Our range of women's Raleigh bikes offers a variety of styles and models, including the classical Willow and commuter friendly Strada and Pioneer hybrid models. Michelle is a road racer who also enjoys track riding and the occasional time trial, though dabbles in off-road riding too (either on a mountain bike, or a 'gravel bike'). Established in 1887 in Nottingham, England, we're still based in our hometown. Sun branded bicycles were made in the Carlton factory at Worksop, England. During the next few decades, this company perfected several crucial parts, including: These innovations made this brand the most respected in the UK. She loves to share her cycling experience and everything about small bikes and other related topics here on BikeSized.com. Raleigh's version was called the Light Delivery Van and had a chain drive. For instance, models created in the 1960s and 1970s featured elongated seats, while those from the 1980s were wider and cushioned. By 1888, the company was making about three cycles a week and employed around half a dozen men. To bring the vintage feeling, theres even a ding-dong bell and a kickstand for you to travel back in time. Harrison A E, The Competitiveness of the British Cycle Industry, 18901914. List of all bike models from Raleigh Eva 26 Redux 26 Gala 24 Rowdy 24 Lily 24 Cadent 24 Alysa 24 Tokul 24 Eva 24 Redux 24 Rowdy 20 Lily 20 Jazzi 20 Jazzi 16 Rowdy 16 MXR 12 Jazzi 12 Talus 1 Eva 2 Talus 2 Talus 3 Talus 4 Tekoa 1 Tokul 2 Tokul 1 Tokul 3 Tekoa 2 Lorry Tristar 3-Speed Venture 2 Step Thru Venture 2 Detour 1 Step Thru Detour 1 The first bikes with ten speeds appeared on the American market in the 1970s. Some pointers to help you through the maze of different frame and other features of this large range of bicycles. [32] Derby Cycle began a series of divestitures, because of financial pressure and sold Sturmey-Archer's factory site to the University of Nottingham and Sturmey-Archer and saddle manufacturer Brooks to a small company called Lenark. TVTA is pleased to present catalogue images and print adverts featuring bicycles as made by the Nottingham based British bicycle manufacturer Raleigh. 1940-1949 Handlebars 7. The gravel/adventure road bike from Raleigh, the Mustang comes with wide 36c tyres, mechanical disc brakes and a gravel-specific carbon fork with a tapered steerer - the aim of the game being to offer precise handling and plenty of tyre clearance. Adventure and gravel bikes,Cyclocross bikes, SUBSCRIBE TO CYCLING WEEKLY FROM AS LITTLE AS 3*, Improve your performance with our expert practical, nutritional and training tips, Every week get exclusive interviews, fitness tips and product reviews. >>> The Raleigh Chopper: the classic bike of countless childhoods. BMX Bike Catalog - Images and information on BMX Bikes from around the world . 1963-1969 Bottom Bracket Serial System (excluding Carlton/Worksop): 1970-1972/3 Seat Lug and Dropout Serial Systems (excluding Carlton/Worksop): please visit our Raleigh Sports Visual ID page for this purpose. Some examples may be stamped on the bottom bracket as on the right. Raleigh once again became the sole headline sponsor of the team in 2013 and the team re-paid the investment with high-profile wins in the Tour de Normandie, Tour of the Reservoir and Tour Series Rounds 1 and 2. The brakes are discs to ensure good stopping in the wet, and frame is aluminium. The Pioneer Tour has a lightweight aluminum frame for a fast biking adventure to the trails or different roads. All Super Course and Grand Prix models produced during these two years were marked this way. [11], When Frank Bowden got involved with the enterprise, the works comprised three small workshops and a greenhouse. TIRaleigh then acquired Carlton Cycles in Worksop, England that same year, at the time one of the largest semi-custom lightweight makers in the UK. One consequence of the vertically-integrated approach was that Raleigh did not adopt ISO threading standards and dimensions until the 1980s for some of its range (premium models were standardised earlier). All but the Strada 1 come with internal cable routing and disc brakes. This database is a work in progress. So, yes they are a good bike brand and it offers a lot more than the money you pay. In 1980 Joop Zoetemelk won the Tour de France on a Raleigh. One of the crucial things you need to determine is the vintage Raleigh bicycle production year. She joined CW as an 'SEO Analyst', but couldn't keep her nose out of journalism and in the spreadsheets, eventually taking on the role of Tech Editor before her latest appointment as Digital Editor. Additionally, there are three available wheel sizes in the form of 16-inch, 20, and 24 as well. Raleigh Serial Numbers & Charts: Dating your Raleigh. C1978. SPONSORED . A saloon version was planned, but Raleigh shut its motor department to concentrate on bicycles again. By 1913, it was the largest bicycle manufacturing company in the world. The company established by Bowden in December 1888 was still privately owned with unlimited public liability. Please make all efforts to verify your . The Raleigh Array is a commuter focused electric bike with a 400Wh battery, wide and sweeping handlebars with seven speed derailleur gears and resilient tyres. It is a well-designed bike for those who want to feel the breeze of riding around the city and also to tackle the hilly slopes. However, the first letter in the serial, "R," appears to remain for the entire run of this system. Numbers will be duplicated between each system. Unlike other antiques, vintage bicycles have fewer collectors, but people buy them because of their quality, durability, and beauty. Lenark promised to build a new factory in Calverton but failed to pay the first instalment and the company entered liquidation. Previous to joining the Cycling Weekly team, Michelle was Editor at Total Women's Cycling. 6 digits followed by the letter "P" or "T." "P" serials used until and during 1950. The fact is that collectors prefer some vintage Raleigh bicycle types more than others. The original decision to continue at Worksop was reversed but the management decided to go with the original decision, and by the autumn production was moved to a Lightweights facility at Nottingham. A 1984/5 Raleigh Grand Prix is used for the opening chase sequence, and a 1984 or '85 Super Course makes a brief appearance in the opening credits. Ofmega cranks, Dia-Compe brakeset, rest unknown. Bowden got more than he'd bargained for, eventually taking ownership of the company and giving it the name it carries now. Presently Raleigh as a company owns the Diamondback Bike brand as well. Currently, it might not be at the top right now as compared to its competitors, but they offer quality bikes for everyone. A second 5-6 digit serial system was introduced in 1972, overlapped onto some early 1973 models with NO rhyme or reason, and died a quick death before 1973 was out. The Raleigh Array is a commuter focused electric bike with a 400Wh battery, wide and sweeping handlebars with seven speed derailleur gears and resilient tyres. They were marked with 4 or 5 digits, followed by two random letters. Raleigh had a long association with cycle sport. Raleigh also made mopeds in the late 1950s and 1960s as the bicycle market declined. Be aware that you need to set aside $200 to $500 for a reconditioned Raleigh bicycle. Your email address will not be published. The Raleigh Motus bikes come available in a range of formats - from sporty crossbars to low step throughs to the compact electric sort. Get the best deals on Raleigh Vintage Bicycles for Men when you shop the largest online selection at eBay.com. Getting a new bicycle can be fascinating and adventurous, but the main obstacle is what the ideal bike size is. There is one more thing! However, some collectors look for these pieces, mainly when they come with original paint and decals. However, all bicycles made there afterward still carried the W for Worksop frame number designation until early 1990. Twenty/Folders will have the serial marked on the outside of the left dropout, and some Grand Prix models have it in this location as well. These serials will be located on the bottom bracket on both ladies' and men's Superbes, Sprites, and Sports. In the spring of that year, they started advertising in the local press. The business was established in 1885 in Nottingham, England, and has created an almost 130-year old tradition in bike manufacturing. The company also changed the bike handlebars appearance, so their shape can be an excellent indicator of age. The bottom bracket shell of the hugely successful Twenty range of shopper bikes, the Chopper and even the 1976 Grifter, all had a Raleigh exclusive 76mm wide bottom bracket shell. 198485 road bikes[42] are used throughout by notable players in the movie. The success of the RSW took sales away from the Moulton and put that maker into financial difficulties. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Model Year Reset 2022 () 2023 . Additionally, you can without a doubt tackle the rocky terrains with this retro classic. Using Raleigh as their brand name, it is one of the oldest bicycle companies in the world. The new Raleigh shared several important features with the Moulton, including small wheels, an open frame and built-in luggage carrying capacity. The Raleigh brand is more than a century old company that created the oldest and best bike models. Front and rear lights are built. To help you find the correct fit, I have given the Raleigh sizing charts for almost every bicycle type. Most notable is the TIRaleigh team of the 1970s and 1980s. We're really sorry about that. BLUE VISCOUNT H103 SEAT ORIGINAL 80's OLD SCHOOL RALEIGH BMX AERO GT HUTCH. Chief designer T. L. Williams took the equipment and remaining parts and moved to Tamworth, where his company produced three-wheelers for 65 years. We are always looking to fill the present gaps in the list, please email if you have scans of a catalog not listed below. Many of the most popular Ralegh brands can be purchased used for $100 to $200. With a single front chainring and seven gears on the rear cassette, the aluminium framed Willow will roll well on flat roads and will cope on the shallower, draggy hills. Some shares were made available to small investors and local businessmen, but take-up was minimal, and Bowden ended up buying most of the public shares. Visit our corporate site. All of the serial cutoffs are approximated. Michelle Arthurs-Brennan is a traditional journalist by trade, having begun her career working for a local newspaper, where highlights included interviewing a very irate Freddie Star (and an even more irate theatre owner), as well as 'the one about the stolen chickens'. YOUR HEIGHT. However, this proved only a temporary setback, and by 1964, Raleigh was again a major selling brand in the US bicycle market.[23]. It also included the letter N for Nottingham, a region of bike manufacturing. document.write(document.lastModified) Convention #2 (1948-195? The company is one of the oldest bicycle manufacturers in the world, boasting a history that spans over a century. Most Raleigh bikes have the production year and model on the bottom bracket, under the seat, on the seat lug front, or its side part. Since this company has produced bikes for over a century, you can find thousands of them on the market. [24] Instead, Raleigh fitted the RSW with balloon tyres, which effectively smoothed the ride but at the cost of increased rolling resistance. Raleigh decided to withdraw from supporting a road team at the end of the 2017 season [40]. 1982-1987 (Raleigh U.K.), Truncated version of 1971 catalog, The final price will depend on necessary repairs and parts that require replacement or repair. Pedalling a bike which weighs a significant percentage of your own mass is hard. $25.00. If you notice the letter P, you can be sure that the bike was manufactured until 1950. In 1946, Raleigh and other English bicycle manufacturers accounted for 95% of the bicycles imported into the United States. In 2018 the building was Grade II listed. Raleigh bikes have been around for a while now with their humble beginning in the year 1885. 1908 Raleigh All-Steel Military Model View . Created to be the ultimate commuter, each comes with built in pannier racks, mudguards, disc brakes and tyres that will roll well on the road whilst remaining resilient. Frank Bowden, a recent convert to cycling who on medical advice had toured extensively on a tricycle, first saw a Raleigh bicycle in a shop window in Queen Victoria Street, London, about the time that William Ellis's investment in the cycle workshop was beginning to take effect. Here they are: The British bicycle manufacturer from Nottingham has been in the bike business since 1885 with numerous models produced over the years. Raleigh bikes as a brand have been producing quality bicycles since the year 1885 with a lot to offer to its loyal customers. : "12345AB," or "AB12345." Finally, never underestimate the color of a vintage bike! Alan Oakley, TI Raleigh design director, holds aloft the winning . or Best Offer. Raleigh is one of the world's oldest and best-known bike brands. From 1921 to 1935, Raleigh also produced motorcycles and three-wheel cars, leading to the formation of Reliant Motors. Some examples may use one of the two systems listed above, or the later 1973+ variant. Tiagra groupset provides quality shifting, Ian Wilkinson's Raleigh Militis 2014 team bike, We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices. BSA had itself acquired Triumph Cycle Co. Ltd. only five years previously. 'Well celebrate with a bottle of vino - Adam Yates claims queen stage and overall lead at the Tour de Romandie, 'I've never been betrayed like this before' - entrepreneur claims Justin Williamss CRIT race series was his plan, assembled at the Raleigh UK headquarters, back in Nottingham. When folded, it is very compact, making it a perfect solution if space is tight. The list of Raleigh bike models is available in the market as . Raleigh revisited the chopper design in recent times, with great success although the new version has had some changes to conform to modern safety laws. Below is a quick run down to help you select one. Kent also manufactured the off-road chromoly steel Altimetric line (Tangent CX, Traverse CX, Tactic CX and Talon CX 1991-1992). The company changed bicycle seat shapes several times over the years, so you can use this to determine your bike age. RX100 was early 90s. Required fields are marked *. These serials are instantly recognizable, as the first digit is always zero, and low-number serials (i.e., "9181") will have a prefix of as many zeros required to make the serial seven digits - in other words, "0009181" - such as the example Grand Sports shown above. BikeSized is supported by its readers so we may earn an affiliate commission without it ever affecting the price you pay. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. A classic style glider of a bike, fitted out with a kickstand, pannier racks and basket. Any idea how much is worth? Raleigh then bought out Moulton and produced both bikes until 1974. Finding the right Raleigh bike size for you is not a difficult process; all you need to what frame size would your height be compatible with. Model Rosaleen Murray wears a checked cycling outfit with lace-trimmed shorts. Use in conjunction with Sturmey-Archer rear hubs and frameset decals as additional guides. 1908 First Grade Raleigh Model No 4 with 1st Pattern Sturmey-Archer Tricoaster View . 1980-1982 Also, theres a Purion display to let you switch between four separate modes to have a little fun with minimum effort. Huret Jubilee derailers, Campagnolo Gran Sport cranks (3-arm spider), Weinmann centerpull brake calipers and levers. During this decade, the company standardized the serial system. He subsequently supplied virtually all the capital needed to expand the firm. Digits or letters in serial do NOT relate to month/year/day codes; only the serial in whole determines the year. But it isn't an option we'd recommend if you plan to commute via any significant hills. The most popular of which was the RM6 Runabout. Therefore, you will pay more for: Rarity is often a crucial factor in estimating vintage Raleigh bicycle value. $159.00 shipping. Mudguards and pannier racks come as standard, whilst the Trail versions offer a little squish via front end suspension that has 60mm of travel and wider tyres that can tackle more varied terrain. [1], In 2006, the Raleigh Chopper was named in the list of British design icons in the Great British Design Quest organised by the BBC and the Design Museum.[2]. France. [36], In April 2012, Raleigh UK, Canada and USA were acquired by a separate Dutch group Accell for 62m (US$100m), whose portfolio included the Lapierre and Ghost bicycle brands.[37]. 1970-1979 By 1961/62, an additional-single letter suffix was added, presumably as an identifier of the factory the frame was produced, for every single example I've seen is represented by the letter "N," which is not unreasonable to assume stands for Nottingham. From the mid-1950s, Raleigh used the letter T. The only exception was bikes produced in 1948. The battery is a Bosch 300Wh on the standard model, whilst the '+' version boasts a more powerful 400Wh battery. [7], During the Second World War, the Raleigh factory in Nottingham was used for the production of fuzes. The folding bike option from Raleigh uses an aluminium frame and comes with 20" wheels and v-brakes plus seven rear gears on the cassette. Stamped on bottom bracket. ): Roger Lloyd-Jones, Myrddin John Lewis, Mark Eason, "5.2 million University of Nottingham deal will build on business heritage", "Wheels of Fortune - The Story of Raleigh Cycles of Nottingham", "Raleigh Chopper designer Alan Oakley dies from cancer", "I designed the Chopper, argues Cambridge inventor", "Raleigh in the Last Quarter of the 20th Century", "Raleigh in the last quarter of the 20th century", "Derby Cycle, Pon Reach Acquisition Deal", "Pon publishes price to buyout remaining Derby shares", "British team Vitus Pro Cycling announces line-up of riders", "Saturday Night and Sunday Morning - visiting some of the filming locations", "The Apprentice Episode 4 - Electric Bikes", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Raleigh_Bicycle_Company&oldid=1147885046, Cycle manufacturers of the United Kingdom, Motorcycle manufacturers of the United Kingdom, Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1887, Manufacturing companies based in Nottingham, Articles with dead external links from January 2018, Articles with permanently dead external links, Articles with unsourced statements from May 2007, Articles with unsourced statements from January 2018, Nottinghamshire articles missing geocoordinate data, Articles missing coordinates without coordinates on Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Woodhead and Angois (1885, later Woodhead, Angois and Ellis), December 1888, registered as a limited liability company in January 1889, This page was last edited on 2 April 2023, at 20:12. Original Color 6. The story began in 1887 when Frank Bowden bought a small bicycle shop in Nottingham, England. [15] (Forest Road junctions with Russell Street at the opposite end from Raleigh Street.). Manage Settings Finally, be careful with restored bikes. In-Depth Review of the Best Raleigh Bikes. Hoi is just 4 feet 8 inch, but her height doesnt stop her from cycling regularly. The bike which rose to fame when Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn called it his 'dream bike' (and got lambasted for being a socialist and wanting such a luxury item). He was a lace gasser, a service provider involved in the bleaching and treating of lace, with premises in nearby Clare Street and Glasshouse Street. In 1984, riding Raleigh-badged bicycles, Team USA scored several impressive victories at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The data is based on literature, first-hand experience, various references, and very helpful contributions from fellow Raleigh enthusiasts . Am told was built in 62. The shorter seat also made it harder to ride '2 up' (2 people on the bike at a time). 1909 Chater Lea X frame Lady-back Tandem . You can also ask an expert from a bike shop for professional expertise or directly contact the British National Cycle Club or National Cycle Archive. Most models from the 1960s and 1970s came with vibrant colors, including orange, rust red, and green. --> As you can guess, this nostalgic generation typically looks for bikes produced in the 1970s and 1980s. Seat Shapes 5. The bike was the "must have" item and signifier of "coolness"[27] for many children at the time. Discover our more than 130-year old tradition, our passion for cycling and our vision for the future. Raleigh classic bikes look stylish and they come with 700c/24 inch wheel sizes. $15.60 shipping. Michelle is on maternity leave from July 8 2022, until April 2023. Designed to be ridden in competitive environments, it provided the rider with a chassis that allows them to get long and low. It had the option of five-speed derailleur gears in the United States, but all UK bikes had the 3 speed hub, with the exception of a model introduced in 1973 and only available in a bizarre shade of pink. By many criteria, their bikes were the best in the world in the 1970s and 1980s. Can't find what you're looking for? Several scenes for the 1960 film adaptation starring Albert Finney were filmed on location at the factory itself. In January 2017, it was announced that Raleigh will be distributing Lapierre bikes in the UK, from September 2017. The rule of thumb is that hand-built bicycles with high-end components this company produced before the 1980s are always of higher value. The company changed a serial system once again, and you can find a series with seven digits at the bottom bracket. Apr 13, 2005. The names merged, to become TI-Raleigh - a superpower which laid claim to 75 per cent of the UK market - boasting brands such as Brooks and Reynolds. The Raleigh Evo is a electric folding option and folds down to a compact 880mm x 800mm x 440mm size. In the latter three markets, Raleigh was the number-one manufacturer of bicycles. France. It had a nominal capital of 20,000, half of which was provided by Frank Bowden. Go a step down and you still get 10 speed Deore shifting via a traditional derailleur. The Nottinghamshire Guardian of 15 May 1885 printed what was possibly the first Woodhead and Angois classified advertisement. . Sturmey-Archer's assets were acquired by SunRace of Taiwan who relocated the factory to Taiwan and sales to the Netherlands. Whilst no longer a part of the line-up, Raleigh road bikes are still available second hand - so here's a look at the key models. We are always looking to fill the present gaps in the list, please email if you have scans of a catalog not listed below . The price was from approximately 32 for a standard Chopper to 55 for the deluxe. Standard components and parts the owner havent changed over time can also help in dating. URL: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/retroraleighs/models.html, Last Updated: The company continued to increase imports to the United States until 1955, when a rate increase in foreign bicycle tariffs caused a shift in imports in favour of bicycles from West Germany and the Netherlands. In addition to the two serial types above, a third system appears to have been established in 1955, or at the earliest, 1954; terminating in the early-mid '60s - the most recent example I have on hand is from 1962, though I suspect the official cutoff may date to 1963 or '64. She is passionate about supporting grassroots women's racing and founded the women's road race team 1904rt. Carlton, which had been unable to make inroads in the USA market after a failed rebranding deal with Huffy, found success in the late 1960s by recasting itself as "Raleigh-Carlton", a Raleigh-logo'd bike with some Carlton badging, and using the US dealer network to import and distribute bikes. Additionally, theres a wicker basket to provide a retro look to the bike. ), and Kenda Kontender tyres in 26c - these should provide ample security and grip thanks to the wider than average width. English 3-Speeds Retro Raleighs Raleigh Parts Threading/Interchangeability Three-Speed Parts from Harris Cyclery Sturmey-Archer Hubs Sturmey-Archer Brochures 1935-38 You'll need a fast connection for this. In 1982, rights to the Raleigh USA name were purchased by the Huffy Corporation after decades of being the US distributor of Raleigh bikes from England. Once the gear change is made, the riders weight moves the wheel back and re-tensions the chain. Ti added the Sun bicycle company to their stable in 1958, and with two "super groups" now controlling a large portion of the market, it was perhaps inevitable that in 1960, Tube Investments acquired Raleigh and merged the British Cycle Corporation with Raleigh to form TIRaleigh, which now had 75% of the UK market. Since collector interest often varies, depending on current trends, you should understand the crucial attributes that affect each models price. One may assume that "RA" serial numbers began with "RA00001" (or RA1000), and continue until "RA 99999 N," at which point the system was reset to "RB 00001 N" (or RB 10000 N). Three serial conventions are used during this period: Convention #1 (1947-1955): This hybrid bike is designed and built in a way to let you experience the countryside and even urban cycling. Lets go for it! This ride is perfect for riders who care about aesthetics have flat roads to roll into the city, but if there are any significant inclines you may be craving a smaller gear or more gears to choose from. We may be the definitive bicycle valuation authority, but we don't have everything. Perfect for weekday commutes, relaxing weekend rides or off-road adventures women's Raleigh bikes have something to offer everyone. Most collectors follow a one-to-ten system to determine the bikes condition. The purchasers nationality often impacts the particular model and brands popularity. This convention might have been used in 1947 as well, however, we have not found any Raleigh examples from 1947 so far that exhibit this serial system. . NOTE: This numbering system apparently ran until 1955, possibly longer, and concurrently with the newer serial system that debuted in 1948 (shown below). Samples shown above. Because of its success, production continued until February 1971; 17 months after Raleigh had stopped manufacturing all other mopeds.[21]. 1960-1969 For much of the postwar era, British bicycle manufacturers had largely competed with each other in both the home and export markets, but 1956 saw the formation of the British Cycle Corporation by the Tube Investments Group which already owned Phillips, Hercules, Armstrong, and Norman. The most famous Raleigh bicycles manufactured this year contained the new serial system with seven digits starting with zero. 1908 Special Raleigh for Ladies View . In 1979, production of Raleigh 531 butted-tube bicycles reached 10,000 units a year. I was under the impression that if u have to ask someone about the worth & value then ur not a serious collector of the bike therefore seen as rookies. Shimano hydraulic disc brakes ensure quick stopping even in the wet and on the higher end Grand Tour option, Nexus hub gears keep shifting neat, tidy and reliable. Click below to see any particular section quickly: 1930's 1940-1949 1950-1959 1960-1969 1970-1979 1980-1982 1982-1986 (Raleigh USA) 1982-1987 (Raleigh U.K.)