aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,554
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 513 Post(s)
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I have a 1974 International I bought as a frame and fork. I got it with nothing but primer on it, so I had to paint it. After I built it up, the words “long and lanky” came to mind to describe the experience. I can’t think of a bike in production that is light as well as long and lanky. The fork is lighter than any steel fork you can buy now. I understand bike makers don’t want the liability that comes with making a light steel fork.
I built mine with practicality in mind, not at all true to the original.
I also have a 1971 Raleigh Super Course. The 3 main tubes are straight gauge 531 and the rest is generic carbon steel. The bike is a little heavier than an International but to my legs, it rides pretty much the same, and the weight difference is barely perceptible.