Raleigh Technium Olympian
03-25-20, 01:18 PM
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Raleigh Technium Olympian
Sorry for the poor pics, but anyone have a clue what year this is? I'm debating if its worth fixing up and selling as a bike or just grabbing a few parts and ditching the rest. The frame is in good shape. I would have very little $ into it as a purchase. No cracks, dents or rust. Needs lots of little things like bar tape, cables and tires.
03-25-20, 03:22 PM
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Techniums (Technii?) were made in Kent, Washington, just south of the Boeing plant in Seattle, between 1986 and 1993 if memory serves. Raleigh needed Boeing's expertise in bonding dissimilar metals - which is what the Technium process is.
In your case, I believe the Olympian frame consists of aluminum main tubes bonded to cromoly lugs, the most common configuation.
I like these frames. I've always thought they rode better than their pay grade, almost like a better grade of steel. Not soft, but definitely not harsh either, a nice balance. And no, I've never seen a frame come apart, if you have fears of the bonding process.
When times were good, ~$150, fully refurb'd & ready to go. Today, no clue what these bring.
In your case, I believe the Olympian frame consists of aluminum main tubes bonded to cromoly lugs, the most common configuation.
I like these frames. I've always thought they rode better than their pay grade, almost like a better grade of steel. Not soft, but definitely not harsh either, a nice balance. And no, I've never seen a frame come apart, if you have fears of the bonding process.
When times were good, ~$150, fully refurb'd & ready to go. Today, no clue what these bring.
03-25-20, 05:17 PM
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With a good overhaul and some TLC that will make someone a great commuter
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
03-25-20, 06:45 PM
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Unfortunately nothing special. As noted above, a good commuter/campus bike.
As is, $50. Cleaned, overhauled and ready to ride, $125.
As is, $50. Cleaned, overhauled and ready to ride, $125.
03-26-20, 03:42 AM
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Thanks to all!
Yes, the components are decent but nothing great. I do hate to see a bike parted out, especially when the frame is still good and the components have no extraordinary value. I think I will get it in good, rideable condition, and let someone else enjoy it.A nice home project while I am waiting out the storm.
Yes, the components are decent but nothing great. I do hate to see a bike parted out, especially when the frame is still good and the components have no extraordinary value. I think I will get it in good, rideable condition, and let someone else enjoy it.A nice home project while I am waiting out the storm.
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03-26-20, 06:20 AM
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The subject bicycle is 1990 Raleigh Olympian FT. It was 7th in a line-up of 9 Technium road models and had a retail price of $400 US. Olympian was actually a series of 3 sport bicycles during this era, with the other two being Olympian and Olympian CX.
03-26-20, 10:33 AM
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Front tire too close to down tube and, the front fork looks like toast in the next to last picture. Looks like an early 3X7 set up. Exage is decent stuff. Main frame triangle looks OK. Might be good for a parts bike. Worth $50 tops as-is.
03-26-20, 10:54 AM
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MAn -
if it weren't for that fork being punched with a hammer , that bike would have potential !
everyone is gaga over bigger tires , and with cantilever brakes, you might be able to squeeze a decent size set of skins on there for some entry level gravel exploring on the cheap
if it weren't for that fork being punched with a hammer , that bike would have potential !
everyone is gaga over bigger tires , and with cantilever brakes, you might be able to squeeze a decent size set of skins on there for some entry level gravel exploring on the cheap
03-26-20, 11:05 AM
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The fork is actually perfect. I'm not sure why that image shows a distortion.
03-26-20, 11:06 AM
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MAn -
if it weren't for that fork being punched with a hammer , that bike would have potential !
everyone is gaga over bigger tires , and with cantilever brakes, you might be able to squeeze a decent size set of skins on there for some entry level gravel exploring on the cheap
if it weren't for that fork being punched with a hammer , that bike would have potential !
everyone is gaga over bigger tires , and with cantilever brakes, you might be able to squeeze a decent size set of skins on there for some entry level gravel exploring on the cheap
03-26-20, 11:23 AM
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Id be all over that then -- but ive been looking for a deal on a canti braked touring bike for a while now ---- ive been pining for a Bianchi Volpe, but they never come up in my area in my size
03-27-20, 05:46 AM
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03-27-20, 07:18 AM
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No, it's a 1990 model, as I previously stated. Based on the serial number, this frame was the 1?98th manufactured on day 140 of 1990. That would make it May 19, 1990. The format used by Raleigh's Kent facility used the 1st and 5th characters as the year indicator. Characters 2 through 4 indicate the day, while the remaining characters are the sequential frame number. Sometimes, there is also an A or B suffix to denote day and evening shifts respectively.
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03-27-20, 09:34 AM
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No, it's a 1990 model, as I previously stated. Based on the serial number, this frame was the 1?98th manufactured on day 140 of 1990. That would make it May 19, 1990. The format used by Raleigh's Kent facility used the 1st and 5th characters as the year indicator. Characters 2 through 4 indicate the day, while the remaining characters are the sequential frame number. Sometimes, there is also an A or B suffix to denote day and evening shifts respectively.
03-27-20, 10:33 AM
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Part out candidates, list is not complete. There are always exceptions:
Road bikes:
Campy
Shimano Dura Ace, Ultegra or 600
Suntour Cyclone, Sprint, Superbe, Superbe Pro
Any good quality triple crankset
Some Sugino doubles
MTBs:
Shimano XT or XTR, Shimano Deerhead
Suntour XC Pro
Thumb shifters
Any good quality triple crankset
Now on really desirable bikes, best to leave original and unmolested!!
+100 The "best" part outs is when the frame has a fatal flaw, like crash damage or similar.
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03-27-20, 11:56 AM
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Waded into it today - bottom bracket and wheel bearings serviced, derailleurs repaired, cables replaced. Waiting on the tires. Then rewrap the bars, replace the saddle, clean her up and done!
03-29-20, 10:25 AM
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Not trying to hijack the thread. But, I've got an old Technium myself. I believe it's the first year model. I've been using it for about 6 years myself, no problemo. Techniums came equipped with nice Araya wheels. My frame can handle big 27" x 1-3/8" (35mm) Michelin Pro-Tek tires. I think the Technium is one of my sweetest rides. (All my bikes are for sale but, I think I'll keep this one).
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03-30-20, 11:04 AM
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03-30-20, 11:18 AM
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Not trying to hijack the thread. But, I've got an old Technium myself. I believe it's the first year model. I've been using it for about 6 years myself, no problemo. Techniums came equipped with nice Araya wheels. My frame can handle big 27" x 1-3/8" (35mm) Michelin Pro-Tek tires. I think the Technium is one of my sweetest rides. (All my bikes are for sale but, I think I'll keep this one).
03-30-20, 08:44 PM
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04-16-20, 03:38 AM
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Just a follow up. Despite the lower estimates here, once serviced and clean, it sold for $175 the first day Ilisted it. There was a lot of interest,so, it probably could have sold higher. Good to know. If you are selling a similar bike I would offer it at $200-$250.
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