Classic & Vintage - 70s Raleigh Rapide...info please

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jeffieh
11-21-07, 01:13 PM
Kia Ora. I have a 70s Raleigh Rapide that's a bit of a curiosity. Have a look at the pickies. I can't find it in any of thr usual web resources. When I got the bike it had zeus junior derailleurs, shimano 600 crand, modoloflash brakes. It felt like a home build, so I wondered if it was originally sold frame-only. Maybe someone out there can ID it, and explain where it fits in the incredibly complicated pantheon of 531 Raleighs. Thank you.

cinco
11-21-07, 06:24 PM
Well, I'm at a loss. I've gone through all the Raleigh catalogues and can't tell you anything. I'm not the resident Raleigh expert here, but it was my understanding that the Rapide was always bottom-end. Your frame looks decently made. The lug and stay-cap design actually look a lot like a "handmade" mid-80s all-531 Raleigh Royal I got recently. Who made those dropouts? They look similar to the Simplex dropouts on a 1986 Gitane I used to have, but Simplex dropouts on a Raleigh wouldn't make much sense.

Maybe they did the Rapide team thing for one year? Maybe it's a European market bike? It's certainly an interesting one though, and it looks great whatever it is.
John E
11-21-07, 07:28 PM
I believe it is basically a Super Course, with the straight gauge Reynolds 531 main triangle.