Help required on Raleigh Randonneur Tourer
peterd...@my-deja.com
Among my bikes is an elderly tourer (Raleigh Classic) with 27x1 1/4"
wheels. The wheels are virtually impossible to have serviced/renewed. I
am considering a purchase of a Raleigh Randonneur which is claimed to
be 18 months old.
Some queries
The bike is a light shade of blue with cantilevers and a mostly LX
setup. Does anyone know where I can get a spec check on this model?
(all the searches etc have resulted in finding a much upgraded red
model only). It would help me see if it was cannibalised.
What model year was it?
I am unfamiliar with the 708 Tubing, any views or news?
What experience have people had on this model?
What brake upgrades are known to work?
Any known problems?
Assuming a stock bike with no upgrades what kind of value would it have?
A lot of questions I know but I would appreciate any advice available
TIA
Peter Griffin
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
David Green
news:8jpvno$d16$1...@nnrp1.deja.com...
> Greetings all
>
> Among my bikes is an elderly tourer (Raleigh Classic) with 27x1 1/4"
> wheels. The wheels are virtually impossible to have serviced/renewed. I
> am considering a purchase of a Raleigh Randonneur which is claimed to
> be 18 months old.
In what way are the wheels 'virtually impossible to have serviced/renewed'?
You can certainly still buy 27x1 1/4" tyres in most bike shops (although, I
agree, the choice is more limited than for 700c wheels).
Hubs are no problem to service.
Spokes are easy to find.
David Green.
James Thomson
> I am considering a purchase of a Raleigh Randonneur which is
> claimed to be 18 months old. Some queries The bike is a light
> shade of blue with cantilevers and a mostly LX setup. Does anyone
> know where I can get a spec check on this model?
> What model year was it?
There were gradual changes to the spec, rather than clearly defined annual
model changes, so it could be '94 to '99. All the Randonneurs made in that
period were teal blue with mostly LX equipment on a 708 frame. Royals had
the same frame in dark green, with cheaper kit. Older Randonneurs had 7spd
LX hubs, and fluted 'Laprade' style seatposts. They then went to 8spd, with
a Ritchey style post. Later models had a Sugino Fuse 500 crankset instead of
the LX.
I wouldn't get hung up on exactly which year, and whether or not the spec is
original. Consider the bike on its merits.
A '98/'99 model spec would probably have looked like:
wheels: LX hubs, Mavic T261 rims, 36 single-butted spokes, Conti Top Touring
tyres, 11-28 8spd cassette.
LX mechs. LX lo-pro cantilever brakes. Ultegra 8spd bar-end shifters. Campag
Veloce headset. Shimano UN52 BB. Sugino Fuse 500 crankset (46/36/24). KAlloy
Ritchey-style seatpost. Brooks B17 saddle. ESGE/SKS silver mudguards. Racks
front and rear.
> I am unfamiliar with the 708 Tubing, any views or news?
There was a brief discussion of this here recently. It's heat treated MnMo
steel drawn with an octagonal inner profile. The Randonneur uses an oversize
top tube. I'm not convinced that the inner profile is more than a gimmick.
> What experience have people had on this model?
I've only had mine for a few months, and I haven't put a full touring load
on it yet, but I love it to bits. It handles beautifully. I bought mine as a
shop-soiled frame with some of the other parts, but the standard wheels are
overkill for my current uses, so I'm using road wheels with the rear axle
respaced.
> What brake upgrades are known to work?
I'm using XT V-brakes with Dia Compe 287V levers.
> Any known problems?
Not so far.
> Assuming a stock bike with no upgrades what kind of value would it have?
They sold for about 800ukp new. Tourers tend to hold their value well; one
in excellent condition might still fetch 500-600ukp. I paid 350ukp for the
frame and fork, wheels, mechs, crankset, and seatpost.
James Thomson
the family
yellow or red stickers T 221 I believe. it will have LX rear mech Sugino
chainset. I do not really see what difference it makes if as you mention
it has been 'canibalised'. The frame is what really counts. 708 tubing
with nice strong wheels - just the ticket. I NEVER except for a moulton
have purchased a complete bike I nearly always get frameset and build
up. THAT is the way to do it! Regards, John.
peterd...@my-deja.com wrote:
>
> Greetings all
>
> Among my bikes is an elderly tourer (Raleigh Classic) with 27x1 1/4"
> wheels. The wheels are virtually impossible to have serviced/renewed. I
> am considering a purchase of a Raleigh Randonneur which is claimed to
> be 18 months old.
> Some queries
> The bike is a light shade of blue with cantilevers and a mostly LX
> setup. Does anyone know where I can get a spec check on this model?
> (all the searches etc have resulted in finding a much upgraded red
> model only). It would help me see if it was cannibalised.
> What model year was it?
> I am unfamiliar with the 708 Tubing, any views or news?
> What experience have people had on this model?
> What brake upgrades are known to work?
> Any known problems?
> Assuming a stock bike with no upgrades what kind of value would it have?
>
Brian P Casey
>
> I NEVER except for a moulton
> have purchased a complete bike I nearly always get frameset and build
> up. THAT is the way to do it! Regards, John.
>
True, but the cost of components are such that it will always work out
more expensive to do this. It also requires a bit of bike mechanic
nouse.
So not for everyone.
Brian P
Mark Snoddy
I've only had mine for a few months, and I haven't put a full touring load
on it yet, but I love it to bits. It handles beautifully. I bought mine as a
shop-soiled frame with some of the other parts, but the standard wheels are
overkill for my current uses, so I'm using road wheels with the rear axle
respaced.<
My employer has a special deal where for a limited period I can buy a new
Randonneur for one third off list. Seems a good deal to me as I'm looking
for a touring bike and the comments above are favourable.
Only problem is that I can't try before I buy so I have to guess what frame
size would be best for me. As I'm 6 feet tall with a 33" inside leg I
would guess that the 58cm frame would be suitable, that's near as damit 23".
Anybody got any comments on frame size? I don't know of any local dealers
with one in stock to try.
Thanks
Mark
James Thomson
> My employer has a special deal where for a limited period I can buy a new
> Randonneur for one third off list. Seems a good deal to me as I'm looking
> for a touring bike and the comments above are favourable.
Sounds like a deal. Is this the 2000 27spd model with hydraulic brakes, or
the older model that we've been discussing?
> Only problem is that I can't try before I buy so I have to guess what
> frame size would be best for me. As I'm 6 feet tall with a 33" inside
> leg I would guess that the 58cm frame would be suitable, that's near
> as damit 23".
I'm about 6'1", 33" inside leg, and the 58cm is fine for me, maybe just a
touch short in the top tube at 56.5cm. I like my bars low though (4" below
the top of the saddle), so you may want a stem with some rise if you prefer
yours higher.
> Anybody got any comments on frame size? I don't know of any local
> dealers with one in stock to try.
I had a brochure which supplied frame dimensions for the older model, but
I'm between homes just now, and it's in a box somewhere. I guess Raleigh
could provide you with dimensions. My suggestion would be the 58cm, but you
could possibly go one size up (61cm?).
Where are you located? Maybe someone here knows of a dealer. Of course I
wouldn't recommend test-riding, then buying from someone else...
James Thomson
Mark Snoddy
new
> Randonneur for one third off list. Seems a good deal to me as I'm looking
> for a touring bike and the comments above are favourable.
Sounds like a deal. Is this the 2000 27spd model with hydraulic brakes, or
the older model that we've been discussing?<<
The latest 27 spd, out of my price range normally but with the discount.....
>>I'm about 6'1", 33" inside leg, and the 58cm is fine for me, maybe just a
touch short in the top tube at 56.5cm. I like my bars low though (4" below
the top of the saddle), so you may want a stem with some rise if you prefer
yours higher.<<
That inspires some confidence. After much mucking about in the garage and
measuring of other bikes I came to the conclusion that the 58cm with a top
tube of 56.5 would be about right, or at worse a touch short.
Next size up is 61cm, I think that would be too big and too long a stretch.
>>Where are you located? Maybe someone here knows of a dealer. Of course I
wouldn't recommend test-riding, then buying from someone else...<<
I have until early next week to make a decision and order. There are a
couple of Raleigh dealers nearby but none with a Randonneur in stock, it is
an expensive and low demand model.
Thanks for the help and advice.
Mark