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If you are trying to determine the genealogy of your bicycle by it's features, go to our Vintage Bicycle Price Guide
which details bicycle features, wheel sizes, brake types, etc., as well as showing a price estimate for your old bicycle.
If you are trying to determine the make and model of your bicycle, go to our Vintage Bicycle Picture Database
which details bicycle features, wheel sizes, etc., as well as showing a price estimate for your vintage bicycle.
Archived: English Roadsters
AGE / VALUE: Is that a raleigh box in the background?
posted by: sam
on 11/30/2002 at 8:38:59 PM
| http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=742177180 |
RE:AGE / VALUE: Is that a raleigh box in the background?
posted by David on 12/1/2002 at 3:05:43 PM
| I think so. Ask the seller. |
ENGLISH ROADSTERS: NOS Sunbeam Frame
posted by: Tom
on 11/30/2002 at 4:43:16 PM
| Not your average find. Where does one find a NOS Sunbeam frame wrapped in the original cloth from maybe 1930. Anyone know what model this would be. Very nice. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=420&item=742433074 |
RE:ENGLISH ROADSTERS: NOS Sunbeam Frame
posted by Chris on 11/30/2002 at 5:17:20 PM
| I awake smelling ammonia, they dump water on me and they tell me I passed out. I look up and somebody else bought the bike while I was unconscious. Yup, that's what would happen if I found one of these.
Finding a Sunbeam in this shape is a real dream/miracle that only comes along once every 50 years.
Go for it,l what the heck, you only live once! |
And the rack to go with it!
posted by sam on 11/30/2002 at 5:42:23 PM
| http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=420&item=741906617 |
RE:And the rack to go with it!
posted by Tom on 12/1/2002 at 10:54:12 AM
| Is there something missing from that rack. How does the rack mount. |
FOR SALE: 1955 Triumph
posted by: Lincoln
on 11/30/2002 at 3:44:43 PM
| Serial number 2248528, hub says "55" on it. Appears to be
ALL ORIGINAL. Womens frame. Fair to good condition
cosmetically with a few scratches and a little rust but
not much, good mechanically, perhaps needs a bit of grease
here and there. Tires are shot, tho I did ride it a bit
recently. Needs rear brake cable, but housing looks ok.
Black, with beautiful multicolored lettering on seat tube.
Looks like it was ridden a fair amount at one time and then
stored in one position for many years. A classic. I didn't
think it was that old until I looked up serial # and hub
info. If I had more money and space, it would not be for sale.
I hope to sell locally (near Waltham, MA). $80 (you can look
later for a lower price, but it may be gone) |
ENGLISH ROADSTERS: ALUMINUM FENDERS ON 28" WHEELS?
posted by: Mario Romano
on 11/30/2002 at 1:23:46 PM
| Do post-war Raleighs (40' and 50's) came from factory with aluminum fenders?
The aluminum fenders I talking about, according to the seller, have two fine stripes on high relief.
The photo taken from the fenders could be seen at the address below:
http://pessoal.onda.com.br/marceloafornali/comercio/paralamainglesaluminio.jpg |
RE:ENGLISH ROADSTERS: ALUMINUM FENDERS ON 28
posted by Chris on 11/30/2002 at 6:08:20 PM
| Not that I have heard about! but aluminum fenders in this size would be really wonderful. Yes, again. Mario is finding the really neat items I wish I was finding! |
AGE / VALUE: Armstrong Moth
posted by: sam
on 11/30/2002 at 2:22:58 AM
| This should go under L/Ws but I really like seeing the british l/w bikes,there every bit as woll done as any bike made just take a look at the fancy lug work on this bike http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1975047501 |
RE:AGE / VALUE: Armstrong Moth
posted by Mucus/ Mark R. on 11/30/2002 at 3:01:11 AM
| Oh yes baby! Now that's what I'm talkin' about! Ain't that a great bike? |
RE:AGE / VALUE: Armstrong Moth
posted by P.C. Kohler on 12/2/2002 at 9:20:38 PM
| A very handsome mount. But just a question: can a "Club" bike still be called such when she's got a derailleur instead of a hub gear? Just asking since I am too tempted but think I need to be patient and wait for that mint Rudge Pathfinder...
P.C. Kohler |
AGE / VALUE: Miracle waxes?
posted by: David Poston
on 11/29/2002 at 7:27:11 PM
| Does anyone know if these miracle two-year waxes (e.g., Le Tour Frame Coat) really work? Do they damage the paint? Do they last that long?
http://www.branfordbike.com/bikecare/bcare1.html#item3
I've been using 3M Show Car Paste Wax, which leaves a wonderful gloss and is supposed to last around 90 days on cars.
Anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks,
David.
|
RE:AGE / VALUE: Miracle waxes?
posted by Mucus on 11/29/2002 at 8:39:03 PM
| Black Kiwi. Anything else, fageddaboutit! |
RE:AGE / VALUE: Miracle waxes?
posted by sam on 11/30/2002 at 1:11:51 AM
| That frame saver sounds like a good idea for modern utra-thin tubbing frames,that cost mega-bucks.The clear coat reminds me of the water based floor varnish I've used,goes on milky and hardens very clear.As for the wax,I think it's a lot on how you use your bike,and the type of paint it has.The metalic paints are a ruffer surface paint due to the tiny metal flacks in the paint that don't lay flat.A good sealer would be great for them.Gloss black paint is about the best paint ever made.But even with it oxidation can eat away at the paint.So a UV protector would help if a bike was to stay out in the sun all day.On the other hand if you keep your bike inside a good past wax is all I'd use. |
ENGLISH ROADSTERS: TURN OF THE LAST WHEEL...
posted by: Michael
on 11/29/2002 at 3:40:05 PM
| http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=66056&command=displayContent&sourceNode=65583&contentPK=3138502
News story about the Raleigh company. |
AGE / VALUE: TURN OF THE LAST WHEEL...
posted by: Michael
on 11/29/2002 at 3:40:05 PM
| http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=66056&command=displayContent&sourceNode=65583&contentPK=3138502
News story about the Raleigh company. |
RE:AGE / VALUE: TURN OF THE LAST WHEEL...
posted by humberchristopher28@hotmail.com on 11/29/2002 at 6:28:16 PM
| Not having things arranged where folks got to get together to say goodbye was totally unacceptable.
The name goes on but the future product will have a lot less soul.
Still, today Raleigh's wide range of quality bicycles are in common use all over the world.
People don't compete in line to buy a vaccum cleaner at a tag sale the way they still do over a Raleigh bicycle.
Interest in the many types of older Raleigh's continues to expand. Older bikes are snapped up and restored to riding condition. Interest in the Raleigh Chopper musclebike in incredible!
I hope that somebody is taking steps to acquire and preserve items from being destroyed and thrown out. Either gifted to museaums or sold to private collectors or something. Now is the time it would seem, to find the serial number chart information before it is lost forever. |
RE:AGE / VALUE: TURN OF THE LAST WHEEL...
posted by Brian on 11/29/2002 at 9:54:16 PM
| From the archived stories in "thisisnottingham.co.uk".."Notts Archives, which is managed by Notts County Council, have between 10,000 to 15,000 documents from Raleigh, from minutes of staff meetings to pictures of workers"-sounds like alot of material for a future documentary/story about Raleigh. I'm saddened when a proud 100 year old factory becomes nothing more than a marketing house for foreign-cobbled goods. How would people here in the states feel if Harley Davidson was to market their bikes here, and have them made in Vietnam?
Seeing Schwinn slide in quality over the years, and then seeing this same marque moving to Walmart was pretty damn pathetic too. |
ENGLISH ROADSTERS: Heads up
posted by: Max M.
on 11/29/2002 at 4:42:23 AM
| Just in case anyone is from Tacoma,WA.
Great deal on Buy Now.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1974634670&category=7298
No personal connection just lamenting being on the East Coast. |
RE:ENGLISH ROADSTERS: Heads up
posted by Mark R on 11/29/2002 at 1:36:04 PM
| Hey, somebody buy that bike. OK? Just do it! |
RE:ENGLISH ROADSTERS: Heads up
posted by David on 11/30/2002 at 1:22:21 PM
| $50 for a DL1 with good paint is a bargain. It's so new it probably has good tires! Lose the saddle and fix the reflectors and you're all set! |
RE:ENGLISH ROADSTERS: Heads up
posted by Esteban on 11/30/2002 at 8:01:11 PM
| DANG! I am down in San Diego, and asked the seller if he would just take it to the local shop and have them box it and ship it (pretty darn easy to do), and he responded..."I'll look into it." Well, he looked a little too hard, because another lucky person picked it up in the process. Good for them, but bad for me. Oh well...losing an Ebay auction just means you've saved money, right? Sour grapes! |
RE:ENGLISH ROADSTERS: Heads up
posted by Esteban on 11/30/2002 at 8:02:03 PM
| DANG! I am down in San Diego, and asked the seller if he would just take it to the local shop and have them box it and ship it (pretty darn easy to do), and he responded..."I'll look into it." Well, he looked a little too hard, because another lucky person picked it up in the process. Good for them, but bad for me. Oh well...losing an Ebay auction just means you've saved money, right? Sour grapes! |
RE:ENGLISH ROADSTERS: Heads up
posted by Ben on 12/1/2002 at 4:22:02 PM
| Sorry Esteban, I snagged it. It'll possibly cost me my marriage, but that was irresistable. I think I'll be shipping it to someone else's house... |
RE:RE:ENGLISH ROADSTERS: Heads up
posted by Mucus on 12/1/2002 at 4:41:35 PM
AGE / VALUE: Dawes smallframe
posted by: Edward in Vancouver
on 11/29/2002 at 12:19:57 AM
| Saw this bike in a junkstore, a smallframe "Dawes". Not a folder, but with small wheels 18",I think, I couldn't tell in the rain, and the tires were shot anyway. This bike is barely breathing, spray-painted blue, rusted rims, one brake lever missing and the cable on the other gone too, with a milk-crate wired on to it's rear carrier. I couldn't help noticing the workmanship on the frame though, especially where the seatstays joined the seattube, no lugs but really clean brazing, like someone just crazy-glued them on. Riveted headbadge was spraypainted blue, but Dawes was still legible, Weinman side pulls, and the stem was marked "special alloy". Rear wheel had a single sprocket freewheel, no coaster brake. Anyone know anything about this bike? Somehow I get the feeling it's English and from the '60's, but then again, what do I know? Would this be worthwile restoring? |
RE:AGE / VALUE: Dawes smallframe
posted by Warren on 11/29/2002 at 4:21:52 AM
| Hi Edward...I know where there is one just like yours rusting away in a backyard. It seems to me it has the word "King" in it...Kingfisher or the like. I could get mine for around $50 but I'm not motivated just yet. Too many other bikes beckoning. This model was discussed on one of the boards lately...it seems to me the concensus was that it was a good rider.
Good Luck. |
RE:RE:AGE / VALUE: Dawes smallframe
posted by Warren on 11/29/2002 at 4:26:00 AM
| Ha...found it...go to http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/'hadland/kingpin.html
It's a Kingpin.
Very cool looking...hmmmnnn...let's have a competition shall we Edward? East meets West....OK Corral? A restoration standoff. |
RE:RE:RE:AGE / VALUE: Dawes smallframe
posted by Warren on 11/29/2002 at 1:57:57 PM
| Please substitute a tilde for the ' before Hadland of course.... |
RE:RE:RE:RE:AGE / VALUE: Dawes smallframe
posted by Edward in Vancouver on 11/29/2002 at 11:28:21 PM
| I picked it up yesterday for $20.00. The owner's son had started to strip it, thought he could make a BMX out of it, but stopped when he saw the wheels were 18".
I took it home and finished stripping it. Cranks came off easily, bottom bracket had lots of grease and both cups came off easy. Something wrong here, it shouldn't be so easy. Bicycle Karma police are grinning at me... Loosened the stembolt, tapped it with a mallet, something didn't feel right, removed the stembolt to take a peek, threads stripped. I could twist the stem easily but it wouldn't move up or down. Mounted the fork in a vise and really put some elbow grease in. Not budging. With a heavy heart I reach for the hacksaw and cut the stem off as close as possible to steerer tube. Fork still won't come out of the frame. Now I have to remove the rusted-on bottom bearing cups, and finally the fork comes out. It has a nice bulge in the middle of the steer tube where the wedge clamp is still lodged for eternity. Duh! No wonder the stem bolt was stripped.
Don't know if I can accept your challange, Warren. Fork is shot, crank is tiny, 32 teeth, crank arms are like 3". Wheels are rusted beyond restoration. Weird, the front is a 28 spoke, but the rear is a 2o spoke. Must have been a replacement. Stem is shot, orginal handlebars replaced with kiddie bike bars. Chainguard gone, fenders in a bad way. Basically what I've got is a frame, and if I'm lucky, I can find forks from a 20" wheel bike, the only 18" bike I know of are Moultons. I checked with a 20" wheel stuck in the rear of the Dawes, it's tight but there'd be more room if I remove the brazed on kickstand mounting plate.
Finding good 18" rims and forks is tough, much tougher than finding a chaincase for my Superbe. Maybe after Christmas I'll turn it into a decent 20" wheel bike for one of my kids... |
AGE / VALUE: Moulton Cycles
posted by: Matthew
on 11/27/2002 at 6:44:28 PM
| I'd just like to point out that Moulton cycles are still in production. Something which I imagine over half the readership here are aware of. As far as I am aware, PLEASE do correct me for the sake of us all, Pashley Cycles here in the UK produce them. I am only telling folks this as I don't want any one to come to greif over copyright and piracy. By the way the Pashley Princess and Prospero are pretty good modern roadsters and certainly look the part. However they don't keep like our machines because the finish isn't anywhere near as good. We are better off with thirty forty or even seventy year old machines than new copies. Just in case anyone thinks I might like a Kronan I wouldn't, heavy slow and badly finished are typical comments in the press about tyhe Kronan. You just can't beat a good DL-1, Humber, Royal Enfield etc.
I hope this hasn't offended anybody it isn't intended to.
Ride safely when all about you are losing their balance.
Matthew
PS. I've never seen a UK Raliegh called a DL-1, strange? |
RE:AGE / VALUE: Moulton Cycles
posted by David on 11/28/2002 at 3:14:10 AM
| Do the "DLxy" model numbers appear in Raleigh catalogs other than those issued by Raleigh Industries of America, Boston? |
MISC: Cookie cutter bikes
posted by: Ray
on 11/27/2002 at 4:03:58 PM
| Don't take this wrong way. I collect bicycles and have quite a few including Brit bikes. My thing is to collect unusual bikes with something unique or different about them. When you look at these Brit roadster bikes they all look the same with the same components. Not sure why they are so popular when they all look alike. Okay you have the enclosed chain case and older hubs on one. You have rod brakes vs cable brakes on another but basically it is the same bike. Materials are not state of the art neither is the finish or plating. I have a favorite that I own which is a 28 in wheel with a SA internal 3 speed alloy hub combined with a three speed external Benelux derailleur for a 9 speed effect. Since I like unusual drive trains this gives it a little casche for me. I still like to look at these bikes and really do like the Brit racing and touring bikes like Bob Jackson, Hetchens, Jack Taylor, etc but the day to day roadsters are really not my thing. |
RE:MISC: Cookie cutter bikes
posted by bicyclecollector on 11/27/2002 at 4:56:37 PM
| Hope you do not have any of those rare, unusual,and every one unique from the other toy bicycles otherwise known as sting-rays and krates. |
RE:MISC: Cookie cutter bikes
posted by Mark R./Mucus on 11/27/2002 at 6:36:31 PM
| Ray! What? Your heart doesn't pump a little harder when you see one of these? You don't salivate all over yourself when you see one in the movies? The other bikes you mention are tops no doubt about it, but come on, you don't see what is so compelling about the roadsters?
Look, you take a modern bike(a good one)and juxtapose it with any good condition raleigh rod brake roadster, and you should be able to easily see why they are so cool: They are completely un-modern(as you said) no alloy, no titanium, no derailieurs, no $100 handlebars, $65 tires, no titanium railed 3 oz. seats, no in vogue chic horse sh**, no connection to the magazines, or the gotta have it now and first yuppie crowd, not one part made in communist China, they are the antithesis of the modern world! They are a real connection to what the world once was, could be again one day. They last forever with almost no maintainence. They are a dream to ride(if you aren't in a hurry). THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL.
They are like a siren song to me. I see titanium, aluminum, carbon fibre, suspension, 21 speed...etc... bikes everyday. But, none make me feel the way these behemoths do, none.
Really, I think that should be obvious
|
RE:MISC: Cookie cutter bikes
posted by David on 11/27/2002 at 6:45:21 PM
| I think anyone who monitors this list would agree that your "favorite," the 28" roadster with 3-spd hub x 3-spd derailer is very cool. Obviously, you enjoy that comfortable long-wheelbase slack-angled squishy-tire ride! |
RE:RE:MISC: Cookie cutter bikes
posted by David Poston on 11/27/2002 at 10:23:32 PM
| Mark R./Mucus,
You couldn't have said it better.
Ray,
If you have any old roadsters lying around you don't want, feel free to send them my way...
David |
RE:MISC: Cookie cutter bikes
posted by Brian on 11/28/2002 at 12:06:34 PM
| Ray, You understand that even when prefaced with, "don't take this wrong", your comment's are bound to get defensive feedback from some of us. I understand most of your comments, but when you say.."isn't even state-of-the-art", I get uncomfortable. So much of what is state-of-the-art
is the antithesis of what I think many of us are after here.
|
RE:RE:MISC: Cookie cutter bikes
posted by Edward inVancouver on 11/28/2002 at 4:01:20 PM
| Some good points raised though. I know guy who loves to restore late '50's Chevys, mostly coupes. He admits that compared to a same year Corvette, the Chevy corners like a pig, and doesn't ride as nice as a 'vette. So why does he restore them? What ever floats his boat, I guess. Although Raleighs/Rudges/Humbers/Philips were mass produced, there is still a significant amount of quality built into them. These bikes were designed to last very long, and to be dependable. This is something that most modern manufacturers do not embrace, for it is more profitable to sell a new bike, or components, (Shimano does come to mind!) every year to the same customer.
I still remember the first time I looked at my Raleigh in a sports consignments store. I am a roadie, and didn't want to ride my Pinarello in the rain, so I bought a beater. When I looked at it more closely, I saw the AG hub, the oil ports, and I smiled. When I heaved the bike on the shop's hanging butcher scale and it registered over 4o pounds, my face split into a sh** -eating grin. Mass produced and common, yes. But if there's quality and purpose built into a bike, it is worth caring about.
|
RE:MISC: Cookie cutter bikes
posted by Mark R./ Mucus (take your pick) on 11/29/2002 at 2:24:09 PM
| You know, I have a Giant 20 something speed, carbon fibre mtn. bike that is more or less a pretty modern bike. Rides nice, is very fast off road, has very modern shifting, weighs only 25 lbs. (with suspention no less), and even though I like this bike, and it is VERY modern, it still hasn't got the hold on me that even my old roadster has. I'd sell it for another without too much lamentation. I have to wonder what the bike will look like when it is as old as my old roadster(40 years). Will the adhesives holding the tubes together still be doing their job? Will the wheels still be in one piece? Will the fancy schmancy anatomic saddle still have it's cover(or will it even still exist?). I have no doubt that when my Mtn. bike is in the dump, and I am dust in the wind, that even my OLD roadster will still be in someones garage, and will get out on the road from time to time, assuming someone continues to make 28 in. tyres.
I don't know what to say, I just think that there is something really special about something that was built not to reflect or be associated modern times. |
RE:RE:MISC: Cookie cutter bikes
posted by Skip on 11/29/2002 at 2:39:47 PM
| The other great thing about these English 3 speeds is that they can still be ridden. Even the 26 inch, cable braked models are terrific vehicles. They are excellent as commuters, campus riders, leisure trippers, grocery getters. They allow an upright riding position, not hunched over. They have fenders. You can shift them when stopped! They're the perfect utilitarian machine. |
RE:RE:RE:MISC: Cookie cutter bikes
posted by Mucus/Mark R. (yata yata) on 11/29/2002 at 2:51:54 PM
| AMEN! And the funny thing is that you can often find them selling for less than the cost of one tyre on a modern "commuter" bike! My Raleigh "Sports" was ten bucks, TEN BUCKS! And, it was ridable as is. I've ridden it to work for years, even rode into the damned gate at work and darned near killed myself. I fixed the mangled fork by replacing it with one from a ladies frame I FOUND in the trash, and it's still going strong here it is years later!
TEN BUCKS!
THEY ARE WONDERFUL COMMUTER BIKES! Why, oh why doesn't someone still make then???? |
RE:RE:RE:RE:MISC: Time to form the: British Bicycle Restoration/Rescue Army
posted by Chris on 11/29/2002 at 5:26:16 PM
| The mountain bike is not made for commuting. Watch people who use it for commuting, they look awkward as they ride. The tires are not made for commuting on these.
To each their own as far as what you like go for that and be happy.
With all my feelings for these bikes that go in the other direction than what Ray feels about these. I still get myself into mischief by telling folks that their 1964 Hercules is a cookine cutter bike made by Raleigh. I further make it worse sometimes by rightly pointing out that they do not have Reynolds 531 tubing, nor lightweight componets, or dynohubs or cool extras. The answer there is "Well, not everybody has a "club machine" They tighten their grip on the bike, they say it is wonderful, and that they would not ever sell it. They are very much happy with that 'cokie cutter bike' of theirs.
These cookies are a distinct flavour all their own, wholesome and delicious. These days the 'bakery' is selling other types and I am not the only one in the store bemoaning the changes. A lot of folks are still prefering the 'day old' stuff. I ask if this or that is for sale and they look at me like "how dare you even ask that" No!
I'm delighted that you have an eye and good taste in bikes but I scratch my head and wonder why you are only partially bitten by the bike bug. Please do this: If you see any cookie cutter bikes in your area. Old steel heavy duty roadsters in your area pick them up, network through here with folks on this board and make 20.00 and sell them to somebody here. Take a number or e- mail down from somebody here and when you find something of interest to one of us then let them know what you have. Or tell all of us here. Just pick them up and don't let them go to waste. Can we enlist you in the British bicycle restoration/rescue army?
We need foot soldiers badly. You have to have the spirit of adventure and the thrill of the hunt. Find a buyer for whatever it is that you find.
I am already thinking up ideas for a coat patch and a oath of alliegence! In training camp we'll have a guy hold a watch and see how long it takes everybody to scamper in and out of a dumpster and bringing out the bike. We'll hear lectures from master vultures, study what's selling for crazy amounts on e- bay and well as a full course on repair! Don't like common steel roadsters? In three months we can change all that! |
AGE / VALUE: Royal Enfield
posted by: Jeff R
on 11/27/2002 at 12:52:14 AM
| http://cgi.aol.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=739731789
Check out the above Royal Enfield on ebay. |
RE:AGE / VALUE: Royal Enfield
posted by David on 11/27/2002 at 1:08:37 AM
| Nice bike, but it's already over $200 delivered. Maybe a good deal for someone in St Louis! |
MISC: Swedish reproductions
posted by: Esteban
on 11/27/2002 at 12:17:49 AM
| It's been a while since I've visited, but I was wondering if anybody has come across Kronan bicycles. I guess they are reproductions of Swedish army bikes. They look really cool (although not as cool as my semi-rusty british originals). Does anyone have any opinion or knowledge of these?
http://www.kronancycle.com/
-Esteban |
RE:MISC: Swedish reproductions
posted by David on 11/27/2002 at 12:59:16 AM
| They sell 'em in Boston and I've seen a few. I don't recall seeing any construction shortcuts that made me cringe. They seem to be solid but extremely plain and make old roadsters seem highly stylish! The one rider I've talked to like his very much. |
RE:RE:MISC: Swedish reproductions
posted by Jacob on 11/27/2002 at 12:45:55 PM
| Denmark and Sweden are neighbours, and from Copenhagen its only about 45 minutes in train to the city of Malmoe in southern Sweden (we have a bridge over the sea these days).
In Copenhagen you see a lot of these Kronan bikes - probably a lot more than you would see in Sweden, because bikes are much more popular in little Denmark than in larger Sweden, where transportation-culture is more "american". In Denmark a 3 hours trip in car would take you from one end of the country to the other, while in Sweden the same trip would be concidered a short distance.
Well, back to Kronan bikes: I do not have any personal experience with them, but they are very popular among young people. A basic Kronan is inexpensive - maybe two thirds of the price of a new basic Raleigh Tourist de Luxe. But I agree: The english roadster is far more elegant.
The Kronan's popularity in Denmark has to do with - I think - the "retro-trend" among youngsters (do you have the same thing in the States?). Even rod-brake Raleighs are considered cool by many young people in Denmark. But don't mistake it for affection for nice old bikes - it's the overall retro-look that counts (including clothes and much more). Many of the classic and vintage bikes between the legs of youngsters in Denmark are in a very poor condition, and most of them don't seem to bother. They just ride them with gear-cables broken, wheels untrue and fenders rattling until they throw them away.
I can't make up my mind whether this is bad or good...
The bikes get a second life - but it is a short life in the hands of ignorants (and I'm getting old and sullen).
Well, ring your bells and pedal on...
Jacob
|
ENGLISH ROADSTERS: parts 4 trade
posted by: Brian
on 11/26/2002 at 2:20:43 PM
| I have two Humber Sports chainwheel sets (yes the one's with people prancing 'round the ring - they could use rechroming on the face for show), they are not rusty or otherwise damaged in anyway. I'm looking for 4" Raleigh built rubber block pedals in very good shape (the rebuidable ones) correct for my 1950's Sports. If interested, email before I turn to ebay. I'll consider correct frame pump(s) or saddlepack too. I also have a nice old Brooks B66 - the one with the notched wheel adjuster in the nose, and the great old style Brooks rivited logo. If something sounds right I'll email interested party pictures. |
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