'94 Raleigh USA MT700 RSI inspection

[foxb13]

The Hyperdrive-C SG J-22/32/42 rings are in great shape too. With Shimano date codes RH, RI and RJ, they were manufactured in September, October and November of 1993.

 

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Also coming from the Deore LX Hyperdrive-C group is the FD-M563 front derailleur. Cleaned and lubed, as the rear one. With Shimano date code RJ, it was manufactured in October of 1993.

 

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Linking the front and rear drivetrains is a Deore XT CN-HG90 chain with still plenty of life.

 

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The MT700 came stock with Tioga Surefoot VI pedals with clips. The original owner advantageously replaced them at purchase time with a pair of Shimano Deore LX Hyperdrive-C PD-M535 clipless pedals.

 

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Also away from the Raleigh USA catalog specs are the shifters, brake levers and grips. I never was a fan of Grip Shift and it seems that the original owner wasn't either as the SRT-500R shifters were replaced at purchase time with a pair of Shimano Deore XT ST-M737 combined shifters and brake levers. The stock Dia-Compe SS-7 brake levers were thus ditched, as were the ATI John Tomac grips (cut to fit with the SRT-500R) replaced with a pair of Ritchey True Grip WCS.

 

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By contrast, the Tioga PowerStuds are original equipment.



As John Tomac's sponsor, Tioga also provided the Alchemy OS-NSS-AL stem, Alchemy headset, DL2000 handlebar and seatpost.





The saddle is a Vetta SL one with manganese rails, manufactured in June of 1993.

 

[foxb13]

Also standard are the Deore LX Hyperdrive-C BR-M560 brakes, stamped with Shimano date code RF/RG for the front/rear brakeset, thus translating to June/July of 1993 manufacturing date. Some fresh Shimano M System M70/T2 brake shoes have now taken place of the totally dry M System ones that came with the brakes.

 

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The wheels are built with Mavic M 231 rims, unknown double-butted 15/17g stainless spokes with gold alloy nipples and Deore XT HB-M737 (front) and FH-M737 (rear) Parallax hubs, both stamped with Shimano date code RI, so manufactured in September of 1993. The wheel shield and reflectors appear to be in immaculate condition so I opted to put them back in place once the wheels were thoroughly cleaned.









The Psycho-K/S "butterscotch" tyres by John Tomac's sponsor Tioga are however totally dry and unrideable; I just put them back on the wheels to take pictures of the bike in original configuration . Feel free to advise "modern" butterscotch tyres.

 

[foxb13]

This ends the inspection of my Raleigh USA MT700 RSI that I hope you enjoy. Thanks for reading .

And now, some bonus pictures with alternative views.

 

[chunkygrooves]

hello - I own one of these Raleigh USA John Tomac but I'm not a bike expert, is there any information regarding value and how to properly ID it, mine looks very similar to yours, I believe its all original, needs 2 x innertubes and the forks need oil, apart from that its in very good condition, the frame says its 22.5 inches - thanks for your help