I just came across this Raleigh on Ebay - item number 330306353504. Does anybody recognize it and understand it? My questions (I'm aslking the seller, too):

How big is the tire clearance?

How laid back is the geometry?

What kind of 531 is it?

Anybody used such a bike as a randonneur or century bike?

Thanks in advance,

Road Fan

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...unknownQQfviZ1

Looks like a road bike geometry, there isn't a massive amount of clearance between the rear tire and the seat tube, nor the fork and tire. I wish someone would give lessons on how to take pictures of a bike for ebay listings...

Aaron

Yep, it's an american raleigh. Road racing geometry. Should be std. 531 DB. I shouldn't think it would make a great touring bike. Who knows though? It's been done.

The American Raleighs that I have seen were made in Kent Washington. This one states it was made in England.

A Raleigh USA made in England?! That's an odd one. Tight clearances and skinny tires, no eyelets for fenders or racks, go-fast geometry. A fine bike, but not ideal for longer rides.

Neal

Headbadge says Nottingham, so with the foil "Made in England" sticker above BB, I think it's safe to say that the frame is English-built; either 531C or 531P. Looks like late 80s french componentry (Maillard 700 hubs post-foil-decal, looks like Idéale saddle). I've never seen one like that, so it may be a custom build.

My little 1985 pricelist from Michael's Cyclery in Ames IA (home of the Raleigh USA team for years) has a new "Raleigh USA" Raleigh Team frame either 531C or 531P in red/black for $400; which was not as expensive as their new "Raleigh Team Pro" red/yellow/black frame built of 753 at $595, but more expensive than the "Raleigh 531 frame" Professional (also red/yellow/black at $350. The latter two are listed as having Campagnolo dropouts -- don't know about the Raleigh USA, but cudak888 might.

The pricelist has some geometry information for various frames, but not for any of the Raleigh Pros in 753/531. The Raleigh USA 555RSL description (a frame directly above the 531C/531P, but costing only $265, also red/black) does say that it has Campy dropouts, and that the frame is "Made in England for Raleigh Cycle Co. of America." That frame's geometry is listed: for 54 cm frame 73.5 HT, 74 DT, WB 995, chainstays 420.

I can send anyone a PDF scan of the pricelist/catalog who's inerested; just email me.

I have a 57 cm Raleigh frame from them that's English-built (neither Raleigh USA) 531C with Gipiemme dropouts, 74/74 tube angles; bought from that catalog (only $225). I like the ride a lot, but I'd never think of it as a distance bike -- "comfy" is not one of the adjectives that would be appropriate, though neither would "uncomfortable." My bike has about 357 mm from axles to brake mounting holes, both front and rear. The catalog blurb says 357 front, 362 rear, but I know that brake shoes on both front and rear Campy SR short reach (42-52) calipers are just about centered in the arm slots. It would have to be a great fitting job that got fenders on this bike, IMO.

All this potayto/potahto Raleigh USA built in England/Japan with 753/531/555RSL/555 tubing was gone over in some detail awhile back. There certainly were Raleigh USA bikes built in England, and they were high-quality ones. Even my lowly $225 frame has great workmanship, windowed lugs, and it's held up very well under me. But I wouldn't buy it looking to do brevets on it.

Actually I would like to get a scan of that.

I have a 753 model (frame only) that looks almost identical to the ebay bike, mine was built in Ilkeston and has an SB number on the BB.

satbuilder at yahoo dot com

thanks.

Charles, thanks a lot for all that good info! Based on it and other comments, I think I'm going to pass on bidding this bike. I've been looking for a nice 54 cm with wheel clearances for fenders and 700x28 tires. This probably isn't it.

I've already got a few racy-type bikes (in 52 cm), I want to try a bigger frame with clearances.

In particular, I think I need 54 cm c-c, 73 degree seat tube, and 44 cm chainstays, and TT 53 to 54.5 cm. I also want a head tube around 14 cm to get my handlebars up without exotic stemmery.

OK, I'll send you the PDF. My Raleigh has a W serial, and was constructed in '84. I know that Worksop factory had closed by then, but I don't know which factory it would have come from.

that stems gonna crack if you ride it

I have a similar one in 531, red with maroon. Headbadge and toptube says Raleigh USA, but there is a sticker that says Made in England. I imagine after the rights were sold in the US, but before production began, England provided bikes so the US had something to sell.

Mine is pretty race designed, nice riding bike actually; was my main rider for a few years... no reason you can't ride it all day though.

I was told mine was 1984 when I bought the frame, and though I built it Campagnolo except the headset (steerer tube cut too short), it was speced for Japanese componets.

Actually, is that Raleigh pdf posted online anywhere?

In the first year Raleigh of America bought a range of frames from England. I also have a 753 team that is an SB bike, just like this one except in material. I believe that this was what they called a Team Replica? Not appropriate for touring or commuting, unless you plan on riding hard and fast to and from work. The stickers are from the Raleigh of America line.

It is pretty much a focused racing frame.

Luker, what year Raleigh do you think it is?

I'd like a scan of that too. I didn't know there was a continuing relationship...how long did it last? Was that pretty chrome and flamboyant blue Prestige an English bike?

Not that I know of; I don't have web hosting anywhere, just a Flickr account, and I don't think that I can upload a multi-page PDF there. Send me an email and I'll be glad to oblige. If Jon Fischer wanted it for VeloBase, I'd put it up there. I've been meaning to put all the pages of the Falcon and Simplex catalogs there together in PDF, but I only have the full version of Acrobat at work, and I've been too busy.

Which bike was that?

It is up to $362.77 with only a couple hours to go. Anyone here in the running?

I think that this bike is a 1984. The blue prestige is a few years newer, and was about the last before the American line was swallowed up in the Technium process. I think the one that I used to lust after was dressed in Superbe.

I see it sold for $368.63. I didn't bid.