Pipe Smoke Analytics:

All three are a HOOT to ride. For the way I ride they are very similar. They do not do loaded touring, but do handle long day rides, even centuries with bar bags. Flats, hills, gravel, etc. I itch to take them out again. Same class of bike.

The Raleigh has a great reputation and that excellent British chrome. Awesome in the bright sun. Workmanship is excellent. Only one wee brazing defect but you have to look very closely. Given the numerous comments about Raleigh/Carlton quality control, this one is an outlier. Maybe since this was made as ‘the boom” wound down and at the very end of the model run (August 1976, prior to the annual shutdown in September, retool for the Mk V), the folks at Worksop just took their time and got it right. The Pro just does everything well. Smooth and strong. The Campagnolo drive train is quiet, precise, easy to live with. A well known and respected (even grail) bike for many folks. I’m lucky on this one.

The Nishiki has a very cool paint job which looks black most often but is really a very dark brown. Shows well in the sun. The workmanship is excellent. No brazing defects. Kawamura was really getting quality right at this time. The chain stays are a bit too short - must deflate the 28mm tire to get it out and in. It just does everything well though. Smooth and strong. No handling impact from the short stays. The Suntour drive train is quiet, precise and easy to live with (neato ratchet shifters). A known and respected marque. Various opinions on the International as it changed so much so often. This 1980 is a jewel. Compares very well to the Raleigh Pro. I’m lucky on this one - had no knowledge of this marque when I bought the bike - it was packaged with the Pro.

The Crescent is very cool because its relatively rare and the blue is quite rare amongst that relatively rare population. Workmanship is excellent (despite what you’ve heard). I’ve found only one small brazing defect. I’m quite happy. No toe overlap. This bike does everything well, though as it wears 23c tires, I keep it on pavement. And we have some lovely long paved trails around here. Curious that it’s my lightest bike too. The equipment is very similar to the Raleigh Pro and it’s a bit larger, but 1/2lbs lighter. A fun bike. The Suntour drivetrain is quiet and precise. Love the bar end controls. Easy to live with. Like the other two bikes, I don’t even much plan for a 60 or 70 mile day.

Conclusion:

I donno. I’m a luck guy. Aside from my other bikes, I’ve got three great machines here that are very similar and, essentially equals on performance and comfort. The rotation is great. But each are different enough that I enjoy the rotation and struggle to pick which one each time. Unless I decide on a mtn bike or one of the tourers or the C’dale or Babe the Blue Oxen or……. Tomorrow morning I’ll set out before dawn on the Crescent. Isolation exercise before “normal people” wake up and have their first coffee.