Classic & Vintage - Anyone Know what Model This Is?

It's a Raleigh Ladies Racer and has 5 gears. I would like to know what the model name is and also approximate year of manufacture. If anyone knows anything about this bike, I'd be grateful for information about it. It is a lovely bike to ride and even though the gears aren't working properly (it's stuck in 1st gear), it still goes like the wind with the minimum of pedalling. I bought it second-hand at the weekend in our local indoor market (there is a stall there that sells second-hand bikes). Once I'd cleaned it up, it looks as if it may have been an unwanted gift and been languishing in someone's shed or garage for years. I doubt if it's been used much if at all. I think I got a really good bargain:D

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/fionakidd/Bike/PICT0104.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/fionakidd/Bike/PICT0105.jpg

Nice shape bike. The mixte style frame screams 80's. I'm not sure when mixte frames stopped being made, though. Funny thing is I have seen ALL brands of bikes with them, and the frames look exactly the same. I guess they were made by one manufacturer? I mean EVERY brand bike. Huffy's, Azuki's, Raleighs, just to name a few.,,,,BD

Rivendell still make a mixte, for one. I would suspect there are others. I saw a new mixte for sale at the LBS just yesterday but did not pay attention to the brand. Not Rivendell, though.

Python--that is lovely. Interesting style of reflectors on the spokes. Much nicer than the ones to be found in the U.S.

East Hill

Nice Raleigh mixte there. As for the date, probably early 80's but if there are Suntour Derailleurs on it, you can easily narrow it down. On the back of the derailleurs you'll find a 2-letter code (e.g. VC) then take that code and compare it to the dates on this link:

http://www.vintage-trek.com/component_dates.htm#suntour


If the bike has Huret components, I might be at a loss. However, here's a link that dates Raleighs by serial numbers:

http://www.retroraleighs.com/dating.html

If all fails, just send it to me and I'lll make sure it gets a good home. :D

If all fails, just send it to me and I'lll make sure it gets a good home. :D

LOL:D This bike has found it's loving home:D

I never thought I could fall in :love: with a bicycle:D

Just checked. She's got Huret gears but I've found the serial number so I'll see what I can find out.

To be sure, Raleigh marketed Mixte's in the 70's. The 1978 catalogue lists several including a Grand Prix! The Huret gears says early 70's (my 72 Record has a Huret set-up). You might try PMing cudak888, (Kurt) he is one of the local Raleigh experts and is responsible for establishing RetroRaleighs, a website dedicated to old Raleigh bikes, with excerpts from catalogues.

You might try PMing cudak888, (Kurt) he is one of the local Raleigh experts and is responsible for establishing RetroRaleighs, a website dedicated to old Raleigh bikes, with excerpts from catalogues.

Raleigh expert, yes, but I did not have any involvement in Retro Raleighs - rather, The Headbadge. (P.S.: Still haven't gotten off my behind to get that '78 catalogue up)

As for this particular Raleigh mixte, I have NEVER seen anything like it. The lugs and decals don't resemble anything from Nottingham from the pre-'82 era, and neither do they appear to be Raleigh USA.

It does have the look of a mid to late '80s machine though, and the "Raleigh" font screams late '80s/early '90s, although I doubt that it is '90s.

Could you get us a photo of the badge up front? I have a suspicion that it'll be a post-1982 Nottingham badge, which would indicate that this bike was, in fact made in Nottingham, but exclusively for the UK market.

Take care,

-Kurt