Old Fat Guy

I usually don't mess around with older Raleigh's, but the price was right on a Competition that had more grime than any bike I've ever seen on it. The paint is rough, but I decided to leave it. The bike rides remarkably well, but I don't have much experience with Raleigh's, so I'm not sure what I expected.

Anyway, I have been trying to educate myself a bit, and I'm wondering if the bike may be worth more as bits, than as a whole. The reason I'm wondering, is that it has a Huret Jubilee derailleur, some nice looking TA Cranks, and decent Wolber Gentleman 81 27" rims.

I've checked a popular auction site, and was amazed at what the derailleur is worth. I must say, it is very attractive, and shifts crisply, with I didn't think a Huret would ever do. I understand that it is the lightest RD ever made, and weight weenies find them desirable. I'm not so sure about the value of the cranks.

The Brooks Quill pedals are nice, and I have the toe clips for them , just haven't finished cleaning them. It had a Brooks B71, but that went to forum member redxj, for all the help he has given me.

Any comments, insights are most welcome.

treebound 

What size is the frame? Looks like maybe a 55ctc or so? How about the toptube length, maybe 56-57 or so ctc? Any guess on the age? Headbadge say Nottingham? I might be interested in the frame/forks/bb/stem assembly if the price fits my wallet.

The Brooks pedals would be a nice feature to go with a Brooks saddle.

dbakl

The deraillers work well, though a little delicate, and are desirable. Not sure the cranks are highly desirable, or the pedals, though would probably sell on ebay, as would the frame. Brooks seat is missing and rims sound replaced.

But why not sell as is to someone who wants something just like that?

Old Fat Guy

53X56 (approx ctc) Down tube says Carlton, looks identical to this 1976, except for the lack of tubulars:
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/retroral...mpetition.html

I can look for a serial# if needed. Selling here is frowned upon, and I'm not fishing for anything other than advice on the components, especially the crank. I have an idea what the derailleurs are worth.

I'm off to ride in AZ with a friend for 10 days or so, and after that, the students return to A2 and it will go on the local CL, along with a garage full I have ready

treebound 

(sigh) (marking calender to watch for CL posts)

I've got a pump that would go great with that frame similar to the one in the link. I've also got most of an older Campy group that would work well with it ..... (oh well)

Your's seems to have the rear stays painted over what should be chrome ends. Do the brake hoods have any writing on them? I can't recall what mine had on them but those look real familiar, they might say Carlton on them if I recall correctly.

Old Fat Guy

Yes the hoods, which are not torn, but a bit scuffed, say Carlton on them. I have more pictures here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/ypsibikes/AugustBikes2008

It will go to the A2 CL a week from this Sunday. I think shipping it would make it not such a deal, I don't know for sure. The rear stays do not seem to be chromed.

bikemore 

I am a bit biased, but I would say keep it together. Some of the
bits are specific to Raleighs and they are bloody hell to replace.
I don't recall if your's is this way, but some models have the Simplex
(or is it Huret) dropouts that only work with derailleurs that have the
stop in the right place. The adjusting screw in the rear bridge is unique
to Raleighs of the time period.

And if you are wondering, the frame looks to be in my size...

Old Fat Guy

I would like to sell the bike complete. I put an unbelievable amount of work into it, repacked everything, new cables, housings, tires, tubes, tape...hours of rubbing compound. I was thinking $300 was fair, since the RD is worth nearly half that (to some).

I'm flying out West in the morning, but if a forum member is interested, PM me, I may re-consider selling locally. Be advised, the frame/paint is rough, as the pictures show.

treebound 

Bikemore seems to know more about the nuances of the Raleighs than I do, I just had one once (Comp.), and have a slightly newer one currently (non-Comp.). If the hanger requires a special setup then definitely try to keep it intact as a package. Your pics do show some good details on it. Looking at the condition of the headtube around the badge I'd want to look into the headtube and seat tube to see what the insides look like.

Looks like it was a project based on what you said. I'm sure it will go at a fair price when you get back.

I always thought the old Competitions looked classy with the goldleaf lettering, black paint, and chrome stay ends and fork ends.

PS, enjoy your trip to AZ, there's some nice riding out that way.

Old Fat Guy

The insides looked very good, no concerns from my POV. There was no rust inside at all. I had it totally apart, saw no issues. I did spray oil into the tubes, not WD-40.