10 Reasons Why I Like Early 1970's Raleigh Grand Prix
08-12-22, 09:22 PM
#26
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Reason #13
Spindly seat stays
Spindly seat stays
08-12-22, 11:06 PM
#27
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Originally Posted by branko_76
I wonder if that is due to the spindly seat stays? The Super Course of the same era has much beefier seat stays, although the overall frame geometry of the two are almost identical.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed mine tremendously while I had it. It replaced a ROLLS that was just too small for me. In turn, my GP was replaced by the Bob Jackson, which I still ride to this day.
Last edited by Bad Lag; 08-14-22 at 10:24 AM.
08-13-22, 06:48 AM
#28
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Gazelle built Grand Prix. Cyclo-cross tubulars, Simple chaingaurd, and Planet Bike fenders.
Last edited by big chainring; 08-13-22 at 06:57 AM. Reason: Duplicate
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08-13-22, 06:55 AM
#29
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Gazelle built Grand Prix. Cyclo-cross tubulars, Simplex chainguard, and Planet Bike fenders.
08-13-22, 07:32 AM
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Originally Posted by Bad Lag
I always felt it was the bottom bracket area that was killing me. I replaced every single thing on that bike with some of the best gear available, nothing could appreciably change the frame's characteristics.
08-13-22, 03:58 PM
#31
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Originally Posted by branko_76
How would changing components affect how a frame handles?
I did everything I could to make the BIKE a better rider. It was my hobby. I even painted it.
Each purchase was under approximately $30, so small, manageable amounts for a poor kid. Swapping the wheels was far and away the biggest improvement - tubulars instead of heavy old clinchers. I was too poor to sustain the use of tubulars on the crappy, littered streets.
When, ultimately, I realized it was the frame, it still took years to commit to buying a new frame and getting the money. All those components were stripped from the GP and used to build up the Bob Jackson.
The new frame was a revelation.
I still have a lot of those components, too - first gen Dura Ace hubs and brakes, etc.
Last edited by Bad Lag; 08-14-22 at 10:23 AM.
08-13-22, 11:06 PM
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I have a green one from 1971 that I never built up . It was made in Holland. I thought it would make a good cruiser but just not motivated to build it……..yet.
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08-15-22, 05:10 AM
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Originally Posted by repechage
That Green GP changes components like my wife selects shoes
This was almost all original equipment until I received it from my friend. We both graduated from high school in 74 from the same school and neither of us knew the other.
That 105 setup really worked well in Lancaster County, PA. I have another bike that has filled the SS niche. I would like to get another Nitto Dynamic II 90mm for this bike.
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08-18-22, 09:16 PM
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It's strange that most Grand Prix's I see have down tube shifters. Mine has stem mounted shifters.
It might be this model?
It might be this model?
08-19-22, 07:52 AM
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Originally Posted by Desert Ryder
It's strange that most Grand Prix's I see have down tube shifters. Mine has stem mounted shifters.
It might be this model?
It might be this model?
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08-20-22, 02:04 AM
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I like looking at them - especially the silver and blue version - because they remind me of my freshman year in HS. I rode my Schwinn Traveler III and locked it in the bicycle enclosure along with at least three silver and blue GPs. Well, I did until some cretin stole that same Schwinn near the end of the school year 
DD
DD
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08-20-22, 09:13 PM
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Originally Posted by branko_76
The catalog page shows a late 70's "Made in England" model, yours looks to be an early 80's "Made in Japan" model
08-20-22, 09:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Desert Ryder
Any confirmation that Japan built Raleighs were built by Bridgestone?
08-20-22, 09:41 PM
#40
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You use the word "like" in a way that is unfamiliar to me.
I was a shop mechanic from 1978 through 1984. I worked on many of these bikes. The cranksets and headsets were pretty annoying. The headsets were hard to adjust, but I guess I'll admit that they were durable: they'd start out lousy and wouldn't get any lousier.
About three years ago, I was volunteering at Mechanical Gardens, a bike coop in Brooklyn. I fixed up this Record to get ready for sale. It took a lot of work, but the end result was very functional. I even took it for a test ride, and that was pleasant except for the horrific traffic and the fact that the bike is so big for me. Pictures here
I was a shop mechanic from 1978 through 1984. I worked on many of these bikes. The cranksets and headsets were pretty annoying. The headsets were hard to adjust, but I guess I'll admit that they were durable: they'd start out lousy and wouldn't get any lousier.
About three years ago, I was volunteering at Mechanical Gardens, a bike coop in Brooklyn. I fixed up this Record to get ready for sale. It took a lot of work, but the end result was very functional. I even took it for a test ride, and that was pleasant except for the horrific traffic and the fact that the bike is so big for me. Pictures here
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11-05-22, 08:02 PM
#41
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Raleigh Grand Prix model with the wrap around seat stay was manufactured in Canada until 1983. During 1983 the frame design changed. The earliest Raleigh Canada Grand Prix that I have seen is from 1977.
There was another Raleigh Canada model at this time called the Criterium. The frame looks essentially the same as the Grand Prix except it does not have brazed on cable stops and sometimes came equipped with Shimano 600.
The Raleigh Grand Prix model with the wrap around seat stay also have Worksop, Nottingham, and Gazelle serial numbers. I do not know if this model was manufactured in Ireland or South Africa. I have seen a Raleigh Grand Prix labelled as assembled in the USA and the frame made in Nottingham.
The look of the Grand Prix from each factory is about the same. I think the tubing used was also close to the same. Has anyone compared Grand Prixs from different factories? Was the frame manufacture quality the same?
TI Raleigh (USA) inc. had some frames made in Japan by Matsush¡ta/National.
I have never seen a Raleigh Grand Prix model from Japan. Does anyone have pictures of one?
I have seen a Raleigh Super Grand Prix model from Japan.
When Huffy licensed the Raleigh name there was a Raleigh Grand Prix model with the frame from Taiwan.
There was another Raleigh Canada model at this time called the Criterium. The frame looks essentially the same as the Grand Prix except it does not have brazed on cable stops and sometimes came equipped with Shimano 600.
The Raleigh Grand Prix model with the wrap around seat stay also have Worksop, Nottingham, and Gazelle serial numbers. I do not know if this model was manufactured in Ireland or South Africa. I have seen a Raleigh Grand Prix labelled as assembled in the USA and the frame made in Nottingham.
The look of the Grand Prix from each factory is about the same. I think the tubing used was also close to the same. Has anyone compared Grand Prixs from different factories? Was the frame manufacture quality the same?
TI Raleigh (USA) inc. had some frames made in Japan by Matsush¡ta/National.
I have never seen a Raleigh Grand Prix model from Japan. Does anyone have pictures of one?
I have seen a Raleigh Super Grand Prix model from Japan.
When Huffy licensed the Raleigh name there was a Raleigh Grand Prix model with the frame from Taiwan.
11-05-22, 08:16 PM
#42
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Originally Posted by beicster
And that red is perfect. Just absolutely perfect.
11-05-22, 08:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Hummer
The look of the Grand Prix from each factory is about the same. I think the tubing used was also close to the same. Has anyone compared Grand Prixs from different factories? Was the frame manufacture quality the same?
I have never seen a Raleigh Grand Prix model from Japan. Does anyone have pictures of one?
.
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11-06-22, 12:38 PM
#44
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Originally Posted by Desert Ryder
Sure. Made in Japan
11-08-22, 11:17 AM
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Originally Posted by Hummer
Wow. Thanks, that is great. Does not look like a Grand Prix from Raleigh Canada. No wrap around seat stays.
