Druid":12dvcl0b said:Know I mentioned it elsewhere about the Record Sprint, but I think it is because those old Raleighs were actually a part of my life they mean so much more. A beautiful old Colnago for example is like a 1980's Ferrari, I may have had a poster of one on my wall, but that was as close as I got. The Raleigh is more like an old Cortina. It puts a bigger smile on my face than the super car because it was part of my real life and makes up the memories of places we went with it, not just the places I dreamt of going.
Still a great looking machine, you've done it justice.
Thankyou! and perfectly sums up what I think about these late '70's to mid '80's Raleighs. I had a nice 531c raleigh or three in the '80's and the nostalgia remains with them. I remember watching the TDF with my Dad and loving the mid '80's team weinmann/panasonic colours, eventually badgering him enough to have one bought for me.
I've since come to see that the Raleighs are my favourite to the point the 'nago's will be on ebay in a week or two.
The SBDU/LU bikes really were great bikes.
Oh I see your point about the cars, kind of agree about the raleigh/cortina comparison but I'd have to say the SBDU/531c LU bikes are definately at least cortina ghia level