Late 80's Raleigh ID - Rapide - anyone got any info on it?

al-onestare

BoTM Winner
Kona Fan
This feels very odd posting on the dark side ;)

My old man was going to chuck out his steed. I almost had a heart attack and so it's mine now, pending pick up. Neither he nor I can remember what model it is, so some ID help is required.

It's late 80's, the same year I think, as the yellow and white Maverick that I got - he got this bike at the same time. It's white with black graphics and has Reynolds tubing but I'm not sure if it's 501 or 531. I think it was more of a tourer than anything serious and had a mock suede saddle.

Until I get my hands on it next month that's all I can recall. Any ideas of what it is? And more importantly will I be laughed off the road when I do it up? :LOL:
 
I cant help with the identification sorry but i can answer your question about being laughed off the road - No you wont by the majority of people who are true cycle enthusiasts :D

I did the Macmillan Dorset Cycle ride yesterday on my 1985 Raleigh Clubman with 531 tubing, (only did the 48 mile this year due to aging knees :oops:) i had a couple of people comment on how nice is looked and that they used to own similar bikes and quite a few admiring glances and people pointing.

And considering its age (and mine) it held up well the carbon fibre lovelies :D
 
:LOL: I'll be laughed off because my Dad is 5 8" and I'm 6 2" so this'll be a bit on the short side.

It has downtube non-indexed shifters...if I recall anything else I'll post it up.
 
al-onestare":190e8obc said:
:LOL: I'll be laughed off because my Dad is 5 8" and I'm 6 2" so this'll be a bit on the short side.

It has downtube non-indexed shifters...if I recall anything else I'll post it up.

What does 4" matter :D

The only thing i cant get used to going from my mtb to the road bike is the non-indexed shifters, when i get to a hill it sounds like a machine gun as i am trying to find the right gear which is usually acompanied by swearing then a hoorah :oops: :oops: :oops:
 
So, this is the model (not this actual one of course):

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RALEIGH-racer ... 3cc824c94b

So I think that's Reynolds 531. Here's another one with wonky bars :LOL:

83raleigh_rapide_WB3801422.jpg


It's later than 87, I think it's more 88/89/90. Has anyone got any information on this or the catalogues from this era? I've checked here and sadly we're lacking in this area...
 
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With regards to being laughed at I would say it is unlikely. As an ageing bulging 60 something new to cycling I have found the the cycling world is a supportive community. For example when I fell over (not being used to cleats) laughter was stifled (more or less) and concern for well being expressed.
I think it also true that arriving on a steel steed you will look far less strange than someone arriving of £5000 + of modern cycle and then managing an average of 13 mph.

With regards to identifying a Raleigh the serial number will be revealing
 
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