Second hand choise: old Raleigh Chiltern

[philepo]

Hi

I want to get a city bike 'sit up and beg' kind of riding style. I tried a Raleigh Chiltern of the 80's type and it was perfect - but not for sale!

So I've been looking on ebay and there are a few. Unfortunately I did not measure the one I sat on. I am 6 foot and long legged. My present bike is a 23" and feels every so slightly too small.

My stupid question is: does anyone know if the 25" frame is a monster or about right for a 6 footer?

And, is there any other bikes like this to consider?

Cheers

 

[swee'pea99]

25" is a big frame. I'm 6 foot and like you I'd find a 23" a bit small. It depends on your shape, but as a rule of thumb I'd say 25" would probably suit someone of, say, 6' 2" plus.

 

[tyred]

I'm 5'11" and would consider a 25" frame as a monster. What might be of more interest to you is the length of the top tube (i.e the reach from handlebar to saddle). You could always fit a longer seatpost if necessary on a 23" frame. Handlebar stems can be changed quite easily too so long as you don't have rod brakes. For the record, my Carlton is a 22" frame and is probably a thou too small for me, my Peugeot is 23" and feels perfect.

This type of bike was sold by Raleigh under many different brands like BSA, Rudge, Triumph, etc for many years and are mostly similar apart from the front fork design. The general belief is that quality started to drop of in the 1970s. There are other manufacturers like Dawes. If you look on this forum, you should find pictures of Jim's Apollo County which would also fit.

 

[philepo]

Thanks for all that. The only reason I was looking out for Chiltern is because I sat on one and it was pure comfort, but I never asked the size.

I was going to buy new (Raleigh Oakland) but was a bit put off when I saw one in the flesh (bit cheap feeling), and reports of tyres falling off them!?

 

[chris667]

I'd buy a secondhand bike. Much cheaper, and better quality.

I don't mean to state the obvious, but if you currently ride a 23" and find it too small, it will probably be a 25". It's probably going to be fine for you in sit-up-and-beg mode.

All vintage bikes were big by modern standards.

 

[GrahamNR17]

I've generally found that fitting Raleigh North Road bars to pretty much any bike results in a nice comfortable upright riding position, which is perfect for local cycling and meandering round country lanes peering over hedges. They're usually less than 20 quid for new aluminium ones. Fitted a set to my ride-to-work bike and it's so relaxed

Isn't frame size more related to leg length than overall height? I'm asking cos I don't know the answer