Carlton Corsair

[hank]

I have the opportunity to buy a Carlton Corsair. I have fancied these cycles since I was a kid, when I used to ride my mother's pre - war Carlton.
I know plenty about Carlton cycles in general, but little about the Corsair model.
Can anybody tell me when the model was produced, and how it ranked in the Carlton hierarchy.
Thanks for help

 

[bikemeister2000]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris531/3 ... 390275277/

Have a look at this.

 

[chambo34]

Buy it if it's good.
I had one but sold it a year or so ago, I would have kept it only it was too big really being just on the limit for me frame size wise.
They are Reynolds 531 tubed some are butted some are not, some have pressed rear dropouts some have Suntour or Gipiemme cast dropouts(some with integral deraillieur hanger), most have rack and mudguard mounts.
All I believe were built for 27", I fitted 700x32c's easily with mudguards.
As for the ride, I found it surefooted and steady, I used mine for about 3 years in and around the Peak District, it never failed me, I intend to get another this time in 21" when I find a really good example.
Components are generally good With Suntour Vx long cage rear,with a 14-28t 5 speed block,Suntour Vx front and Suntour Power Shifters, all threads are standard with no odd Raleigh threads.
Buy it you will not be dissapointed,just put a nice pair of 700c's on it the frame desreves them IMHO.

Mine came with a really nice GB stem and engraved Raleigh bars.

 

[pigman]

I seem to remember someone in the CTC having the brown one like in the photo, late 70's when I started with the CTC. There was (and still is) a certain snobbery for Dawes Galaxies in the CTC, but the carlton looked better, felt lighter, rode better, was cheaper and had a similar comonent spec to Galaxies around that time. It seemed a good buy.
The only downside you may encounter is the 27" wheels. I dunno about brake drop implications if you put 700Cs on, and arent 27" tyres pretty scarce (altho, Wilko do one for a fiver)

 

[legrandefromage]

I seem to remember someone in the CTC having the brown one like in the photo, late 70's when I started with the CTC. There was (and still is) a certain snobbery for Dawes Galaxies in the CTC, but the carlton looked better, felt lighter, rode better, was cheaper and had a similar comonent spec to Galaxies around that time. It seemed a good buy.
The only downside you may encounter is the 27" wheels. I dunno about brake drop implications if you put 700Cs on, and arent 27" tyres pretty scarce (altho, Wilko do one for a fiver)

good old Michelin World Tour are still widely available in 27"

 

[alecw35]

I got a Corsair second hand in the mid 80s.
used it for a few years. was a bit big for me though

Ive recently got a Dawes Galaxy. Think its a 79. Its ok. Its in bits as it needs a resto. Is a smaller bike

 

[FemtoMetre]

I stumbled upon this gentleman who has some ace restorations. The Carlton Catalina I would think would be a name suited to the American market (it is an island off Southern California). The bike dates back to the '60s vs. the one in this thread.

http://www.nonlintec.com/carlton/

For anyone restoring cycles, he certainly has good tips. I like his restoration of a Swiss Allegro a bit more.

It looks like it is his own personal website though the website name made me think at least, you are looking at some company's website.

 

[Goldie]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris531/395908248/in/set-72157594390275277/

Have a look at this.

That's lovely. That's pretty much a dead ringer for my dad's Corsair, except his was 25 inch. I've realised whether by chance or because I spent so much time when I was a lad looking at dad's bike, lots of the features that I now like on bikes cropped up on Corsairs.

 

[Spokesmann]

Great machines, well worth preserving/restoring. These were made near the end of Carlton's existence. Any chance of some more pictures?

 

[dbmtb]

More of a tourer than a racing bike really....

531main tubes but not sure what seat/chainstays are made of.

27" wheels - finding brake calipers will be a problem if you want to run 700C on it. 120mm rear end.

It wouldn't make a practical every-day bike and didn't even when I had one in the early 90s.