School me on the Raleigh Competition GS
#1
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School me on the Raleigh Competition GS
I'm thinking about buying one. I'm not married to the components, so if I can find a good deal on a frame I'd probably buy it to build it... But are there different years that are noted to be better than others? Any weirdness I should look out for?
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1979 and earlier built in england, 1980 and newer pacific rim.
#4
incazzare.
I think Kurt's selling a frame right now, check the sale's section. I don't think it's a G.S., it's an older model with Capella lugs.
Anyway, I have one of these, a 1978. The bike came with none of the original components, which suited me fine. I built it up as a very sporty 3-speed. I haven't ridden it enough yet to say too much, but it's a very nice frame.
Anyway, I have one of these, a 1978. The bike came with none of the original components, which suited me fine. I built it up as a very sporty 3-speed. I haven't ridden it enough yet to say too much, but it's a very nice frame.
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1964 JRJ (Bob Jackson), 1973 Wes Mason, 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 2000ish Colian (Colin Laing), 2011 Dick Chafe, 2013 Velo Orange Pass Hunter
1964 JRJ (Bob Jackson), 1973 Wes Mason, 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 2000ish Colian (Colin Laing), 2011 Dick Chafe, 2013 Velo Orange Pass Hunter
#5
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Here my 1979 Comp G.S. with Campy Super Record.

#6
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Here's my Pacific Rim built '81. The lug work and paint finish is excellent. This one came with Superb dropouts.
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#7
incazzare.
I don't have any good photos of my recent '78 build, but here's a quick phone pic of it. Not in any way original, but a great bike.

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1964 JRJ (Bob Jackson), 1973 Wes Mason, 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 2000ish Colian (Colin Laing), 2011 Dick Chafe, 2013 Velo Orange Pass Hunter
1964 JRJ (Bob Jackson), 1973 Wes Mason, 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 2000ish Colian (Colin Laing), 2011 Dick Chafe, 2013 Velo Orange Pass Hunter
#8
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I had a 79 that I built up with a Nuovo Record drive train, it was a nice bike. I bought it as a bare frame and refinished it. The workmanship was not so great but it sure had a nice ride.
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1971 Paramount P-13 Chrome
1973 Paramount P-15 Opaque Blue
1974 Raleigh Professional Blue Mink
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Holland Titanium Dura Ace Group
Holland Titanium Ultegra Triple Group
1971 Paramount P-13 Chrome
1973 Paramount P-15 Opaque Blue
1974 Raleigh Professional Blue Mink
1991 Waterford Paramount
Holland Titanium Dura Ace Group
Holland Titanium Ultegra Triple Group
#9
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How freakin' spokey lostarchitect!

Same saddle, bartape,tires and I'm thinkin' same hub, slightly newer frame but still in black!
and we can't be more than a few miles and a river apart.

Same saddle, bartape,tires and I'm thinkin' same hub, slightly newer frame but still in black!
and we can't be more than a few miles and a river apart.
#10
Birotate Charioteer
I have Southpawboston's restored 78 GS, all stock (if not original components):

I *love* the lively feel of the frame. This one is Carlton-made, and features decent workmanship. Apparently the later UK ones can be spotty, but SPB had it apart and blasted down to bare metal, and I trust his judgement on these things. These are also the smoothest friction derailleurs I can remember using; easily comparable to a well set-up Huret Duopar.
(I kept the original pedals, of course- I need the right shoes to make them work comfortably.)

I *love* the lively feel of the frame. This one is Carlton-made, and features decent workmanship. Apparently the later UK ones can be spotty, but SPB had it apart and blasted down to bare metal, and I trust his judgement on these things. These are also the smoothest friction derailleurs I can remember using; easily comparable to a well set-up Huret Duopar.
(I kept the original pedals, of course- I need the right shoes to make them work comfortably.)
Last edited by Coreyk; 03-24-12 at 09:11 PM. Reason: I left stuff out, silly.
#11
incazzare.
Ha! Pretty close, Velognome! Mine has an SRF3 now, but I'm thinking of going to a 5 speed hub. Dig your shorty fenders, too!
I actually somewhat modeled mine after RHM's RRA and NLerner's 5-speed IGH Super Course.
I actually somewhat modeled mine after RHM's RRA and NLerner's 5-speed IGH Super Course.
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1964 JRJ (Bob Jackson), 1973 Wes Mason, 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 2000ish Colian (Colin Laing), 2011 Dick Chafe, 2013 Velo Orange Pass Hunter
1964 JRJ (Bob Jackson), 1973 Wes Mason, 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 2000ish Colian (Colin Laing), 2011 Dick Chafe, 2013 Velo Orange Pass Hunter
Last edited by lostarchitect; 03-24-12 at 09:25 PM.
#12
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Velognome has one, from the 80's, made in Japan! It's very nice. He built it up as a 3-speed fixed gear.
[Edit: Oops, I didn't see his post above.]
[Edit: Oops, I didn't see his post above.]
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#13
feros ferio
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Also directed to Velognome -- Is that a special indexed barcon, or do run friction and feel for the gears, as I did w/ a Huret downtube lever in the 1970s?
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Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
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Hey CB, I assume you're eyeing the same CL listing as I've been responding to... Best of luck to you being a fellow board member that is sure to treat your acquisition with love and care. I can't seem to get they guy to respond. Post some pics if you're first in line so I may regret what I've missed... This is the time of year when the deals seem to come up whilst I'm out on my rides.
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They also make excellent 650B conversions:

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I had one. Bought it new in, 74, I think. The one with Jubilee derailleurs. Probably not much help but as I remember, that was one very sweet riding bike. Very responsive but comfortable and not too harsh. I don't regret much from the 70's, (silly, eh?) but I do regret selling that bike.
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I never owned one, but I'd think it'd be a sweet bike. The Nuovo Gran Sport parts are every bit as functional as Nuovo Record, just not as pretty. I've had a lot of Raleighs and Carltons, and built about a '72 Competition up as a single speed for my son to take to college.
#18
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Also directed to Velognome -- Is that a special indexed barcon, or do run friction and feel for the gears, as I did w/ a Huret downtube lever in the 1970s
Captian Blight- pay attention to the details. I absolutley love the ride and construction and finish. My frame is a latter built GS with Superb dropouts and no eyelets for fenders

Not a problem if you can live with P-Clamps, for me it would just ruin the build.
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All this talk about 'Responsive, lively, not harsh at all' makes me believe I'm going to go ahead with one. There are a couple on eBay right now that've caught my eye and now that I'm making better money I think I'm going to treat myself.
I've got some Bluemels Airweights and Mafac guidonnet levers that need a place to live, you see.
I've got some Bluemels Airweights and Mafac guidonnet levers that need a place to live, you see.
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I have Southpawboston's restored 78 GS, all stock (if not original components):

I *love* the lively feel of the frame. This one is Carlton-made, and features decent workmanship. Apparently the later UK ones can be spotty, but SPB had it apart and blasted down to bare metal, and I trust his judgement on these things. These are also the smoothest friction derailleurs I can remember using; easily comparable to a well set-up Huret Duopar.
(I kept the original pedals, of course- I need the right shoes to make them work comfortably.)

I *love* the lively feel of the frame. This one is Carlton-made, and features decent workmanship. Apparently the later UK ones can be spotty, but SPB had it apart and blasted down to bare metal, and I trust his judgement on these things. These are also the smoothest friction derailleurs I can remember using; easily comparable to a well set-up Huret Duopar.
(I kept the original pedals, of course- I need the right shoes to make them work comfortably.)
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Col de la vie = 38mm
#23
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Hey CB, I assume you're eyeing the same CL listing as I've been responding to... Best of luck to you being a fellow board member that is sure to treat your acquisition with love and care. I can't seem to get they guy to respond. Post some pics if you're first in line so I may regret what I've missed... This is the time of year when the deals seem to come up whilst I'm out on my rides.
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Turns out, I was first in line. I passed on it being an inch and a half smaller than my needs. Glad you picked it up, would like the pics to see what you scored.