I have had this bike for a bunch of years and finally got around to cleaning it this Winter for riding. I know when I bought it I tried to find the year but wasn't sucessful. I believe it is early 1970s but am not sure. Serial number is on the BB and is A2954. Carlton name is on the seat tube. Competition is the model name on the top tube. Headbadge is metal Raleigh. Color is black with chrome legs. The numbers on the components are all over the place but many may have been replaced over the years before I bought it. Any help is greatly appreciated. Roger

Hello Roger,

do you have any specific questions about the bicycle?

what sort of information would you like from readers?

Those Capella lugs seemed to only be on 1973 model Raleighs. I've had them on Competitions, SuperCourses, and Internationals.

I am almost certain you are correct. I recall that they were only on '73 models.

It looks like a 1973 Raleigh Competition. The serial number should confirm this, but doesn't. It doesn't even look like a Raleigh serial number.

That serial # does conform to the general Carlton scheme of that era with a letter followed by four numbers:



However, I've seen quite a few examples of those Capella-lugged Raleighs w/ A serial #s !

I wasn't really concerned about anything special with the bike. It rides nice but as I said it has been sitting 5 or 6 years and while it is cold here in WI I thought I would get it ready for Spring and riding again. That started me wondering what year it was made. If the consensus is it is a 1973 that is fine with me. Thanks for the help unless other have things to add. It is a 531 bike and middle to upper level in the pecking order as far as I know. Roger

Yes, I had one like that. Raleigh wasn't super consistent about the numbering. I agree it's a '73. That crankset isn't original.

Although the crankset is not original that crank was OEM on other English manufacture bicycles (Falcon) in 1973. And that Sugino Maxy crank wasn't being sold as an aftermarket upgrade in U.S. bike shops so the swap would probably come off another bike early in its life.

I could understand how bike boom stress would lead to Raleigh using frames originally destined for Carlton production, but a 1966 frame for 1973 production? Does anybody know which 1966 Carlton model this would have made?

Early on here I was labeled a 'lug Nazi' based upon my reaction to the mere sight of these lugs. Indeed, there was stress in 1973. Since the statute of limitations has passed, I spent over a week holed up, with the flue, in the Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge in Seacucus, NJ, testing, mostly, Supercourses, for frame integrity. More than a few went through the line without the internal brass charge having been placed in the tube, resulting in a frame held together with nothing more than the pins holding the lug to the tube.

Given that this frame is still intact, 40 years on, it's probably OK. That said, I'd look carefully for signs of paint cracking at tube to lug joints, especially at the head tube...

It looks like the brakes have been downgraded to Weinmann 630's, aka Varsity brakes.

I don't know what kind of RD is on there, possibly Suntour, but it's not a Huret. I wonder how they made it work on a Huret hanger.

it appears the bicycle's only original fitting is the headset. looks like someone got hold of the frame and built it up from bits. here is the official Raleigh catalogue for 1973.

there is a colour photo of the complete machine and if you scroll down to the end there is a cross table showing how each model was equipped.


https://sheldonbrown.com/retroraleigh...talog-1973.pdf

Wouldn't be the first time an A serial number appeared on a '73 bike.

Retro Raleighs: The RRA

Retro Raleighs: Professionals

It's not a 1966 frame; it's a 1973-made frame. Just an indication that the serial # scheme isn't complete.

Or that. Given the examples provided that seems likely.

..

Just because some started commenting on componets. I will clarfy some of them. The crankset is a Maxy with 40/48 chain rings. Rear derailleur is a Huret Rival Grand Bois. Front is in the process of being changed from a Sun Tour ARX to a ST Superbee. Depending on how the rear works it may get a Shimano Crane short cage as I have a few of them. Handle bars are from a Schwinn with randonuer bars which I like. Not surprising for a bike that has been riden for 41+ years. I bought it in IL near Rockford and one of the tags on it is from CA so it has moved around. I plan to keep it as a rider not a restoration. Maybe a refurbish to keep it running.

No, it's a '73. The serial number system is just bonkers (or we don't actually understand it).

Hi Zagoraev, I recommend you start your own thread so you get more attention. I've never seen that model before.

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...FWIW, while I have no idea of what your bike might have been, or when it was made, Carlton used those Capella lugs on their bikes for a number of years in the 60's.

Here's one from 1965:
...............................

But with a Raleigh head badge, probably 1973, when someone seems to have decided to use them all up.

Edit: just saw your last photo, clearly a Competition, like this one:
............................................................................................

That one is a Competition GS, a '78 or '79, probably. Great bikes--very different from the '73 shown above in many ways.

Very nice riding bikes. I have one now. It might be my favorite bike. I lucked out and got one with all original components but I'd probably go Suntour or Shimano if I were building from a bare frame.
Beware the rear derailler hanger. You might need an adapter washer to get non Huret deraillers to work. You can get one off Ebay for 20 bucks or just make your own with a flat washer and a file. I've got the dimensions somewhere if you want them.

I picked up a Carlton last week. Ovehauled it and it rides nice. Newer model than the one in discusion but I am unsure what year.