https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tall-65cm-Ra...d#ht_500wt_949



I just bought this one. I have a 25" Trek 620 that I've been building, but the frame has rust and cosmetic issues. Good old ebay emailed me the listing, and I jumped on it after giving it some thought. The 620 is (i think) full 531, and the Raleigh is only main tube "Raleigh 555," which the internet seems to think is 501 rebranded for the US market.



The Raleigh is in beautiful original condition-- the dork disc has yellowed and the tires are seeing some dry rot. Those stays look like 47cm-- my 620 is an '84, with 45.5 stays. (though it was sold to me as the more desirable '85, which has the long 47 stays.)



I don't have a triple FD or a long cage RD to throw on my 620, which sits built up as a SSCX to try out 'cross this fall.



I just bought an old Biopace triple and some new brakes for it, but I think what I spent on the Alyeska isn't that much more than I was probably going to wind up putting into the Trek after all was said and done. I know Alyeskas come up more cheaply than what I paid, but I'm surely going to use it and appreciate it enough to make it worth it. Best of all, my wife was fully in support of the purchase despite the garage full of a dozen bikes!

Must be because she's from Alaska!

Correction: the 620 has Reynolds a 531cs sticker- so only butted frame tubes (main triangle)



You can see my stopgap auto paint touchup. Sweet.

And the specs on the Alyeska:



... AASHTA :thumbs:

[edit] and hey, look it has a flickstand! Only one bottle mount, though...

I have a Raleigh Touring 18. I really enjoy riding it. I use it occassionally for commuting. Hope your "new 2 u" Alyeska serves you well!

(pretty rough set-up when the pic was taken)

The Alyeska? Look under the downtube, just above the BB for the second set of braze-on cage mounts. The Touring 18 is pretty much the same bike, and you'll see the 2nd cage in the picture. I also have a third "old school" '70s clamp-on cage on the seat tube now.

Good thing tall people have long arms, its quite a ways
to reach those downtube shift levers

I'm used to it on my 66cm Panasonic.

My arms: 3-------------- ----------------E



I wear a 37" arm shirt...

I think the Alyeska is a one-cage deal...



Kodiak had 2 (and CrMo stays, but same hi ten fork), and the Portage had 3 and 650b wheels. So Raleigh's touring line in '85 had four models: Wyoming, Alyeska, Kodiak, and Portage. Nice line up. I'm not a CrMo snob-- my Panasonic is butted hi ten, and rides great, and spec'd at 25 lbs.

Great ad copy in the Raleigh brochures.

As far as long arms and downtube shifters... I usually have to slowly and carefully lower my arms to shift, otherwise I can scratch my knuckles on the road surface while riding.

I think you can even see the braze-ons and attachment bolts for the second cage in one of the pictures you posted. They are right above the bottom bracket on the down side of the down tube (below the existing cage). I do believe you are in luck.

Nice find...and about my size

Aaron

Ha. That's why I jumped on the BIN, and didn't mess with the "make an offer." I paid a few dollars more than I've seen these going for, but it looks to be in really nice shape, and I'm in it to ride it, not to brag in the "catch of the day" thread. As much as I'd like to, of course!

I do believe you are correct, sir! I was putting too much faith in the specs from the catalog. Much better than my Panasonic, which has none. The two photos I posted of it were from the same day-- one before the 80 mile trip up to meet my family and our friends at a Mass. campsite, and one after-- after the cage slipped into my crankarm and asploded. The last 30 miles was no water. Rar.

And Cycleheimer-- I like the "Front and Real" alloy racks in the catalog.

Nice Touring 18-- Do you ride it around here much?

I have ridden it quite a bit. Great riding bike. You should be pretty happy with your recent purchase.

I have F&R racks on my Lotus, which is about the same age. I've been kicking around the idea of getting a new 520, LHT or T1...but I like these old bikes. I don't care if I add a scratch or two to them. I was up in the Adirondacks not that long ago, and was able to leave the bike locked at one of the campsites ... the top tube leaning against a tree ... and go for a hike without worrying about it. I probably wouldn't have been so comfortable doing that with a new brand-new bike.

It's arrived! Some shipping damage-- -- the hanger is bent in a bit and the front reflector didn't make it. I contacted the seller, and he's going to make good on the cost of having a shop align the hanger, which is totally cool with me. Bike needs all its bearings greased-- you can tell that it was ridden maybe a few miles and then put aside in a garaged and not touched for 25 years. Original tires lined up with original rim stickers, etc. Everything Raleigh branded.

Never seen anything so 100% original! I'm going to ride it, though, so the foam "tape," the old tires, and the old brake pads are out. Will post pics tonight. It's a thing of beauty.

Sweet bike. At 6"5', I'm always on the lookout for the tall tourers. I had a 25 inch Voyageur, but had to let it go because I couldn't stand the short top tube. It was only 57 cm.

I've got a Raleigh Mountain Tour from 1985 and it is a great bike.

What is the top tube length & chain stay length on the Alyeska?

I think it's a 58. Haven't checked the chain stay, but it looks like 47. Leaving on a three day tour after lunch!!