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Aaah, lovely nostalia rush, thank you! It was my very fond memories of lusting after this very bike that led me to the choice of shade for the recent respray of my trusty old 1985 Gran Tour: Apologies for allowing such a humble steed into the company of your lovely Mercier. . .

Conti Gatorskin 23c folding. Because I don't like getting p****res. 2,500 miles this year, no flats. [EDIT: I use 25c on my wet weather/winter bike, and the difference in comfort is amazing - the 23c are quite hard-riding - if I had the clearance I'd use 25c on both bikes.]

I wonder why they didn't go the whole hog and ditch the idea of round wheels as well.

Possibly the most beautiful two wheeled object ever created. Sublime.

Hi Rich, I posted a mini-review on my new R559s on this thread: http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=207342 Mine's not a mixte but you may get some help from the photos. Great brakes, which have transformed my bike! Cheers, Ross.

They're interesting threads flimflam. I'm already on Shimano 600 aero levers. I did notice the flexing of the 610s and your extra bridge is a good idea. However, if you're non-purist I can't recommend highly enough the Tektro option. After another couple of very hilly wet rides...

Re: thanks for the thoughts Yikes indeed! This is precicely what happened to my riding buddy a couple of months ago. Near the end of an 80 mile ride, very close to home, his bar snapped close to the stem, very soon after a hairy fast downhill. T'would have been a disaster if it'd snapped...

Hi David, it sounds like your applicator gives the best of both worlds, I learn something new every day! As long as he can keep the film thickness down (which good powder coaters can do) it sounds like a great solution.

Two pack polyurethane spray paint is higher and longer lasting gloss. If done well it's a superb finish. If not done in properly filtered spraybooth it can be a bit gritty up close (like mine). Powder coat is thicker and more hardwearing but lower gloss. Easier for the appplicator to get an...

A year ago I resurrected my from-new 1985 Raleigh Gran Tour and it’s now doing hard service as my only rainy day/winter/commuting bike. Plans are to upgrade transmission to modern STI but priority was to upgrade the awful Weinmann centre pulls which, on wet downhills were lethal. In the dry...

Very nice indeed. Looks like it would be lively - I guess the big frame always makes the wheelbase look shorter. I've been considering, in my modernising my trusty old 1985 Raleigh Gran Tour for use as my only mudguard bike (or, in Scotland, known as one's main bike!), getting a quill to...

Purists look away now. I have been running the same brakes on my mid 80s 531 frame for a while (well since 1987 actually but recently brought back into service!). Improved them massively with some Clarks blocks from CRC (not sure of model but white painted pad holders and black and red...

sletti, I'm still riding MA40s on my old 531 frame as my rainy day/winter/commuter (had it from new 25 years!) and am getting some new wheels built for it, with modern spacing (cold set rear to 130 without breaking frame hopefully). I found some MA40 that Planet X have as NOS, for £30 a rim...

Love it. Yes, you've hit the "retro" styling spot-on. Cool ice blue and warm browns and golds, love the details.

Hi all, I just sent a PM to Nick to say that the dimensions of the frame are almost but not quite perfect for me so (and I may regret this) I've decided to withdraw my offer on this one. Apologies for my premature queue-jumping. Good luck with the sale, Nick.

I've been researching the Road Ace on tinternet and I'm hoping the short drop brakes (47mm?) are for 700c rims, not 27"? [edit - looks like a 1987 which would be 700c - sorry for the unneccesary questions!]

I'm interested in frame/forks if you split. I think "dibs" is the word. . . I could collect from Newcastle. Is the 54 centre BB to seat tube top? What is top tube length? What is seatpost diameter? [edit: I'm sure it's 27.2mm, the one I have is 27.0mm. I wonder if you'd be kind enough...

rhif7, what a lovely example of the Gran Tour. I feel something of a fraud as mine has recently been blasted and painted, erm, pink! In my defence the frame was badly rusted in the forks and rear stays and needed urgent work. I didn't have the time, cash nor the inclination to do an...

Mercier, that's it!! You've just jogged a long-distant memory of why I've lusted after a pink bike for so many years! Now I've lived with it a wee while I'm having no regrets but I like the idea of little Nell growing up and telling me what a horrible coloured bike Dad has got...

I bought this 1986 Raleigh Gran Tour frame new, toured on it extensively and have recently restored it for daily use, as my only bike for winter Sportive training and a 12 mile each-way commute. The old 600 tricolour groupset remains in places, including the silky hubs on the MA40 handbuilts...