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OldManGraham
Active Member
Hmm...What's not to like? Lugged steel frame in a gorgeous blue and white with tanwall tyres
Serial Number ??
- Thread starter OldManGraham
- Start date
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SkipdiverJohn
Deplorable Brexiteer
- Location
- London
You obviously haven't seen some of mine! Most people would put them in the skip. not take them out and ride them.
DCBassman
Guru
- Location
- The lumpy far South West
Trust me, we dont! My old Trek mtb was new in 2001 (£200), and the much-modified Scott roadie cost me 20 quid less than yours! Mind, I've spent a bit on it since...
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OldManGraham
Active Member
I'd love a scott roadie for nowt 😆Trust me, we dont! My old Trek mtb was new in 2001 (£200), and the much-modified Scott roadie cost me 20 quid less than yours! Mind, I've spent a bit on it since...
SkipdiverJohn
Deplorable Brexiteer
- Location
- London
One of my Raleigh MTBs still had a plastic protector fitted over all four axle nuts when I bought it. Apart from the as-new condition, these are a good indicator the seller was being completely truthful when they said the bike had only ever been ridden half a dozen times.
Pay attention to lubrication though, mine needed bearings greasing even though it was to all intents and purposes, still a new bike.
Looks like a proper score - I hope you'll continue to keep it in the condition it's managed to maintain over the previous thirty-odd years
You'll find a lot of love for old steel on here and rightly so IMO. While the components can seem limited and achaic by modern standards, they're generally well put together and honest; while the frames still ride well and will most likely outlast more modern offerings if properly looked after.
These old entry-level Raleighs aren't worth a lot financially (yours I'd suggest ballpark £100, FWIW) but they're still great, capable bikes and make excellent utility hacks or budget mile-munchers. I love them as they're a slice of nostalgia that harks back to simpler times and our then-still-breathing domestic manufacturing industry.
For what it's worth I have a Raleigh of similar vintage - an abused, probably stolen-and-abandoned beater that's become a bit of a project utility bike and I really love it. Given their similar age and position at the entry level of the market it wouldn't surprise me if both bikes had the same frame; the paint job and components differing to target different markets.
Ultimately they're good honest bikes that deserve to be treated with care and respect, as well as a route to a viable steel frame without paying the earth for a new one with a trendy badge
I would hope that if @OldManGraham ever wanted to sell it in the future he would offer it on the forum first. He would get a lot of interest in it.
All uphill
Still rolling along
- Location
- Somerset
I believe in everyone having their own ideas, but I can't let that go!
I have a £1k bike and a 1972 Raleigh.
It's the Raleigh that gets the attention and the admiration of other cyclists.
You have a nice bike there, enjoy it and appreciate it@
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OldManGraham
Active Member
I see where your coming from, I do enjoy it, its a good workout compared to modern bikes, wasnt knocking it or anyone else's, however some do look down on you, I just do my own thing, not what everyone else does.
Manufactured gear snobbery keeps the industry in business and just because something has little financial value in our skewed and shallow society doesn't mean it's intrinsically worthless
Inusuit
New Member
It's a great looking bike and I for one admire those who aren't concerned about having the latest and greatest machine but rather go out and ride. Two of my three bikes are over 30 years old. I paid $7.50 for one of them at a thrift shop. I don't much care about what other people might think of my bikes, my cycling attire, or my fitness level.