Old 12-27-12 | 10:21 AM
  #15  
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Pars
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Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Aurora, IL

Bikes: '73 Raleigh RRA, 1986 Trek 500 commuter

The headset and shifters are not original, which would have been Stronglight and Simplex, respectively, nor is the freewheel. This (along with the Raleigh Pro in that year) was one of the first 12 speed bikes with a 6 speed freewheel. It is set up for 126mm spacing, and would have come with a 13-24 6 speed freewheel. I traded my International frame for mine back then ('74) and built mine up with the Campy from it, so haven't exactly been a purist with mine The French stuff that was on it was good stuff, however. Too bad yours didn't still have the wheels as the Maillard 700 hubs might have been the best thing on the bike. It would have come with sewups, and a Brooks saddle as well.

These were pretty rare frames... I had heard that only 500 were made from my LBS in Iowa when I got mine, but I don't know how true that is. It deserves better than that crappy powdercoat job however. Yours looks to be the same size as mine, which was 22.5" C-T. Nice score!

EDIT: someone posted this awhile back: a 1973 Raleigh dealer price list, including the RRA. I've never seen in in a catalog, etc.

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Last edited by Pars; 12-27-12 at 11:27 AM.
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