Raleigh Dynatech Endeavour dilemma. What to do?

[7Speed]

It’s bazaar that the bullet shifters are potentially my least liked components - ugly and horrible in use - but I think the original Campag thumbies are one of the best looking MTB components ever made, even if they didn’t work as well as 732s.

 

[Gtpulse]

I’d keep number one, split/sell number two and keep the shifters as a future option for number one. Number one just seems to score more originality points than number one.

I posted a similar dilemma recently. I’m putting ones I don’t want to sell/split in to (no cost) storage. The ones I’m not so attached to I’ll be splitting and selling the components and storing the frames if they don’t sell. I think components seem to still sell at an acceptable price for me but frames/wheels not so much. I only really ride my modern bike at the moment and they’ll be easy to access if I wanted them.

My Voyager came completely original Campagnolo spec but with the bullet shifters replaced somehow with XT brifters. I changed them back for bullets but they are horrible both to set up and to use.

 

[boy"O"boy]

ive got 4 Dyna-techs here at the moment and I can say, its better to have to many, than to little, because you can guarantee that the one you think you don't want, is the one you`ll regret getting rid of, just got back my maverick after 7 years and think more of that, than any of my other bikes, apart from my ogre xce which I had new as well. all the others could go tomorrow. I think its the ones with most attachment, you treasure more.

@Mark south wales
Yeah. Very true.... it's often the case that the one you get rid of, you come to regret later.
However, having 2 in the collection, both of equal quality - I don't think I'd be missing out that much as I'd still get to keep the other one.
My collection is quite diverse so letting one of 2 go appeals as it would probably sit very well in someone else's Raleigh/Dynatech specific collection.

who done the resprays please? I have an Avanti, I want repainted.

The resprays were done by myself.
Have a look at my Endeavour build thread for the whole restoration of both Dynatechs.

Would it be an option to make 1 best version of the 2 (with your preferred frame and components) and sell on the other one?

@JCS
I'm still torn. Both are mint. The only feature that separates the two are the addition of thumbies and grey levers on #2
#1 has the originality
#2 has the better paint.
Other than that....full Campagnolo goodness across both with identical wheelsets means there's not much to swap.

I’d keep #1 as the originality is quite a significant factor IMHO. But as @JCS says if there are any parts you prefer on #2 swap them over first

Fair comment. Do you think that the originality would have better buyer appeal?
Ultimately, I'm still going to keep one of these and both are on equal standing when it comes to looks and build.

That's what I was thinking.

Cheers Ed.
Tough decision. I've also got the 2 Serotta Off-road Pro-flexes which has made the choice of which duplicates to move on even more difficult.

 

[ferrus]

I’m not sure if originally would have better buyer appeal. Perhaps the opposite actually and the better paint of #2 would sell more easily…?

 

[27motorhead]

I'd Keep No.1 and buy a pair of Campagnolo Centaur thumbies just in case! Also it looks like it has the rubber coated QRs on the wheels as well as the seatpost... both are bloody gorgeous!

 

[boy"O"boy]

If it wasn’t for the bullet shifters I would have said keep #1

@7Speed
I went Catalogue spec on #1 - if It did see any use, thumb shifters would be an easy swap.
Everything across #1 + #2 is identical apart from the thumbies and grey levers on #2
Easy swaps, just torn over which one I like more to be the keeper.

Well Raleigh had to replace loads of owners Bullet shifters with thumbies because they didn’t work. My missus got Centaur ones and I got Record OR for our Voyagers (sale bikes in ‘92). I bet lots of Endeavours received the upgrade too.

@ferrus
That MBi review did the Endeavour no favours at all. Even setting up the NOS ones on #1 was horrible. Hateful things....I'd have upgraded these back in the day if I was fortunate to be able to afford one. If Raleigh offered to do it for you....even better. The brakes are lovely though.

I’d keep number one, split/sell number two and keep the shifters as a future option for number one. Number one just seems to score more originality points than number one.

I posted a similar dilemma recently. I’m putting ones I don’t want to sell/split in to (no cost) storage. The ones I’m not so attached to I’ll be splitting and selling the components and storing the frames if they don’t sell. I think components seem to still sell at an acceptable price for me but frames/wheels not so much. I only really ride my modern bike at the moment and they’ll be easy to access if I wanted them.

My Voyager came completely original Campagnolo spec but with the bullet shifters replaced somehow with XT brifters. I changed them back for bullets but they are horrible both to set up and to use.

Once I've decided which one gets the chop....the next question is probably easier to answer.
I'm fairly sure that no-one on here or eBay is going to be willing to pay £1600 for a Dynatech...even if it is one of the rarest of the breed.
Watching sold prices for Campagnolo though, that figure is quite achievable if I break it down as a parts and separate frame sale. The Electa saddle on its own is serious money. NOS wheelset and Tioga tyres....again, strong money.

Ideally I'd want to let this go complete as to the Dynatech collector one of these with it's complete Campagnolo spec is a proper rarity.

Practicality however, breaking is inevitable.

Just can't decide which one.

.....but I still get to keep the other.

 

[boy"O"boy]

I’m not sure if originally would have better buyer appeal. Perhaps the opposite actually and the better paint of #2 would sell more easily…?

If I'd just stuck to #1 - there would be no decision to be made.
Trouble is - in the rescue of #2 - I've made this too nice and the paint is lovely.

Maybe if it was broken for parts - the better paint would sell the frame better on it's own?

I'd Keep No.1 and buy a pair of Campagnolo Centaur thumbies just in case! Also it looks like it has the rubber coated QRs on the wheels as well as the seatpost... both are bloody gorgeous!

@27motorhead
Cheers! It's the tracking down of those small details such as the Centaur QR's, NOS pedals, Electa saddle that makes the build worth it.
Fairly easy to swap one to another....and apart from the grey thumbies and levers, the build specs are identical.
Deciding which frame I like more is not as easy.

Could all come down to which one gets the better return......The original paint Vs The really nice respray.

Cheers
boy"O"boy

 

[Gtpulse]

I remember you sold your Odyssey, that was a respray wasn’t it? Seem to remember it was resold again after that. Can’t find anything on eBay. My point being what sort of value did that achieve? I’d put a good condition original Odyssey frame/forks around £125 max. Some people like the fresh look of a good repaint more?

 

[nporternz]

option 3 - buy a bigger house.....

 

[boy"O"boy]

I remember you sold your Odyssey, that was a respray wasn’t it? Seem to remember it was resold again after that. Can’t find anything on eBay. My point being what sort of value did that achieve? I’d put a good condition original Odyssey frame/forks around £125 max. Some people like the fresh look of a good repaint more?

Absolutely. All my restorations are passion projects. I'd never get the return I've invested.
#2 was a 'by chance' score from @nporternz
That got the full restoration.
#1 seems the favourite choice to keep judging by the collective with a few parts swap to make this the ideal keeper.
There is interest in the frame and forks. It's a shame I can't pass this on complete but £1600 for a complete build is strong money for a Dynatech... No matter how rare.
#2 with fresh paint is seeming like the better part out option.

option 3 - buy a bigger house.....

Cheers Nic.
That option would be definitely off the table!
If you hadn't swapped me this my decision would be so much easier!
Send us a WhatsApp and we'll sort a meet up soon. It's long overdue!