Raleigh Parliament
 

I see a Raleigh Parliament for sale locally and it's a 10 speed. I reviewed these pages for similar and saw this post for $50

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...arliament.html.

the one described had "suntour shifters and derailleurs, weinmann brakes,messinger saddle, and had rigida wheels."

Does anyone know if these were standard fittings on these bikes or what the bike should have had? The one in the pictures looks like it has a couple of cool extras (like the quick releases) that would justify the money or maybe I could bargain a little,,,,,

Those parts could well be the originals. If not, they are good upgrades. Make sure the Rigida rims are aluminum, not steel! If the rims are alu, it would be a good buy.

Clarification
 

It was the one in the original post that had "suntour shifters and derailleurs, weinmann brakes,messinger saddle, and had rigida wheels." This one has no descriptors beyond "10 speed bike, gently used and very good condition; tires will need to be replaced".

I'm wondering if what was the standard set up for these Parliaments??

Clarification
 

It was the one in the original post that had "suntour shifters and derailleurs, weinmann brakes,messinger saddle, and had rigida wheels." This one has no descriptors beyond "10 speed bike, gently used and very good condition; tires will need to be replaced".

I'm wondering if what was the standard set up for these Parliaments??

The line "gently used and very good condition" suggests to me that it is most likely original, but as the Raleigh Parliament wasn't a high end model, most of the original components won't be very interesting or useful. Unless you run a museum, of course.

For me, the only relevant question would be: is it a nice frame, in a size I can use? If so, it would be worth something to me. Lower end frames can actually make very nice bikes with the right components.

Parts not bike
 

I caught the part about "gently used and very good condition" which if true would mean less aggravation.

I'm building a winter bike and was going to use a Raleigh Challenger frame and add in the parts from this bike. I'm 6'2 and can't ride this bike as is.

Having said that I'd keep the parts that needed saving (possibly the rims and quick releases). I have most parts needed to put a winter bike together already so I'd put aside the better parts between the two sets but figured any low end stuff that was rough could be donor parts. I'd drop off the frame at the Co-op.

just wanted to be sure i wasn't destroying a good bike

They salt the roads around here so a winter rider is going to die sooner than later and $50 won't break me.....

I don't know the market situation in your area, but it doesn't sound like the ideal parts bike to me, if all you're getting is "possibly the rims and quick releases". YMMV, though.

Clarification
 

non-fixie

Sorry, I mustn't have made myself plain.

I was considering the Parliament to use the parts towards building up a winter bike.

I have a Raleigh Challenger frame and I'd swap the majority of the parts from the Parliament to the Challenger. I'm asking about what the Parliament should have because it would save me a trip if I learn here that no, it doesn't normally have those good parts, that the one previously posted about on the Forums must have been built up and normally a Parliament wouldn't be worth the drive.

If it has suntour shifters and derailleurs, those are ok for a winter beater. I see a basic pair of pedals I can use as the Challenger frame still has cranks on it. I have a spare seat and seat post and a rough pair of bars.

I can't tell if the seat is okay and I have no idea what a "Messinger" seat is, let alone if the one in the picture is a Messinger and I'd never heard of Messinger until today so I have no idea if they are any good. There is something on the seat in the photo that might be a large tear (or it could be something sitting on the seat or behind it).

Assuming the levers, bars and stem are ok they should slip straight across to the Challenger, I say should because even I know that not every British bar is the same size.

I also meant I would save the rims and quick releases - meaning not use them on a winter bike as well as any other parts in great condition. I'm saying that because (not in my original post) I have an Armstrong frame and can't find parts so if it has a Rigida wheel set they and those quick releases, if they aren't period correct, they at least look period correct. Same goes with the brakes. If they are Weinmann they would either be period or maybe could pass for period on the Armstrong and so if they are nice levers, I'd save them.


WGB

WRK101

it's the one in the photo because it looks to be in good shape so hopefully parts will be good when/if i get there

WGB

Low end parts for sure, although low end Suntour dérailleurs still function well. Since you mentioned a co op, I’d head there first! Many co ops have piles of bikes they haven’t touched yet. I’ve had good luck buying some of those projects, often they are incomplete, one had a cracked steer tube, another had a stuck seatpost. But all had very good parts and all were cheap. I bought one once, let them keep the wheels, really cheap. I just wanted the leather saddle. Ended up using the headset, crankset and bottom bracket. Married it to a spare fork I have and it’s off to another co op.

In my experience, an active co op is going to have a backlog of stuff to work on. They appreciate the chance to sell something they haven’t touched particularly if it is going to take a lot of work and is missing stuff or is damaged. Can be a win win.

I visited one co op on vacation in May then again in September. They had some of the same stuff in the pile! Needless to say, they appreciated selling some of these bikes.

Try Co-op
 

WRK101

Local co-op has nothing close to this in price, at least not without a lot of work.

Messinger made quite a range of saddles, from cheap mattress-like construction models, to vinyl-covered shells, to quite nice leather ones, and a lot in between. You're probably going to have to look at a good picture or talk to the seller or see the bicycle in person to determine how nice it is,

Thank you to all!
 

I guess i will have to go see the bike in person. Might check out Co-op and see if there is a donor bike there first.