raleigh mirage - frame material

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handsome joe

New Member
Does anyone know the frame material of a raleigh mirage MTB. I think its from the early-mid nineties. Its in good condition and most of the original components are ok. I think it's been lost in a shed somewhere.
 
I,m riding one and I think its definately Steel
 

hubgearfreak

Über Member
what do you base that on steve?

i've found these pics....
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and they strongly suggest to me that they're made of reynolds 501.

and the reynolds chart that i've found show 501ATB to be CrMo...even butted in some tubes.

Reynolds-tubing-sizes.jpg


in addition, it's of brazed & lugged construction. in many peoples eyes this is the best method of steel frame manufacturing. here's one monologue in praise of lugs. http://www.rivbike.com/article/why_rivendell/lugs

they're not the lightest, but even if you're the type obsessed by weight, remember that frame weight is responsible for 1/4 of bike weight, and bike weight only 1/10 of rider weight.

keep it, it's very strong, invisible to thieves, it's got horizontal dropouts so you could make them fixed, single speed, hubgeared or even, if you're perverted that way, use dérailleurs. it'll make a fine commuter, shopper or world tourer.
 

Steve Austin

The Marmalade Kid
Location
Mlehworld
Saw them pix on Retrobike too. There is a white one on this site, which looks a bit different to that.
It may have a 501 sticker on it, but i doubt its got more than the 3 main tubes built from that. more likely 501 seat tube, and the rest hi tensile steel. Raleigh were rascals for building bikes with various differing quality tubes.
 

hubgearfreak

Über Member
Steve Austin said:
It may have a 501 sticker on it, but i doubt its got more than the 3 main tubes built from that. more likely 501 seat tube, and the rest hi tensile steel. Raleigh were rascals for building bikes with various differing quality tubes.

you're right steve. it says frame tubes on it:blush: so half and half then:wacko:
 

Steve Austin

The Marmalade Kid
Location
Mlehworld
:ohmy: :sad:
 
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