1971 Raleigh Competition
#1
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1971 Raleigh Competition
Picked this up last week. Bought it from the original owner. Paint is in great condition. Not all original parts but mostly period correct components. Cinelli stem, Brooks saddle, Simplex Criterium derailleur, Nervar Star cranks. Nice stuff, all in good condition.
Curious what you all thought on this one. Really early Competition in the unique Lilac color. I bought it for the color. Always liked this color Comp.
Curious what you all thought on this one. Really early Competition in the unique Lilac color. I bought it for the color. Always liked this color Comp.
#2
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It actually came with Suntour derailleurs. I put the Simplex on. I like them. My derailleur of choice actually.
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This is a sweet bike. Is the head badge missing? What about the decals?
#5
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Yes the headbadge is there. And the script is very subtle on this bike. Love it.
Note the chainstays are the rapier type, 531?
Note the chainstays are the rapier type, 531?
Last edited by big chainring; 11-15-15 at 05:25 PM.
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This is a classy bike. It would be very hard for me to resist a bike like this if one showed up locally. Fortunately, the local CL is poor; good thing I don't live in Cook County.
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The Simplex stuff did not stay on our bikes very long. Most of us that were wrenching on bikes usually switched to a Suntour rear. I and maybe one or two others used high normal Suntour front derailleurs (maybe the Spirt?), but most of the other mechanics used Huret Luxe front derailleurs. We had a few that had Campy equipment, but most of us working as mechanics could not afford Campy stuff at that time.
#9
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The Simplex stuff did not stay on our bikes very long. Most of us that were wrenching on bikes usually switched to a Suntour rear. I and maybe one or two others used high normal Suntour front derailleurs (maybe the Spirt?), but most of the other mechanics used Huret Luxe front derailleurs. We had a few that had Campy equipment, but most of us working as mechanics could not afford Campy stuff at that time.
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It would be just a wild guess if I took a stab at value, but I Think this bike definitely deserves a premium. That color and in that condition? Talk about high cool factor. I love the black Competitions. But this purple one is extra special, IMO. And pretty scarce. Especially in such condition.
Primo score, Big Ring.
I love it.
Wild uneducated guess: $550 to 700 bucks.
Primo score, Big Ring.
I love it.
Wild uneducated guess: $550 to 700 bucks.
#11
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It would be just a wild guess if I took a stab at value, but I Think this bike definitely deserves a premium. That color and in that condition? Talk about high cool factor. I love the black Competitions. But this purple one is extra special, IMO. And pretty scarce. Especially in such condition.
Primo score, Big Ring.
I love it.
Wild uneducated guess: $550 to 700 bucks.
Primo score, Big Ring.
I love it.
Wild uneducated guess: $550 to 700 bucks.
The things I like on this bike are the rapier chainstays, no indents for tire or chainring clearance.
And it's straight. I tend to buy bargain priced, beat up bikes. They all need some staightening. This one tracks real nice and the wheels sit centered in the frame.
Both the headset and bottom bracket were very loose when I bought it. Both adjusted just fine. This is the first bike I have had with a decent headset, no brinelling.
And of course the color is just wild.
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That is one of the loveliest bikes ever. The color is exquisite.
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thanks very much for sharing this addition to the stable big chainring!
this finish is quite rare in my experience, a great find.
have one from ~1967 in the brg colour, back when they came through with the zeus competition chainset.
those look like early sanshin matsumoto hubs you are running. iirc the ex-works wheels were constructed with luxe competitions.
btw - in case cino is holding the machine's original ventoux i hope there is some shim stock in there; that is a one mm difference.
this finish is quite rare in my experience, a great find.
have one from ~1967 in the brg colour, back when they came through with the zeus competition chainset.
those look like early sanshin matsumoto hubs you are running. iirc the ex-works wheels were constructed with luxe competitions.
btw - in case cino is holding the machine's original ventoux i hope there is some shim stock in there; that is a one mm difference.
Last edited by juvela; 11-21-15 at 03:56 AM. Reason: addition
#14
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thanks very much for sharing this addition to the stable big chainring!
this finish is quite rare in my experience, a great find.
have one from ~1967 in the brg colour, back when they came through with the zeus competition chainset.
those look like early sanshin matsumoto hubs you are running. iirc the ex-works wheels were constructed with luxe competitions.
btw - in case cino is holding the machine's original ventoux i hope there is some shim stock in there; that is a one mm difference.
this finish is quite rare in my experience, a great find.
have one from ~1967 in the brg colour, back when they came through with the zeus competition chainset.
those look like early sanshin matsumoto hubs you are running. iirc the ex-works wheels were constructed with luxe competitions.
btw - in case cino is holding the machine's original ventoux i hope there is some shim stock in there; that is a one mm difference.
The hubs are Normandy. Normandy Sport? They have removable dust caps. And round rims! Old Weinmann rims that are true, no hops or flat spots.
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what made me think the hubs were sanshin matsumoto was the combination of small round flange holes and what appears to be a sunshine skewer on the rear hub. perhaps just my poor eyesight!
if you have occasion to repack the bottom bracket i would be curious to learn if the rapier chainstays are seamless. the ones on my 1967 raleigh competition are also rapier and they are seamed. this despite the frame wearing a 531 transfer indicating it is an eleven tuber. so i would expect that my frame's seat stays are also likely seamed.
have really enjoyed seeing your new arrival.
thank you once again for sharing here.
#17
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I agree with the $500-700 valuation.
I could see just the frame/fork fetching north of $500 on ebay if presented well.
Great color and a good size too.
I could see just the frame/fork fetching north of $500 on ebay if presented well.
Great color and a good size too.
#18
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If your into Barny.
I'd be all over that frame with a can of Hunter Green paint.
I'd be all over that frame with a can of Hunter Green paint.
Or maybe you were joking, in which case...never mind.
Last edited by due ruote; 03-07-16 at 03:51 PM.
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Was the lilac colour offered only this one year?
In the years immediately prior to this the Competition seemed to be offered in british racing green and in black. In the years immediately following this they seemed to be black only.
Is this correct Raleigh experts? Thank you.
In the years immediately prior to this the Competition seemed to be offered in british racing green and in black. In the years immediately following this they seemed to be black only.
Is this correct Raleigh experts? Thank you.
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Hi,
This may have been a transition bike between model changes. I had a Competition in the same color and with the same decals from the early 70s, but it had a band on the seat tube and the head tube that were painted a darker violet color. It came with a Stronglight crankset, Huret derailleurs/shifters, sew-ups, Brooks seat (which I still have)and Weinmann center-pulls.
This was my first quality bike and as I remember it was a great ride when compared to the Schwinns I had been riding.
Enjoy!
This may have been a transition bike between model changes. I had a Competition in the same color and with the same decals from the early 70s, but it had a band on the seat tube and the head tube that were painted a darker violet color. It came with a Stronglight crankset, Huret derailleurs/shifters, sew-ups, Brooks seat (which I still have)and Weinmann center-pulls.
This was my first quality bike and as I remember it was a great ride when compared to the Schwinns I had been riding.
Enjoy!
__________________
Remember: Real bikes have pedals.
...and never put a yellow tail on a Red, White and Blue kite!
Remember: Real bikes have pedals.
...and never put a yellow tail on a Red, White and Blue kite!
#21
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I have to agree with others... I love the color!
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Hi,
This may have been a transition bike between model changes. I had a Competition in the same color and with the same decals from the early 70s, but it had a band on the seat tube and the head tube that were painted a darker violet color. It came with a Stronglight crankset, Huret derailleurs/shifters, sew-ups, Brooks seat (which I still have)and Weinmann center-pulls.
This was my first quality bike and as I remember it was a great ride when compared to the Schwinns I had been riding.
Enjoy!
This may have been a transition bike between model changes. I had a Competition in the same color and with the same decals from the early 70s, but it had a band on the seat tube and the head tube that were painted a darker violet color. It came with a Stronglight crankset, Huret derailleurs/shifters, sew-ups, Brooks seat (which I still have)and Weinmann center-pulls.
This was my first quality bike and as I remember it was a great ride when compared to the Schwinns I had been riding.
Enjoy!
#24
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Now, that is interesting. I wonder if the loose headset had something to do with the lack of brinelling.
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It's a gem.
I bought one of these new in about 1971 with a 24.5" frame. It had the same wheelbase as a friends Frijas (I have NO idea how to spell it.) but the crank was further forward with with less headset angle and straighter forks. The toe clips hit the front tire but it felt like it jumped around corners. The frame cracked where the rear stay met the seat tube. It was under warranty so I got a new frame. It was black, which was a little disappointing, but it had different geometry so it wasn't fun to ride - broke my heart. If I'd known beforehand I'd have just paid to have my old frame fixed.
I really miss this bike - I've been looking for another, but no luck so far, except for a 22.5" frame. This should be fun ride.
This was my only transportation for a few years.Since sew-ups were expensive and hard to fix (I'm no seamstress). I put a high ptressure clincher on the back but kept the sew-up on the front. They're light and sound so nice.
I may have found a frame (stripped but it has the same color paint inside the down tube). I could get forks made, but I don't know the rake. If you can measure it and reply I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks
I really miss this bike - I've been looking for another, but no luck so far, except for a 22.5" frame. This should be fun ride.
This was my only transportation for a few years.Since sew-ups were expensive and hard to fix (I'm no seamstress). I put a high ptressure clincher on the back but kept the sew-up on the front. They're light and sound so nice.
I may have found a frame (stripped but it has the same color paint inside the down tube). I could get forks made, but I don't know the rake. If you can measure it and reply I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks