ironchefchris

anyone know what this saddle might be or if it's an original? looks there was some sort of tag on it between those 2 rivets that was removed on the back...this is on my 76 Raleigh sports. I was thinking about replacing it, but it looks pretty cool and feels pretty good

nlerner

Brooks actually made mattress saddles like that for 3-speeds and such in the mid to late 70s.

Sedgemop 

OK, THAT'S a Raleigh Tourist I'd pay $425 for. Really nice.

Velocivixen

I hope to attend. Sounds like a lot of fun!

michaelz28

this is from the 76 sales brochure . the saddle looks the same . how is the leather on it ( quality ) . its kind of small but not a B72 for sure ...

michaelz28

this one sold on ebay for 299.00 79 shipping Vintage Mens Raleigh Sports 3 Speed Made in England Brooks Saddle | eBay

forestine

It looks like a quilted version of the saddle my Glider has. The busted logo ends look like mine (but I have the B and S still). I wonder if it's cushier.

gster

Thank you. It's the pride of my collection.

nlerner

And this one got no bids at $130 (perhaps because shipping was so high). Prices can be all over the map.

noglider 

The men will cluster around you like flies to fly paper.

Velocivixen

Do they still make fly paper?

Seriously, no. Highly doubtful.

noglider 

Did I just date myself? Well, I'm pretty sure they still do.

And you misunderestimate yourself, to paraphrase our previous president.

Salubrious

Hey y'all. I picked up a mid 70s Tourist cheap last night. Its in good condition and does not seem to need a lot of service. I got it because I wanted to find out what that relaxed geometry is all about. But one thing I don't get is the brakes. They have a reputation for not stopping in wet conditions. Dry they work fine.

What I want to know is why they did it this way on this model. Durability?? Seems unlikely... My guess is that is an old design that never got put to bed. Anyone know what's up with them? I'm just really curious. Its a tall gentlemanly ride... Even though its a tall frame I feel like the bars are too far back.

Velocivixen

You're teasing us without photos!

Narhay

Why does it seem Tourists are more sought after than Superbes...even though the Superbe cost more new?

Salubrious

I think its about that frame geometry. I have a friend who is really into them and that is what he likes about it.

teaboy

I find the same thing with the bars on most old bikes maybe we are the same same shape. I just fit a a new stem and riser the purists hate it but i love riding 3 speeds.Why be uncomfortable?

rhm

I assume by "Tourist" you mean something like a DL1 or roadster, with rod brakes etc, the design of which is over a century old. They are designed to withstand conditions that we'd consider third world. At that time time Bowden cables were a new invention not available everywhere. If you have a simple one-speed bike with rod brakes, you can perform just about any necessary repair with a crescent wrench.

The riding posture is a lot like standing up.

Salubrious

Yes DL-1- thanks for that explanation!

I have to admit there is a certain charm even though it does not seem that practical. The seat certainly is comfortable. How in the heck did Raleigh manage to keep such a design in production for so long?? 3rd world markets?

The way it is set up right now the seat looks further forward than I am normally used to. But given the relaxed geometry maybe that's right. Tight manoeuvring is tricky- it feels like the handlebars want to run into my thighs. Moving the seat back and the bars up might help. Any suggestions for what to look for when it is set up right?

It came with the owner's manual and warranty card shown in the foreground.

teaboy

They were made for people who mainly used them to get to work and back[ basic transport ] When i was kid way back in the 60s rod bakes were torn off by us then we could fit drop bars Next thing we did was to throw the mudguards away [what would they be worth now] So even back then they were seen as old and outdated technology Now after all those years I am back messing about them WHY

ironchefchris

it's a vinyl mattress saddle, its in ok shape, few scuffs and tears but nothing major. I was thinking of grabbing a new saddle for it but I dig the feel compared to my old wrights I have laying around. I kind of prefer a bigger softer ride these days (I'm 6ft1 200lb). I'm going to take it apart (springs and all are really rusty) and see how it cleans up and if I can patch those tears up a bit, if not maybe i'll look at something like an electra saddle or something along those lines.

Velocivixen

I came upon a 1960 Raleigh "Owner's manual" which instructed the rider to initially place the nose of the saddle 3" behind an imaginary vertical line up from the bottom bracket. That's where I started on my Phillips. Good your saddle is comfy.

Salubrious

My manual says that too. I don't think its really all that accurate though, unless everyone is the same height...

gna

As you say, it's a vinyl mattress saddle. Common as a cost-cutting measure by the late '70s on the Sports:



The one I had the tag broke, too. It may be original, but I've run into a lot of flippers who take off the leather saddle and put a vinyl saddle on instead, then try to sell the saddle for more $$$.

Velocivixen

Could someone post a picture of a 1955 English 3-speed appropriate "prop stand" (as Raleigh referred to it. aka kickstand)? Where can I get one?