Afraid to ask
 

I am searching for a vintage Men's Raleigh in mint condition with no luck. I am seeing an interesting pattern in that there are a fair amount of Ladies bikes available in whatever model you want. (showroom condition) Seems many an anniversary or birthday gift was given with no thought to the fact the wife was not interested in cycling. Thus, you have a mint classic bike but in a ladies version.

So,

Do any of you chaps tour around on vintage Ladies bikes?

Airwick
www.agape.crazyguyonabike.com

I'm not ashamed to admit it..I have several nice Schwinn Women's 3 speeds that I tend to ride more than the little lady does. Sometimes she grabs one of mine and I snag one of her bikes for a coffee run.
If it's a bike with a smooth feel that coasts forever, I'll jump on it:D

I'm also often jealous of her 1969 Crescent... I hop on that sucker every chance I get! As you say, there's no way I could ever find a mint condition '69 Swedish bike for myself in a Men's frame... not for a good price anyways...

Also, I think that many of the fella's on this site can appreciate the nice feel that certain Mixte's have.. I say if you can fit comfortably on it, take it for a spin! But then, I'm a bike wh*re:roflmao:

Repeat after me: it's not a ladies frame, it's a STEP-THROUGH. It makes it easier to mount and dismount a bicycle. What's so embarrassing about that? It's intelligent! ;)

Gentlemen, you've convinced me with your wisdom. You are scholars. If I get beaten up as we ride through Texas you will hear from my attorney.

Airwick :rolleyes:

Hank, already covering for you here on the forum since I recieved your email this evening. Just posted in the For Trade and Want To Buy sections.

With luck, I might be able to rustle up that Coffee Superbe you are looking for (or as a substitute, a Sports outfitted as a Superbe).

Keep your fingers crossed!

Take care,

-Kurt

P.S.: They don't all come mint. My '74 Sports (same bike as my C-list photos you have there), came with an incorrect Shimano 333 rear hub & Chinese rim, a wrecked Brooks saddle, and a very poor condition rear fender minus reflector.

Oh, and a basket jerryrigged up front that had claimed the Heron bracket, and had nessesitated the installation of a wider front axle that hampered the installation of the correct Raleigh "R" nuts.

Took me 4 months to track down a nice replacement rear fender, the Brooks vinyl saddle came off my '80, a local fellow had a mint '75-dated SA hub with matching Westrick rim, and finally, I dug up a rear reflector for it. Also was able to dig up an NOS Heron bracket, and some whittling of the axle got it down to proper length.

The end product is as you see in the photos. Minty minty minty - but it didn't look like that when I got it.

Repeat after me: It's not a skirt, it's a pair of one legged short pants.

I have to disagree. A mixte I think you have an argument, but the regular single downtube- that's for ladies. Wasn't that design developed to accomodate a dress?

[QUOTE=cudak888]
Hank, already covering for you here on the forum since I recieved your email this evening. Just posted in the For Trade and Want To Buy sections.

With luck, I might be able to rustle up that Coffee Superbe you are looking for (or as a substitute, a Sports outfitted as a Superbe).

Keep your fingers crossed!

Take care,

-Kurt
QUOTE]

Kurt,
You're the best, thank you. Short of talking you into selling me that beautiful bike of yours, this is the next best thing. :) I had already named her Emily, my Mother's name. She's really a beauty. I really appreciate you taking the time to help with the add -

I'd just like to say that I am now totally comfortable with the idea of the Ladies model. I'd prefer the Men's, of course, but I think the points of the earlier posts have a lot of merit. Important aspect is to come as close as I reasonably can to my Dad's bike.

Someone's opinion on towing a bob trailer on the vintage Raleigh?

Airwick

Well, that's the very question. Were those frames designed for women, or have they simply become associated as such? Step through frames were very common on work bicycles and tricycles. I'd like to know the history myself. My guess is that the design was not originally designed for women, but that's just speculation on my part.

At any rate, I was attempting a bit of humor. I don't have problems riding step through frames, but if you do as a man, it's a requirement to refer to them as step-throughs. :)

What I find interesting in the "discussion" on ladies frames, vs men's frames vs, mixte is in Europe they typically make 3 frame types. Men's, Ladies' and a very low step thru. I have no problem with riding the step thru, in fact I currently have two bikes with that desirable feature:D

Hank good luck on your search, if anyone can find a bike for you it will be Kurt.

Aaron:)

I remember a while back there was a "nearly NOS" Coffee Sports for $300 in NJ, somewhere very close to me. I'd bet it's still available at that asking price (not that you would want to pay it), unless the seller dropped the price.

EDIT: Found the link in the ebay/craigslist thread. Might be worth a try if you're interested:
http://search.bikelist.org/getmsg.as...10701.0532.eml

No problem at all. You'll find that us C&V'ers enjoy helping each other out just as much as we enjoy our machines.

Although I find it perfectly fine regardless which frame style you ride, I would empathetacally advocate the men's diamond frame for the extra frame stiffness. Considering the extent of riding you will be doing, you will need a more rigid frame to reduce the pedaling effort absorbed by the frame.

By all means, tow that trailer!

-Kurt

JYB,
I emailed him immediately this morning! Cross youir fingers, no word yet. I will go by whatever Kurt says once we have the bike's information. I love the fact that it is 1975 since I know that is +/- 1 year from my Dad's bike.

Speaking of, I realized something last night. Let me explain. My Dad's bike hasn't been seen by our family since circa 1988ish. He loaned it to his younger brother and never got it back. Uncle rode it around for about 7 years or so but apparently was hit by a car. (I never gave a flip about this Uncle at the time, or the bike for that matter - (please forgive me gentlemen, I've grown up now) My understanding is the bike was trashed and that is where the story ended until now. Which leads to my q,...

I am going by "memory" that it was a Superbe. I could swear I remember looking down and seeing Raleigh Superbe written near the pedal but I'm beginning to wonder. In all of this searching and realizing that the Superbe is the upgraded Sports I'm not so sure. The reason? I don't remember the hub generator. Not to say it wasn't there, I probably destroyed it as a kid riding Dad's bike if it was but I simply don't know.

This I do know. Mom would have bought it at one of the big department stores in town (Greenville, South Carolina) with her store card. So, it would have been bought at Belk's, Sears, JC Penny, or perhaps Mont Ward. Who carried Raleigh back in the day and might this be a clue? Anything else that might could jog my memory?

Thanks for the lead, I'll update as soon as I hear. You chaps are the best.

Airwick

So you want something like this, correct?

This one is a Raleigh LTD-3, I believe from the late 70's.

Standover Height is 32-1/2". Seat tube is about 22-1/2" center to center.

Here's one for $50:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/bik/267578414.html

the trick is finding them cheep, some shops around here have them in the window, I know where there is a mint coffee sports but they're asking 350.

I have a mens Raleigh record, says team raleigh on the top tube, its in fair condition and a ladies sorry step through sport in almost mint condition. I see what you mean about the bikes that are around

Airwick,
Just had a thought...:eek: :D try Mt Airy Cycles in Maryland. Look at the menu bar on the left side and run thru his bike listings. He has some very nice bikes and may have exactly what you are looking for. Some of his bikes are pricey but they appear to be worth it.

Aaron:)

^
Airwick, by all means, jump on this one!

It's a good price, and it looks like a well kept up machine. In fact, it looks like it might be owned by a BF'er (not a C&V'er), for I note the odd use of Weinmann 999 centerpull brake calipers on it. Odd that he doesn't know that it it's a 3-speed. Could have been sold by a C&V'er at one time, which would explain it.

Looks like it only needs a bit of work to get it original: Saddle, calipers, brake levers, grips, and chainguard. All easy enough to find - I should have some spare, original DARE grips, and the original brake calipers as well.

EDIT: Just realized that this thing has replacement aluminum rims on it. Heck, the wheelset is worth far more then $50. The aluminum rims aid braking considerably over the original steel rims, and if you intend to tour cross country on one of these Raleighs, I wouldn't do so without these aluminum rims.


^
Mt. Airy are a bunch of unhelpful snobs - at least, via email. Either go in person, or don't go at all - and if you do, expect to pay a good deal of money.

-Kurt

Kurt,
Sent email to San Fran and waiting for his response. (I offered more) You beat me to my q about Mt. Airy,... I took Aaron's advice, looked, and asked for estimate on numbers 1218 http://www.bike123.com/used_bikes/us...ew.php?ID=1218
and 1903 http://www.bike123.com/used_bikes/us...ew.php?ID=1903

No reply yet, was late in the day -You guys take a look, please, and give me your opinion? I know the one isn't a coffee but Aaron and I can tour around the Carolinas like the Bobbsey twins. :)

One of the bikes suggested on here I now have first right's to - The item to be worked out is shipping charges. As soon as I get the pictures and info I'll ask for your opinions if you don't mind.

Thanks again for all the help, everyone.

Still looking so if you know of another Raleigh, please let me know.

Airwick

Raleigh have a vintage trailer?

I live close by. If you can snag it I'll be happy to act as your agent.

BBM,
Thank you for the original lead and for the offer! Much appreciated and will take you up on that if he contacts me and it is still available. Anyone care to guess which model it is?

Airwick

Airwick,
The #1218 at Mt Airy cycles was quoted to me $300 back in October. I have never seen the bike so I have no clue as to it's conditon. I think you can probably do better than that via the board and Craig's List. Parts are not too hard to find. Especially with all the generous people around here.

Aaron:)

Unquestionably a Sports. Put a Dyno, a headlight, and a Pletcher or Prestube rear rack on it however, and you have a late '70s Superbe.

-Kurt

Me? NO!