Raleigh: The Great British Bicycle Company
- Thread starter Canuk
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Canuk
Old School Grand Master
The ladies 21" frame version was offered starting in 1951 as described in the Rudge catalogue: Far be it from us to dictate to the Ladies! In this instance, however, your wishes have been our commands and we offer you the first Lady's Pathfinder, the counterpart and fit companion of the renowned Gent's model. We have complete confidence of your approval and future enjoyment of this machine.
The introduction of a ladies model of the Lenton was a major development for Raleigh, offering for the first time since before the war, a quality lightweight for what was a fast growing market. While Raleigh, like most manufacturers of the era, regularly portrayed club and recreational cycling as "co-ed" and enjoyed by couples, it had hitherto confined ladies framed models to the lesser 2030 tubed Sports models, although the top-end RRA could be built with a ladies frame on special order. Finally, Raleigh offering an excellent "matched pair" for club and recreational cycling and the ladies version of the Lenton was an immediate success.
The introduction of a ladies model of the Lenton was a major development for Raleigh, offering for the first time since before the war, a quality lightweight for what was a fast growing market. While Raleigh, like most manufacturers of the era, regularly portrayed club and recreational cycling as "co-ed" and enjoyed by couples, it had hitherto confined ladies framed models to the lesser 2030 tubed Sports models, although the top-end RRA could be built with a ladies frame on special order. Finally, Raleigh offering an excellent "matched pair" for club and recreational cycling and the ladies version of the Lenton was an immediate success.
Canuk
Old School Grand Master
This 3 speed, with Strumey-Archer shifter marked "Trigger Control" with Patent Applied For stamped on the shifter as well. No window or indicator of any kind on shifter body. The front hub is a DynoHub and is stamped with "MK II". The rear hub is stamped "Sturmey Archer AW-9".
The bike is equipped with Bluemels "Noweight" mudguards, the rear one is in pretty sad shape (unfortunate because it has a lovely Raleigh logo decal on it). The headlamp is marked DynoHub and has two bulbs, with a rotary switch for dim, bright, off, etc.
The bike is equipped with Bluemels "Noweight" mudguards, the rear one is in pretty sad shape (unfortunate because it has a lovely Raleigh logo decal on it). The headlamp is marked DynoHub and has two bulbs, with a rotary switch for dim, bright, off, etc.
Canuk
Old School Grand Master
The Raleigh Twenty
In the '60s, Moulton bicycles were hot in England, and Raleigh wanted to get in on the action. One of Raleigh's answers to the Moulton was the Raleigh Twenty, also known as the Raleigh Shopper, and sold under some of Raleigh's other captive brand names. Some also were made in Canada and New Zealand.
The Twenty was not nearly as sophisticated a design as the Moulton, but there was a visual resemblance. While the Twenty lacked the Moulton's full suspension, it was inexpensive and rugged and fun to ride. The 20-inch wheels were easy to get tires for, and the tires held up quite well. The Twenty superficially resembles many inexpensive European 20-inch folders of the era, but the frame and hinge are much more solid than with most of these.
A stock Raleigh Twenty offers performance comparable to that of a 26 inch wheel 3-speed "sports" bike, but, due to its robust, well-designed frame, it lends itself to being "hopped up" in performance by upgrading components. With suitable equipment, it can approach the performance of a Bike Friday at a much lower price.
In the '60s, Moulton bicycles were hot in England, and Raleigh wanted to get in on the action. One of Raleigh's answers to the Moulton was the Raleigh Twenty, also known as the Raleigh Shopper, and sold under some of Raleigh's other captive brand names. Some also were made in Canada and New Zealand.
The Twenty was not nearly as sophisticated a design as the Moulton, but there was a visual resemblance. While the Twenty lacked the Moulton's full suspension, it was inexpensive and rugged and fun to ride. The 20-inch wheels were easy to get tires for, and the tires held up quite well. The Twenty superficially resembles many inexpensive European 20-inch folders of the era, but the frame and hinge are much more solid than with most of these.
A stock Raleigh Twenty offers performance comparable to that of a 26 inch wheel 3-speed "sports" bike, but, due to its robust, well-designed frame, it lends itself to being "hopped up" in performance by upgrading components. With suitable equipment, it can approach the performance of a Bike Friday at a much lower price.
