I've been lurking on the site and commenting occasionally. But so far completely failed to do a single thread on any of my bikes. But with my latest purchase it's time to dive in at the deep end. This is probably going to be a bit long but does cover 3 of my current bikes. My first moutain bike was a Raleigh Dynatech and I've always had a soft spot for them since. That first bike had silver tubes and purple lugs. Bought from a bike shop above a toy shop in Camberley. It was second hand and one that they had taken in as part exchange. I rode it a lot, even though after a while I found it a size too small. It was great at climbing and unlike other steel frames I tried it was relatively rigid. Our local Halfords had a few new Dynatech's in and I did eye with envy the USA aluminium bonded framed bikes. A friend bought one of the titanium ones from Halfords later on (I think an MT4).
Sadly my Dynatech was stolen along with my brothers Stumpjumper. A change of direction and on to Cannondales starting with an M800 on through Super V and F series. Although there was a Raleigh USA welded aluminium bike at one point. That one again sadly got stolen from a local motorbike shop during a fire never to be seen again. One side episode during those years was trying out a brand new Torus with the Mk2 Trimnell forks at a local bike shop. Superb bike to ride and I was very impressed with the direct steering and a relatively stiff back end for a titanium bike. I've never got on with bikes that have flex in the back end. All a case of personal taste. I should also add that my brother did downhilling so quite a wide variety of bikes and experimentations over the years. I'll do a different thread for those at some point, although very few photos of what we rode at that time.
From these early days of riding a couple of experiences decided the way my bikes would be built from then on. The early Shimano rapidfire shifters I did not get on with, unreliable and too much effort to push. They got changed to DX thumbshifters and it has been thumbshifters as my first choice ever since. Run on friction mode so they cope with 9 spd cassettes, definitely odd but something I have got used to. I've found they are indestructible and allow for fine adjustment when riding. The second oddity is Onza HO pedals. The first spd pedals I found that had float. I had knee issues so did not want to go for the Shimano SPD's. I've found them to be light and reliable. My first choice on any of my bikes. The final personal preference has been Hope wheels. Ever since getting a second hand bike with Hope hubs on I have been impressed with them. Hope's service I have found to be second to none. Even helping me on the second hand wheels! Superbly built products, reliable, brilliant service and made in Britain. Not a lot more you could ask for. Now back to the Dynatech's.
Fast forward a few years and I looked around on ebay to find a Dynatech like my first one. Same colour same size frame and forks turned up. Quickly bought and built up to have some fun. My riding now being far gentler. This frame and forks we still have hiding in a loft. Photo of the frame and forks below, I don't have any photos of it built up.
Sadly my Dynatech was stolen along with my brothers Stumpjumper. A change of direction and on to Cannondales starting with an M800 on through Super V and F series. Although there was a Raleigh USA welded aluminium bike at one point. That one again sadly got stolen from a local motorbike shop during a fire never to be seen again. One side episode during those years was trying out a brand new Torus with the Mk2 Trimnell forks at a local bike shop. Superb bike to ride and I was very impressed with the direct steering and a relatively stiff back end for a titanium bike. I've never got on with bikes that have flex in the back end. All a case of personal taste. I should also add that my brother did downhilling so quite a wide variety of bikes and experimentations over the years. I'll do a different thread for those at some point, although very few photos of what we rode at that time.
From these early days of riding a couple of experiences decided the way my bikes would be built from then on. The early Shimano rapidfire shifters I did not get on with, unreliable and too much effort to push. They got changed to DX thumbshifters and it has been thumbshifters as my first choice ever since. Run on friction mode so they cope with 9 spd cassettes, definitely odd but something I have got used to. I've found they are indestructible and allow for fine adjustment when riding. The second oddity is Onza HO pedals. The first spd pedals I found that had float. I had knee issues so did not want to go for the Shimano SPD's. I've found them to be light and reliable. My first choice on any of my bikes. The final personal preference has been Hope wheels. Ever since getting a second hand bike with Hope hubs on I have been impressed with them. Hope's service I have found to be second to none. Even helping me on the second hand wheels! Superbly built products, reliable, brilliant service and made in Britain. Not a lot more you could ask for. Now back to the Dynatech's.
Fast forward a few years and I looked around on ebay to find a Dynatech like my first one. Same colour same size frame and forks turned up. Quickly bought and built up to have some fun. My riding now being far gentler. This frame and forks we still have hiding in a loft. Photo of the frame and forks below, I don't have any photos of it built up.
Each time I've searched for a photo this one has turned up. Not sure I've ever seen a set of even just the mk1 forks. It is definitely a rarity. Might need to get a titanium framed dynatech at some point to complete the UK Raleigh Collection.
