Classic & Vintage - Raleigh Bike

Hey guys, new to the forum, and cycling. I am looking into getting an 1980's chromoly Raleigh Marathon Bike. I can get it for less then a hundred bucks, and was hoping to fix it up to perfection, but wanted to know if it is a brand or bike worth fixing up, don't want the frame to crap out on me. I can get it off aebay, but it is worth biding for?

thanks ahead of time

Here are some links to Raleigh Marathons in other threads:

Raleigh Marathon (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=135634&highlight=Raleigh+Marathon)

and

Raleigh Marathon (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=57808&highlight=Raleigh+Marathon)

It's not a bad bike, but nothing special (entry level). If you can pick it up, it would be worth the amount. If the total price to you is more than about $75.00 or $80.00, you ought to be able to find a better deal.

Bad pic captured from .PDF of Raleigh USA '84 catalogue. Note the interesting wording: "...Raleigh 502 crome-moly seat tube..."

This is all I have on the Marathon.

-Kurt

I purchased a '78 Raleigh Competition GS in excellent condition a year ago for USD 75.00. The Raleigh Marathon is not quite as "slick" as the Competition, so USD 50.00 should be a fair price for the Marathon, provided it's in outstanding condition.

I purchased a '78 Raleigh Competition GS in excellent condition a year ago for USD 75.00. The Raleigh Marathon is not quite as "slick" as the Competition, so USD 50.00 should be a fair price for the Marathon, provided it's in outstanding condition.

A Competition GS? Ain't that the Campy-equipped Competition variant? For $75?

You better let me in on where you do your shopping... ;)

-Kurt

shame on you, jason! you stole that Comp GS. Now go back there and give the owner the other $250 you owe them.

Are you sure that $75 is a "steal" for a Competition GS? Yes, it is Campy equiped except for the brakes, which are Weinmann 605s. All the paint and decals are original and in excellent conndition; it even has the original Brooks Professional leather seat. So, I guess these attributes would add some value to this 28-year old bike.

However, the guy I bought it from seemed to know a thing or two about bikes, so I would be surprised that $75 is a steal. Maybe the size - 25.5" - made it difficult to sell? It suits my tall stature but perhaps buyers my size are few and far between. So, maybe $75 is a fair price for such a big bike?

Jason

depends on the bike, I suppose. A three-arm GS crank went for $78 on Wednesday or Thursday. A Brooks Pro will usually go to $50. Your friend made you a good deal. And I was just giving you crap, btw...

Are you sure that $75 is a "steal" for a Competition GS?...

Jason

Ok, Jason, since you seem to be a bit unsure as to whether you overpaid for your Comp GS, I tell you what I'm goinna do:

I'll buy the bike from you for $85, plus, of course, the cost of shipping it here to Miami. At least you won't feel as if you got a mediocre deal - hell, you'll be making $10 in the long run. How does that sound?

I fit 25" frames just fine. I don't like how they look, but they're very nice for touring - much better balance while pedaling out of the saddle.

-Kurt

Hold on there Kurt - luker says this Raleigh is worth $325!

I too like big frames; you can really stretch out on them, which is important on those 100 mile rides. I installed a frame pump beneath and parallel to the top tube, which closes in the frame a bit, making the bike look slightly smaller than it really is.

Jason

Hold on there Kurt - luker says this Raleigh is worth $325!

I too like big frames; you can really stretch out on them, which is important on those 100 mile rides. I installed a frame pump beneath and parallel to the top tube, which closes in the frame a bit, making the bike look slightly smaller than it really is.

Jason

Hehehe - I was teasing you there, Jason. Although I would have jumped on it if you had said yes...

Well, I prefer the larger frame size for both the higher handlebar position (2" below saddle height, as recommended by the Rivendell folks...or was it the BOB group? Who knows) and for the ease in pedaling out of the saddle (the higher handlebar helps here too - you can brace your wrists against the upper bend of the bar).

I usually ride 23s," which are nice for faster riding, but I find them quite figity if I must stand up and slam the pedals for whatever reason. Even worse on 22" frames, of which I find particularly hard to control when doing this. Sure enough, this nagging problem isn't noticable on my 25" Nishiki.

I've done the same pump trick on my Nishiki, and wish to do it on my others, but I find that it's not easy trying to find a long pump that works well at a decent price. I was lucky to get a Zefal fp X 2 pump for $5 to fit the Nishiki. Not vintage, but it gets the job done. If I could only find a few more of those pumps at that price.

Take care,

-Kurt