Thanks for the generous offer mkeller324. I think I will fill that space with something custom or eventually find the older chromy triggers that rattle so much you have to put weird shims in 'em.

According to the seller and the pics, it's painted silver with chrome fenders, rather than all chrome. It's a nice looker (and a 23" frame, I'd guess) though.

Neal

Thanks Neil. Couldn't tell from photos and read quickly.

If anyone wants my 23"LTD, it would make room for the silver Sports for me:D

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv...509504426.html

I'm in the market for an english 3 speed. Been looking around a lot lately. Thoughts on this Phillips? It looks small. I'm 5'10" and usually ride ~56cm

Yes, it is pretty small. I had a Phillips that was the same size as that bike and found it uncomfortable being 6' tall.

A few things to note: It seems that the twist grip shifters get complained about from time to time, I have not used them but it's something to keep in mind. The color matched rack is a rare item. If it is a Raleigh built Phillips it might be not as nice in subtle ways. For example the phillips I owned had a large plate for the brake bridge... perfectly functional but not very elegant. $230 seems expensive... but it's in LA... and it does have a Brooks, so maybe it's not that bad.

mikeylikey, grab it. That bike looks great, and it has a B72 saddle, which sells for $140 new. Check the condition, of course.

You can ride a smaller three speed than a road bike. I'm 5'10" also and my ideal road bike size is 56cm and I have a pretty small three speed. The riding position is still quite upright, as it's supposed to be.

General rule for Raleigh and clone 3 speeds...under 6' get the 21" frames, under 5'-5"...get a 19" or a step through, under 5'-1" get a Colt or Space Rider...Over 6' can ride a 21" but the 23" are better.

Aaron :)

+1 Aaron...I'm 6'2" with a 34" inseam and while I can ride both a 21" and 23" the 23" is definatley a better fit, I feel like a circus bear on the 21". My preference would be for a 24" or 25", which out of the realm of the Sports and into the Tourists and some of the older English roadsters.

I am right at your size...length wise anyway :P

I have a 21" Sports that I use as a basket bike for beer runs. I have a 23" Superbe that I use for longer rambles and I have a 24" Tourist that hasn't seen much use lately, waiting on some parts and time. But I did ride about 12 miles on it right after I got it, that was interesting because I had not had time to really dial the brakes in :eek: Fortunately the bell works :D

Speaking of circus bears...try riding a Twenty or a Compact RSW :innocent:

Aaron :)

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-n...0/CIMG0012.JPG

Rod brakes scare me, as do all other bad brakes.

My Twenty has lousy brakes, too. I gotta do something about that.

How common are the 19" sports models?

I'd take some of those sizes down an inch or so. I'm 5'11" and I prefer the 23"; my wife is 5'5" and she prefers the 21" step through. My friend is 5'10" and he rides a 23". As far as the Colt, I know a 5'3" woman who rides a Camelback model.

Step through models, very common. Not so common for diamond frames. Most of the ones I see are 21".
Conversely, I've been meeting several women who are 5'7"-5'9", and they want a 21" step through, and I don't run into many of those.

So a 5'3" male wanting a diamond frame is pretty much out of luck, unless I find another one with a sloping/bent top tube?

I don't know...you may get lucky. From looking at Retro Raleighs and Kurt's Headbadge site, some were made in 18" and 19.5" in the '70s. I'll keep an eye out for you.

The 19" diamond frames are fairly rare. I have only seen one in the wild. They apparently were only made for a couple of years in the mid 70's.

FWIW my wife is 5'-1" (so she claims ;)) and rides a Colt. We did source a Space Rider with the 24" wheels for a young lady that was a bit shorter.

Tom, replace the pads with koolstop Continentals and upgrade the rear brake cable. The stock cables on the Twenty are atrocious! I put some modern SS teflon lined ones on my wife's bike and is stops a lot better.

Aaron :)

I've never seen one. But you never know--I volunteer at a place, and you never know what will show up. Besides, I don't want to bum out Banjo_mole. ;)

I'm getting one ready for my daughter. She should be able to ride it in a couple of years.

I'll have to try that. I have Koolstops, but the rear brake doesn't do much.

Oooooooooooooooooo....I'm happy now! I picked up a 1952 19" Norman 3speed last year for $25. Problem, I gave it to my youngest son to ride.........now I have to pry it away from him!!

Pics. in the morning

The Royal I just sold was about 20". Sorry.

Keep your eyes peeled for late 60's/70's Eatons Gliders...19 in with bent top tube. Nice white trim package too.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-X...00/GLIDER1.JPG

Should note that the Eaton's Glider is a re-badged Raleigh that is just as nice as the real deal... thing is that most of them are going to be in Canada.

I should probably clarify...I was speaking of the 19" Raleigh Sports. I had forgotten about the variety of other English brands.

The one I saw was in Minneapolis at the ABCE in 2006.

There are other options out there. I live in a wasteland for decent bikes. All of my Raleighs, except one have had to be imported from places like Boston, Minneapolis, DC, or the wilds of Davenport, IA.

Aaron :)

I had a BSA Star Flyer as a kid, that was the same frame as that Eaton
It was great at age 9-12. but I cracked the frame at the steering tube when I got to 6'3" and was doin' jumps...

I just scored a navy blue Humber (raleigh) 28" wheeled rod-brake with full chaincase. Needs a good sorting, probably re-painting too, but it only arrived today and I got home late so haven't opened the box yet...

..anticipation

link to seller's photos http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=390877264

I have a rough 69 Sports, green, rough paint, crusty etc, 23" frame w/ a bent fork. I now have a proper green fork (unbent!) but upon closer inspection, the frame is tweaked (mildly) where the downtube and headtube lug is. The top tube is slightly tweaked as well. Is it worth having the frame straightened or just look for another Sports frame? I'm not sure why I want one, but I really want one!

Did you notice my post above?