Originally Posted by
Bandera
bikemig,
The classic AW equipped British "Sports" style were/are solid reliable basic transportation.
The bike in the pic is a the relatively rare 23" frame size, very good if it fits you.
AW drivetrains are as reliable as an anvil if treated/operated properly, have very large steps in gearing, a 22T cog resolves the leg-breaking stock high gear.
Beware the dreaded "false neutral" in 2nd when setting up cable tension. Follow Sheldon Brown's instructions and off you go for a few decades of cycling.
Full mudguards & chainguard & a position suitable for an elderly parson to plooter about the village on the way to tea at miss Marple's.
How can you pass that up?
-Bandera
Both the bikes are 23 inch. They're a bit on the large side for me but these bikes were meant to be ridden with a lot less seatpost showing than is fashionable today. It would be pretty cool to soup one of these up with alloy rims. I have 2 pairs of 26 x 1 and 3/8 alloy rims just sitting in my work room looking for a 3 speed. I've been thinking of heading down to Miss Marples for tea for some time but I just didn't have the right bike for the job,
. Just got to decide which of the 2 bikes to buy!
Sheldon Brown has the Humber as an "upper" end 3 speed and the Robin Hood as a mid range 3 speed but I can't see a heck of a lot of difference between the bikes. I imagine that some of the fitting and parts were better on Raleigh's "upper" end offerings but at the end of the day, you have a steel frame, a lot of steel parts, and a SA 3 speed hub which makes for a pretty bomb proof combo. Plus these bikes really ride well for what they are even if you are not old and decrepit and going out to get some tea . . .