Mark Manley
Raleigh Fan
I have just spotted this thread and thought my 2008 Roughstuff would fit in here. I had wanted a do it all on/off road touring bike, something like a human powered version of my BMW GS motorcycle that was a good alrounder, I had also decided to splash out on a once in a lifetime bespoke bicycle built for me to my specification and thought the Roberts Roughstuff would fit the bill.
I had a list of specification including Rohloff hub, disc brakes and front suspension, an appointment was made and I visited their shop in Croydon to be measured up and discuss my requirements, three months and a lot of money later I got my bike.
Although with hindsight I really did not know enough at the time to buy a bike like this the people at Roberts got it more or less spot on, I guess that is what you pay for and it is still my primary bike for touring, rides through the lanes and bridleways where I live and fetching the shopping, it does everything I had wanted it to.
The specifications are as follows
The frame is fillet brazed Reynolds tubing, made for 100mm travel forks with Paragon sliding dropouts for Rohloff hub gears.
The original forks were Marzocchi Bombers but they seized up after a few thousand miles and were replaced with some nos Pace RC40 which are slightly too long but I really don't notice, I recently missed some nos RC39 on here which I would have liked to try. The stem is uncut as I like a very upright riding position.
The origial Stronglite cranks were replaced with Middleburn and Hope external bearings when the original bottom bracket wore out, most of the other components are Hope which have been excellent and are still original. The seapost is USE, Brooks saddle, Lion bell and Nitto handlebars finished off with Ergon grips.
The orginal Mavic rims are still going although some nipple holes have cracks on the rear which I am watching and have a new rim for when the time comes. The Rohloff is brilliant although it does put some weight at the rear of the bike.
I have used it for a tour of Southeast Asia and Southern India but mostly closer to home along the canals and bridleways of Southern England, the Kennet and Avon canal and South Downs Way being a couple of favourites. So far I have done around 10,000 miles on this bike.
Here it is minus the rack and other touring kit with road tyres.
Freshly washed after the South Downs Ways last year.
And about to tackle the 36 hairpins and 2,300 metre pass that leads to Ooty in Southern India, I admit to pushing up some of this.
Somewhere in the Peak District near Buxton, it was a bit knarly anyway.
I had a list of specification including Rohloff hub, disc brakes and front suspension, an appointment was made and I visited their shop in Croydon to be measured up and discuss my requirements, three months and a lot of money later I got my bike.
Although with hindsight I really did not know enough at the time to buy a bike like this the people at Roberts got it more or less spot on, I guess that is what you pay for and it is still my primary bike for touring, rides through the lanes and bridleways where I live and fetching the shopping, it does everything I had wanted it to.
The specifications are as follows
The frame is fillet brazed Reynolds tubing, made for 100mm travel forks with Paragon sliding dropouts for Rohloff hub gears.
The original forks were Marzocchi Bombers but they seized up after a few thousand miles and were replaced with some nos Pace RC40 which are slightly too long but I really don't notice, I recently missed some nos RC39 on here which I would have liked to try. The stem is uncut as I like a very upright riding position.
The origial Stronglite cranks were replaced with Middleburn and Hope external bearings when the original bottom bracket wore out, most of the other components are Hope which have been excellent and are still original. The seapost is USE, Brooks saddle, Lion bell and Nitto handlebars finished off with Ergon grips.
The orginal Mavic rims are still going although some nipple holes have cracks on the rear which I am watching and have a new rim for when the time comes. The Rohloff is brilliant although it does put some weight at the rear of the bike.
I have used it for a tour of Southeast Asia and Southern India but mostly closer to home along the canals and bridleways of Southern England, the Kennet and Avon canal and South Downs Way being a couple of favourites. So far I have done around 10,000 miles on this bike.
Here it is minus the rack and other touring kit with road tyres.
Freshly washed after the South Downs Ways last year.
And about to tackle the 36 hairpins and 2,300 metre pass that leads to Ooty in Southern India, I admit to pushing up some of this.
Somewhere in the Peak District near Buxton, it was a bit knarly anyway.
Last edited:
