Offered an old Raleigh Dynatech bike cheap, worth a shot?

[JonnyFoxtrot]

Hi all, I'm currently using my Voodoo Bizango mountain bike for road riding as I can't justify splashing out on a road bike as well. Was chatting to one of my colleagues who mentioned his Dad had an old Rayleigh Dynatech road bike which he'd be happy with £50 for. He only knows that it's about 15 years old and well looked after and gave me some pics (see below).

Can anyone help me with advice on whether it's worth a shout at £50? Were they good bikes for their time? Would I be better off putting the £50 aside and saving for a £2-300 bike from the likes of Decathlon?

Cheers!

 

[JonnyFoxtrot]

Managed to get a ride on it this lunch time after getting some air in the tyres. Frame is 59/60cm and did feel a little big but definitely not small for my 6ft frame. There's no model stickers anywhere on it except at the bottom where it states 2055 "Performance Bonded Tube Set" and has a serial number starting AA. Also there's one saying "Special Products Division" if that makes any difference. Gears and Brakes all shifted and stopped really well and are all labeled 500EX. Only issue was that the down tube gear shifters were a nightmare to use and that the pedal crank kept hitting the front derailleur when I pedaled past, not sure if that's a fault or just needs some adjustment. Still not sure whether or not to throw £50 at it as I'd definitely want to change those shifters, if its even possible?

 

[cromoman]

I reckon that's nearer to 25 years old than 15.

Bonded frames can be a risk, I'm sure others will have experience of bonded Dyna-Techs.

The shifters can be changed.

As for clunk, it's probably just adjustment needed, but that chainset is a Campagnolo one and the rest of the kit is Shimano, so might not work 100% right (I would be surprised if it didn't though, it's just a crank after all).

£50 is cheap.

 

[hamster]

Sounds good, the front derailleur simply needs adjustment. You will get used to the shifters!

It's a classy frame, check for any hairline cracks in the paint which would warn of de-bonding - but at that price you could strip it for the bits and still get your money back.

No brainer, buy!

 

[JonnyFoxtrot]

Thanks all for the advice and info. I'm fairly sure it is one of the steel tubed ones rather than titanium but I think for the sake of £50 I can see how I get on with it and road bikes in general and then sell on for what I paid for hopefully down the line. I think given the suggested costs of replacing shifters I'll probably just get used to the originals! Appreciate all the comments, cheers!

 

[Old Ned]

If the frame is sound it's a bargain at £50. It'll give you a taste of road bikes - and let you discover how much easier they are on the road compared to MTB's. The clue is in the name!

Check the tyres though. If they're the originals it would be worthwhile getting some decent new ones for peace of mind etc.

 

[Ret spotter]

To be fair the pedals shouldn't be hitting derailleur it may just be turned a little so back end is catching which is an easy fix. A new bike from decathlon would work just fine but you may not stick the road bike game. I have a lot of mates who've tried road bikes and agree are better for roads but still like to go down those old tracks so opt for a cross. If the frame is sound and wheels are straight I'd say £50 is a bargain.

Also you will learn to love the down tube shifters especially when you need that gear to get you up the hill and are just one turn off the crank too late :facepalm:

 

[Jumphigher]

I agree - a bargain price if it's in decent shape. Downtube shifters are actually all I use on my road bikes, I prefer them over brifters. Can never understand people having a hard time with them - they're so easy to use. Give yourself some time to get used to them, in any case.

And yes, updating the bike to bar mounted shifters would be an expensive (though do-able) proposition.

 

[ishaw]

Re:

If I stumbled across that for £50, I wouldn't think twice. I think a bargain for a fully working bike. Had a Peugeot with full 500ex bitd, really liked it and it worked well. Frame size is key though, it's the most effort to change if you get wrong.

 

[smith931]

Re:

Hi there,
It’s an old bike but Rayleigh Dynatech is a good brand. Maybe you need to changes and repair some part like chainset, tyres, need to adjusted clunkset.
Remember that frame and wheels are the main part of a bike. So, you should check the frame and the wheels properly if these are in good condition you can buy it.
Price is not much, £50 is a reliable price.