PapaGanoosh

Was wondering if I could get some info on this particular Carlton Criterium. I'm not sure what year it is. Does anyone know info about the parts/worth of the bike?

randyjawa 

I have owned three or four of those old Carltons and found them to be nothing more than mediocre in design and ride quality. That sounds pertty negative, but is not intended to. Remember, I compare every bike I get to all those that I have owned, built and ridden previously. Most of my rides are top of the line doggies and comparing them to the Carlton presented is a bit unfair.

The bike, regardless or market area, is worth between $125.00 and $225.00, depending on condition. It will weigh about 26 pounds, as pictured, and offer a stable reasonably agile ride quality. If you are looking for a competition machine, the Carlton is not it. The bike presented does look to be in good shape and probably of late seventies or early eighties vintage.

You can easily figure out how old the bicycle is by reviewing the information contained in How Old Is My Bicycle?, paying closest attention to Component Numbers.

I hope this is a help and good luck with the bicycle.

PapaGanoosh

Thanks Randy, very informative post. Do you have any idea what parts come stock on these bikes? Would this be a better bet than say a nishiki or miyata 310 as a first bike?

randyjawa 

I am, without a doubt, a Miyata fan. Incredibly well made bikes, as a rule. I have owned a 110, 210, 310, 712 and even a 1000 Grand Touring. The Miyata is twice the bike that the Carlton is, in my opinion.

As I recall, the transmission is Suntour AR or ARX, the brakes are Weinmann, the crank ? I do have sets of pictures of the Carlton Criteriums that I have owned, but I am at my summer cottage right now and the pics are in the city, on my desktop.

Anyway, hope this is a bit of help.

bertinjim 

PapaGanoosh- The bike looks to be all original. The crankset is a Raleigh generic, maybe SR? The remaining parts look OEM except the saddle. This is prpbably a Worksop built bike. Check the serial. A W usually indicates post 1973 Worksop production. More details here.

PapaGanoosh

Being a Worksop built bike, is that supposed to add some credibility in terms of worksmanship/quality?

bertinjim 

PapaGanoosh- Worksop produced some outstanding bikes and a fair share of junk. This was the start of the good level of stuff. Eventually, Raleigh shut the factory and move production to Nottingham. Those were (some) decent bikes but not really Carltons.

-holiday76

carlton made some very nice high end bikes, especially before 1970. This is not one of them. I believe the Criterium is the lowest level from the early mid 70's. the frame is worth maybe $50 in my market.

Rovie

randy i am 67 and my wife and i purchased two matching made in canada carltons today for our motor home both in very good working condition i understand from your forums which i read that it may be made in vancouver now what is the model value before i make any investments in restoring them both thanks in advance 21 speed bikes 3 left 7 right shift twist grip next to hand brakes

Anyway, hope this is a bit of help.[/QUOTE]

zukahn1 

As for parts these had a Raliegh branded SR Apex crank and Raliegh branded Suntour VX's yours appears to have had the RD changed which hurst value a bit. Nice examples of these Ralieghs from the late 70's with all the Raliegh branded stuff go for $175-300. Since yours does not have a acomplete group and some condition issues $100-125 as picitured.

As for a first bike a similar Nishiki or Miyata 310 would be comparable for me it would come down to size fit and condition more than brand name on bikes of this level from the 70's early 80's than brand.

randyjawa 

OK, I am in the city now and have access to my desk top computer. Here are some pictures of one of the Criteriums that have come my way....





I apologize for the poor picture quality and for the few that I have. I wish I had taken more pics but I didn't. I do, however, know where there is another one in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Anglian

My "refreshed" 79 Crit....Worksop built, purchased in November 13 and worked on for a few weeks! I'm in England, this was the last bike I had brand new as a teenager so over thirty years later when this came up I just had to have it!

TugaDude

Very nice Anglian. Mine is set up very similar to yours except I put moustache bars on mine. Mine is also 7 speed with Mavic wheels, put on by the previous owner.

Not the greatest pic, but you get the idea.

TugaDude

Anyone know why my pics are flipping all of a sudden?

Anglian

Being ridden on the "Essex Explorer" ride June 2014

Wildwood 

Bump.

Here’s another Carlton Competition from Jul1979 - Worksop. A lesser frameset with rd claw, stamped dropouts.

This one a fine specimen with only a few rides and always stored indoors.
——————————-
Please - your market value price estimates appreciated.

All original except tires.

25” X 22.5”

Shorty fenders

Carlton headbadge