detroitwipeout

So I got this Triumph at an estate sale a few weeks ago for $15. It say's it's made in Nottingham England, and the components are Sturmey Archer.

Then I see this online:

Then a few days ago I see a bike that's identical except for color with the Western Flier brand on it, that was once sold in Western Auto Parts stores.

Is it true that Raleigh made this bike for a lot of different companies?

(Also, what do you think it's worth?)

ronp6

The question of value isn't well received here but suffice to say you look to have gotten a very good deal. Value is about condition and the local market and Craigs List will tell you more than I could.

Raleigh bought almost every bicycle company in England. They continued to sell bikes under many of those names so neighboring bike shops could each have an exclusive bike. They are not all the same the Raleigh, Humber, and Rudge Sport I believe all had forged fork ends are rear dropouts where some of the other brands had crimped fork ends and a lower level of finish and features. None of those differences effect the riding of the bikes but it does matter to a collector. Private label bikes were also made and could have included the Western Auto and you could tell by where the bike is made. Nottingham is Raleigh, Birmingham could be Philips before Raleigh purchased them etc. Everyone sold a bike to compete with the Raleigh Sport because to the popularity. I hope that helps.