mike

First, let me say that I have WAY too many bicycles. Still, I can't pass up some of the things I see.

Today, I picked up a Raleigh (USA) Technium 440 road/touring bike for $20.00. The bike is an aluminum frame with Suntour components. I am not sure how much it weighs, but it is light. I am guessing it is from the 1980's?

I sure don't need another bike, but I am looking at the components. It has nearly new tires ($20), good ally rims ($35.00+), Nice crank and sprokets ($100+?), and all the other components add up to a good value at $20.00. Well, that is my justification for buying it, but I know that I won't part it out. The bike fits me.

Does anybody know anything about this bike?

unworthy1

I've never ridden one, but always assumed them to be real aluminum dogs...yet you find a fair number of folks who swear by their Techniums. So for a mere $20 you can find out if they're crazy or the rest of us are. I'd have bought it too for that price!

roccobike

I had one a couple of years ago and sold it for $65 on CL. I had over a dozen responses in 24 hours. I've since seen them on ebay, some going for $100. I don't know about parting it out, the parts on the one I had were not worth it, but as an assembled bike, it sold fast.
I've heard about the frame problems, but I think those that failed are gone and the ones that are left were made correctly, just my thoughts. I have a similiar construction on a Univega that my son rides. We've had no frame problems. I also had a Mangusta with that mixed aluminum/steel frame. It was a heavy ridden bike by the original owner and had no frame problems. I think you got a great deal, I'd flip it or ride it like I stole it. I like the color too.

mike

I am seeing that they went for about $650 new in 1989/1990, so the can't be all that bad.

As some of you mentioned, apparently, it is an aluminum frame with steel joints which sounds reasonable to me.

The parts - not Campy, of course, but not too bad either. All I can say is that it is in nearly new condition - even the tires have new skins on them. The bike fits. The wheels are true. I will replace the saddle and put some grip tape on. That is about all she needs.

Based on my rich experience, those old school alloy wheels won't last long with my 200+ lbs and the potholes we have here, but ah well....

Does anybody else have any other information or comments?

mike

top506

I rode with a gent on a Technium for a bit on a charity ride this spring, and latter helped him swap out from SunTour 6 speed to Shimano 7. He liked his just fine.
Top

Stacey

Sell it to me!!!!!

My Technium was stolen a few years back and that looks to be my size too 57-58cm, yes?

Bikedued

I had a Technium Olympian a while back, but sold it eventually because it was too small. Wish I had another one! The one I had was a bit newer I imagine with biopace rings and made in Washington state.,,,,BD

tcs

They built the Technium bikes for several years, in many flavors. I've got my eye out for one of the ones with 753 tubing.

TCS

T-Mar

The 440 was one of the original Technium models, introduced in 1986. Raleigh offered 3 Technium models that year, all with the same frame, but various components. The 440 was the lowest model, costing $250 US, Weight should be about 25 lbs, depending on the exact year/component mix and size.

The first 440/460/480 frames were designed for the avid sports/touring cyclist. Raleigh wanted a light and stiff but efficient and affordable frame. To achieve the weight and stiffness they went with an oversize aluminum main triangle. To keep cost down they used a steel rear triangle. So as not to make the size difference between the main tubes and stays aesthetically displeasing, they limited the main tubes to slightly oversize. Additionally to ensure light weight and resiliency, the main tubes were spec'd using heat treated 6013 aluminum which is thinner and higher strength than the standard 6061. However, this meant the tubes had to be bonded instead of welded. The rear triangle were maded in Japan and assembled to the main frames in the USA. Raleigh liked to claim that the resulting ride was comparable to "Reynolds 531 models, only more comfortable". This is open to argument.

Like most bicycles, some people loved the Techniums, while others did not. And we've all heard the stories of frame failures, though I personally do not have any first hand knowledge. One thing is certain, they were pioneers in hybrid construction and brought affordable aluminum to the masses. In many ways this bicycle was the forerunner of the aluminum/carbon fibre hybrid models that dominate the market to-day. It was the first truly afforadble aluminum (albeit hybrid) bicycle and was one of the trendsetting models that would ultimately lead to the demise of steel as the dominant frame material.

Stacey

Thanks for the lesson T-Mar.

Where did the Technium 420 fit into this mix? Earlier?

oldster

I have a technium "the chill" its alum frame and shimano deore xt,sis. it is an early "mtn" bike, no suspension, 6sp rear, triple front.I still ride it from time to time... mid 80's vintage
Bud

Sianelle 

That is one nice bike I would've bought it too at that price.

mike

WOW. T-Mar, thanks for the great detail!

crazyb

[QUOTE=T-Mar;5218749]

Additionally to ensure light weight and resiliency, the main tubes were spec'd using heat treated 6013 aluminum which is thinner and higher strength than the standard 6061.

I have two Techniums, a 440 and a Pre, and both are constructed from Alcoa 6061-T8 tubing.


440


Pre

Both are nice riding bikes on smooth pavement; a little harsh on chip seal type roads.

They came equipped with mid level Suntour and alloy rims, a very good buy at 20 bucks.

green814

Any thought's on this model,year or where it stood in the linup? I know the frame looks small, but the guy said he has 2 to choose from..



Suntour 3000 drivetrain, aero-comp brakes, 700c wheelset.

All the Techniums posted are some sharp looking bikes.

Chris

crazyb

Fom the color it looks like a late 80's Scott Tinley Tri Lite. Possibly a 1988 model.

T-Mar

[QUOTE=crazyb;5237210]Techniums came in many flavors. The original 1986 frames were 6013. Later versions used 6061. You'll also see Technium frames with 7005 and Easton E9 aluminum. And then there were Techniums with steel main frames using various tubesets. Technium was simply Raleigh's terminology for their bonded frames. Like all concepts, it was experimented with and evolved over time, but the original concept (and the first 1986 production frames) used 6013 alloy.

Dylansbob 

If you look back a couple of pages worth of posts, you'll see one of my posts about them. I cut my cycling teeth so to speak on a 480 during the '80s. I probably road 3-4000 miles over a two year span on mine (I did 50-80 miles a day because there was nothing better to do amidst the corn fields in summer, plus riding to school and a couple of organized centuries).

I just picked up a 450 for $12, that will be flipped for ~$100-120 this spring. Plus the other day I bought a Heat mtb (my first Technium mountain bike) for $15. It's too small for me, so I've swapped on a cheap riser bar and some slicks. I'll probably flip it this season for $60 or so.

I think the Technium line is a great example of mid-range bike that people in their 30-40s have fond memories of from their childhoods. Back far enough that Raleigh was a "name brand", but accessible to the masses. If I had the room for another bike, I'd seriously consider keeping the 450 for myself.

custermustache

1. For $20 you did well - I bought a Technium for $75 and turned it for $150 without doing anything more than driving it across town.

2. How much do you weigh that you are chewing up wheels? I started out at 250 and never had a single wheel problem, and I have ridden enough in 2 years to get down to 185.

RobbieTunes 

He did well, even in 2007 dollars.

Viperplayer5220

I've had my 400 for a while now, and I love it. I just finished upgrading it to RSX. Great ride.

67shelby

I have had a 440 for many years and have really enjoyed it! Although I never road more than 8 or nine miles a day, I'm sure its a good performer on long rides.
Its going on CL tonight as I'm too old, fat and busy to ride it any more.
Just put on the first set of replacement tires and tubes. Of course I wouldn't let it go for $20.00! Too nice a bike for that.

corkscrew

Aren't the technium forks steel as well?

Also, be sure to keep it housed. I remember a thread where several users reported the frame bonds coming undone when the bike was stored in areas of HOT/COLD temp swings. But then again, they were mostly in and around Wisconsin.

Decent bikes though. One of my lady friends regretabbly fixiefied hers. I overhauled a 1986 440 and sold it this summer for $160, so I'd say you scored. Had it been a bit larger I would have kept it, was hard to keep from stripping the suntour bits too.

marley mission

how many bikes mike? how many...
btw - i like the bike - 20 dolla no holla