For the love of English 3 speeds...
Yeah, I've really put the brakes on buying anything
A-not English
B-not a tall frame
I would make an exception for a Rudge, Philips, Robin Hood or a nice Dunelt.
I did fix up a nice Shimano 3 speed for a friend a few years ago.
My plan was to swap out the rear hub for an SA 3 speed
but once the bike was cleaned up I opted for originality and went with the 333.
Attachment 585933
The photo doesn't really do the colour justice.
https://threespeedmania.wordpress.co...speed-project/
A-not English
B-not a tall frame
I would make an exception for a Rudge, Philips, Robin Hood or a nice Dunelt.
I did fix up a nice Shimano 3 speed for a friend a few years ago.
My plan was to swap out the rear hub for an SA 3 speed
but once the bike was cleaned up I opted for originality and went with the 333.
Attachment 585933
The photo doesn't really do the colour justice.
https://threespeedmania.wordpress.co...speed-project/
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Port Dover Ontario Canada
Posts: 1,548
Bikes: 1965 Dilecta Le Blanc, 1956 Royal Nord, 1972 Raleigh Sports, 1972 CCM Turismo,1976 SuperCycle Excalibur, 2014 Salsa Vaya, 2017 Felt DD70, 2019 Giant Lafree and others
Liked 620 Times
in
234 Posts
Being 6 ft tall, I'm limiting future light roadster bikes to 23" also. However, with one exception. I'd be perfectly happy with a 21" for a scorcher build. Those long SunLite stems make all the difference. I see @browngw used one on his gold Super Cycle scorcher. You can set the same riding position as a tall frame and for some reason I don't understand, the resulting bike has a different feel than a 23" frame. A good one I think. I'm very pleased with the way my 21" Rudge scorcher turned out. It's a very fun ride.
You are right about the Sunlite stem [MENTION=398265]BigChief[/MENTION] . I normally ride a 23" frame as well, but a 21" is fun if set up well. I picked up two Sunlite stems in Florida last winter. This one is a regular 22.2mm, the other was a 21.1mm for my '87 Renegade Ranger "gravel" bike.
__________________
We are what we reflect. We are the changes that we bring to this world. Ride often. -Geo.-
We are what we reflect. We are the changes that we bring to this world. Ride often. -Geo.-
Senior Member
As someone who is NOT vertically challenged (6'3") I need all the tallness I can get in a frame.
Senior Member
Most years 26" wheel dawn/sports were 21" and 23", the 28" wheel Tourist was in 24" and 26".
In the mid 80s Raleigh modernised the dawn/sports models. Lug pattern the same as the contemporary bikes and they brought out a 25" frame size. They very quickly lost their unique parts in favour of cotterless cranks etc.
This is UK market at least.
In the mid 80s Raleigh modernised the dawn/sports models. Lug pattern the same as the contemporary bikes and they brought out a 25" frame size. They very quickly lost their unique parts in favour of cotterless cranks etc.
This is UK market at least.
TH_Raleigh_Cat_70_14_LG.jpg
multimodal commuter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NJ, NYC, LI
Posts: 19,809
Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...
Liked 575 Times
in
340 Posts
I stumbled on something interesting on Ebay.fr
![](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/RNoAAOSwkRpZpvYI/s-l1600.jpg)
Three hub shells, a bunch of other hub parts, bottom bracket cups, I don't know what else.
What's interesting is the "Vibo" hub, which appears to be a Swiss made AW clone from the WW2 era. I've never heard of that one before.
N.O.S LOT PIÈCES POUR MOYEUX 40'S VÉLO ANCIEN OLD BIKE BICI ÉPOCA ALTES FAHRRAD | eBay
![](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/RNoAAOSwkRpZpvYI/s-l1600.jpg)
Three hub shells, a bunch of other hub parts, bottom bracket cups, I don't know what else.
What's interesting is the "Vibo" hub, which appears to be a Swiss made AW clone from the WW2 era. I've never heard of that one before.
N.O.S LOT PIÈCES POUR MOYEUX 40'S VÉLO ANCIEN OLD BIKE BICI ÉPOCA ALTES FAHRRAD | eBay
__________________
www.rhmsaddles.com.
www.rhmsaddles.com.
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Pigseye
Posts: 556
Bikes: Raleigh Sports
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Lots of different manufacturers made bikes under the Royce Union badge. Some of the older ones are Raleigh made, but this one isn't. Personally, this isn't one I would go after. The market still has real English 3 speeds for dirt cheap if you have patience.
edit:
just an example. This bike was a craigslist find at $50. It had a lot of bugs to work out, but it was worth the effort in the end.
Attachment 585922
edit:
just an example. This bike was a craigslist find at $50. It had a lot of bugs to work out, but it was worth the effort in the end.
Attachment 585922
France, too bad. I have a home for one of those patent AW shells. But then, it would be a long time ebaying off those ancient parts trying to recover the 90 or so dollars if it were an American auction.
Bikes are okay, I guess.
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 6,938
Bikes: Waterford Paramount Touring, Giant CFM-2, Raleigh Sports 3-speeds in M23 & L23, Schwinn Cimarron oddball build, Marin Palisades Trail dropbar conversion, Nishiki Cresta GT
Liked 2,452 Times
in
1,559 Posts
On the plus side, if you do begin looking for a Tourist the larger 24" frame is more common than the 22" so your odds of finding one are pretty good.
Good luck!
The 23" Sports is the most commonly found of the tall-ish ones. The 24" Tourist is a bit taller but a different bike with its 28" wheels and rod brakes. Don't ask which is "better" or you'll start a war. The Tourist is very classy but I prefer the Sports for ease of use and you can always get longer seatposts and taller stems to personalize the fit. You can also fit a longer seatpost to a Tourist but the proprietary stem/bar combo becomes problematic.
On the plus side, if you do begin looking for a Tourist the larger 24" frame is more common than the 22" so your odds of finding one are pretty good.
Good luck!
On the plus side, if you do begin looking for a Tourist the larger 24" frame is more common than the 22" so your odds of finding one are pretty good.
Good luck!
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: St. Paul, MN
Posts: 1,604
Bikes: Too many 3-speeds, Jones Plus LWB
Liked 281 Times
in
126 Posts
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Maryland
Posts: 3,808
Bikes: Lots of English 3-speeds, a couple of old road bikes, 3 mountain bikes, 1 hybrid, and a couple of mash-ups
Liked 337 Times
in
226 Posts
Yes, this is true. You could get a similar balance and leg extension on a 23" Sports even with the stock stem and seat post. Also true that the phrase "ease of use" and DL-1 don't belong in the same sentence. The DL-1 does have the advantage on sandy and uneven road surfaces, but it's hard to come up with anything else. The bike is essentially unchanged from the 1930s and it was a bit old fashioned then. But...When I roll out of the driveway on one it puts a grin on my face. I don't have any rational explanation for this. I enjoy riding them.
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Pigseye
Posts: 556
Bikes: Raleigh Sports
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I found a better one than the royce union. What the hell was I thinking? looks like a 1962-65' and looks intact. I'm gonna get it.
https://brainerd.craigslist.org/bik/...311478190.html
https://brainerd.craigslist.org/bik/...311478190.html
![](https://images.craigslist.org/00303_9U2sgovzLvW_600x450.jpg)
I found a better one than the royce union. What the hell was I thinking? looks like a 1962-65' and looks intact. I'm gonna get it.
https://brainerd.craigslist.org/bik/...311478190.html
![](https://images.craigslist.org/00303_9U2sgovzLvW_600x450.jpg)
https://brainerd.craigslist.org/bik/...311478190.html
![](https://images.craigslist.org/00303_9U2sgovzLvW_600x450.jpg)
Senior Member
I agree--early 60s based on the decal style. I can't tell if it's a standard trigger or a twist grip. Beware the twist grip!
Bikes are okay, I guess.
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 6,938
Bikes: Waterford Paramount Touring, Giant CFM-2, Raleigh Sports 3-speeds in M23 & L23, Schwinn Cimarron oddball build, Marin Palisades Trail dropbar conversion, Nishiki Cresta GT
Liked 2,452 Times
in
1,559 Posts
Oooo! Oooo! It's got a flag holder!
And just look at that chainguard mounting!
Looks like it might have a twistgrip shifter mounted on the left side. Very unusual, but a rider's physical limitations might have required it to be set up like that.
And just look at that chainguard mounting!
Looks like it might have a twistgrip shifter mounted on the left side. Very unusual, but a rider's physical limitations might have required it to be set up like that.
Last edited by thumpism; 10-26-17 at 08:21 PM.
Senior Member
The 23" Sports is the most commonly found of the tall-ish ones. The 24" Tourist is a bit taller but a different bike with its 28" wheels and rod brakes. Don't ask which is "better" or you'll start a war. The Tourist is very classy but I prefer the Sports for ease of use and you can always get longer seatposts and taller stems to personalize the fit. You can also fit a longer seatpost to a Tourist but the proprietary stem/bar combo becomes problematic.
On the plus side, if you do begin looking for a Tourist the larger 24" frame is more common than the 22" so your odds of finding one are pretty good.
Good luck!
On the plus side, if you do begin looking for a Tourist the larger 24" frame is more common than the 22" so your odds of finding one are pretty good.
Good luck!
And I have always admired the classic look of a DL-1 so perhaps I need to start looking for one in 24".
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Port Dover Ontario Canada
Posts: 1,548
Bikes: 1965 Dilecta Le Blanc, 1956 Royal Nord, 1972 Raleigh Sports, 1972 CCM Turismo,1976 SuperCycle Excalibur, 2014 Salsa Vaya, 2017 Felt DD70, 2019 Giant Lafree and others
Liked 620 Times
in
234 Posts
The DL-1 is a strange ride indeed. Heavy feel like a tank, yet sort of "noodley" and the ride of a '56 Buick. It is a different experience for sure. Mine is my "transportation" bike.
__________________
We are what we reflect. We are the changes that we bring to this world. Ride often. -Geo.-
We are what we reflect. We are the changes that we bring to this world. Ride often. -Geo.-
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Pigseye
Posts: 556
Bikes: Raleigh Sports
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I asked for better pictures and mentioned no worries about mechanical issues and don't mess with the ill mounted chain guard so not to marr up the Raleigh decal.
The pictures do suck bad but I am seeing a good Sports w/a really nice basket. I blew up the photo as possible and it looks like the grips are the same it is actually very hard to see if it has the My close eyes are not what they use to be. I see rusty fender paint I think. I am optimistic. I don't know where this guy got it from but really doesn't know much about it.
I am also curious about the tag bolted on the rear axle.
It's darn near the same as my 62 but the lesser quality grips are a little different pattern I left contact info and I have a friend in that area of the state this weekend that can pick it up for me Sat of Sun.
I asked for better pictures and mentioned no worries about mechanical issues and don't mess with the ill mounted chain guard so not to marr up the Raleigh decal.
The pictures do suck bad but I am seeing a good Sports w/a really nice basket. I blew up the photo as possible and it looks like the grips are the same it is actually very hard to see if it has the My close eyes are not what they use to be. I see rusty fender paint I think. I am optimistic. I don't know where this guy got it from but really doesn't know much about it.
I am also curious about the tag bolted on the rear axle.
I asked for better pictures and mentioned no worries about mechanical issues and don't mess with the ill mounted chain guard so not to marr up the Raleigh decal.
The pictures do suck bad but I am seeing a good Sports w/a really nice basket. I blew up the photo as possible and it looks like the grips are the same it is actually very hard to see if it has the My close eyes are not what they use to be. I see rusty fender paint I think. I am optimistic. I don't know where this guy got it from but really doesn't know much about it.
I am also curious about the tag bolted on the rear axle.
![](https://www.bikeforums.net/<a href=https://flic.kr/p/Wv6BGX target=_blank>[img]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4209/35772539531_c361ffe741_b.jpg)
![](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4209/35772539531_c361ffe741_b.jpg)
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I don't see that your interest extends to ladies bikes. Here's one for sale.
00505_1UDgF3lbM6I_1200x900.jpg
00505_1UDgF3lbM6I_1200x900.jpg
I don't see that your interest extends to ladies bikes. Here's one for sale.
Attachment 586129
Attachment 586129
You really seem to have a cool bike karma going on. Hope some of it rubs off on me. Funny how time changes things. Back when I first started this hobby, a dumpy early 50s Raleigh would have been an easy find.
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm holding out for a pre 55 tall gents in bad enough condition that I can refinish it, but this is a very nice bike!
You really seem to have a cool bike karma going on. Hope some of it rubs off on me. Funny how time changes things. Back when I first started this hobby, a dumpy early 50s Raleigh would have been an easy find.
You really seem to have a cool bike karma going on. Hope some of it rubs off on me. Funny how time changes things. Back when I first started this hobby, a dumpy early 50s Raleigh would have been an easy find.
00G0G_1uNYcHdREZ4_1200x900.jpg
00y0y_8N83jT7DN8n_600x450.jpg
00w0w_jZ7J04EEF0a_1200x900.jpg
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Pigseye
Posts: 556
Bikes: Raleigh Sports
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I don't see that your interest extends to ladies bikes. Here's one for sale.
Attachment 586129
Attachment 586129
philips.J headshotPG.jpg
1971 SPORTS.jpg
all & solex 205 pics 064.jpg
rafter rack.jpg
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Pigseye
Posts: 556
Bikes: Raleigh Sports
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
This one posted a couple mile for the house, looks like repaint not that familiar with this version.
![](https://images.craigslist.org/01414_2HMl9Q55B97_1200x900.jpg)