RALEIGH SBDU 753 DYNAFLITE..'Lugged Aero Special'..
- Thread starter vcballbat
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LongLegsRetro
Dirt Disciple
vcballbat
Senior Retro Guru
Re:
This is similar to the Dynaflite as shown in 81 & 82 catalogue and is of lugless construction of which I have seen a few. My frame is beautifully constructed using lugs with aero tubing and does not appear in any catalogue, it is one of the rarest Raleigh SBDU frames ever made. Eddy Merckx, Colnago and other builders were experimenting with similar lugged aero frames along with my favourite....
THE HUFFY AEROWIND
https://youtu.be/jMgYNm4Q6dM
This is similar to the Dynaflite as shown in 81 & 82 catalogue and is of lugless construction of which I have seen a few. My frame is beautifully constructed using lugs with aero tubing and does not appear in any catalogue, it is one of the rarest Raleigh SBDU frames ever made. Eddy Merckx, Colnago and other builders were experimenting with similar lugged aero frames along with my favourite....
THE HUFFY AEROWIND
https://youtu.be/jMgYNm4Q6dM
vcballbat
Senior Retro Guru
Check out this BadboyMidlife":2tjop620 said:Back in my day some aero tubing was DIY. Never knew 753 came as aero? Looks smart though
https://youtu.be/RylyObcTM_g
vcballbat
Senior Retro Guru
This Raleigh 753 appears in the USA 1983 catalogue offered as a custom build limited edition of one hundred. It doesn't have aero tubing but certainly has a very interesting mix of top notch components. I don't think the frame is SBDU built, probably farmed out to an American builder. I really like the aero Ofmega Mistral chainset and Modolo Kronos brakes, would be great to upgrade my Mavic cranks and Campy brakes. It's a fine looking machine but let down by poor front skewerage, bar tilt, saddle hight and a black background against a black frame and components. :facepalm:
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vcballbat
Senior Retro Guru
Re:
I mentioned earlier that the first SBDU aero frame or prototype had a fully oval seat tube and modified seat post, this is highlighted by the Ti decal placed on the side of the seat tube at the top. In this brilliant old documentary film from 1980 we get an insight into Raleigh's head of product design and development Alan Oakley and his input setting up and running the SBDU with Gerald O' Donovan. Also in the film Alan speaks of his greatest design... the Raleigh Chopper and his commitment to Raleigh....grab your snacks and drinks and enjoy the film.
https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/wat ... 980-online
I mentioned earlier that the first SBDU aero frame or prototype had a fully oval seat tube and modified seat post, this is highlighted by the Ti decal placed on the side of the seat tube at the top. In this brilliant old documentary film from 1980 we get an insight into Raleigh's head of product design and development Alan Oakley and his input setting up and running the SBDU with Gerald O' Donovan. Also in the film Alan speaks of his greatest design... the Raleigh Chopper and his commitment to Raleigh....grab your snacks and drinks and enjoy the film.
https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/wat ... 980-online
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scooter
Retro Guru
Re:
What a great little insight into the old world of Raleigh bikes and design.
I’m just guessing but if yours is or could be some sort of proto type how do you think it would of made its way into circulation ?
This obviously would of gone through stringent testing but I’m amazed there hasn’t been any others out there that have surfaced ?
Is there anyone who used to work at the raleigh factory or SBDU that you can ask ?
What a great little insight into the old world of Raleigh bikes and design.
I’m just guessing but if yours is or could be some sort of proto type how do you think it would of made its way into circulation ?
This obviously would of gone through stringent testing but I’m amazed there hasn’t been any others out there that have surfaced ?
Is there anyone who used to work at the raleigh factory or SBDU that you can ask ?
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