Raleigh Elan 501 or Peugeot Aravis 531?

[rattle]

Hi guys,

Just wondering if anyone can offer any quick advice on which to buy!

I'm looking at two bikes both in very good condition but I'm not sure which I'd rather own!

I know the Reynolds 531 frame that comes on the Peugeot is slightly lighter but over all I can't determine which is a better bike!


I'm looking at about £90+£30 for the Raleigh and maybe £150+ postage for the Peugeot.

I'm interested in weight, quality, appearance and owning a bit of history too so I'm really having difficulty deciding!


Any tips very much appreciated!

 

[Alembicbassman]

Weight wise there isn't going to be a lot of difference in the frames, the wheels groupset and finishing kit is where the weight is going to be gained or lost.

Both 501 and 531 are steel, the 531 is likely to be butted tubes and the 501 plain guage tubing. But there's probably only a couple of hundred grammes in it.

To make it light I'd like to see alloy rims (Mavic would be good), alloy seatpost, alloy handlebars with alloy stem, alloy chainset.

The older lower end Raleighs tend to come with chrome plated steel finishing kit, unbranded alloy rims and steel chainset.

Both Raleigh and Peugeot used some odd sized components so make sure everything is present and working otherwise you'll be scouring ebay for odd bits.

Rear dropouts went from 126mm to 130mm in the late 80s early 90s to accommodate the new groupsets. If they're 130mm you can use modern cogs and wheels.

Budget another £70 for a full service and new cable inners/outers, brake blocks, handlebar tape, tyres, tubes.

I recently renovated an old 1990s claud butler with Reynolds tubing. Nice to ride, but still heavy compared to modern bikes.

 

[rattle]

The Raleigh is has alloy wheels and chainset but I'm not so sure what the specs of the Peugeot amount to.
I've seen a comparison of the frames and the 501 is apparently 2300grams while the 531 is 1900 so 400grams seems fairly significant!
I'm not interested in ultra light but where possible would be nice







Here are the specs for the Raleigh:

Reynolds 501 Tubing.

Shimano Finishing Kit:

Shimano Biospace Double Chain Wheel.

Shimano 6 Speed Block (12 Speed in total).

Shimano Exage Crank.

Shimano Exage Brakes.

Shimano Exage Brake Levers - New November 2010

Shimano Hubs - Front and Rear Fitted with Quick Release.

Alesis Rims.





Frame:Reynolds 531P Fourreaux.
Fork:Reynolds 531P Fourreaux
Front Derailleur:Shimano 105.
Rear Derailleur:Shimano 105.
Shifters:Shimano 105.
Chainset:Shimano 105 crankset.
Front and Rear Brake Calipers and Levers:Shimano 105.
Rims:Mavic MA40.
Hubs:Shimano 105.
Saddle:Viscount.
Tyres:Panracer Tour Guard Passela.


Any info on the groupsets?


Thanks again in advance!!

 

[accountantpete]

The peugeot is a lot better quality all-round. Exage was entry level whilst the 105 is still going as a mid-level groupset.

The Raleigh has Biopace chainrings - which were an eliptical try out that never really caught on.

I'd expect the Pug to hold it's value a bit better esp if the frame is in very good nick - don't touch if it needs a respray!

If this is your main bike I'd advise saving up and getting something a bit more up to date.

ps - the big problem is that you can't from the outside tell what steel it is so you rely on the little 531 sticker on the frame. You can buy these for £5! - so you really need to see the sticker to make sure it's the original.

 

[Alembicbassman]

Short answer - The Peugeot has better kit

The Exage kit is entry level Shimano (300EX being the start point). I'm guessing the Chainset is 300EX (which would be alloy cranks and steel chainrings). Biopace was an 80s invention, I had it on my Claud Butler, but most people prefer a standard round chainset like the 105, I didn't find much difference to be honest.

105 kit sits half way up the Shimano range and uses some of the technology from the pro range groupsets like Dura Ace and Ultegra.

I had an old 105 8 speed set up on a 1998 Spesh Allez, but I guess the 105 on the Peugeot may be a little older. I think it replaced Shimano RSX RX100.

400g is less than a tin of beans. If you're really bothered about weight spend your money on a modern bike.

I got this new 16 speed bike for £160

 

[elan2011]

don't know if your sorted yet or not. but this may help someone else, if not you

i would go for the elan hands down. i have covered more miles on a raleigh elan back in 90s than any other bike i have ever owned, it was my main training hack bike for several years

including over 10k miles in one year to win the most standard club rides ridden in 1 year, many many 100 mile plus rides, several 150 plus mile rides. and if you want race the elan will turn its hand to that, i have ridden may short 21minute 10 mile time trails on a elan. when i did not want to get my best bike out.

in short the elan will make a fine bike of all but the most demanding racing.

would i buy one myself today if raleigh came to there senses and started making real bikes again? O YES i beats some of this new high tech junk the bike shops are pushing these days.

 

[rattle]

Thanks for your responses!

I made the decision to go for the Peugeot in the end. I managed to get it for £200 delivered (with a bike clock too haha) which I think is a fair deal.

It's in great condition and the groupset seems to be very high quality.
Only need to swap out or the bottom bracket for something a little less gritty!

It also has a biopace crankset on the inner cog so I can have the best of both worlds.


I was buying to replace my old Elan that was stolen but I think I would have been happy with either bikes! They're both great.


Once again, thanks for your input!

 

[2old2care]

Yeah deffo go for the Elan, I had one of these for 21 years and was forced to change when the chainstays split in two!!!, I've still got some of the original parts including both wheels ( re-spoked ) rh crank, both brake levers, and maybe even the downtube shifters.

Funnily enough the lbs still had parts and knew exactly what I was talking about.

Where can I get one?