1997 Custom Raleigh 853 Special Products Division

[LittleSkink]

Just getting her back on the road after many years sat in the garage - the photo doesn't do the bright red and orange accenting justice.

Frame is c1997 Raleigh Special Products 853 (Frame number begins H) with a mix of late 90's XT, including really squealy front brake as befits early XT V brakes, even cable ties on the joints and a carbon brake booster don't do much to help

Wheels are Mavic Sunset built with DT doubled butted spokes and black alloy nipples on XT Rear and Hope front (with snowflake spokes)

So many modern bikes seem to lack interesting use of colour - and coloured tyres definitely seem to be a thing of the past

May yet put back on some straight bars and a flatter stem for a more retro look

 

[Minifreak]

Re: My much loved Raleigh Hard Tail

Nice looking bike. Loving the snowflake sunset

Enjoy getting her back riding.

 

[LittleSkink]

Re: My much loved Raleigh Hard Tail

thanks minifreak. It seems the Snowflake wheels and Mavic Sunset rims are pretty retro too these days

did a bedding in run at the weekend and another more vigorous trip in the woods near us last night - (might be tempting fate but) everything is working pretty much as new, amazing!

tinkered with some other bar/stem configurations but gone back to risers on 110mm 10degree, lower/longer is too much for my old back

planning on doing another good clean and lube this weekend then and off to 7stanes with her in a couple of weeks. If all is well I plan to leave everything alone until winter now, when I will recable - and possibly get a frame repaint . . .

 

[ultrazenith]

Re: 1994/5 Custom Raleigh 853 Special Products Division

I'm drooling! I really love Raleigh's 853 frames. They were the perfect successor to the bonded titanium / steel / aluminium frames.

 

[Matt_wood55]

Just getting her back on the road after many years sat in the garage - the photo doesn't do the bright red and orange accenting justice.

Frame is c1997 Raleigh Special Products 853 (Frame number begins H) with a mix of late 90's XT, including really squealy front brake as befits early XT V brakes, even cable ties on the joints and a carbon brake booster don't do much to help

Wheels are Mavic Sunset built with DT doubled butted spokes and black alloy nipples on XT Rear and Hope front (with snowflake spokes)

So many modern bikes seem to lack interesting use of colour - and coloured tyres definitely seem to be a thing of the past

May yet put back on some straight bars and a flatter stem for a more retro look

I've just managed to get hold of one of these frames, pretty much mint. Have you had this one from new?

Cheers