New to me: Raleigh Professional
08-20-19, 11:07 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
New to me: Raleigh Professional
Hello CR friends,I picked up this bike from a local I-Bob member yesterday. Although nowhere near a complete model, at $150 I thought it was a deal too good to pass up.
Here’s a link to an album of quick pics: https://www.flickr.com/gp/dougbloch/7JL0NX
After consulting https://on-the-drops.blogspot.com/20...leigh.html?m=1 and Raleigh Serial Numbers & Charts, my best guess from the serial number (which starts with “WB1”) is that this is a Worksop-built 1981 Raleigh Professional Mark V. Steel blue paint, not Mink Blue from what I read. If I’m right, onthedrops says, “many consider the Mark V the best of the lot overall for its handling and build quality.”
I enjoyed a quick ride on it. The components are not the originals, but nonetheless it is outfitted with:
- Campagnolo NR rear derailleur
- Campagnolo Gran Sport crankset
- Campagnolo NR downtube shifters
- Campagnolo NR head set
- Campagnolo bottom bracket
- Dia-Compe brakes
- Dura-Ace front derailleur
- Suntour Winner 6-speed freewheel
- Nitto stem- SR Laprade seat post
- mismatched and unremarkable but true wheelset with new Continental tires
It came with an old Wright’s saddle, Cinelli stem, and the original pedals. Those pedals are Campy copies on the bike.
Unfortunately I sold my black Brooks Professional with copper rivets last year and my Mavic wheelset laced to Campy NR hubs. I thought I was done with all of this. But at this price it was too good to pass up.
I’m not sure what I will do with it. I am going to swap the wheelset for some Mavics on Shimano 105 wheels and Compass 28c tires. I will either put road bars on it or flip some North Roads and make it a townie. Not sure about the saddle at this point. The only thing I know is I do plan to enjoy it!
Anyway, I wanted to share. Apologies if you see this cross-posted anywhere else.
Doug
Here’s a link to an album of quick pics: https://www.flickr.com/gp/dougbloch/7JL0NX
After consulting https://on-the-drops.blogspot.com/20...leigh.html?m=1 and Raleigh Serial Numbers & Charts, my best guess from the serial number (which starts with “WB1”) is that this is a Worksop-built 1981 Raleigh Professional Mark V. Steel blue paint, not Mink Blue from what I read. If I’m right, onthedrops says, “many consider the Mark V the best of the lot overall for its handling and build quality.”
I enjoyed a quick ride on it. The components are not the originals, but nonetheless it is outfitted with:
- Campagnolo NR rear derailleur
- Campagnolo Gran Sport crankset
- Campagnolo NR downtube shifters
- Campagnolo NR head set
- Campagnolo bottom bracket
- Dia-Compe brakes
- Dura-Ace front derailleur
- Suntour Winner 6-speed freewheel
- Nitto stem- SR Laprade seat post
- mismatched and unremarkable but true wheelset with new Continental tires
It came with an old Wright’s saddle, Cinelli stem, and the original pedals. Those pedals are Campy copies on the bike.
Unfortunately I sold my black Brooks Professional with copper rivets last year and my Mavic wheelset laced to Campy NR hubs. I thought I was done with all of this. But at this price it was too good to pass up.
I’m not sure what I will do with it. I am going to swap the wheelset for some Mavics on Shimano 105 wheels and Compass 28c tires. I will either put road bars on it or flip some North Roads and make it a townie. Not sure about the saddle at this point. The only thing I know is I do plan to enjoy it!
Anyway, I wanted to share. Apologies if you see this cross-posted anywhere else.
Doug
Last edited by Dougbloch; 08-21-19 at 04:50 AM. Reason: formatting error
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08-20-19, 11:30 PM
#2
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Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
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Hello CR friends,I picked up this bike from a local I-Bob member yesterday. Although nowhere near a complete model, at $150 I thought it was a deal too good to pass up.
Here’s a link to an album of quick pics: https://www.flickr.com/gp/dougbloch/7JL0NX
After consulting https://on-the-drops.blogspot.com/20...leigh.html?m=1 and Raleigh Serial Numbers & Charts, my best guess from the serial number (which starts with “WB1”) is that this is a Worksop-built 1981 Raleigh Professional Mark V. Steel blue paint, not Mink Blue from what I read. If I’m right, onthedrops says, “many consider the Mark V the best of the lot overall for its handling and build quality.”
I enjoyed a quick ride on it. The components are not the originals, but nonetheless it is outfitted with:
- Campagnolo NR rear derailleur
- Campagnolo Gran Sport crankset
- Campagnolo NR downtube shifters
- Campagnolo NR head set
- Campagnolo bottom bracket
- Campagnolo NR brakes (I believe ‘68 because they have no lettering)
- Dura-Ace front derailleur
- Suntour Winner 6-speed freewheel
- Nitto stem- SR Laprade seat post
- mismatched and unremarkable but true wheelset with new Continental tires
It came with an old Wright’s saddle, Cinelli stem, and the original pedals. Those pedals are Campy copies on the bike.
Unfortunately I sold my black Brooks Professional with copper rivets last year and my Mavic wheelset laced to Campy NR hubs. I thought I was done with all of this. But at this price it was too good to pass up.
I’m not sure what I will do with it. I am going to swap the wheelset for some Mavics on Shimano 105 wheels and Compass 28c tires. I will either put road bars on it or flip some North Roads and make it a townie. Not sure about the saddle at this point. The only thing I know is I do plan to enjoy it!
Anyway, I wanted to share. Apologies if you see this cross-posted anywhere else.
Doug
Here’s a link to an album of quick pics: https://www.flickr.com/gp/dougbloch/7JL0NX
After consulting https://on-the-drops.blogspot.com/20...leigh.html?m=1 and Raleigh Serial Numbers & Charts, my best guess from the serial number (which starts with “WB1”) is that this is a Worksop-built 1981 Raleigh Professional Mark V. Steel blue paint, not Mink Blue from what I read. If I’m right, onthedrops says, “many consider the Mark V the best of the lot overall for its handling and build quality.”
I enjoyed a quick ride on it. The components are not the originals, but nonetheless it is outfitted with:
- Campagnolo NR rear derailleur
- Campagnolo Gran Sport crankset
- Campagnolo NR downtube shifters
- Campagnolo NR head set
- Campagnolo bottom bracket
- Campagnolo NR brakes (I believe ‘68 because they have no lettering)
- Dura-Ace front derailleur
- Suntour Winner 6-speed freewheel
- Nitto stem- SR Laprade seat post
- mismatched and unremarkable but true wheelset with new Continental tires
It came with an old Wright’s saddle, Cinelli stem, and the original pedals. Those pedals are Campy copies on the bike.
Unfortunately I sold my black Brooks Professional with copper rivets last year and my Mavic wheelset laced to Campy NR hubs. I thought I was done with all of this. But at this price it was too good to pass up.
I’m not sure what I will do with it. I am going to swap the wheelset for some Mavics on Shimano 105 wheels and Compass 28c tires. I will either put road bars on it or flip some North Roads and make it a townie. Not sure about the saddle at this point. The only thing I know is I do plan to enjoy it!
Anyway, I wanted to share. Apologies if you see this cross-posted anywhere else.
Doug
08-20-19, 11:31 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
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Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
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A great score none the less.
08-20-19, 11:43 PM
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I corrected the original post.
Well now I won’t feel bad about swapping them out for something else. I have a great set in mind!
Last edited by Dougbloch; 08-21-19 at 04:51 AM.
08-21-19, 12:18 AM
#5
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Location: PDX
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Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
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08-21-19, 02:04 AM
#6
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Now that's my idea of a top-tier Raleigh: Campy 1010b dropouts, chamfered stay ends, oversize seatstay caps, blue metallic paint and that lovely Bocama lug set. Nice catch, whatever the components - the frame's the star of this show 
DD
DD
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08-21-19, 03:43 AM
#7
Hump, what hump?
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Great score!
__________________
2010 AB T1X ** 2010 Cannondale SIX-5 ** 1993 Cannondale RS900 ** 1988 Bottecchia Team Record ** 1989 Bianchi Brava ** 1988 Nishiki Olympic ** 1987 Centurion Ironman Expert(2) ** 1985 DeRosa Professional SLX ** 1982 Colnago Super ** 1982 Basso Gap ** 198? Ciocc Competition SL ** 19?? Roberts Audax ** 198? Brian Rourke ** 1982 Mercian Olympic ** 1970 Raleigh Professional MK I ** 1952 Raleigh Sports
2010 AB T1X ** 2010 Cannondale SIX-5 ** 1993 Cannondale RS900 ** 1988 Bottecchia Team Record ** 1989 Bianchi Brava ** 1988 Nishiki Olympic ** 1987 Centurion Ironman Expert(2) ** 1985 DeRosa Professional SLX ** 1982 Colnago Super ** 1982 Basso Gap ** 198? Ciocc Competition SL ** 19?? Roberts Audax ** 198? Brian Rourke ** 1982 Mercian Olympic ** 1970 Raleigh Professional MK I ** 1952 Raleigh Sports
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