I like Skol
A Minging Manc...
- Location
- Sunny Ashton-under-Lyne
This is something that has been bugging me for a few years and I can't find a single image or mention of a bike that matches my memory despite occasional intense interogation of google.
Around the time I was 16'ish (1989-90) one of my older brothers bought a lovely Raleigh racer. It was steel framed and definitely sporty rather than touring biased. I guess he payed around £400 for it and the main thing about it was the colour scheme which if I remember correctly was blue around the tube joints with white tubes and a pastel fade in between which may have included some pink?
My brother was quite big built and a bit clumsy with it and the original wheels didn't last too long so I built him a good pair of Mavics laced with DT spokes as he often complained about a tendency for the bike to develop a 'tank slapper' at speed and he claimed this was due to flex in the 'crap' wheels. The new wheels lasted perfectly and never needed truing despite his cack handed abuse but he still said he was experiencing the problem and claimed the bike was somehow flawed or faulty. I borrowed the bike on several occasions (in exchange for giving it some serious TLC and trying to find any possible fault that could cause his woes) and despite some spirited and fast riding never suffered any untoward handling myself.
When he turned up a year or so later with the news he had 'got rid' of the bike because it was 'dangerous' I was dissapointed as I would really have liked the bike for myself, especially as I had given it so much care and attention. I often wonder if I could find one would i still be tempted by the retro early 90's roadbike/racer and was it as nice to ride as I remember?
Has anyone any idea what the bike may have been? It was either very late 80's, or more likely, first half of the 90's. I would class it as an out and out racer, no pretence of touring or commuting. Definitely a Raleigh and I am sure it had a Renolds tubing sticker. The colour scheme was distinctive with a deep blue faded to white with possibly more than one pastelly/neon colour (pinks and yellow?). Quick release wheels, Probably 14 gears with down tube shifters. I reckon the hubs must have been reasonable Shimano items because I re-used them in the new wheels even though cost wasn't really an issue.
Please somebody tell me what this bike was so I can begin to hunt for one or decide maybe I am not really as interested as I think I am
Around the time I was 16'ish (1989-90) one of my older brothers bought a lovely Raleigh racer. It was steel framed and definitely sporty rather than touring biased. I guess he payed around £400 for it and the main thing about it was the colour scheme which if I remember correctly was blue around the tube joints with white tubes and a pastel fade in between which may have included some pink?
My brother was quite big built and a bit clumsy with it and the original wheels didn't last too long so I built him a good pair of Mavics laced with DT spokes as he often complained about a tendency for the bike to develop a 'tank slapper' at speed and he claimed this was due to flex in the 'crap' wheels. The new wheels lasted perfectly and never needed truing despite his cack handed abuse but he still said he was experiencing the problem and claimed the bike was somehow flawed or faulty. I borrowed the bike on several occasions (in exchange for giving it some serious TLC and trying to find any possible fault that could cause his woes) and despite some spirited and fast riding never suffered any untoward handling myself.
When he turned up a year or so later with the news he had 'got rid' of the bike because it was 'dangerous' I was dissapointed as I would really have liked the bike for myself, especially as I had given it so much care and attention. I often wonder if I could find one would i still be tempted by the retro early 90's roadbike/racer and was it as nice to ride as I remember?
Has anyone any idea what the bike may have been? It was either very late 80's, or more likely, first half of the 90's. I would class it as an out and out racer, no pretence of touring or commuting. Definitely a Raleigh and I am sure it had a Renolds tubing sticker. The colour scheme was distinctive with a deep blue faded to white with possibly more than one pastelly/neon colour (pinks and yellow?). Quick release wheels, Probably 14 gears with down tube shifters. I reckon the hubs must have been reasonable Shimano items because I re-used them in the new wheels even though cost wasn't really an issue.
Please somebody tell me what this bike was so I can begin to hunt for one or decide maybe I am not really as interested as I think I am
come to think of it only the frame and forks are original 
.
(Not actual pic of mine but the same)
