Desert Ryder

Looking at another possible vintage road bike. May use it as an occasional work commuter, 8-mile round trip commute/mostly flat.

It may be a 78ish Raleigh Grand Prix. Seller asking $75, 23" frame. I prefer the large frame. I'm 6 ft tall.
Raleigh rear derailleur, stem mounted shifters. Don't know what crankset.

Say's bike was gone through at bike shop in 2013 and ridden for a couple of months.

Vintage Schwinn

Your 1978 Raleigh GRAND PRIX is a GREAT bicycle! Much much better than the early seventies Raleigh Grand Prix versions..

Your '78 has a Raleigh branded SUNTOUR Vgt Rear Derailleur which is GREAT. I believe that your '78 has the 14-34 SUNTOUR freewheel which is GREAT!
That 14-34 freewheel gives you incredible range, and about the best hill climbing that you could ever ask for!
Some might say that the wheels and brake calipers aren't good enough, but they are very decent considering, the price point of the GRAND PRIX in '78. Given that, you could upgrade those and have something that really puts to shame a number of much more expensive, higher line bicycles from the European continent of the Seventies.
Japanese gear on that Raleigh is as J.J. Walker was known to say: " D-Y-N-O-M-I-T-E", and that means superb and durable, not fragile and easily broken like some of the European gear that earlier Raleigh & the prestige European bike marques from ITALY, FRANCE, BELGIUM, etc were equipped with during the Seventies!

Great bike and 1978 was a great time for the GRAND PRIX model. HILL CLIMBING GEARS, supreme durability & functionality of its SUNTOUR items and ~ circa 29 pound weight as delivered from factory.................if you wanna "take the load off fanning, take da load off for not much cost"......you could upgrade the wheelset to something lighter and aluminum alloy and perhaps trim maybe 1.75 pounds..........and then pedals, seat post, seat could get you perhaps as much as 0.75 pounds.....
Unless you're a crazy Weight Weenie, I wouldn't bother UNLESS you're gonna race it for the heck of it in a Sprint Triathlon......
Great bike, jump on it and acquire it if it is your size and you haven't bought it yet for the $75 asking price!

Alexbaker67

That’s a decent price for what looks to be a pretty well kept old Raleigh, but it is almost certainly the 25 1/2” size of the bike (measured at the seat tube). The seller may well be going by the top tube measurement. I’m 6’ tall, too, and I would be very uncomfortable on that frame, but if you have very long legs in relation to your torso, it just may work… best of luck!

Kabuki12

Definitely measure the frame to be sure. The Raleigh's I have are either 23 1/2" (almost 24") or 25+" . I am 6' 1" and ride 25" frames as my "go to". I have long legs for my height so every one is a bit different. Do the stand over test if the bike is not rideable. For me , I can ride a shorter bike with the seat post up a bit and still be quite comfy . That bike is a solid buy for the price but plan on needed maintenance and consumables like tires and cables , 2013 is 9 years ago. The Grand Prix is a great commuter bike and a reliable ride. Good Luck!

T-Mar

Good, entry level mode at a decent price. However, based on the photo, it looks like you may have to invest in new tubes and/or tyres. Also, "gone through" by a bike shop often means only a tune-up, not an overhaul. Be prepared to perform complete disassambly and lubrication.

branko_76 

As others have pointed out, it's more like a 25" frame and "gone through" doesn't mean much.

The rear brake cable hanger looks different than the earlier Grand Prix's, I'm guessing your frame was made in Japan so it may have been put together with a little more care. Looks like you have alloy rims which is a big plus over earlier models with steel rims.

A few years ago I restored a 25" Grand Prix for my cousin who is 6'-2", he said the bike was a little big for him but he got used to it. Judging by the height of the saddle, the bike you show in your post was apparently too big for its owner.

Desert Ryder

Still bouncing around about this bike. Work hours complicating viewing.
If I can snag it for $60 I'll go ahead and pick it up.

52telecaster

It could be an excellent but make sure the seat post isn't stuck.

cycleheimer

Go for it! If you do need tires and tubes, Bike Smith's in Milwaukee has 2 Kenda tires, 2 tubes and 2 rim liners for $27.50 + S&H. Those bikes are pretty decent. I've had a few of them. You can always upgrade some of the components. Sun Tour bar-cons would really be nice on that GP. A Blackburn rack, handlebar bag, and a bottle cage with clips would also work nicely. $60 for it would be a decent price in my area.

Desert Ryder

Picking it up tomorrow on the way home from work.
Pics to come.......

Desert Ryder

A couple more sellers pics...

cycleheimer

Sounds like a nice deal, especially if you get it for $60. An English bike with reliable Japanese components makes a nice combination. Easier to work on and fewer headaches.

Desert Ryder

Home now. The funny thing is it was located just up the street from me. I could have walked up and rode home..lol

Has decent tires holding air, steel rims, and the brakes will need adjustment to my liking.
I haven't started to clean it up yet.
Future plans are a new seat, bar wrap, and a new set of brake levers. Want to get rid of the upright double levers.

Any help decoding the serial # NOF7686
Nottingham / Oct / 1977?

cycleheimer

All right! Did he let it go for $60? Rustoleum "Navy Blue" might possibly be a match if the paint needs touch-up.

T-Mar

The serial number is that of a Japanese built Raleigh and indcates a 1980 model.

daverup 

The brake pads should probably be replaced with some Kool Stop pads. You'll probably be unhappy with the old pads on the steel rims.

52telecaster

Very cool!

cycleheimer

They look like they might be Araya alloy rims from the seller's photos.

daverup 

Possibly, but he did post that they were steel.

branko_76 

Alloy rims for sure. As T-Mar stated, it's a Japanese made bike, a step up from the 70's Grand Prix's made in England

merziac

He did say steel but the marginal pic in post #11 looks alloy from here.

Obviously a huge plus if alloy in good usable state.

uncle uncle

Just some rather random thoughts thrown in.... I always liked this vintage of bicycles that had their name added to the Suntour derailleurs (and sometimes, the crankset, brakes, etc), for no good reason really, other than I think it's cool. The stem shifters are Suntour "Power" ratchet shifters, which are pretty good, for stem shifters. Maybe give them a try before you decide to go another route; sure, the cool factor is not high on them, but the quality of shifting may make you rethink them. The quick release feature on the Weinmann brake levers are a nice feature, too.

T-Mar

A "step up"? More like a world record jump!

Desert Ryder

Well....unless there is an alloy rim that a magnet sticks to they are steel rims.

Yes. Made in Japan. I found the decal on the down tube, up near the seat. I did get it for $60.

I plan on keeping the stem shifters. I like the friction shifters because you can feather or adjust them.
The double levers I'm talking about are the brake levers. I don't like the upright levers (suicide brakes). I just want the drop position levers.

Definitely needs a clean up and has various nicks and scratches in the paint.

branko_76 

sure looks like aluminum, but I could be wrong