Originally Posted by moxfyre
My opinion is: MUST... HAVE... THAT-- oh, you get the idea!
Yeah, they both look awesome. I have to say I think I'm partial to the light green color of the Grand Prix, and the Brooks saddle. The chromed fork and stays on the Competition are cool but I don't think they go as well with white. It looks like the Competition is a little more agressive racing geometry? Any other differences between the frames? To be on the safe side, I would steal them both
You're right about those Grand Prix frames going cheap, very nice. I was sorely tempted to bid on that one you posted, except that I'm in some kind of self-inflicted bike-buying moratorium right now... I can't believe it went for only $105 shipped. I already have one high-quality lugged steel touring frame, but I would like to have a sportier steel bike as well. Where have you obtained yours from?
Actually, it's the Competition that has the Brooks - a Brooks Pro, in fact. The '86 has a cheap Belt saddle on it which will be replaced with a Brooks Pro I have since aquired a few days ago.
I've always been a sucker for the white/chrome. Has a slick "iced" look, IMHO, as the white has a pearlescent tint to it in person - photo doesn't show this very well.
I believe each frame has the same geometry, although I believe the fork on the '86 might have a tad more rake. Don't quote me on the frame geometry, for both the '84 and '86 have slight differences in their frames, and the definite manufacturer of these Raleigh USA frames have not been confirmed to be Panasonic alone.
In fact, even the '86 frame on eBay differs considerably from that of my own '86. The seat lug sticks out in particular as being completely different (quite similar to what was used on the Schwinn Prelude), other differences include the lack of fender eyelets, slightly different head lugs and "Cycle Company Of America" ommitted on the badge (which curiously states "THE RALEIGH", as most post-'82 Nottingham badges).
I bought mine on eBay as a frameset, around $57 shipped, if I recall. Helped that the frame was in-state.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Raleigh-Frame-an...QQcmdZViewItem
The donor Basso with the Triomphe components was a local find from a cycle-reseller, $50.
Take care,
-Kurt