10 Reasons Why I Like Early 1970's Raleigh Grand Prix
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: The Urban Shores Of Michigami
Posts: 1,709
Bikes: ........................................ .....Holdsworth "Special"..... .......Falcon "Special".......... .........Miyata 912........... ........................................
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 687 Post(s)
Liked 637 Times
in
397 Posts
10 Reasons Why I Like Early 1970's Raleigh Grand Prix
1) they have hard to service cottered cranks
2) headsets are difficult to adjust
3) frames are never aligned at the factory
4) bearing grease is dried up
5) they have chrome steel rims
6) aluminum components are not anodized
7) spokes are plated steel
8) frame tubes are heavy low carbon steel
9) bb & fork threading is non-standard
10) they are usually over-priced
I've owned and restored about a dozen GP's over the years. They are not highly regarded but are fun to work on simply because of the flaws mentioned above. I have taken liberties with them that I would not have done with nicer bikes. I once crushed a GP head tube by trying to reinstall the headset cups with a home-made press. As a result of my experimentation, I have become a fairly proficient amateur bike mechanic. I find a great deal of satisfaction taking a neglected GP which was never great to begin with and turning it into a lighter, better riding and easier to service bicycle.
2) headsets are difficult to adjust
3) frames are never aligned at the factory
4) bearing grease is dried up
5) they have chrome steel rims
6) aluminum components are not anodized
7) spokes are plated steel
8) frame tubes are heavy low carbon steel
9) bb & fork threading is non-standard
10) they are usually over-priced
I've owned and restored about a dozen GP's over the years. They are not highly regarded but are fun to work on simply because of the flaws mentioned above. I have taken liberties with them that I would not have done with nicer bikes. I once crushed a GP head tube by trying to reinstall the headset cups with a home-made press. As a result of my experimentation, I have become a fairly proficient amateur bike mechanic. I find a great deal of satisfaction taking a neglected GP which was never great to begin with and turning it into a lighter, better riding and easier to service bicycle.

Likes For branko_76:
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 23,230
Mentioned: 631 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4706 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2,978 Times
in
1,844 Posts
You have forgot to mention how every one was/is a suprise, due to the highly variable workmanship and poor quality control. Of course, the same can be said of many European brands from this era.
Likes For T-Mar:
#3
Happy With My Bike
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 1,391
Bikes: Hi-Ten bike boomers, a Trek Domane and some projects
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 526 Post(s)
Liked 1,293 Times
in
640 Posts
A lot of bikes I think fall into that category and I too enjoy them. In my area it is unlikely I will ever come across a hand built, high end bike. And I don't know that having an expensive bike is important enough to me to pursue one on eBay or other means. But I sure get a kick out of preserving my old boomers.
__________________
"It is the unknown around the corner that turns my wheels." -- Heinz Stücke
"It is the unknown around the corner that turns my wheels." -- Heinz Stücke
#4
ambulatory senior
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Peoria Il
Posts: 5,270
Bikes: Bob Jackson World Tour, Falcon and lots of other bikes.
Mentioned: 66 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1609 Post(s)
Liked 2,194 Times
in
1,081 Posts
I love old gas pipe too. It's generally free or close to it and I have friends who need bikes. Also those frames are tough stuff.
#5
Full Member
I commuted on a Grand Prix for several years, though I will admit to borrowing a pair of aluminum-rimmed wheels off another bike so there was at least a pretense of braking in the rain. It was a comfortable and trusty companion in its faded green glory and, thankfully, no-one else seemed to want it more than I did. I eventually loaned it to a neighbor who moved away without returning it so perhaps I should put it in the "stolen" category after all.
Likes For daka:
Likes For P!N20:
Likes For Desert Ryder:
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: The Urban Shores Of Michigami
Posts: 1,709
Bikes: ........................................ .....Holdsworth "Special"..... .......Falcon "Special".......... .........Miyata 912........... ........................................
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 687 Post(s)
Liked 637 Times
in
397 Posts
Likes For branko_76:
#10
Ride, Wrench, Swap, Race
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Northern California
Posts: 8,636
Bikes: Cheltenham-Pedersen racer, Boulder F/S Paris-Roubaix, Varsity racer, '52 Christophe, '62 Continental, '92 Merckx, '75 Limongi, '76 Presto, '72 Gitane SC, '71 Schwinn SS, etc.
Mentioned: 126 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1313 Post(s)
Liked 870 Times
in
614 Posts
The craftsmanship is actually decent-looking and with good alignment, but only on what I would say is most of them.
Many of them having nearly as bad craftsmanship and alignment as my two Grand Sports models from a year or two apart.
Honestly, I think that the Carlton production models had the more egregious faults than the G.P.'s..
Early Japanese examples are really nice while preserving much of the earlier aesthetic.
I think of the Grand Prix as a poorer man's/woman's Super Course, pleasant bikes all.
Refurbishing them, as long as the precious, hardened, original cotters are preserved (I use a torch to help ease them out), it should be smooth sailing going forward if the frame/fork alignment situation is playing nice.
Many of them having nearly as bad craftsmanship and alignment as my two Grand Sports models from a year or two apart.
Honestly, I think that the Carlton production models had the more egregious faults than the G.P.'s..
Early Japanese examples are really nice while preserving much of the earlier aesthetic.
I think of the Grand Prix as a poorer man's/woman's Super Course, pleasant bikes all.
Refurbishing them, as long as the precious, hardened, original cotters are preserved (I use a torch to help ease them out), it should be smooth sailing going forward if the frame/fork alignment situation is playing nice.
Last edited by dddd; 08-10-22 at 12:24 PM.
Likes For dddd:
Likes For beicster:
#12
Full Member
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 468
Bikes: 1967 Dawes Double Blue, 1982 Claud Butler Dalesman, 1982 Nishiki International upright bar conversion, 1983 Schwinn Paramount Elite, 1990s Specialized Hard Rock drop bar conversion, 2014 Brompton, maybe a couple more
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 137 Post(s)
Liked 280 Times
in
142 Posts
1976 Grand Prix.

No cotter pins, but I think still made in England.

No cotter pins, but I think still made in England.
Likes For albrt:
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 18,122
Mentioned: 121 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2656 Post(s)
Liked 1,690 Times
in
1,242 Posts
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 18,122
Mentioned: 121 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2656 Post(s)
Liked 1,690 Times
in
1,242 Posts
#15
Not lost wanderer.
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Kampong Cham, Cambodia but I have quite a few in Lancaster, PA
Posts: 3,135
Bikes: Bikes in USA; 73 Raleigh SuperCourse dingle speed, 72 Raleigh GranSport SS, 72 Geoffry Butler, 81 Centurion Pro-Tour, 82 Raleigh RRA.
Mentioned: 70 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 817 Post(s)
Liked 777 Times
in
423 Posts
I have a 74 Gazelle built Grand Prix, it is the bike that brought me here.

As given to me, almost original

After a few upgrades

Changed top 8 speed 105

Then now as a Single Speed.
I plan to take it back to a 105 8 speed when I get back to the states.

As given to me, almost original

After a few upgrades

Changed top 8 speed 105

Then now as a Single Speed.
I plan to take it back to a 105 8 speed when I get back to the states.
__________________
Cambodia bikes, 83 Gazelle Opafiets, A Klunker, Maxwell All-road, Bridgestone SRAM 2 speed, 2012 Fuji Stratos.
Cambodia bikes, 83 Gazelle Opafiets, A Klunker, Maxwell All-road, Bridgestone SRAM 2 speed, 2012 Fuji Stratos.
Likes For bwilli88:
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 23,230
Mentioned: 631 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4706 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2,978 Times
in
1,844 Posts

Likes For T-Mar:
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 23,230
Mentioned: 631 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4706 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2,978 Times
in
1,844 Posts
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Fredericksburg, Va
Posts: 9,047
Bikes: '73 Bottecchia Giro d'Italia, '83 Colnago Superissimo, '84 Trek 610, '84 Trek 760, '88 Pinarello Veneto, '88 De Rosa Pro, '89 Pinarello Montello, '94 Burley Duet, 97 Specialized RockHopper, 2010 Langster, Tern Link D8
Mentioned: 65 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1404 Post(s)
Liked 1,694 Times
in
864 Posts
My wife still has her 1973/4 GP. I have been trying to upgrade it with Simplex replacement and indexing. Nearly there. At least I have AL rims for it. Braking with the stock brakes is nearly non-existent. One of the reasons she won't ride it.
Raliegh_DSfront on Flickr
Updated with refinements needed.
P1050299 on Flickr

Updated with refinements needed.

__________________
Bikes don't stand alone. They are two tired.
Bikes don't stand alone. They are two tired.
Likes For SJX426:
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 18,122
Mentioned: 121 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2656 Post(s)
Liked 1,690 Times
in
1,242 Posts
chainrings often needed truing.
The Peugeots ( UO8 especially) came in that heavy plastic wrap- hard to cut off but the bikes assembled predictably. Almost all ended up being retrofitted with dual position brake levers.
raleighs were a blind date, sometimes good, sometimes horrid.
Likes For repechage:
#20
Senior Member
Reason #11 - Raleigh Grand Prix was really good for just getting a work out or building stamina. They are especially good for that in the hills and mountains.
They suck the life out of your legs, refusing to respond to inputs from the pedals. Instead, they deflect and deform, soaking up the input and dissipating it in their deflection.
If you want to climb or accelerate, you have to really work for it. So, yeah, they are really good for that, surpassed only by the Raleigh Record in that regard..
They suck the life out of your legs, refusing to respond to inputs from the pedals. Instead, they deflect and deform, soaking up the input and dissipating it in their deflection.
If you want to climb or accelerate, you have to really work for it. So, yeah, they are really good for that, surpassed only by the Raleigh Record in that regard..
Likes For Bad Lag:
#21
WGB
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Niagara Region
Posts: 4,842
Bikes: Panasonic PT-4500
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1517 Post(s)
Liked 1,509 Times
in
1,000 Posts
Reason 12. Positive comment. In Canada they grow on trees and are everywhere. They were made here as well as imported so they are often very cheap.
Likes For WGB:
Likes For Desert Ryder:
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 18,122
Mentioned: 121 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2656 Post(s)
Liked 1,690 Times
in
1,242 Posts
That Green GP changes components like my wife selects shoes
Likes For repechage:
#24
Full Member
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Glendora, CA
Posts: 202
Bikes: Merlin Extralight '94 & Cannondale Supersix '15
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 114 Post(s)
Liked 154 Times
in
88 Posts
My top-of-the-line '73 Raleigh Pro and '71 Gitane Super Corsa both exhibit workmanship flaws.
The Raleigh is straight, but they got lazy with the finish and final touches. Low mileage bike in my stable.
The Gitane rear dropouts do not align, but I cannot tell by riding it. Some blems in spots, but nothing to get excited about.
So both manufacturers got sloppy, even on their best framesets.
The Raleigh is straight, but they got lazy with the finish and final touches. Low mileage bike in my stable.
The Gitane rear dropouts do not align, but I cannot tell by riding it. Some blems in spots, but nothing to get excited about.
So both manufacturers got sloppy, even on their best framesets.
Likes For roadcrankr:
#25
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: The Urban Shores Of Michigami
Posts: 1,709
Bikes: ........................................ .....Holdsworth "Special"..... .......Falcon "Special".......... .........Miyata 912........... ........................................
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 687 Post(s)
Liked 637 Times
in
397 Posts
Reason #11 - Raleigh Grand Prix was really good for just getting a work out or building stamina. They are especially good for that in the hills and mountains.
They suck the life out of your legs, refusing to respond to inputs from the pedals. Instead, they deflect and deform, soaking up the input and dissipating it in their deflection.
If you want to climb or accelerate, you have to really work for it. So, yeah, they are really good for that, surpassed only by the Raleigh Record in that regard..
They suck the life out of your legs, refusing to respond to inputs from the pedals. Instead, they deflect and deform, soaking up the input and dissipating it in their deflection.
If you want to climb or accelerate, you have to really work for it. So, yeah, they are really good for that, surpassed only by the Raleigh Record in that regard..