Originally Posted by
shopco43
Another problematic area is the lack of reasonably wide handlebars. As far as I know the Raleigh Mk IV (my project bike) came equipped with GB bars exclusively. I have never seen a GB bar with a width other than 39 cm.
As a person responsible for fitting & assembling this MK of Pro "back when" the creaking combo of stubby 3T stem & girl-guide sized GB bars were universally dumped for the proper length of Cinelli 1-A stem and model/width of Cinellli bar for each customer. A host of other changes were made for fit/preference as well before the bike left the shop w/o regard for catalog-correctness in our mis-guided attempt to fit the machine to the rider's requirements.
42cm bars as available in '74 and 175 crankarms worked for my biggest teammates "back when", but if you require the late model 44cm bars to properly operate the machine a special dispensation (with a suitable fee and penance) will be required from the Period Correct Police.
As always, suit yourself.
-Bandera: