Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
What's a "postman higher grade"? Are they more muscular or something?
Raleigh M-Trax: any info?
- Thread starter Andy in Germany
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
lucidone
Active Member
- Location
- Near Bicester
I owned a circa '93 M-Trax 600 which was a nice looking champagne / black bonded frame jobby with Shimano Exage 250 ES/LT groupset - wasn't really that special to ride but my mate liked it, bought it and rode it for 20+ years until lost in a garage fire.
I then bought, and still ride nearly every day, a 1997 M-Trax 350 (rigid version with Tange forks). It's been a superb bike and and still feels light and quick when in the correct trim. If anyone's interested I have the brochure for that year so could upload any pic's / info required.
I then bought, and still ride nearly every day, a 1997 M-Trax 350 (rigid version with Tange forks). It's been a superb bike and and still feels light and quick when in the correct trim. If anyone's interested I have the brochure for that year so could upload any pic's / info required.
I have one of those in the shed - doesn't get much use nowadays but its a good ride and looks the part IMO. It has titanium main tubes and the rest is steel.
lucidone
Active Member
- Location
- Near Bicester
Yes, a good looking bike! Do you still have the bullhorn bars that were standard? They looked unusual and bent a fair bit but were comfy as I recall.
My friend still laments the loss of his. 😥
Yep, got the bullhorns. It seems to have become a bit of a donor currently and looks a bit sorry for itself. It had the rock shox when i got it but i don't think they are original:
View: https://imgur.com/a/khKcnpV
View: https://imgur.com/a/khKcnpV
lucidone
Active Member
- Location
- Near Bicester
Many thanks for taking / sharing the photo - it's a nice reminder of many fun rides!
Nice bike - looks pretty damn good for 26+ years old! Yes, the forks and stem look like upgrades but the rest is still there.
I'm sure your's is well greased but just be careful with the original seat post forming too close a bond with the frame - it became a problem on my old one eventually for my friend. I'll forward your photo and see if I can make him cry - he really loved that bike!
lucidone
Active Member
- Location
- Near Bicester
Specs from 1997 M-Trax brochure.
OP
OP
Andy in Germany
Guru
- Location
- Rottenburg am Neckar
Many thanks: Mine was the "Sport 80" and was exactly as described except that the bike shop changed my shifters to rapidfire, and for some reason it had an old-school BB.
I bought it in late 1997 and it was at the time being described as "last year's model" It's nice to have a definite date.
And still going strong 23 years later, some components still have the "RSP" badge.
lucidone
Active Member
- Location
- Near Bicester
Good to hear of another survivor! Here's the brochure page for the 80 - IMO they did some nice colours and that certainly looks like one of them!
OP
OP
Andy in Germany
Guru
- Location
- Rottenburg am Neckar
Wow, there she is, almost exactly like I bought her. I remember the catalogue page too, and completely forgetting the model and name when I left the shop.
The saddle was changed within weeks, and thetyres were swapped for semi-slicks soon after... 23 years later and it's still going strong, despite bing a bit battered in places and having gained some weight, much like its owner:
This was last year, on my first imperial century...
Still a lovely bike and a great ride...
lucidone
Active Member
- Location
- Near Bicester
Looks like a great rig - I've never ridden a cargo bike / conversion but it appears you get along very well on yours!
Just out of interest, are there ever any issues with the long chain run?
Just out of interest, are there ever any issues with the long chain run?
OP
OP
Andy in Germany
Guru
- Location
- Rottenburg am Neckar
Not too much: I get through chains a bit faster, and I always need to cut 1 1/2 chains. Last time it was a bit too slack but it isn't a major issue.
The length of cable to the rear mech is more of a problem: it always jumps one gear when going down and I have to persuade it if I want to use that one, and the cable is prone to icing up in winter.
That apart it's a really nice ride, and useful: I'll be taking Beautiful Daughter off today on a route that most people wouldn't consider trying to pull a children's trailer along.
lucidone
Active Member
- Location
- Near Bicester
Another M-Trax arrived today....
Plan so far is to strip, clean and inspect then swap over some parts from my M-Trax 350 and loose the bouncy forks. Just about my dream bike between the two.
Plan so far is to strip, clean and inspect then swap over some parts from my M-Trax 350 and loose the bouncy forks. Just about my dream bike between the two.
Last edited:
lucidone
Active Member
- Location
- Near Bicester
Just completed the swap about, build and test and it's just how I like it.
I was originally looking for a pair of nice Project 2's and was going to keep it dark and moody with the black Deore 27 group, however, the mint Pace RC30's showed themselves and they changed the direction and it's now more period correct. Don't know whether to go for some repro stickers or keep it mufti.
I was originally looking for a pair of nice Project 2's and was going to keep it dark and moody with the black Deore 27 group, however, the mint Pace RC30's showed themselves and they changed the direction and it's now more period correct. Don't know whether to go for some repro stickers or keep it mufti.
Last edited:
