Originally Posted by
385xza
Triumph is a good bike; it got all the same parts as the Raliegh except the Heron chain-ring. Raliegh kept all the names running such as Triumph, BSA ect as it allowed for more than one dealer in any town, some sold Raliegh some sold BSA etc..... all from the same factory, good marketing.
Not
all the parts. The main difference is the rims and saddle. Raleigh Sports would have Raleigh pattern ("westrick") rims and a Brooks B72 leather saddle.
Triumph would have Endrick rims and a mattress saddle.
The Raleigh pattern rims were nearly indestructible, but very heavier. If the Endrick rims aren't damaged, they're actually nicer riding due to reduced weight.
The Triumph might have also had slightly cheaper pedals and brake calipers, though if it's as late as '71, these are probably not different from the Raleigh Sports.
The Raleigh/Rudge/Humber also had welded fender stays and chainguard braze ons.
Frame quality was the same, as were hubs, headset and bottom bracket.
Sheldon "http://sheldonbrown.com/english" Brown