Originally Posted by
repechage
I disagree, there was one of these in my family long ago, (even got stripped and repainted as the original color had faded considerably) The workmanship was superior to a typical Super Course or almost anything out of the Raleigh plant.
The weight of the complete bike was worth noting too, 23 lbs, for a 23" frame, steel rims, chain set, pedals and Brooks saddle, yes it has the nice Dunlop steel rims, but a pretty darn decent weight for its price point.
That weight IS interesting! Steel cranks?
I suppose the 531 straight tubes could have been supplied in a wide range of thicknesses and hence weights. Someone wrote recently that it was usual to offer tube sets customized to the builder's needs.