Raleigh 125th anniversary special Record Ace

[Midlife]

Personally I'd use the old 70's Raleigh Europa / Ti-McGregor livery...

As Roadking says Raleigh do have quite a portfolio of winners: Peter Post broke the bank to get Raleigh winning so I guess they have to recoup that money somehow

Shaun

 

[tonyf39]

It's nice in parts but the brake calipers, chainset and some other features aren't all that.
The FW Evans 90th anniversary bike is way nicer IMO, not cheap mind at £1600+ though
http://blog.evanscycles.com/90th-annive ... de-tourer/

 

[roadking]

I don't think we should be too critical of Raleigh's models at this show, as show products are often used to guage public opinion; and often specs change from those shown.

Overall I think it is a move in the right direction - these aren't designed to appeal to enthusiasts of"authentic"classic bikes.

You only need to look at car and motorcycle manufacturers (as well as many other consumer goods) to understand this trend.

Roadking.

 

[S1m0nR]

That's actually pretty nice... for a modern bike.

I'm no fan of modern aluminium or carbon offerings (just a personal preference) so it's really nice to see a new cycle in classic 531 but with more modern components on it. I also love the Sugino cranks - quite a throwback to classic Raleigh machinery...

The only thing is, I wonder how it would compare to a RRA from the zenith years (which I guess would be the mid '80s when it had a 531c frame and either the Suntour groupset or the Campagnolo Nuovo Record kit). Can of worms in one hand, can opener in the other, I know!!

Certainly back then, either of those groupsets were regarded as being far above where Shimano 105 is now. It'd be interesting to compare how far design and manufacturing tolerances have come though: for example, would I notice a difference if I took all the campagnolo/Weinmann kit off my 1984 RRA and substituted for modern 105, would it be better? Hmmm.

Weird that they cut the mudguards where they pass the frame, I can just see the rain water flicking through the gap and blasting bits of grit all over the frame!!

Certainly as a retro up-market bike I like it more than the Pashley Guvnor, I'd even consider buying one if it was ever available in the UK.

 

[tonyf39]

The only thing is, I wonder how it would compare to a RRA from the zenith years (which I guess would be the mid '80s when it had a 531c frame and either the Suntour groupset or the Campagnolo Nuovo Record kit). Can of worms in one hand, can opener in the other, I know!!

Certainly back then, either of those groupsets were regarded as being far above where Shimano 105 is now. It'd be interesting to compare how far design and manufacturing tolerances have come though: for example, would I notice a difference if I took all the campagnolo/Weinmann kit off my 1984 RRA and substituted for modern 105, would it be better? Hmmm.

Mechanically probably, aesthetically probably not

 

[bagpuss]

Now with a new owner.There is for me only one RRA.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/74418119@N ... 6004485250

 

[Spokesmann]

Now with a new owner.There is for me only one RRA.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/74418119@N ... 6004485250

Stunning.

 

[S1m0nR]

That is a lovely bike without a doubt!

My preference is for the '80s RRAs, but I think we're really not comparing like for like, except in name.

This is hanging up in my garage and I'm currently rebuilding an identical one which has been in the family since new...

The 125th anniversary bike certainly has more in common with yours though - in terms of look.

 

[roadking]

That is a lovely bike without a doubt! My preference is for the '80s RRAs, but I think we're really not comparing like for like, except in name.This is hanging up in my garage and I'm currently rebuilding an identical one which has been in the family since new...The 125th anniversary bike certainly has more in common with yours though - in terms of look.

Strictly speaking Raleigh did not make an RRA in the 80s, only the Record Ace(yours), and the Road Ace.

An old timer friend has an example of every RRA ever made - he's a little OCD and they're all mint!

Both the above produced under the Lightweight Unit brand - and made in Nottingham.

Rk.

 

[S1m0nR]

Strictly speaking Raleigh did not make an RRA in the 80s, only the Record Ace(yours), and the Road Ace.

An old timer friend has an example of every RRA ever made - he's a little OCD and they're all mint!

I guess it was a badge-engineering exercise by then - a convenient name to give to the high-spec bikes that were coming out of Nottingham...