Raleigh Lenton VS Record Ace

[Mark Manley]

I am considering buying a vintage Raleigh sports bikes, something with a Sturmey Archer three or four speed from the late 1940s or early 1950s, either a Lenton or Record Ace. I have read a lot about both models, their different specifications and options when new but can anyone who has experience of riding both tell me if it is worth paying the extra for the Record Ace, is it a better bike to ride in any way or is the price just a reflection of their comparitive rarity and higher spec?

 

[keithglos]

Mark,
The RRA from that period was one of the best bikes, and unlike some other manufactures top bikes, they actually existed, a top class bike, and you are comparing it to a lump of lead.
Back in the late 40s I used to ride 12 miles to work on my BSA gold column sometimes accompanied by a friend on his RRA.

Keith

 

[The History Man]

Re:

Get the rra lentons are a low rent solidly built bike for the masses.

 

[FiveAlpha]

Mark,
The RRA from that period was one of the best bikes, and unlike some other manufactures top bikes, they actually existed, a top class bike, and you are comparing it to a lump of lead.
Back in the late 40s I used to ride 12 miles to work on my BSA gold column sometimes accompanied by a friend on his RRA.

Keith

Sorry if I seem impertinent, but if you were working in the late 40s, you must be in your mid-80s now, at the very least. Is that right? If so, can I ask when you stopped cycling (or do you still get out)?

Thanks

 

[keithglos]

Mark,
Yes 86, but as my legs are just like lumps of lead I can just about push my shopping trolley a few 100 yards to the supermarket. I was in my late 40s when I last pretended to ride a road race.
As some will know I was a retailer in the 50/60s. I keep being reminded on here of things I thought I had forgotten.

Keith

 

[3wheeler7]

Re:

Hi Mark

You don't say whether you want one to restore or one to just get on and ride.
A Lenton to restore could be had from as little as £40, a rideable one for about £150. Parts are plentiful so restoration is quite staightforward.
A 50s RRA to restore could be had for £250 but you could guarantee that most of the RRA specific parts had been sold off long ago, so restoration becomes an expensive and time consuming project with some parts being virtually unobtainable. Nice rideable original examples don't come up for sale very often so there's no yardstick for price but it's in four figures somewhere.

As far as riding the different models goes - a Lenton was a quality mass produced bicycle and they ride very well and last forever but they're no lightweight, the RRA is a whole different ball game - hand built to your own spec using the finest components available at the time combined with a number of RRA only parts makes for a light, responsive, pleasurable ride.
I'm speaking from experience of previously owning two Lentons and now four RRAs.
This is my favourite one, it was quite sad when i got it.
There's another one of mine recently posted in the fixie thread.

 

[Mark Manley]

Re:

Thanks to everyone for your replies which are fairly conclusive that the RRA is a much better bike. I am hoping for that unicorn a scruffy but fairly original model that needs some tidying up, there is a nice looking Lenton Tourist on ebay at the moment that I am watching but I think I will hold out for a suitable RRA.

 

[Jonny69]

Or you could get the Lenton and ride that while you wait for an RRA to turn up. Enjoy it as a scruffy bike!

Another high-end factory bike from the era to consider is the BSA Gold Vase (I thought that's what Keith meant, but the Gold Column is different). Not held in quite the same high regard in these modern times, but I think they were an equally high quality bike.

Actually, if anyone knows the BSA models it's Keith. Keith, do you fancy chipping in with a BSA rundown from that era? I thought I knew them, but maybe not after all :facepalm:

 

[keithglos]

Jonny, There were only 2 half decent frames made by BSA post war. The Gold Column butted 531 72 x 70 and the early 50s Tour of Britain also butted 531 72 x 72.
This was their team bike and I had one sent to me when doing National Service in Aden. Unfortunately it arrived too late to be used, and Aden is not a suitable climate for vigorous exercise.

I did a BSA factory tour in 1954 and was horrified by the frame production methods. Where Raleigh drilled and pinned the lugs BSA hit a big dent in the lugs to hold the tubes in for brazing. All tubes were straight cut although it is possible for some lugs they would have to use the French way of 2 straight cuts.

The Gold Column must have cost a fortune to make, they made quite good solid centre hubs with alloy flanges, nothing like the later tin can large flange hubs. They made special centre pull brazed on brakes, like most at the time did not work out the leverage.

By the early 50s like all large bike makers they were in trouble. The commuter market was collapsing. To any dealer who had the space they were offering consignments of 50 bikes at no cost to be paid for when sold.

Raleigh had a sales rep for each of the 3 main makes, often selling to the same shops, all of them handling Triumph. Just think of Hercules, a few years after making a million bikes in a year just disappeared without trace.

In the early 1900s BSA had a world wide reputation for quality components, but after 1930 there was far less demand, and cost became more important. Hercules were known for making the cheapest bike at under £4.

If you are considering a bike made by BSA then look under the bottom head lug and bottom bracket for the dents.

Keith