Yet Another Purple One - 70’s Carlton Criterium

[Tobias Rodriguez]

GIGFY might have some competition when it comes to collecting purple bikes, I’ve gone and bought another one.

I’ve just purchased a 70’s Carlton Criterium and will collect it tomorrow. The Carlton catalogue states the colour is mauve! It looks quite tidy and the seller thinks it’s mostly original. He bought it from the original owner some years ago and has only covered limited miles on it since. The original pump is still on the bike which is a bonus. For £60 I could not resist and had to buy it.
I have a Brooks B17 saddle that I think it should have, so that will be put to use. The bike will be looked at properly in spring.
The listing pics were not the best but here they are.

 

[Tobias Rodriguez]

It’s a 1974 bike made in July, a few months younger than me.

Quick rundown on the non spec parts that I know of…
Brooks Vitesse 300 saddle, now swapped for a Brooks B17.
Shimano Tourney brakes, should be Weinmann 730’s I think.
Sugino GT chainset and Tange spindle, the seller gave me the original Tri arm cottered chainset with the original pedals.
That’s all I’ve discovered so far, there might be more, everything else looks right but you guys will know better than me. It does have some rather nice Michelin World Tour tyres which I was surprised to see were made in Japan. I’m not too keen on the Simplex derailleurs and shifters, I’m sure these could be replaced with something a little more classy, any ideas?

 

[Tobias Rodriguez]

The chainset, bb spindle and pedals cleaned up a treat, they will definitely be going back on the bike. I’ve bought some 1975 (the earliest I could find) Weinmann 730 calipers that need a bit of work, it looks like apart from the derailleurs and shifters it’s going back close to the original spec.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

Very nice mate. An absolute bargain! Suntour vx or vx GT mechs would be better than plastic simplex. Or Cyclone if you're pushing the boat out.

 

[Tobias Rodriguez]

Very nice mate. An absolute bargain! Suntour vx or vx GT mechs would be better than plastic simplex. Or Cyclone if you're pushing the boat out.

Thanks, for the money it was an easy decision to buy. When the seller offered to throw in the original crank and pedals it became an even better deal, he was a nice chap who wanted it to go to a good home.
The chromed lugs, headset and forks should polish up well after a bit of love. The paint should come up nice too.
I have a VX rear mech and shifters but I was missing the front mech. There was only one available on eBay listed by a UK seller, so my offer was made and then accepted. So Suntour VX it will be. Thanks for your input, this turned out to be the cheapest option for me.
The shimano Tourney brakes and hangers have now been removed ready for the 730’s. The cable outers have been scrubbed and are ready for new cables if needed, new white outers would stick out like a sore thumb right?

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

Give the Tournay calipers a go. Actually a bit better than the Weinmann.

 

[Tobias Rodriguez]

Give the Tournay calipers a go. Actually a bit better than the Weinmann.

I know they work well but the bike looks so much cleaner with side pulls. The other thing is the front blocks are rubbing on the tyre and they are all the way down the slot. I actually think the arms are on the wrong ends of the bike, the rear has more reach and should be on the front and vice versa. I could swap them back easily but I’d like to go back to original on this one. I can always change them back later if the Weinmann ain’t cutting it

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

I know they work well but the bike looks so much cleaner with side pulls. The other thing is the front blocks are rubbing on the tyre and they are all the way down the slot. I actually think the arms are on the wrong ends of the bike, the rear has more reach and should be on the front and vice versa. I could swap them back easily but I’d like to go back to original on this one. I can always change them back later if the Weinmann ain’t cutting it

I think I've got some 730s (edit post only) if you want them. I was sure this came with centre pulls? Old age sucks

 

[Tobias Rodriguez]

I think I've got some 730s (edit post only) if you want them. I was sure this came with centre pulls? Old age sucks

Thanks for the offer, I have already paid for a pair that just need a good clean and polish. You could well be right, all I have to go on are a few other Criterium threads and a catalogue scan. I think it’s 72 or 73. I know the later models came with center pulls, just not sure when the change happened, possibly 75? Luckily when the center pulls were added the cable outers were left uncut and they are still the perfect length for the 730 side pulls. That’s the best clue I have to go on to be honest.

 

[Tobias Rodriguez]

http://carltoncycles.uk/1974-raleigh-carlton-catalogue/

It looks like centre pulls were on the 1974 bikes. Mine is a 1974 bike but has the 1972/3 colour scheme. I found what I think is a 73 stamp on the chromed headstock lugs, just to muddy the waters a little more.