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Good vintage project?
Hey all, I was kicking around the idea of buying a steel road bike - maybe from the 80's or 90's for a project. I'd like something that would still ride well, that I could use on a regular basis. I go on training rides over a lot of chip seal, and it beats the crap out of me on my all aluminum bike. I really envy this one guy I ride with that has a 80's Pinny. :) I saw a Raleigh 80's grand prix w/555sl tubing - are those worth looking at?
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555 tubing I believe is pretty simular to the 501 from Reynolds. Here's what another C&V regular had to say about it in another thread:
Originally Posted by T-Mar
I always assumed that Raleigh 555 was re-badged Reynolds 501, based on the following:
1. During the mid-80s when this tubing was used, Raleigh was still owned by Tube Investments, the manufacturer of Reynolds tubing. 2. As Lofter points out, Raleigh USA was still marketing Reynolds 753 and 531 frames along with Raleigh 555, so Raleigh 555 would not have been either of those two tubesets and would presumibly have been a less expensive tubeset, which was Reynolds 501's position in the Reynolds line-up. 3. Raleigh 555 was a chromium-molybdenum tubeset. Reynolds only chromium-molybdenum tubeset at time was Reynolds 531. 4. Raleigh 555 was unique to the US market. At the time Raleigh USA was using 555 tubests, Raleigh bicycles in other markets were being marketed with Reynolds 501. 5. The Raleigh 555 decal is remarkably similar to a Reynolds decal. If for some reason, Raleigh USA was using non-Reynolds tubing, I seriously doubt that Tubing Investments would have permitted the use of a decal design that consumers would associate with Reynolds tubesets. 6. There was a lighter version of both the Raleigh and Reynolds tubests, called 555SL and 501SL repectively. Basically, Reynolds 501 was a seamed, butted tubeset intended for mid-range, sports bicycles. It was about 0.5 lbs (225 g) heavier than a Reynolds 531 tubset and about 0.9 lbs (425 g) heavier than the top of the line Reynolds 753. However, the 501SL tubeset gave away little weight advantage to 531, being only 0.16 lb (75g) heavier. Comparable seamed, butted tubesets from other manufacturers would have been Columbus Cromor, Ishiwata EXO-M and Tange Infinity. One little hint though, if you don't mind the shipping and taking the time to find some contacts, there are a lot more good steel frames in Europe than there is in the US, and thus their costs and demand are much lower. Just have to balance that with the cost of shipping. |
Thanks - although I'm still not clear from a couple of his points if its 501, 501sl, or 531 tubing. :) Point #3 was an example - seems like there he's saying its Reynolds 531 tubing. The bike in question is super clean though. Remarkably clean for a bike of that vintage actually. Looks like someone bought it and rode it a couple of times when Lemond was doing his thing, then stored it in a garage somewhere.
There's also that old Moto at the pawn shop near me with 531 tubing and Nuevo Record. Might be able to score it for about $200 but it needs a little work. Wheels need to be trued, needs new cabling of course, and new tires at the very least (which are tubbies and are going to be expensive). Thats all typical of course. Just wonder because of that how much else would need tweaking. Oh well, I guess that's why they call them "projects" right? ;) |
555SL is somewhat lighter then 501, and is just a bit heavier then 531.
Personally, I'll grab for a 555SL machine just as soon as I'd grab a 531 machine. In my book, they're equal enough - less then a pound difference between the two won't hurt matters much. P.S.: I own two 555SL machines ('84 Competition, '85 Super Course) and enjoy them both. My favorite is my '86 Grand Prix though. It's 531 main-frame tubing though, according to the label - they made the switch in '86. I believe the rest is Tange, same as the 555SL machines. Take care, -Kurt |
Originally Posted by ravenmore
Thanks - although I'm still not clear from a couple of his points if its 501, 501sl, or 531 tubing. :) Point #3 was an example - seems like there he's saying its Reynolds 531 tubing.
-Kurt |
Originally Posted by cudak888
That was a mistake on T-Mar's part on point #3. He meant to say 501 was their Cro-mo tubeset. 531 is maganese-molybdenum.
-Kurt and cudak888, you'd buy just about any raleigh you could get your hands on, and you know it. :p Not that is a bad thing in any way. With unlimited storage space, I'd certainly have a couple in my collection too. |
Originally Posted by ravenmore
...There's also that old Moto at the pawn shop near me with 531 tubing and Nuevo Record. Might be able to score it for about $200 but it needs a little work....
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If I see a bike with any kind of record and 531 tubing for 200 bucks I buy it without even having to think, it's like before my mind registers I'm handing over the money.
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Don't overlook a mixed tubeset frame with a Columbus or Reynolds 531 double butted main triangle (see my signature -- both the PKN-10 and the Bianchi fall into this category). These tend to be much more affordable than their thoroughbred cousins (PX-10, Specialissima, etc.), but the difference in responsiveness and ride quality is negligible.
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Went back to get the Moto and they had already sold it - doh! Oh well. I'm not too keen(swift on the uptake) on vintage stuff so I guess I didn't know what I was looking at and waited too long. My bad. ;)
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Lots more (candidates) to come down the pipe Raven :)
Cuda2k, it was a picture I seen of a Gazelle I think ;) |
There's another thread of a guy who just picked up a Trek 600 for $150.
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T-Mar helped me out on a question about Raleigh 555 just last week.
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Originally Posted by cuda2k
and cudak888, you'd buy just about any raleigh you could get your hands on
Originally Posted by cuda2k
and you know it.
;) -Kurt |
I can recommend the Bianchi Trofeo for a good frame candidate. Double butted Dedacciai steel and the Down tube is ovalized for additional stiffness where it meets the bottom bracket. I picked one up for cheap at a swap meet & built it up into a nice ride. Don
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