I've Got No Self Control
Doesn't most every story of a person gone wrong start with "So there I was on Craigslist when I saw this ad. . ." ?
But there I was on Craigslist over the weekend when I came onto an ad with the heading "Collectors and Cruisers Look Here! Antique Raleigh Bikes." You may recall I regularly ride an old Raleigh ten-speed that I stripped off the gears and turned into a single-speed commuter bike. So the ad got my attention, and I called the guy who listed it.
The bike turned out to be a classic black Raleigh model from about 1970 called the Sports, which is a three-speed bike with internal shifting in the hub. That means it has no external gears and no derailleur like you see on most other bikes. It was being sold by an older gentleman who picks up bikes at flea markets, yard sales, etc., and then cleans them up and sells them. He had about 20 bikes in a workshop in his back yard, all of them for sale.
Anyway, after a test ride and some cash swapping, I brought home the bike. It looks sharp with original black and white paint job and it's big, heavy and slow - and fun as the dickens to ride. But that means I now have five bikes (two road bikes, a mountain bike, my Raleigh commuter and now this one) and I suspect that soon I'm going to hear from the boss that something's got to go.
- More photos of the Raleigh Sports
- Guide to Retro Raleighs by Sheldon Brown
Photos - courtesy of Jerod Zakson
Comments
SWEEEET….As a child, I had an old Huffy knock off if this bike. The only obvious difference was mine was brown (with gold pinstriping). I’d be surprised if they did not come from the same factory.
OK, As side from sleeping on the couch for few days, what did a bike in this great fo shape cost you?
Cheers,
JoeBrewer
Its a Lovely Bike, I had a Raleigh Triumph Sturmey Archer Three Speed Hub Geared Bike when a Teenager in 1967.It was Light Blue with a Darker Blue Chaincase. I never had a Problem with it and it was good for going up the Average sized Hill, you could take it anywhere,and no Punctures. I finally Sold it to a Work Colleague and regretted it. I got a Peugeot Semi Racer that was forever getting Punctures and I hated it.I have fallen in love with the older style Bikes again and got a Retro Style Dutch Bike with 8 Speed Nexus Gears. I would like to get a Pashley Sovereign 5 speed Sturmey Archer Geared Bike from Stratford on Avon, now there Brilliant Bikes, Retro Style.
Thanks so much for acknowledging that you now have five bicycles. Now I can show that to my wife who thinks my idea about getting a third bike is the most ridiculous thing she’s ever heard!! Enjoy your new throwback bike.