heidelbergensis 

I think that's it - there's something iconic about these bikes, but also there's this strange duality between being both mass-produced items but also kind of eccentric and weird. Both workmanly and somehow rarefied.

And also, of course, never knowing if you're going to get a "good one" - there's kind of a surprise or chance element involved in collecting Raleighs from this period. I'm happy about the condition of this frameset because that means I feel a bit more at ease with modifying it!