Quick photoshoot of the 1984 Raleigh Racing USA Prestige
11-25-23, 06:04 PM
#1
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Quick photoshoot of the 1984 Raleigh Racing USA Prestige
Still haven't gotten a ride on this one yet but I figured I'd grab some real photo's of how it's setup right now. Still needs the new chain I keep forgetting about and then I may wind up doing something about the brakes. Overall the bike looks pretty good until you get really close to it and notice the 40 years worth of wear. I've also got the original Superbe wheels back from the LBS and ready to go back on the bike if that's how I decide to go. The rear wheel was a bit of a mess so I asked the LBS to just relace it. Lot's going on with the old spokes to include some mis-sized replacements and such. They also put a proper spacer on the rear hub vs what seemed to be some miscellaneous washers.
I do like the look of the more modern wheels on this.
Flite saddle seemed like the right choice for this. If I keep this one though and ride it a lot I'll need to swap this saddle. They don't work well for me.
The finish isn't factory fresh but it's not too bad
Most of the chrome is still pretty good.
Decals are surviving pretty well
First time I've had one of these "aero" headsets or a stem with this kind of clamping system
The hoods fit the body well and feel good but are a bit too long and tall.
Superbe Pro goodness!
I love the look of this crankset.
Superbe Pro goodness!
I do like the look of the more modern wheels on this.
Flite saddle seemed like the right choice for this. If I keep this one though and ride it a lot I'll need to swap this saddle. They don't work well for me.
The finish isn't factory fresh but it's not too bad
Most of the chrome is still pretty good.
Decals are surviving pretty well
First time I've had one of these "aero" headsets or a stem with this kind of clamping system
The hoods fit the body well and feel good but are a bit too long and tall.
Superbe Pro goodness!
I love the look of this crankset.
Superbe Pro goodness!
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11-25-23, 06:10 PM
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Superbe goodness
Superbe goodness
Not a fan of these brakes
Good decal to let other's know what kind of bike is beating them, LOL!
Raleigh of America
The infamous 555SL "mystery tubing"
Cable housing enters these brakes at an odd angle to me.
Beautiful head tube
Another overall shot of the bike
Gold bolts to dress it up a bit.
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11-25-23, 08:29 PM
#3
Groupetto Dragon-Ass
Beaut of a bike! Bridgestone or Merida?
11-25-23, 10:17 PM
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11-26-23, 12:33 AM
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Really nice bike altogether.
Those brakes look like they seemed a good idea on paper or in a schematic but maybe in practice weren't that great. How is the lever feel? Stopping power?
Your photography is usually impressive. What camera(s) are you using?
Cheers.
Those brakes look like they seemed a good idea on paper or in a schematic but maybe in practice weren't that great. How is the lever feel? Stopping power?
Your photography is usually impressive. What camera(s) are you using?
Cheers.
11-26-23, 02:07 AM
#6
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I like those brake calipers, just kind of 80% scale of what was needed to fit bigger cross section tires.
l liked those calipers when they came out, my bike with Campagnolo normal reach calipers adjusted at the middle were just too far a reach for those wee ones. Too bad.
l liked those calipers when they came out, my bike with Campagnolo normal reach calipers adjusted at the middle were just too far a reach for those wee ones. Too bad.
11-26-23, 07:58 AM
#7
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11-26-23, 08:51 AM
#8
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Love me some ‘84 Prestige. Magnificent!
11-26-23, 09:25 AM
#9
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Handsome bike. Those brake calipers were designed as attention getters. By the time they were made, brake technology had not budged much in a long time, so the innovation was in styling. Later, cantilever brakes came back in style, dual pivots came out and were very improved, and then we got V brakes which have some advantages. And now disc brakes are popular.
The bike looks small for you, no? What are your plans for it?
The bike looks small for you, no? What are your plans for it?
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
11-26-23, 09:46 AM
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Beautiful
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
11-26-23, 09:54 AM
#11
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Like my preference to older bikes I run a lot of old Leica R, Contax, Pentax, and even Mamiya 645 lenses adapted to the EOS mount. The old glass is still top notch, especially the prime lenses.
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11-26-23, 10:00 AM
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Yeah, unfortunately that is the issue with the Raleighs from this time period. Usually they had the 53/54cm models and then jumped to 57/58cm. I prefer 55/56 frames. This is a 54 and with the timing of the surgery I've not been on it. May not get a chance until spring. It was bought as just another project and because I've always wanted to see and experience one of these Racing USA bikes. If I love the ride it will be a keeper, otherwise I'll either pass it on or maybe this will be next years donation to The Bike Collective.
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11-26-23, 10:03 AM
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So for all those with experience with these brakes, am I missing something simple with them? Without the ferrules the angle was causing the housing to enter off enough that the brakes would not release after compressed. Am I doing something stupid?
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11-26-23, 10:08 AM
#14
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very nice bike 
Even tough I would have preferred to see Shimano Dura Ace 7700 ot 7800 groupset instead of a Suntour groupset
Even tough I would have preferred to see Shimano Dura Ace 7700 ot 7800 groupset instead of a Suntour groupset
11-26-23, 10:15 AM
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The Superbe parts were a big reason I did about a 4 hour round trip to get this one. Nothing, and I mean nothing, feels so good in use out on the road as a well tuned Superbe setup.
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Steel is real...and comfy.
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11-26-23, 11:58 AM
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Your bike is nice anyways, let us know how it rides
04-08-24, 07:27 PM
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Well, this one didn't take long to sell. Went this evening as I was unpacking and going over a Sancineto that arrived today. Another youngster and ex bike mechanic. So that's two Raleighs gone in 4 days and both to mechanics.
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Steel is real...and comfy.
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04-08-24, 08:10 PM
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Congrats on moving out another. Over or under 4?
