doctor-bond
Feature Bike
Been meaning to post some details of my recent Raleigh Randonneur build.
The idea was to build something to use for audax rides and commuting. I’d had a Randonneur frame a few years ago, but it was a bit long in the TT [long legs short body syndrome].
The old one:
What that build did show me was how good the frames are. The 708 tubes are heat-treated mang mol like 753, but with a larger diameter top tube and ‘special section’ internal bracing to increase strength [8 internal flat sections according to wikipedia].
Here’s a bit of background:
Raleigh’s Randonneur production was born out of the demise of the SBDU works and subsequent birth of the Special Products Division around 1987. According to cycling historian Tony Hadland:
The demise of the European team in the early 1980s led to the closure of Ilkeston but resulted in Gerald O’Donovan and Melvyn Cresswell teaming up on product development at what became known as Special Products Division. Shortly before this, and supported by his ‘indulgent boss’ Yvonne Rix, Cresswell had designed and launched the Randonneur tourer. It was based on personal experience and inspired by his first ‘serious’ bicycle, which Gerald O’Donovan had built for him many years previously. Although Raleigh’s most expensive complete bicycle, it was an instant success. The Randonneur proved that Raleigh could still sell high-end product if it was thoughtfully designed and manufactured.
Hadland Link
There isn’t much certainty about the various incarnations of Randonneur from the late 80’s to the close of RSP in 2000. As far as I can make out earlier ones are made of 531 ST, later ones of 708. Hilary Stone employed a useful breakdown in recent advert for one of his:
… the second series Raleigh Randonneur frames [were] built from Reynolds 531ST tubing. The first series did not have cantilever brakes and the third series were built from from Reynolds 708 tubing with a 1 1/8in diameter top tube.
708 was available in Classic or Touristique flavours. I’ve no evidence what the difference was: logic suggests that like 531ST, Touristique was somehow a stouter more touring version; anyone know more?
It’s worth noting that 708 frames were available as full bikes badged Randonneurs, and also frame-only with custom options, badged as Gran Tour.
Towards the end of production, Randonneurs were spiffed up with top level components including hydraulic rim brakes (thanks to one-eyed_jim for the link posted on one of the other threads).
link to full size pic
For me, it it’s the 708 versions that epitomise the marque: innovative materials worked into a great design with brilliant signature touches that add a bit of iconic cool: oversize seat stay caps, spoke holders on the left stay (531 frames were on the right, 708, left); no chainstay brace, but instead a cool "pip" for mudguards; 135mm rear end.
Mine is an H serial number which likely equates to 1997. serial no. linky But I’m not wedded to catalogue correctness and it’s been built with a, er, retro flavour: Specialized BB1 flared drops held high on a nitto stem; non aero brake levers, Swift Ti saddle and 9sp Dura ace shifters on the down low; MKS flats with clips and straps. Wheels are stock, and while the black parallax hubs don’t really fit, they can stay until they wear out or I splash on a dynamo hub.
oops, pic limit reached ....
The idea was to build something to use for audax rides and commuting. I’d had a Randonneur frame a few years ago, but it was a bit long in the TT [long legs short body syndrome].
The old one:
What that build did show me was how good the frames are. The 708 tubes are heat-treated mang mol like 753, but with a larger diameter top tube and ‘special section’ internal bracing to increase strength [8 internal flat sections according to wikipedia].
Here’s a bit of background:
Raleigh’s Randonneur production was born out of the demise of the SBDU works and subsequent birth of the Special Products Division around 1987. According to cycling historian Tony Hadland:
The demise of the European team in the early 1980s led to the closure of Ilkeston but resulted in Gerald O’Donovan and Melvyn Cresswell teaming up on product development at what became known as Special Products Division. Shortly before this, and supported by his ‘indulgent boss’ Yvonne Rix, Cresswell had designed and launched the Randonneur tourer. It was based on personal experience and inspired by his first ‘serious’ bicycle, which Gerald O’Donovan had built for him many years previously. Although Raleigh’s most expensive complete bicycle, it was an instant success. The Randonneur proved that Raleigh could still sell high-end product if it was thoughtfully designed and manufactured.
Hadland Link
There isn’t much certainty about the various incarnations of Randonneur from the late 80’s to the close of RSP in 2000. As far as I can make out earlier ones are made of 531 ST, later ones of 708. Hilary Stone employed a useful breakdown in recent advert for one of his:
… the second series Raleigh Randonneur frames [were] built from Reynolds 531ST tubing. The first series did not have cantilever brakes and the third series were built from from Reynolds 708 tubing with a 1 1/8in diameter top tube.
708 was available in Classic or Touristique flavours. I’ve no evidence what the difference was: logic suggests that like 531ST, Touristique was somehow a stouter more touring version; anyone know more?
It’s worth noting that 708 frames were available as full bikes badged Randonneurs, and also frame-only with custom options, badged as Gran Tour.
Towards the end of production, Randonneurs were spiffed up with top level components including hydraulic rim brakes (thanks to one-eyed_jim for the link posted on one of the other threads).
link to full size pic
For me, it it’s the 708 versions that epitomise the marque: innovative materials worked into a great design with brilliant signature touches that add a bit of iconic cool: oversize seat stay caps, spoke holders on the left stay (531 frames were on the right, 708, left); no chainstay brace, but instead a cool "pip" for mudguards; 135mm rear end.
Mine is an H serial number which likely equates to 1997. serial no. linky But I’m not wedded to catalogue correctness and it’s been built with a, er, retro flavour: Specialized BB1 flared drops held high on a nitto stem; non aero brake levers, Swift Ti saddle and 9sp Dura ace shifters on the down low; MKS flats with clips and straps. Wheels are stock, and while the black parallax hubs don’t really fit, they can stay until they wear out or I splash on a dynamo hub.
oops, pic limit reached ....
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