NukeouT

Heya,

I'm working on entering old Raleigh data into my database app. I cant find much on the frame/fork tubing or who made what parts.

Frames and forks I am entering as "Steel" because the catalogs say nothing at all so far 1938, 1948 .. In what year did they switch to Reynolds tubing or generic Cr-Mo?

I read through Sheldon Browns stuff and it seems like they pretty much made every component up to some year, with the exception of what was made by their subsidiaries Brooks and Sturmey-Archer (+wheels). Can I assume parts like seat posts, stems, handlebars, cranks were made by Raleigh and out of plain steel? How about bottom brackets? Up to what years is this true?

Thanks in advance. I will keep on entering, refreshing this page as I go along.

If you want to see the app I am working on It can be downloaded here:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...sprocket&hl=en

rhm

I think the standard Raleigh steel was 2030 steel tubing:



Reynolds tubing was used on some high end frames from the 1940's up to the early 60's. After 1961 they stopped using Reynolds tubing at the Raleigh factory (all 531 frames were made by Carlton after that point).

Up to about that time, whole bikes were made in house, even very high end components for models like the RRA, though some high end components were sourced from other manufacturers (rims by Dunlop, aluminum bits by GB, later also cranks by Williams, and so on).

I don't understand the special relationship with Sturmey Archer. Some Dynohubs were marked Sturmey Archer, others Raleigh Industries.

To understand what was going on, you'd have to understand the sequence in which the industry was swallowed up by the TI conglomerate. TI acquired many of the smaller companies during the 50's, while Raleigh acquired others; and finally TI acquired Raleigh as well. Phillips was once an independent company, and ended up a Raleigh division. Same with Brampton. Not sure about Bayliss Wiley, Resilion, Dunlop, etc.

NukeouT

Great! "2030 Steel" it is

Do you know what models used Reynolds up to and including 1962?

Sounds like up to atleast the 1962 catalog I am safe labeling every part that the Raleigh catalog does not identify as made by Raleigh

rhm

Incompletely.

In the 30s the RRA was made from Reynolds High Manganese tubing even after 1935 when 531 was introduced. Peter Kohler has an article about these bikes.

In the post war years, the RRA was full butted 531, the Clubman was either butted or straight gauge 531 and the Lenton series (Lenton Sports, Lenton Tourist, etc) were straight gauge 531. Later versions of the RRA and Lenton models were similar, up to the Lenton Grand Prix 1958-1961 which was straight gauge 531. By 1962 the Lenton Sports was 2030. The RRA (RRA Moderne) was last offered in 1958.

Peter Kohler's various articles will clear up the details:

https://www.ipernity.com/blog/286349

nlerner

Here's the Reynolds decal from my '51 Clubman:

CV-6 

The 1946/47 Lenton Sports has main tube 531. This model became the Lenton Clubman in 1948. According to this article by Petr Kohler, this was the first Raleigh to use 531.

Lenton Sports 010 by L Travers, on Flickr

Prowler 

Two nits, but that's what databases are made of. I refurbished a 1968 Grand Prix last winter. The tubing sticker said "Truwell" 2030. I've seen other photos showing the 2030 steel called Truwell.

That bike also had Sturmey-Archer chromed steel rims - in beautiful condition after all this time. Just the rims, this was a Simplex 2 x 5 tranny.

rhm

Those Sturmey Archer chromed steel rims seem to be the same as the older Dunlop ones; the only change I can see is the name.

NukeouT

Does anyone know what year the steel on non-unique steel models went form 2030 Steel to Truwell 2030 steel?

On another note: I found wheel descriptions that say HUBS: Raleigh quick release in the 1939 catalog 1939 Raleigh Bicycle Catalog from RetroRaleighs Page 11 Do I read that as hubs are with Raleigh quick releases or hubs and quick releases are made by Raleigh aka Raleigh hubs?

+ 1938 Raleigh and 1948 Raleigh are done. Will go through Q/A soon and be available soon

NukeouT

Any guesses on what type of fork is on this 1939 Silver Record? 2030 Steel or Cr-Mo/Hi-Carbon ?1939 Raleigh Bicycle Catalog from RetroRaleighs Page 15

Fidbloke

I wonder when they switched over to the 18/28 steel tubing.?

Looking at bikes for sale on the 'Bay, it seems to be some time around the late Sixties to Early Seventies. Although, they may have had a bit of an 'overlap' on the stickers (and tubing!).

rhm

At that time Raleigh made neat axle wingnuts that incorporated an R into the design. I assume that's what this refers to.

NukeouT

Can you guys confirm that Kurts 1938 catalog is 1938? Seems to have a bunch of models different from the two 1938 catalogs on the ThreeSpeed site..

'The Headbadge': 1938 Raleigh & Gazelle Catalog Brochure - USA

and the two 1938 catalogs here

Raleigh Archives - Page 2 of 5 - Three Speed Hub

nlerner

Nick, the keeper of the threespeedhub.com site, knows as much about pre-war Raleighs and what shows up in catalogs as anyone. I'd go with his expertise.

NukeouT

I found these 1991 Raleigh Mens/Womens catalogs

Veteran-Cycle Club Online Library

Although I found this other 1991 German catalog at Retrobikes that has some new/different bikes which do not match up, but I cant read. Anyone know where I can find an English version of this? It would be great to have all the Raleigh 1991 information to represent the year as accurately and completely as possible.

Raleigh Catalogue 1991 | Catalogues | Retrobike