riusx

Hello, I've seen this bike on sale and it looks like a great deal (about 150$). The frame number is WP70..something and based on the guide from Sheldon Brown it looks like a 1977 Raleigh with Reynolds tubing. In the catalogue of 1977 I couldn't find the bike and because it was converted to a single speed I don't know if it was a well equipped one. What do you think it? Does It worth the money? Thanks!

jyl

(Edited)

Color and Carlton/Raleigh decals look like a Raleigh Super Course.

Compare to @randyjawa's Super Course here: FINDING THE RALEIGH SUPER COURSE

But tubing decals indicate a higher end model. Super Course was Reynolds 531 main tubes. This bike's decals look original and are the correct ones for 1977. Doesn't mean someone didn't put new decals on, a long time ago. If believed, the decals indicate butted 531 tubes plus 531 stays and fork.

That would be a Competition, Professional, etc. Lack of chrome means not a Competition. But not the right color for a Professional. Would be very cool if it were somehow a Professional.

Basically, I dunno, but $150 is not too expensive for a 531 frame/fork with Campagnolo dropouts in decent condition. Plus you get some parts, nothing special but the wheels might be okay, the crankset is nice. I'd buy it if the bike is your size and you want a project, or a single speed, or a project single speed. If you want to end up with a geared bike, it's better to find one complete, as accumulating all the necessary parts to restore this one will be more expensive - and using a bike shop to do the work will make it even more expensive.

If you do buy it, and choose to fully disassemble it, then weigh the frame and fork (with everything removed, including bottom bracket and headset). The weight will give you more indication of the tubing material.

riusx

zukahn1 

I would say it is a good deal at $150. My quess is it is a full 531 likely a competition since the dropouts and lug work are consistent with a 531 frame set. I don't like the current setup but the frame is worth the asking price and it would be pretty easy to change it to full geared or a better SS/FG setup using most of the stuff already on the bike.

jyl

My bad, I overlooked the chrome on the fork. I've never seen a mid 1970s Competition that didn't have chrome stays, and I had thought they were all black or silver. But who knows!

riusx

Thanks for the replies, I will seal de deal and buy it.

T-Mar

While there is some confusion over the actual model, I have little doubt that the Reynolds 531DB decal is legitimate given the Campagnolo dropouts.

bikemig 

$150 for a reynolds 531 bike is a pretty decent deal; the lack of parts (assuming that the B wants a geared bike) means that this is not a screaming deal.

riusx

I have already purchased it, today it arrived. I will give it a try as a single speed and afte that I'll see if it's worth to be made a geared bike. I also have no doubt that this is a full 531 because I also found this thread with someone who had a similar frame, from the same year. They said in that thread that this is a Frankenbike something between a Super Course and a Competition (maybe some special Europe made model that wasn't included in the US catalogs).