The Raleigh Europa a good cycle?

[Enid Agnus Dei]

Wish I had the money, space and lived closer, I'd have had a look at that!

Thank you for posting it This Time Next Year.

 

[Standoff]

vintage retro team raleigh racing bike reynolds 531 and campag all over it LOOK

Maybe this is the 'real deal' that the Europa was modelled on!

 

[Standoff]

Browser URL:
vintage retro team raleigh racing bike reynolds 531 and campag all over it LOOK

 

[Standoff]

Can't get the link to work but it's on eBay!

 

[festival]

I am sure i am going to get some stick for my following comments, but I have no intention of insulting anyone.
Why would any one want to spend time,energy and maybe money on renovating something that has no prestige, no heritage, no quality and rides like a garden gate.
A Raleigh from the special products division I could understand or, e.g. the Chopper bike, technically pretty shoot, but in its time it had a style of its own and a place in history, This Europa thing, while not rubbish was really nothing special.
I suppose if it was the first proper bike you owned or something like that I could understand the nostalgic interest, but please, it was a cheap massed produced bike when new and whether you wish to ride it or admire it, just because it is 30 years old doesn't make it right. .
If I could get my hands on an original 70's Holdsworth Pro and restore it, that would be something to get excited about. Although mass market to a degree, it has a heritage from a legendary team.
I can't get the slightest bit interested in this Europa, I don't get it. Sorry.

 

[Standoff]

I don't understand why 99% of the population do what they do most of the time! Wacking a little ball with a stick then chasing after it appears a little pointless but I don't think it's wrong!

 

[fossyant]

Nice machine you have.

 

[fossyant]

Festival, I can't get excited about a Holdsworth. Each to their own. The Raleigh is a classic colour scheme, and looks nice enough.

 

[festival]

Festival, I can't get excited about a Holdsworth. Each to their own. The Raleigh is a classic colour scheme, and looks nice enough.

That's fair enough.
The point about the Holdsworth is, its a bike of some quality, has a value and a heritage and in my case I got into racing when the Holdsworth team were the top UK team of the day and I lived a short distance from the shop, therefore I have a connection to a bike with a history.
People will have their own reasons for liking things, like the emperor's new clothes, if you want to see it as something worthwhile hard enough you will believe it.

 

[Standoff]

It was my first real road bike and was painted in the TI Raleigh colours and was part of my youth. I will probably buy one if one comes up for sale near me. For no other reason than to remind me of a time when my life was simple and care free and my legs were young and willing!

 

[Broadside]

I use an old Raleigh Europa as my pub bike. It was gifted to me so I could convert it in to a fixed gear bike but I haven't done that yet.

AFAIK the Europa came in two models, 1) Team Raleigh replica with Campag bits and 2) mass market model with Raleigh and Weinnman bits. Mine is the mass market model but the former are highly sought after.

Compared to yours mine is in very poor condition, mechanically sound but awful to look at. I really am in two minds about converting mine to fixed gear, whether it will only ever be adequate as a fixed gear or if I should spend the money on a bike that was originally designed as fixed gear.

When standing to pedal uphill the rear brakes sometimes rub which I take to mean that either the frame or wheels are flexing - perhaps its an indicator of the overall quality of the bike, i.e. not all that good.

 

[Basil.B]

Did my first TT on a Raleigh Arena in 78, bike weighed a ton!

 

[Brett Stevenson]

I was one of the 'masses' who had a Europa, about 198. Parents saved up hard, and I was made up so proud. Two years later I had wrecked it. Sprayed gold with cow horn handlebars. Probably scrapped it.

Anyway, I have now since found a couple on ebay. Bought them. I have stripped one back, had it sandblasted and sent to argos cycles in Bristol who re-enammel and restore to former paintwork and decals. Got new wheels, bearings, cranks and stem, seat post, brakes and a decent set of shortie mudguards, chrome. New tyres and other chrome bits. And a saddle
Managed to get new 'vintage' Ever Ready lights.
Does anybody know where I Can get a rack for it?

Really excited, would love to catch up with other people who have embarked on this foolish venture....

Brett

 

[Cycleops]

Does anybody know where I Can get a rack for it?
Brett

Don't buy the rack!!!

 

[Dark46]

Great pics ! I had a Raleigh about then in Blue, not sure about the model. Great to see you have still got the pump and on its stays too! From there I bought a Falcon Champion de Monde in Gold.