poetman

Hi everyone,

I'm new to these forums. Thanks to my 6-year-old I've returned to the biking world. I'm looking for a vintage bike and am trying to find out the difference in quality between there models but have had trouble finding information online--even on Sheldon's site. I hoping you can all help me determine the smarter purchase between a Raleigh sports, a (Raleigh?) BSA, (both from the 50/60's) and a Raleigh Sprite (5-speed) from the early 70's. The sports is 45 more than the BSA, and 75 more than the Sprite. They're all cruise style bikes and will be used for riding around towns, bike trails, and local getaways. I would some feedback on the best bike to select.

Thanks, all!

daf1009

Pictures, condition, more details will be needed to offer feedback...

GordoTrek

well the sprite is just a sports with a derailleur essentially, i believe the frame materials are the same. the geometry is almost the same, and i think the sprite may have different handlebars, but they are very close. if it's just for cruising around with your 6 year old, then either raleigh is ok, i would go with the sprite just so you have more gears and its cheaper, make sure you check out the condition of each, and hopefully they don't need much work. The sports probably doesn't need much to get it going. pictures would help

rhm

The Sprite, depending on the year, may be have a 5 speed hub (no derailleur), which would be very nice. Or it may have 27" wheels, rather than 26", but that doesn't make much difference.

Assuming the BSA and Sports were both made by Raleigh, then the BSA probably has Endrick style rims, which are boxy and plain, while the Sports may have the fancier Raleigh pattern rims. The Raleigh pattern rims are cool looking but quite a bit heavier, so not really a plus. The Sports may have other 'deluxe' features that the BSA may lack, but most of them are not worth a great premium.

Possibly the BSA is an older one, actually made by BSA, which would cool.

As GordoTrek suggested, photos would help.

Old bikes like these are often missing parts like a fender or a chain guard; I'd try to get a complete one. The prices are all over the place, generally a function of two factors: what's the highest number the seller can think of, and how urgently does his wife want the thing out of the garage?

poetman

The BSA guy said a tire and tube is new and it's been regreased recently and is functionally perfect. ($130) The Sports guy said "it all works" and only the fenders have a slight bend in the rods that hold them ($175). The Sprite guy said "brakes, gears, chains are all in excellent condition." (He wants $100.)

I'll post photos in an hour or so. They all seem to be in similar condition. I prefer the look and color of the Sports because it looks the oldest and most vintage, which I really like.besides riding with my son, I want to be able to take this on some local trails and paths and generally enjoy bike riding again--not just riding with the kid.

BigChief 

Out of those bikes, I would choose the Raleigh Sports. I like the old timey English stuff like the heron chainwheel, ribbed fenders, lamp mount, thimble forks and Raleigh pattern rims. Sprites changed totally in the 70s. Not at all like the vintage Sports models or the 60s Sprites.
Here's my 1969 Sprite before the change.

poetman

I like the look of the Sports the best, and I will have to add either the rear metal rack of chain guard to one of these. They're all within my budget. So besides what looks the most vintage, I want the best bike. I appreciate your help and shared wisdom!

1974 Sprite (100) (he says in perfect condition)






BSA (130) (he says like New, with new tire and tube and new grease)

poetman

And the Sports

Sports (175) (he says he believes its a sold bike with internal hub, bottom bracket, headset steering, gears, chains, and brakes still work. It has light rust on rims, and the fenders have slight bends to the rods that hold them in place.)

USAZorro

Aside from the dreadful saddle, I like how the BSA looks.

poetman

Is there a quality or performance difference between these?

nlerner

The Sprite is quite a bit larger than the Sports and the BSA. I'd suggest you get one that fits! What's your pants inseam?

poetman

The Sports and BSA, I think, are 21. I wear a 32" inseam. I was told a 21-23 would fit me.

nlerner

I also have a 32" inseam and find 21" 3-speeds to be much too small.

poetman

I rode a 21" at a store, and it felt fine. Is it just about comfort? How can I tell which bike is the better purchase here?

USAZorro

I'm the same. A 22 suits me better than a 21 or a 23, but that size is tough to find in a mass-market 3-speed.

Side note here that may not be either here nor there. I love the bronze-green color when it is new. I inherited my uncle's Superbe in that color. After time has it's teeth sunk into it a bit, it is quite a challenge to get that color to do justice to the original. It's also nigh-un impossible to get touch-up paint to match due to the little flakes of bronze that were in the original. While it isn't as "pretty", black seems to hold up better over decades. Also, getting the dent out of the chain guard, and the kinks out of those fender braces could prove to be a considerable pain (presuming that matters to you).

Also note, those rims are going to rust, and make the braking effectiveness even less than it was when the chromed steel was new - in addition to being another ongoing maintenance issue. Shiny aluminum rims will be worth it, imo.

poetman

You have a good eye. I couldn't spot a dent in the guard! Aesthetics aside, as I could survive with any of these--though I prefer the green. How do they compare in quality and economic investment?

ncrnelson

Not to derail the conversation, but a late 80s or early 90s mountain bike could probably be had for less and would be more efficient, have standard threading and ordinary 26" wheels with tons of tire options.

That said, I do love internal gear hubs and the utilitarian look of these older British and European cruisers and if that's what you want then go for it, but repairs could be more difficult if necessary.

forestine

There are probably only minor differences between the bikes, and one isn't going to be "the best". The Sprite with the derailleur might be easier to maintain (depends on if the internal hubs are working properly). If it were me, I'd probably get the BSA because it looks the coolest. People on CL often say bikes are working but don't know much about what they're selling, so there might be surprise repairs with any of them, too, and often local shops don't know much about them, it can also be difficult to get parts with the proper threading and stuff. (for the record, it took a bit to get mine going but I love it.) Maybe you could take them for a test ride without committing to buy?

BigChief 

But that's not a 74 Sprite. This one still has the full pattern chainring and thimble forks. Maybe 1970 or 71? not sure. Must be one of the first Sprite 27s though.
I'd still go for the green sports. Beautiful bike.

poetman

Do you all think these prices are fair?

USAZorro

Maybe a little high on the Sports, but it is difficult to value these in a way that everyone would agree to. I think the prices on the other two are definitely very reasonable.

dweenk

I don't know your location, but in my market they are too high. A very nice Sports would go for $100 - $125, the Sprite and BSA $25 less. You need to realize that local market prices vary considerably, but in the end - if you love it and are going to ride the hell out of it, those prices are OK.

slcurts

In terms of value, I'd go with the BSA all the way. That thing is cool, except it needs a Brooks B72. Note that it appears to have the original pump, which goes for $20+ by itself. I would think the 21" frames would be small, though - I have a 32" inseam and own both a 21" and 23" Sports, and I can't get the seat high enough on the 21". In fact I couldn't get it quite high enough on the 23" either, so bought a longer seatpost. (1" steel seatposts are cheap.) Those frames have such relaxed angles that you really can't compare frame sizes to a 'normal' road bike - I ride a 56cm road bike, about 22". Those British 3-speeds tend to be geared a little high - 2nd is supposed to be your cruising gear - so if the seat is too low you'll develop sore knees, or at least I do.

I don't think the Sprites had chainguards originally, due to the chain movement on the derailleur, so adding one would not be a given. That could be a factor if you want to be able to hop on in your street clothes.

There's really no difference in quality between these bikes, other than the fuss factor of derailleurs. The Sprite has narrower tires, which I find to be less comfortable for buzzing around on trails. The Sprite and the Sport have their original seats but they're the plastic ones, which are not as comfortable as a B72.

poetman

I'm in Boston where they sell for between 3 & 400 refurbished.

nlerner

Well, it depends on what "refurbished" actually means! I'm in Boston, too, and have in the last year bought several Sports and a Superbe, all for $100 or less. Only one really didn't need any work (and that was a lady's Sports, which tend to go for less), the others were in various states of need refurbishment.

Have you been over to the OldRoads shop in the antique mall on O'Brien Highway in Cambridge? They usually have 3-speeds in your price range and do solid work to make sure they're ready to ride.