I just bought this bike (ebay), so I haven't seen it. It looked like a Raleigh Competition to me, though the seller did not identify it. I'll post an image once I get back from work.

However, I did some research on RetroRaleighs (and other places), and while the paint scheme, etc look exactly like a 1974 Raleigh Competition, there are some differences.

The cranks look like Campagnolo cotterless (5 arm) used on the 1974 International, as opposed to the TA 3-arm cranks on the Competition. The front shifters also look like those on the International. The seat stays are half chrome, which the International had, and competition did not seem to.

On the other hand, it seems to have a tapered fork crown, like the Professional and Competition. The paint scheme is almost exactly the same as the 1974 Competition, but there's no central decal on the seat tube.

Maybe it's a Compenational????

What do you guys think? I'll post pics to make it easier to identify.

Does it have chrome Nervex headtube lugs? If not, I'd say you have a Competition with some upgraded Campy components. Nice bike.

Neal

I agree with you, nlerner. That was my first thought. I hope the upgrades are good. I can't wait to get it, though it may be 10 days or so.

And no, it did not have chrome Nervex lugs - so I guess it' not an International.

Still, for $200 shipped, I think it was a good deal (depending on the state of the frame).

The bike is the one in this image:



I'm convinced now that it is a 1975 Raleigh Competition with some upgrades.

Any other opinions are welcome.

The RD looks potentially like a modern Campagnolo mech. Those look like interesting triple cranks. I would like to see more.

I'd love to post more pics, as that would mean that I have the bike.

However, it will be several days before it gets to me (assuming the seller is legit).

When it does, I'll post more pics. For now, this is all I have.

Also, I agree it is not an international. I wonder if it's a professional based on the fork crown? I don't know much about Raleighs though.

It looks to me like about a '76 Competition that has had some parts replaced. The fork is the same as my '74. My seat tube Carlton sticker was missing, too.

Ahh! That's what it was! Thanks for the information, everyone.

Looking at the 1976 catalog, I agree that with a couple of modifications (cranks, shifters etc) the Competition from that year could be made to look like this bike.

I hope I don't have to wait too long to get it.

So the bike just got here today.

Initial impressions is that it's a mixed bag --- some satisfaction, some disappointment. Much like a lot of Ebay buys, I guess.

The bike is a 1976 Competition. The frame is in good shape, but there's some surface rust. It will need some touching up. Unfortunately, there's a little rusting on the chrome chainstays as well. Still, it's not much overall.

The wheels are steel rims, and 27". I was sure that the Raleigh's of this age came with 700c. It may be that the owner exchanged them from a lower level bike. They're in good shape, except for some slight spotting on the spokes. If it wasn't for their crappy stopping power, I'd keep them both on. Since I want to ride the bike, I'll exchange the front wheel for an alloy one.

The brakes are in good shape. There'll be new Kool Stop pads put on, so they should be fine.

I was hoping for my first Campagnolo drivetrain, however that isn't what it is. The cranks are Nervar Star 5 arm cranks. The shift levers and FR and RR are Suntour Cyclone. They work really well. I was slightly disappointed that it wasn't Campagnolo, but I figure Suntour from those years is probably fine.

I switched out the stem. It was one of the old expander wedge type, which I distrust. So I switched it for a newer stem. It doesn't look very vintage, but I like it anyway.

There is a lot of work left to be done. I have to repack the bearings on the wheels. I also have to figure out how to take apart the cranks and BB so I can repack them too. I've never done that.

So...some disappointment here, but I'm mostly excited about the build.

Hmm....after trying to service the brakes a bit, I have come to the conclusion that the wheels are off a Raleigh Record. They have Raleigh marked hubs and chrome Araya rims. Also, judging from the fact that the brakes were still adjusted for 700c rims, I'd have to say that the seller scavenged the original wheels and put these on. Either that or he got some wheels from a Record so that the more desirable Competition would be a more attractive sale.

Either way, I am now on the lookout for some alloy 700c 5 speed wheels for this bike. I have a front wheel that will work, but I'd like to find a matching wheelset, if I can.

eBay ad #?

-Kurt

That bike is just crying out for an AW and some Northroads.

Really, if you're planning to use the bike, the parts are way better than original, except for those wheels. Watch on eBay. Older wheels are pretty cheap.

Thanks for confirming what I suspected, Luker.

Yes, I am planning on riding this bike. I cleaned up what I could yesterday, and took it out on a test ride. The bike rides really well, and the shifters work perfectly. Apart from the wheels, I am quite happy with it. It is really comfortable, especially with the nice broken-in Brooks B17 on it.

I'll spend the next few days fixing it up. I'll look out on Ebay for a set of replacement wheels. If any of you see something that looks interesting on there, please alert me about it.

So I'm riding to work this morning, after spending some time on Ebay seeing how expensive it would be to buy a rear wheel that would work on this bike. I was quite discouraged at this point.

Anyway, I'm enjoying the ride when, out of the corner of my eye, I see a couple of wheels in the trash on the curb. I stop and ride back to the trash pile for a closer look at the wheels, expecting to see some MTB wheels or an XMart set. Turns out that they're a set of Shimano hubs with Mavic rims. A little worn, but not bad. 9-speed, by the way.

So I think, "This won't work on my Competition, but let's take it home anyway". So I do.

This evening I try putting the rear wheel on. The spacing is greater than the rear triangle, but with some effort, it goes on. I true the wheel, and then check the shifting. Without any modifications, I can access 6 of the 9 rear sprockets. Nice.

I was wondering if there was any way to extend the 'reach' to the two smallest sprockets. Since the largest one overlaps with the RD, I guess that's out; but I'm not interested in it anyway. Maybe a simple adjustment will enable me to access the smallest sprockets.

Still, even without that being the case, the steel wheel is off and an alloy one is on.

Ok....make that a 16 speed!! I adjusted the RD all the way out and the last two gears are accessible.....at least on the rack!!

I'll check it out tomorrow during a test ride. I'll switch the chain for a new 9-10 speed one first.

If it works, a commute to work will be the first real test, and then a 30 miler.

More updates to follow. Not that anyone cares.

The bike is now close to what it could be for the time I own it. I really like it in its current state.

I repacked the wheel bearings, but still have not done the headset and the BB. This is mostly because I have never done it before, and am a little reluctant to start. I hope to finally get it done this coming week.

I sanded off the rust on the frame and primed and painted the whole frame. I also put on one coat of clear. It does not look stock, but it is not too bad. Most of the original highlights are still all on, and the decals are fine, thanks to some masking. The only things I could do nothing about were the 'Competition' decals on the top tube, as that was where most of the rust was.

The chrome fork ends and rear triangle were mostly good except for some spots of rust. I got rid of that, and waxed the chrome. The only real problem was a large bit of rust on the inside of the fork. I had to sand that portion of it. I don't know what to do to insure it does not rust. At the moment it is also waxed to keep the moisture off.

I removed the drop bars as I found the steering very twitchy. I decided to try a moustache bar. This was certainly an improvement as far as the steering goes, and the ride is more comfortable too. Now I'm thinking of putting some old SunTour bar-end shifters on. We'll see.