This is my 1987 Raleigh Ozark. It's still in regular use despite being 19 years old although it does look a bit battered these days. Once I get my new bike finished it will be pampered and be restored (for the second time).
It was the first mountain bike to come out of Raleigh's lightweight division, along with the higher spec Avanti. I bought it new and was the envy of my school mates until a Saracen Kili Flyer and Muddy Fox Aluminium turned up shortly afterwards.
It's got a 531ATB frame and it's pretty much all 6-speed Deore XT. The exceptions are the Deore chainset (with 28 + 38 biopace rings and a 46 round) and the home-made Deore XT derailleur body with ultegra cage. It's got a 12-24 cassette so a short cage derailleur was a better bet. The brake levers are Suntour XC Pro with the "sticky fingers" and there are a few modern interlopers - Scott SPD pedals, a Deore front V-brake and a Selle Italia Trimatic saddle. The XT canti's just weren't doing the job any more and the new brake is about 20 times better (heresy I know).
I recently bought a second one to use as a donor - this is in almost completely original condition and is from 1988. It has a sub-Deore groupset that Shimano had before they introduced Exage Mountain and Trail. So far the only parts I've robbed are cable ends - these frames have a unique split cable stay design and I've never managed to find any that fit.
Ok, enough waffle, here's the pics !
Note the enormous frame... Did I mention my wife and I are having IVF
This is what happens when you join a Deore XT body to an Ultegra cage.
These wheels cost me £250 in 1989. They've never needed truing.
Lovely... Could do wth a respray though. Technically it's the wrong sticker, it had a frame repair and respray in 1992 and this is what the guy put on.
Just look how big this thing is...
Nice Behind !
The little brother. In original condition apart from the front brake and me having nicked the cable ends.
I've noticed that old Raleigh's are rare on here - did they not last or just not cool enough?
Enjoy ! Terry...
It was the first mountain bike to come out of Raleigh's lightweight division, along with the higher spec Avanti. I bought it new and was the envy of my school mates until a Saracen Kili Flyer and Muddy Fox Aluminium turned up shortly afterwards.
It's got a 531ATB frame and it's pretty much all 6-speed Deore XT. The exceptions are the Deore chainset (with 28 + 38 biopace rings and a 46 round) and the home-made Deore XT derailleur body with ultegra cage. It's got a 12-24 cassette so a short cage derailleur was a better bet. The brake levers are Suntour XC Pro with the "sticky fingers" and there are a few modern interlopers - Scott SPD pedals, a Deore front V-brake and a Selle Italia Trimatic saddle. The XT canti's just weren't doing the job any more and the new brake is about 20 times better (heresy I know).
I recently bought a second one to use as a donor - this is in almost completely original condition and is from 1988. It has a sub-Deore groupset that Shimano had before they introduced Exage Mountain and Trail. So far the only parts I've robbed are cable ends - these frames have a unique split cable stay design and I've never managed to find any that fit.
Ok, enough waffle, here's the pics !
Note the enormous frame... Did I mention my wife and I are having IVF
This is what happens when you join a Deore XT body to an Ultegra cage.
These wheels cost me £250 in 1989. They've never needed truing.
Lovely... Could do wth a respray though. Technically it's the wrong sticker, it had a frame repair and respray in 1992 and this is what the guy put on.
Just look how big this thing is...
Nice Behind !
The little brother. In original condition apart from the front brake and me having nicked the cable ends.
I've noticed that old Raleigh's are rare on here - did they not last or just not cool enough?
Enjoy ! Terry...
I was amazed on xmas day when I received that bike that it had specialized hardpack tyres as stock!
