Thanks for the input chaps.
Hey, I'll have to look for one of those converters. They look like a great solution to gearing problems. Trouble is, to tour, I'd need to look for two of them, as my friend would need one, and I wouldn;t like wasting my time at the top of hill waiting for him to climb it
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Wahoonc, that's a nice looking Raleigh. I've a Raleigh Chiltern, and a really old rod brake Raleigh which has no name. The rod brake Raleigh is pretty unsuitable for touring (It's heavy enough at the best of times, but to add a rack and some panniers, then throw in a steep descent through the Black Forest rain - hmmm, I can hear the sirens already).
The Raleigh chiltern doesn;t actually weigh that much, and is a delight to ride. It is good and sturdy, though. I like the fact that if a luggage handler tries stamping on it, he's likely to break his foot.