I was never terribly brand specific back in the day but Raleigh was what was sold locally and they were cooler looking than most others, plus they tended to fit me better being 6ft 2in tall. I always did best on euro built bikes vs the Asian bikes. It was a fit issue in both the total reach and leg extension areas. I had tried a few Panasonic and Shogun road bikes back in the day and the ergonomics didn't work well for me like the Raleigh did. Its one reason I bought my Super Grand Prix and Super Course. the SGP fits me best.
Now in my 60's, dt shifters are out of the question, I can't bend down low enough to reach them so the barcons on the Raleighs are a good option, but stem shifters or a three speed are likely where I need to be now.

At 6ft 2in tall and 250lbs built like a linebacker, with bad knees likely means its time to face reality that my road bike days are long in the past.