Classic & Vintage - Optional equipment on Raleigh Superbes

Almost all the Superbes of roughly the same vintage as mine have Brooks B66 saddles, the deluxe oval-shaped pedals, and Dynohubs. My 1970 Superbe came with the less expensive B72 saddle, standard pedals, and no Dynohub. I'm trying to figure out what equipment came on the Superbe from Nottingham, and what was a dealer-installed option.

Anyone know how this worked?

See Retro-Raleighs website, http://www.retroraleighs.com/superbe.html . They state that the Superbe was essentially the Sports model with the addition of the Dynohub, B66 saddle, rear rack and locking fork. They have some 1967 and 1976 catalogue pictures and info to support the claim. I have 1972 specs that also support this difference. However, I don't see any difference in the pedals. Unfortunately the 1970 catalogue info on the site does not include the Superbe. However, please note the site also says that, "The Superbe usually came with...", implying that there were years when it may have been equipped differently. I hope this helps. Good luck!

Hmmmm; perhaps the dealer nicked the good stuff for another bike and substituted Sports parts. Those pedals I referred to are the same as the ones Raleigh used on the Chopper, and they don't seem to be as regular a feature as the B66 or Dynohub.

One way or another, I guess I'll have to round up those bits if I want them; it's a little late to complain to the dealer. :D

I have a brown 71 Superbe without dynohub, my guess was that someone had removed the dynohub wheel, lights and brooks saddle and used those bits on a bike painted a nicer colour, but it's possible this wasn't always standard equiptment. The bike does have the headlamp bracket, which might be an indication it originally had a dynohub, there is however no sign of paint damage where the tail light would have been mounted on the seat stays. Sorry that's not really an answer.

This fellow has a pair of NOS dynohubs, but they aren't exactly cheap.

http://www.oldbiketrader.co.uk/display_Sturmey_Archer.php?options=newhubs

I've also seen NOS pedals, and I know you can get new Brooks saddles. Again, you're not going to get that stuff on a tight budget. Even decent used ones on ebay are going to cost you over $40.00.

What color is your Superbe?

It's Coffee; the local Raleigh dealer (who is about 156 years old) says most of the women's Superbes that year were that color. It's a beautiful shade unless it gets sun-faded, then it sort of resembles dirt. I gave ours fresh gold pinstriping, which really sets off the Coffee. Usually the gold striping has tarnished to a dull gray on old Raleighs, so you rarely see the effect that was intended when new.

I'll plink away at rounding up the parts. Anyway, if I get a B66 saddle it's going directly on my Moto. ;)