Raleigh Tamarack Mountain Tour
 

I've been looking for a winter bike, and when a Raleigh appeared on Craigslist for $50, I made the call. Within the hour, I bought the bike. The components appear good, and I'm happy with my purchase. The wheels are 650b, and I will have to make a special purchase for tires.

When I came home, I made my customary check on Bikeforums. There was little information on the bike. I've decided to post pictures to help others that might have questions about the model.

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After Pictures!

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Wow! Bullmoose bars and 650b. Score!

Could someone enlitghten me as to why Raleigh was marketing 650b in the 1980s?

They weren't the only ones. Schwinn also did a 650b MTB.

It has a "Jim Blackburn" rear rack! Nice catch! This would have been a tough one to let slip away!

Nice :thumb: Interesting bike too...

Aaron :)

It does look like a nice interesting old bike. Get some Grand Bois tyres and you are good to go.

Thanks for your assessment! I'm surprised by everyone's response. I didn't anticipate it being received so well.

I was pleased when I saw the rack.

Thanks Aaron. I also find the bike interesting. The most interesting is the wheel size. Also, when I saw the CL photographs, the only component that I could recogize was the Suntour Thumb Shifters. From the shifters, I reasoned that the bike would have been of better quality.

Thanks for the info. I will check into the tires!

And sexy high flange hubs...

Thanks. The bike should look very nice cleaned up.

I've got a Raleigh Crested Butte Mountain Tour. I have mine set up as a commuter. It is a great bike. I hope you enjoy your old Raleigh MTB as much as I enjoy mine.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...DSCN1408_1.jpg

I had a Raleigh Elk Horn Mountain Tour for a while. It was interesting, but a little on the large side for me. It had standard 26" mtb wheels.

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/u...g?t=1321832623

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/u...e/IMG_0378.jpg

Thanks for the photo. Your bike looks great! The fenders and saddle look fantastic!

Thanks for the photo. I'm impressed with the quality of these old Raleighs. Mine is slightly on the small side. I hope I can make it work as a winter commuter.

FWIW I think I may have one of the last of the steel Raleigh MTB's. I have a Raleigh Tactic 1991? seems to be a sweet little bike.

Aaron :)
http://inlinethumb43.webshots.com/56...600x600Q85.jpg

Thanks Aaron for the photo. Your bike looks great!

I bought my bike from a bike flipper. He used motor oil to lube the chain. I'm in the process of removing the oil and cleaning the components. It should look great when it is done.

Mine is filthy and in dire need of a tune up. It was one of 3 bikes that came in from my brother's garage when he moved. I have no clue what he was doing with it...possibly using it as a back up commuter. It is most likely going to get studded tires mounted, cleaned up and go to my daughter in NH. She has a city bike and a road bike, but doesn't have a winter bike.

Aaron :)

I also own a 1984 Raleigh Mountain Tour Tamarack. Unfortunately, mine has hit the back burner on my refurbish job. I went with the Panaracer Col de la vie 650B tires. I'll likely finish it up this spring.

Here is a picture of mine in "Almost Finished" condition.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-e...4/P1010129.JPG

And now, for the Bonus Round.

Here is a scan of the ultra rare 1984 Mountain Tour brochure.

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6112/6...868f8fae_b.jpg

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And, finally, a scan of a 2 page magazine advertisement.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-K...84Raleigh2.jpghttps://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-N...84Raleigh1.jpg

Fantastic Information! Thanks for scanning the brochure! I really appreciate your efforts. More information than I expected. I especially appreciate the photos with the racks and panniers. The information will be a great resource.

Bob

Glad to help. Maybe one day we can do a Mountain Tour ride together. Perhaps a climb up Mount Pleasant?

Sweet. Let me know if it turns out to be too small. I have plenty of larger vintage MTB's. ;)

Although it is slightly small, I'm certain that I can make it work. It will make a great addition to my touring collection. I'm reconsidering the winter commuter idea.

Thanks.

just came in here to say these look like great bikes!

Updat on Restore
 

I've begun work on the bike. The frame has been completely disassembled. The hubs, bottom bracket, and headset has been served. The components have been cleaned, and the motor oil removed from the chain. The frame has a coat of wax. The paint looks better than expected.


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I did experiment in replacing the mountain bike handlebar with a rando drop bar. The attempt was to recreate a bike similiar to the Salsa Fargo. Although I like the look, the bike did not handle well with the rando bars. Also, the bike was uncomfortable. I returned the bike back to its original configuration. The bike is nearly complete. I have to run cables and replace tires. I should have the bike complete by this weekend.

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