93 Raleigh M-Trax 500

[raleighmontage]

Because i've got way too many old steel Raleigh frames sitting in my mates shed, waiting to be rebuilt, I decided to buy an intact one which wasn't made of steel.

It's an M-Trax 500, 93 I think, which makes it a year younger than me.
Good bits:
It's partly made out of Titanium. Which makes me really cool amongst my mates.
Mavic rims, Ritchey headset, NHS Grey SelleRoyal seat, Proponent seatpost which cant decide whether it's gold or silver..
It's got a nearly complete set of Exage on it, and it changes gear amazingly well. Whoever set it up is a gearing genius.
It's light and incredibly quick, and allows me to get air over drain covers on my way to work.
I've wanted one since I was about 8.
Although they're not retro, and they're not skinwall, the tyres are brilliant (if a little loud) - Michelin Wild Run'r 4's.....

Bad bits:
Mismatched brakes - one of the Exage's snapped and had to be replaced with a Tektro thing, which stops really well but it's one of those really wide Linear ones.. I've got the other one of the pair, so that might end up on the front when the spring retainer eventually disintegrates

It's got riser bars. I hate riser bars with a burning passion, always have, always will. I dont know why, it just looks and feels weird... so I'm in the market for some straight, preferably X-Lite bars + ends... i've got some X-lite bar ends already but they're saved for the big Montage rebuild.

Would anyone like to recommend some modifications/addon's which would make this thing cooler?

 

[doctorstewie]

I could have sworn I answered this earlier :?
Anyway, nice machine : any pics? we like a bit of RSP action here
My own suggestions for added coolness in period would be firstly: brakes. Dia Compe ones work well with Shimano levers if well set up and as well as the usual 986 you could see if you could get your hands on a set of Versa C5s: these things are brilliant, come in a fake Ti finish and look a lot like they were machined. Hard to find but inexpensive and cool as ..er...cool things. I had some on my 93 Fire Mountain BITD and loved them.

Then bars - as well as Xlite, Pace are deeply groovy as are Bontrager straights. Happy with the stem?
Finally how about some coloured Anodised bolts in non stressed positions?
And bar ends

 

[raleighmontage]

Re:

ah, cheers for that...
Stem's a bit short for my liking, would like another Velocity really, or similar..
Will keep an eye out for those Dia Compe's.
Here it is..

https://dyp.im/8dAy6wawDS

 

[doctorstewie]

Oooh nice bike .
Those were just my suggestions based on my own prejudices : what were you thinking needed changing aside from the stem/bars? ( and don't forget Ritchey stuff: good, tasteful and not too expensive)

 

[chris86]

Are your forks 1-1/8th? If so I have a decent velocity stem I haven't got round to listing up for sale. Drop me a pm if you are interested. I also have some used and some NOS shimano canti brakes and various other parts.

 

[raleighmontage]

Re:

Think they're 1 1/8th Chris, Raleighs of that era tended to be, as far as I know.
This is my 4th early 90s Raleigh and they've all been the same