Raleigh Gran Sport... should I?
06-16-14, 06:27 AM
#1
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Raleigh Gran Sport... should I?
We received a nice donation at the coop last week, alot of lower end trek mtbs and junior bikes. a nice Ironhorse road frame, and few other BSOs... anyway, entangled in all of that mess, was a mid 70's Raleigh Gran Sport...
its in ok condition, has all the original equipment (simplex plastic crap) the paint is White with tealish blue panels. the hoods are white and have Carlton imprinted on them.. its very catchy. i quickly put a save ticket on it, so i can mull over possibly owning this one, it needs the usual, tires, brakes , cables, tune up. there are some rust spots in places, mostly around the lugs. in my haste i didn't take a picture of it, but it looks like the below sample
SAMPLE
they quoted me a price of 100 bones for it, honestly im probably going to buy it, it rides like a dream even in its state and the full 531 frame really is hard to turn down.. thoughts?
its in ok condition, has all the original equipment (simplex plastic crap) the paint is White with tealish blue panels. the hoods are white and have Carlton imprinted on them.. its very catchy. i quickly put a save ticket on it, so i can mull over possibly owning this one, it needs the usual, tires, brakes , cables, tune up. there are some rust spots in places, mostly around the lugs. in my haste i didn't take a picture of it, but it looks like the below sample
SAMPLE
they quoted me a price of 100 bones for it, honestly im probably going to buy it, it rides like a dream even in its state and the full 531 frame really is hard to turn down.. thoughts?
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06-16-14, 06:32 AM
#2
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If you don't want it, I'd be glad to take it off your hands for 100 dollars plus shipping.
06-16-14, 06:51 AM
#3
multimodal commuter
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06-16-14, 07:01 AM
#4
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oh i want it, i love my raleighs... just like to be pushed into it 
06-16-14, 07:26 AM
#6
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Raleigh Gran Sport... should I?
I know that most everyone dumps on Simplex derailleurs. But If they have lasted 40 years and are still working, whats the problem with them? I much prefer them to some Japanese offering. And the GS came with the long cage version, very nice. I'll buy the derailleur from you if you replace it, but strongly suggest you give it a try.
Gran Sports are nice riding bikes. Good luck with it!
Gran Sports are nice riding bikes. Good luck with it!
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06-16-14, 07:33 AM
#7
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This one's a no-brainer, if it's your size.
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06-16-14, 07:33 AM
#8
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what place do gran sports land in the heirarchy? ive heard they are on par with competitions, officially they are fourth from the top.. can anybody shed light on this?
06-16-14, 07:42 AM
#9
What??? Only 2 wheels?
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In any case, DO buy it. With decent wheels (which it may already have) and tires, and whatever derailleurs work (I'd recommend Suntour VGT-Luxe or Vx, inexpensive, bulletproof, light, crisp shifting) it is a superb bike.
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06-16-14, 08:35 AM
#10
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Get it. Great riding bikes. The English ones were DB 531 frame/fork, though most did not have forged drops. (I think '73s sometimes came with Zeus forged drops.) 80's Japanese ones were not 531. I love love love mine:
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06-16-14, 09:01 AM
#11
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im going to pick it up on saturday, its my size so i can't pass it up.. it has the 531 sticker on the frame and fork,, so that means the stays are hi-ten?
06-16-14, 09:13 AM
#12
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Here's a little more to push you (I see you've already decided), but in case you have second thoughts. 1. If you don't buy it you'll see whoever did buy it riding around enjoying it and you'll regret not jumping at such a great opportunity. Or someone will buy nit, ride it a couple of times then let it languish in a dusty shed. It will never be able to get out and stretch it's legs....wheels. 
Have fun with it.
Have fun with it.
06-16-14, 09:16 AM
#13
feros ferio
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Read the 531 sticker carefully. You may have full straight gauge 531, for example, like my 1959 Capo. (The 1960, a slightly different model, is double-butted.)
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Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
06-16-14, 09:18 AM
#14
feros ferio
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That is a keeper!!!! Very nice.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
06-16-14, 09:23 AM
#15
What??? Only 2 wheels?
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Just ride it.
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Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
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06-16-14, 09:58 AM
#16
Still learning
FYI, I'm overhauling a 1973 +/- for a friend and it has tubular GP4 rims on Campy hubs. Bought clinchers and looking for someone to rebuild the wheels.
06-16-14, 10:26 AM
#17
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ive wanted to build up a nice english bike with campy for a while, there are some campy bits at my coop, this might be build im waiting for, ill keep the simplex on there in the meantime
06-16-14, 10:42 AM
#18
Senior Member
I feel like the beautiful frame with the stamped steel dropouts begs for some creative builds! Sometimes I feel a bit silly with my fixed gear wheel in the beautiful Campagnolo dropouts on my Carlton. But such a build, or an IGH, would be completely guilt free on a Gran Sport, and probably just as fun!
06-16-14, 02:32 PM
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In terms of hierarchy, in 1973 it was below the Competition and above the Super Course:
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06-16-14, 06:44 PM
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I would have bought it for three times that amount.
06-16-14, 07:29 PM
#24
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Retro Raleighs
Either way, great bike.
06-16-14, 09:27 PM
#25
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"Azure blue head tube". Those four words are worth that price of admission. Don't wuss out on us (maybe this is the kind of motivation you need).