I'm curious if this Raleigh is worth the $300 he's asking and if its a 1976 as I found a Sheldon Brown article that comes close to the looks and coloring.

sale-ajc3s-2296837981@craigslist.org

Light weight 23" Carlton frame made of Reynolds 531 tubing , fork & stays .
Shimano 600 Arabesque derailluers , Nervar cranks.
Updated to alloy wheels .
New tires , inner tubes , saddle , handle bar wrap and drive chai

Sorry this is a double post. I got an error when I did the first post and I didn't think it ended up posting after all.

Is this the one?
https://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/bik/2296837981.html

If so, (and if there is nothing wrong with it) it's easily worth $300 - or more - based on what they've commanded on eBay lately.

There's a second one that was converted - could be a bargain or a basket case:
https://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/bik/2283978520.html

It's the first blue and white bike you mention.

It's a wonderful bike. It so happens I was riding mine today, and can't begin to tell you how pleasant it is to ride.
They came with alloy wheels BTW, so they're not an "upgrade" per se.
The substitution of DR's is the norm. (Mine has Suntour Vx)

The CL bike appears to be a '73 like mine. My frame is butted '531 with Reynolds forks. (There seems to be inconsistency on the frames being straight gage Reynolds or Butted.)

I am in love with the color of the bike. I'm searching for a bike that has a bit more personality then just the same ol chicago schwinn.. I just hope up close the paint is in good condition.

How heavy would you say the bike is?

Looks like it's a 1973. Here's a link to a '73 Raleigh catalog, all the Specifications are listed


https://www.jaysmarine.com/TH_raleigh_cat_73.html

It is worth that price for sure.

awesome thank you guys!!

I went, I looked. It's definitely a Grand Sport not a Gran Sport. It is in pretty good condition but the standup height was just a bit much for me.
What he did have was a pristine (not a scratch or nic type pristine) yellow Schwinn Prelude. He was actually asking more for the Prelude but I can't and won't pay that much for it. I would still like to know how much it's worth. I'm going to start a thread asking.

I'm confused......again, there's a Grand Sport and a Gran Sport? Could someone please enlighten me.

There is a Grand Sport - that was on the bike I just saw. From what I read the Grand Sport was before the Gran Sport but I don't understand how because the bike I saw today fit the catalog of the Gran Sport.

Megarot, tell me about the condition of the bike overall. I was going to go look at it this coming week, and actually had a "deal" with him for it.

I've seen some close-up photos, but what did you think of it, condition-wise.

Thanks!

It was decent condition. I had only seen the craigslist photo's of it so if you've seen better photo's you'll notice there are some scratches. But over all it's good condition. I didn't see any major flaws. He's got a lot of bikes actually and some are or seem like some real collectors. He's not a shady guy either.

Thanks for the feedback. How lightweight was it?

oh it definitely wasn't on the heavier size imo but I didn't ask him about the weight. He might be able to weight it for you - especially considering how far you're coming.
Oh one thing - I hated the seat. It didn't fit in with the 'decor' of the bike and just looked like a cheap seat he threw on there.

I'd be putting a Brooks on it if I get it.

Hey, there's a nice Schwinn SuperSport for sale in Kansas City, it is about 21" frame and it is excellent condition. Would that one fit you? I've talked to the guy, it has all 600 components on it.

Yeah a 21" frame is more my size then a 23". How much is he asking for it? Although KC is about 8 hrs away from me.. that's quite a drive.

My 60cm Gran Sport was about 25 lbs. She was a nice geared (Suntour derailleurs, 27" alloy wheels) ride. I converted her to SS/Fixie (reversable) with a 700c flip flop wheelset.
I won't tell you how much I paid but I have put enough money into her since.

Robtown, nice ride there. How do you like the leather wraps? I've heard nothing but good about them. Thanks for the info. I'm still mulling over a drive to Chicago.

Megarot, I guess what I was thinking is that somehow we could work out a way to get it up to you, or at least closer. I still want the Grand Sport and am willing to drive to Chicago. The guy in KC is asking $175.00 for the bike and based upon the photos I've seen, it is pretty nice. Maybe not quite as good as the Prelude you looked at, but close. It is also lighter, probably around 22 lbs.