? Any thoughts? Information on it?

Cheers everyone!

 

[Cycleops]

Thats a very nice bike indeed! Especially in that condition. I think it may well be a Carlton from the early seventies, maybe earlier. I am not too much of an expert, but I am sure someone will be along soon to give you definative answer. Great find.

 

[Alex11]

Thanks a lot for the reply!

It just caught my eye really, and I think I may have got a bit of a bargain...! Might end up selling it - Am not a fan of downtube shifters and it's a bit small for me!

Any more info greatly received!

 

[Poacher]

That is rather lovely, with bags of potential. Regarding the Suntour friction shifters on a Raleigh band, I'm currently watching these - seem perfectly OK to me, and the Suntour Powershift is a brilliant design. I currently run Powershifts on a couple of old road bikes, and have done for years, even though I have bar-end levers and STIs in the spares box! (Had a few funny moments trying to bend "normal" brake levers when I swapped over from STIs, though!)

 

[Alex11]

What do we think value wise? As I may be selling it!

 

[Cycleops]

Well the saddle alone is worth fifty quid, as for the rest of it it's anbodys guess, maybe two hundred plus. My thought is that it will be sought after due to the chrome frame. If it had the head badge and a bit of history that would add to the value. Shame it's too small for you, for me too.

 

[Alex11]

Yes, I looked at some completed listing prices on eBay, they seem to go for around £40 to £50.

So £200+ seems realistic, I didn't buy it to make a profit, but it seems I may make a nice quick quid!

Shall I offer it up on this classifieds?

 

[smokeysmoo]

Sell the Brooks, whip the lights and dyno wires off, fit a decent saddle and put it on level, rotate the bars level, ride and enjoy.

It's a great looking bike so if it's your size I'd keep it.

Personally I think £200 is hopeful at best, (especially being unknown as it is), which is another reason to sell the Brooks seperately, (no I don't want it), it will sell easily ans well on it's own, but it won't add much to the price you get for the full bike IMO.

 

[Alex11]

It's too small for me unfortunately! I'd definitely ride it otherwise.

 

[smokeysmoo]

It's too small for me unfortunately! I'd definitely ride it otherwise.

That's a shame, I'd still sell the Brooks separately though and stick any old saddle on the bike for sale.

If you've no spare saddles I've got a Selle Italia in the classifieds HERE if you fancied it.

[EDIT] As well as leveling the bars, it might also be worth taking those nasty foam grips off as well. For the price of some cheap black bar tape it'd make a big difference and make the bike even more photogenic.

 

[Alex11]

I do have a couple of spare saddles knocking about that I could whack on.
Would then be tempted to possibly use the Brooks on my Triban or sell it.

Without Brooks, what do we reckon value wise?

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Sell the Brooks, whip the lights and dyno wires off, fit a decent saddle and put it on level, rotate the bars level, ride and enjoy.

It's a great looking bike so if it's your size I'd keep it.

Personally I think £200 is hopeful at best, (especially being unknown as it is), which is another reason to sell the Brooks seperately, (no I don't want it), it will sell easily ans well on it's own, but it won't add much to the price you get for the full bike IMO.

I wouldn't worry about the bars - some of us like to have the tops horizontal.

 

[smokeysmoo]

Would then be tempted to possibly use the Brooks on my Triban

NO

 

[Alex11]

NO

Haha it's too comfy! Although might sell it! Depends!

 

[smokeysmoo]

I wouldn't worry about the bars - some of us like to have the tops horizontal.

Then the buyer can rotate them back if that's their choice, but the fact remains it will look a lot more photogenic with them level, and the OP is after top dollar after all

Shame you've not still got the San Marco Rolls, that would have been perfect for it