1993 Raleigh Activator 2
- Thread starter johntomjoe
- Start date
I don't fully understand the weight issue that everyone is talking about. My modernish Gazelle city bike is weighing almost 20 kilo's (certainly with the shopping bags fitted). I have tried to hang it on the repair hooks a few times and I agree, that is horrible. But biking around is not problem. I have had a 1990 Puch Scout that probably fell in the same category as this Raleigh: heavy (14.2kg) and low components. I fitted an LX group on it because I had it lying around and I had a lot of fun on it. And yes, I certainly road it offroad. Another thing is this bad geometry I read a lot about. Well, I think that the geometry of these cheap bikes was not more off then all the "better" bikes here that now have suspension forks, but were never intended to have.
I fully understand the pleasure in fixing up such a bike, I am more builder then a rider I guess, but I fully enjoy the ride too. Keep it up!
I fully understand the pleasure in fixing up such a bike, I am more builder then a rider I guess, but I fully enjoy the ride too. Keep it up!
Senri":2daw11xr said:
Totally understand where you're coming from. My comments were meant tongue in cheek: my Ascender is heavy-feeling up a hill, but on the flat it feels harder than a Hummer.
I think the main thing to take from this thread is that people love bikes for different reasons. And that everyone has different skill/knowledge levels when it comes to building up frames.
Personally, I'm only starting to understand how to build a bike properly and working out what bits work with what bike.
Ultimately, to each their own I suppose!
johntomjoe
Retro Guru
I read this whole thread (grinning a lot) I wasn't going to comment, but the weight thing is important, you really feel the drag of a heavy bike up an incline and lets face it they just don't handle as well as lighter ones and 4Kg difference? That is a massive difference
That's it from me apart from saying: LGF = How it is done!
That's it from me apart from saying: LGF = How it is done!
johntomjoe
Retro Guru
Totally agree its a bitch up hill,better off road than on it
I like it and will keep using it
Ain't managed to break it yet!
I like it and will keep using it
Ain't managed to break it yet!
That red and black activator brings back memories! Had one of these as a kid, apart from the chain breaking nothing went wrong with it 
Rode it everywhere, and went miles and miles around the local welsh countryside on it (ah, those days before mobile phones) with my massive everready lights.
I loved it, especially the glittery red paint.
I had a proflex reptile after that in 1997, with girvin forks :roll: and the bikes have gotten more expensive since!
If you ever sell it, I'll take it
Rode it everywhere, and went miles and miles around the local welsh countryside on it (ah, those days before mobile phones) with my massive everready lights.I loved it, especially the glittery red paint.
I had a proflex reptile after that in 1997, with girvin forks :roll: and the bikes have gotten more expensive since!
If you ever sell it, I'll take it
johntomjoe
Retro Guru
A fan at last!
well this bike was brought new,used for a couple of months,got a puncture and was left at the bottom of a friends garden
when it was dragged from the bramble bush it looked sad,but after new inner cables,tyres and a bucket of soapy water i was going put it up for sale ( as i fix the odd mtb or modern bike just to flog off to get parts for my ever growing collection of classics just aquired 2 chopper frames)
untill i googled it and found the raleigh history site.
id like to see a more expensively made bike left in a bush for years look as good,and i know its nothing special but if no one saved these as standard then they woul disapear completely
next year people will be able to laugh at this in the flesh when it is on display with my others at car shows around wiltshire
i will bear you in mind but i think it will stay in the collection for now
john
well this bike was brought new,used for a couple of months,got a puncture and was left at the bottom of a friends garden
when it was dragged from the bramble bush it looked sad,but after new inner cables,tyres and a bucket of soapy water i was going put it up for sale ( as i fix the odd mtb or modern bike just to flog off to get parts for my ever growing collection of classics just aquired 2 chopper frames)
untill i googled it and found the raleigh history site.
id like to see a more expensively made bike left in a bush for years look as good,and i know its nothing special but if no one saved these as standard then they woul disapear completely
next year people will be able to laugh at this in the flesh when it is on display with my others at car shows around wiltshire
i will bear you in mind but i think it will stay in the collection for now
john
- Feedback
- View
My mate Leigh had one....we named it the spacktivator. Nuff said.
