1965 Rudge 3-Speed
 

There is currently a 1965 Rudge being advertised on eBay (http://cgi.ebay.com/1965-RUDGE-3-Spe...#ht_500wt_1413) that I'm mildly interested in. It appears very much like a Colt, but not sure... Anyone have any knowledge of this one? I know Rudge was one of the brands that Raleigh built and since this machine is dated the year I was born, it holds special interest. ;)

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By the early 40s, Rudge/Whitworth had sold to Raleigh. This one was definitely made by Raleigh, but looks like a sweet ride. For its age, it's in wonderful condition. The paint scheme is top-notch, in my opinion.

My Rudge was the same color and trim, in the Colt pattern with 26x1 3/8" tires on rims which made fitting ordinary Schrader valve tubes a bit testy (perhaps they were Dunlop or woods valves on the original?).

Mine lacked the pump and was horrible looking when found, as all the plated pieces had surface rust. It was amazing how well the Raleigh chrome shined up.

The Rudge "Colt" was a great rider, but might feel a bit cramped for those used to standard Raleigh frames.

Thanks for the info FlatTop. Interesting information about fitting the tubes. I've been essentially putting presta tubes on all my bikes regardless of whether they were presta or schrader, so that probably addresses that problem. ;) I have to admit that I am really drawn to these old English 3-speeds. There is an elegant simplicity to the machines that really works for me.

So what ever happened to the Rudge "Colt" you had? I take it you no longer have the bike?

Sadly, that Rudge was mistakenly gathered up with a bunch of bikes that I gave to a fellow that needed transportation.
I saw it a year or so later, being ridden by a dignified-looking fellow not too far from my home. He'd no doubt purchased the bike in good faith, and I have to admit he had kept it up nicely. I didn't have the heart to pursue the matter...nor the proof of ownership.

EDIT: It would seem that bike on Ebay is being sold in the state of New Jersey. I wonder if it could be my oldie?

I'm not sure anyone makes a 650A tube with a presta valve, but you could probably use a 650B tube.

$230 for a 3 speed without a Brooks, generator hub or lighting? 3 speeds are NOT worth much, especially on ebay where the shipping costs are likely more than the bike is worth.

I wouldn't offer anything over $100, and that's only if I really liked it.

Don't be so sure, Aaron.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Raleigh-...item25655b130c

It would be quite a turn of events if that is the case! The guy selling it responded that he was selling it for his father, and since you mentioned "a dignified-looking fellow", it may fit your description. It is currently in Gloucester County and it appears the guy is a bit of a bike collector.

I'm not going to buy it for that much... I've made an offer and he has countered on the price and I may counter again. Even with the counter, I'm still torn since I think it is a neat bike.

The advertised Rudge is indeed like a Colt. The bent top tube --camel back-- is to get the seat lower than would be possible with a straight horizontal top tube; this is probably about a 17" frame. Good for an 11 year old boy, I guess. How tall are you, photogravity? They made 19", 21" and 23" frames with straight top tubes.

This isn't the average English 3 speed though, and it's not in average condition either (note: it looks pristine). I don't think $200 would be out of line in some markets, but I personally wouldn't pay that, unless I had some severe attachment to it.

Actually, I recently put a regular 26" presta tube on my Schwinn S-6 rim without incident. It was a bit of a stretch around the rim, but it seems OK. I expected a blowout but it hasn't yet happened!

Where was that guy when I was selling my dad's 1954 Raleigh Sports with generator, lighting, and Brooks? I couldn't get $200 for it, and it was a HELL of a lot nicer than the one you linked (or the one the OP is looking at). Seriously - I won't even take a 3 speed for free now - I NEVER am able to sell them for over $125, and that's in a good used market. I was just talking to a local vintage bike shop about how impossible they are to get rid of. He has a BEAUTIFUL Superbe, full lighting, brooks bag, brooks saddle, warranty...the WORKS...and he's had it in there at $450 for AGES. The ebay sale, cincluding shipping, went for $300, not from a shop with a warranty and for a far inferior example without any bells and whistles.

Yeah. I'd bet a 650B tube and 650A tube are the same tube. The differences being the valve and label.

Aaron, I reckon the bike I linked was an anomaly, but it did happen.

I reside in Long Branch, Monmouth County. I found the bike here, perhaps six years ago. My gut says it is unlikely to be the same bike listed on ebay. If it is, felicitations to the buyer and the seller. I enjoyed riding my Rudge Colt, and so may someone else.

Regarding the fit: I'm 5'7", probably close to the design target of that bike. With a stem that put the bars another inch or two forward, I could ride that Colt as comfortably as any Sports. A 6' tall person wouldn't be comfortable on a Colt.

I just wish it happened to the ones I've sold! I view 3 speeds like the plague - they're a pain without QR, they never seem to net me any profit and on a personal level, I don't like them.

I'm 5'9". The guy says it's about 31" standover. Did he misstate the figure? I know the Colt was for smaller people.

At 5'9" I suspect your knees will nearly hit the grips while pedaling. I agree with Rudi; that bike is a child's bike.

fify. :)

Since IGH bikes aren't horribly popular, it makes it easier for folks like me to get great deals!

I think you and rhm might have just talked me out of this thing. I definitely want a bike I can ride, not look at, though I do enjoy a machine that is aesthetically pleasing. That Rudge pushes the right buttons aesthetically and the price is not too bad, IMO. There are other bikes out there that will show up on CL or eBay. <sigh>

LOL - Different Strokes.

We can start trading - I'll send you the IGH stuff, you can shoot me over those silly italian geared bikes :)

The bike is worth whatever the buyer is willing to pay. They aren't making anymore of them and the market isn't flooded to warrant any competition.
I bought a nice clean Raleigh in original condition, tires and all. No rust and beautiful paint. I paid a lot of money for it (according to prior posters) and I ride that bike every day. I wanted THAT bike and I paid for it. Worth every penny I paid!

Go see it, bearing our misgivings in mind. And seek out some other bikes of this type, and see what frame size fits you. I suspect you'll be fine on a 21", which is the most common size, so you're in luck there.

I agree with you about the worth being what the buyer is willing to pay, if you want it and plan to keep the bike to ride. I'm not a flipper so buying a bike at an extremely low price to resell doesn't apply in my case, though I do want the best deal I can get. There are two big reasons I'm looking for a bike like this: 1) I love the style of the old English bikes. 2) I am looking for a bike to ride in the Lake Pepin 3-Speed tour.

As it turns out, I'd really like to get my hands on a matched pair of bikes so my wife and I can do rides together, Lake Pepin in particular, so this may not have been the best choice anyway, though it'd fit my wife just fine, who is 5'4".