Raleigh Gran Sport?
 

Hi All,

The seller claims this is a 54cm Raleigh Gran Sport with a "Reynolds 531 frame". Do you think:

1. It's really a 531 frame given the stem shifters (which were maybe a later "enhancement" lol)?
2. If so, would the tubes be butted (and only the main triangle and or fork, etc.)?

Asking price is $190 in NYC. Only the one picture, below, is included in the listing. However, the seller did provide videos (see below Youtube links) - although I still can't make out the labels. Argh! :lol: Not to mention the big white splotch of gosh knows what on the top tube.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9f06c4ba58.jpg

I'd be interested to know your thoughts as to whether this is a nice price or no dice.
Thanks!

If the bike checks out, 190 is a good deal for NYC. The catalogs are online but yes this is at least a 531 double butted main triangle and 531 forks. The shifters are not original. I’d like to see the derailleurs. The leather saddle looks good.

if this is a 74 model, then full Reynolds 531

http://threespeedhub.com/wp-content/...og-1974-US.pdf

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at this time the model came through with Simplex brand gears and downtube controls

the Maeda products it now wears are certainly a performance improvement over the original gear ensemble

appears the new front mech is either model Compe-V or SL
rear mech appears VGT-Luxe

it is the only item which looks to have been changed from the cycle's original kitting

chainset looks to be the Stronglight model 93

some Gran Sports around this time also received a NERVAR chainset

the other livery at this epoch was white with blue panels

the white splotch may be a transfer residue
does not look like anything to be concerned about


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Wow. By the way, the derailleurs are visible in one of the videos. If I were to consider keeping it, I wonder whether it's smaller than a 54cm. My Bertin is 54.5cm CTC and the top tube is 55cm. The size is perfect for me....a 52 would be too small.

Thanks, Juvela. It's an hour away but I'm calling the seller in the AM.

Good luck. I might fear it's a 52 as well just eyeballing it.

So, the seller sent more pics, below. Measurement to follow (I’m afraid I’m driving the poor lady crazy).

I’m still wondering about the white patch, which is much more visible in the below picture. Looks like the blue paint came off and someone…painted it with…white paint?:foo: Otherwise, the bike is gorgeous.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8410d3f35.jpeg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ada94265c5.png
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8d325e40b.jpeg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a7e9522f0.jpeg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e6a62697e.jpeg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...fc18e4fa9.jpeg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9ed6c66be.jpeg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...db070899a.jpeg

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thanks very much for the additional pictures

regarding size -

agree with others that judging by head tube it appears to be what the manufacturer terms the 20 1/2" size - this is nominal and is measured by them centre-to-top

so would expect it to measure ~52cm c-t-t

perhaps you will get a happy surprise when you go to examine it...


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Thanks, Juvela. I am happy to share. Sadly, I do agree it seems like it’s the 52cm size instead of 54cm. As it’s an hour away, I’m not going to take the trip to check it out.

Unfortunate that it's too small; even with the mismatched mechs, it's a sweet deal. That saddle appears in great shape.

That's the remnant of a sticker, perhaps a parking permit or registration, on the top tube.

Sticker - ok. That makes sense. I see that now. The seller Is open to offers. Do you think it could be flipped for a profit?

That's a tougher nut to crack. Depends on the market in your area, and how sophisticated C&V buyers are there. If the mismatched derailleurs affect the marketability, replacing them, along with the time/distance to buy the bike, might make it a wash. Not every good deal out there is automatically a flip potential.

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the machine's particular iteration of the well known Stronglight model 93 chainset is one not oft encountered -

​​​​​​https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...db070899a.jpeg

in this design the chainguard occupies the position normally held by the outer chainwheel

the outer chainwheel in this two-plateau design seats in the spot normally occupied by the inner chainwheel

the inner chainwheel mounts with spacers - much like the inner on a three-plateau arrangement

this means that the chainwheel bolts employed are 3X ones as is the bottom bracket spindle, this latter item will be either model 123 or model 125

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Sir Wally also employed this set at this epoch (~1973-1974) to assemble the Super Tourer model -

​​​​​​https://thecabe.com/forum/attachment...-jpeg.1304665/
​​​​​​https://thecabe.com/forum/attachment...-jpeg.1304669/

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if the owner of a machine fitted with this set wished to convert to 3X all they would need is the third chainwheel as they already have the 3X chainwheel bolts and bottom bracket spindle :)

[big thanks to member slowride for the fine Super Tourer pictures]

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