Raleigh Granada.

[skelley2]

So I had a Raleigh Granada in the past and loved how comfy the ride was but stupidly sold it during skint times., I cycle a 531 Mercian Audax normally now.

The only thing is, its just too damn nice to use as a commuter, I've seen a Raleigh Granada with rough paint going begging locally and was considering it.. 73 degrees, light touring spec? Were these lightweight unit bikes (worksop?)

Few questions,

The catalogue I've seen says 27 x 1/4, others say 700c? (1987?)

it says Granada 10 in the catalogue so 120mm OLN? I'm sure my old one was 7 speed, must have been upgraded.

Sadly no rack mounts, 531 stickers, but is it just main tubes, feels light.

Oh and are these standard threading by '87 so I can use standard cups/headset and what have you?

Ideally I'd love a Randonneur, but they are crazy money these days! So defeats the idea of a cheaper bike for commuting.

Thinking 7 speed conversion with DX/LX deore, upgrade brakes to Tektro (should sort centre pull rough braking and any 27" to 700c issues)

 

[Apple Tree]

I bought a Granada off E-bay for £85 two years ago. It is a really nice bike with a stable, confidence inducing ride. Rear OLD is 125mm and I run it as 6 speed x 2. Gipiemme drop outs. Weinmann 27 x 1/4" rims on Maillard hubs. Serial No. is Worksop production but in 1986 that was at Nottingham. Transferred "Hand Built in England" also marked Reynolds 531 but main frame tubes only. Only thing that let it down were really heavy and unglamorous Sachs derailleurs which I have changed.
It seems to have limited production seemingly only for 1987 catalogue year to celebrate Raleigh's 100th anniversary. There may be two versions of it, one with a silver head tube and another, like mine, plain blue.
Certainly worth getting as a reliable comfortable commuter.

 

[mikeymustard]

Only thing that let it down were really heavy and unglamorous Sachs derailleurs which I have changed.

That's funny, the catalogue says "lightweight derailleurs"!