sloar 

Thinking about picking this bike up. Not to worried about the value, working a trade deal with the owner. I'm just wondering about the ride quality. Also is this columbus 531? I like it and would like to have it, I'm just curious about how it rides. Yes it fits and yeah I could go and ride it, I'm just sitting here at work bored, so humor me. Thanks

sloar 

jwarner

Personally, I think it is a beautiful bike. If you like it, it fits, and want to spend the dough. Why not?

upthywazzoo 

With regards to tubing: https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...tml#post764527

Love the paint. Very fetching.

Grand Bois

I was sure it's not Columbus 531.

sloar 

thanks

Bandera

It will provide a lively sporting ride quality, but check carefully if you intend to fit wider modern tires.
It was the fashion back then to equip even sport touring frames w/ 27X1 or 700X20 tires, clearance for wider rubber or even mudguards can be a problem.

Also the DT braze-ons were not always the Campagnolo spec we think of as "standard" (there was no standard). Retrofitting other flavors of DT controls or the cable stops for brifters can be a problem.

Looks clean, it's your size.........N+1 if it rings your bell.

-Bandera

RobbieTunes

Contact cehowardGS. He has 5 of them.
In 1985 Raleigh's Racing USA series all had chrome head tubes and rear triangle.
There were 4 different models, in several different colors.
One model came with 105 Golden Arrow, others have Suntour.
All seem to have the same Sakae crankset, branded Raleigh.

I've re-done one of those, and it's a nice bike, a bit heavy, but very classy.
There is actually clear coat over that chrome, and when it's removed, the bike snaps.

I'm not sure you can swap out the crank set/BB, because of the TPI in the shell.
Other than that, it was a 700c bike, and can be converted to about anything you want.

Reynolds 555 is nice stuff, but not the lightest. cehowardGS's bikes are all 60cm, so they may feel heavy to me.

The bike can be lightened considerably with modern components. If I knew the BB/Crankset could come off and be replaced, I figure that's at least a pound.

To me, it's a fine candidate for SunRace 9-sp DT shifters, and 105 or Ultegra 9-sp components.
You can't lose much weight on the calipers or brake levers, they are already pretty light, just not modern.

The bike is a bling thing, and they are gorgeous when done right.

nlerner

By this era, all Raleigh road bikes were standard English-threaded, I believe.

RobbieTunes

That opens up some possibilities, for sure, on that bike. I'd run 9sp SunRace DT's with polished 9sp Ultegra or 105 on it,

oddjob2

If I had a Trek 410 waiting to be brought up to speed, I would be focusing on that. You certainly groomed the big stash of parts and bikes you bought quickly.

Nice paint, but a GMC Denali has nice paint too. On this one, possibly Made in Taiwan, look for the tag at the bottom of the seat tube. Huffy era, Raleigh of America. I had a 1986 Raleigh of America Competition, made in Taiwan, all Shimano 600. Stiff and I could never get comfy on it. Of course the ones Robbietunes did for cehowardgs are gorgeous, but have several times the original investment in upgraded rims and components.

sloar 

I thought the 410 was finished. But, the blackwall tires I put on it looks like crap. I have some panaracers coming. The paint will wait for now. I think this winter I might get creative and do a custom 2 tone.

dwightisright

I have one. The one pictured is real nice. The paint on mine is flaking off. But on the whole this bike rides nice and shifts nice it just looks like he...

Mine with 555 tubeset was made in Taiwan, all suntour equip. except for the crankset which is SR

koolerb

With Raleigh I've pretty much always liked Super Course and up, but that's got to be the best looking Grand Prix I've seen. Sharp looking bike.