The Raleigh Story, BBC4
Discussion
Might be an interesting watch about the story of Raleigh Bikes. On BBC4 tonight at 9pm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08j8mvl
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08j8mvl
Quite a sad story really, and indicative of a lot of the UK's industries that failed to modernise.
In the late 1970s every single one of my classmates had a Raleigh. By the mid 1980s, at the point I left school, that figure was down to less than 1/5th. And now that I'm back into cycling and know more cyclists than ever... Only one guy has a reissued Chopper which he hates riding but bought for the nostalgia.
And... what about Andy Ruffell, eh?
In the late 1970s every single one of my classmates had a Raleigh. By the mid 1980s, at the point I left school, that figure was down to less than 1/5th. And now that I'm back into cycling and know more cyclists than ever... Only one guy has a reissued Chopper which he hates riding but bought for the nostalgia.
And... what about Andy Ruffell, eh?
g7jhp said:
Agree it was sad. Raleigh were pioneers and their marketing was good, but they've been left behind.
Andy Ruffell had let himself go, certainly the UK's biggest BMX star back in the day.
In fairness to Andy Ruffell, he's weathered the past 35 years better than I have.Andy Ruffell had let himself go, certainly the UK's biggest BMX star back in the day.
We had a Stryker, Grifter, Bomber and two Burners in our household, plus at least 4 other less notable Raleigh models over the years.
Perhaps it's telling that, amongst the bikes at my daughter's after-school club that people have donated (because they're too small / not wanted any more), not a single one is a Raleigh. Which means no-one even has them in their stash of old bikes any more.
According to Wikipedia (and maybe the TV programme - I watched whilst playing with my new Echo Dot so I may have missed this), Raleigh was once the largest bicycle manufacturer in the world. It's a real shame they've all but gone.
I'm building up a new bike for my wife at the moment, and watching the rock-a-billy guy on the Raleigh programme assemble the drivetrain of the bike back in the 70s (I think) made me realise just how far bike tech has progressed. It's all the same principles but the materials are so far removed.
Growing up in the 1970's and 80's I only had Raleigh bikes, as did my friends.
I started on a Tomahawk, then had a Chopper, then an Arena road bike with 24 inch wheels and finally a Record. As a 16 year old I discovered mountain bikes, but even in the early 1990's Raleigh made mountain bikes that I lusted after but couldn't afford.
I can remember 30 years ago my dads company working on refurbishing the ex Raleigh factory at Sinfin Lane in Derby. The buildings were enormous, it's sad sad that it all went.
I started on a Tomahawk, then had a Chopper, then an Arena road bike with 24 inch wheels and finally a Record. As a 16 year old I discovered mountain bikes, but even in the early 1990's Raleigh made mountain bikes that I lusted after but couldn't afford.
I can remember 30 years ago my dads company working on refurbishing the ex Raleigh factory at Sinfin Lane in Derby. The buildings were enormous, it's sad sad that it all went.
In university in the late 90's I had a second hand Raleigh Apex, it was a good bike, geometry was right up to date heavily sloping top tube etc, remember it being every bit as good as my mates Specialized Hardrock. Rigid fork though, think that was why I sold it and got a Rockhopper. Before then I had a Moonshine, 531 that was a good bike in its day but still road style geo, flat top tube etc so a bit cumbersome.
I seem to remember them holding out with steel frames when every other manufacturer was going aluminium so always that bit heavier and indeed seeming out of date.
I seem to remember them holding out with steel frames when every other manufacturer was going aluminium so always that bit heavier and indeed seeming out of date.
PH5121 said:
Growing up in the 1970's and 80's I only had Raleigh bikes, as did my friends.
I started on a Tomahawk, then had a Chopper, then an Arena road bike with 24 inch wheels and finally a Record. As a 16 year old I discovered mountain bikes, but even in the early 1990's Raleigh made mountain bikes that I lusted after but couldn't afford.
I can remember 30 years ago my dads company working on refurbishing the ex Raleigh factory at Sinfin Lane in Derby. The buildings were enormous, it's sad sad that it all went.
Yep, me too. I distinctly remember getting my Raleigh Striker when I was about 5. As awful as it was, I still remember anyone who owned a Raleigh taking the piss out of anyone with a Tensaw catalogue classic which rusted at faintest drop of water touched it. I started on a Tomahawk, then had a Chopper, then an Arena road bike with 24 inch wheels and finally a Record. As a 16 year old I discovered mountain bikes, but even in the early 1990's Raleigh made mountain bikes that I lusted after but couldn't afford.
I can remember 30 years ago my dads company working on refurbishing the ex Raleigh factory at Sinfin Lane in Derby. The buildings were enormous, it's sad sad that it all went.
I recall having my handlebars welded back on after I snapped them off on a jump which, shortly afterwards signaled a replacement in the shape of a Raleigh Burner, the first of the oval tubed bikes. Rode that for about 5 years until a Raleigh road bike replaced it when I was about 11 or 12.
Moved onto MTB's after that and I don't think I had a Raleigh ... probably about the time they fell behind other manufacturers!
Raleighs I owned in sequence...
Small rider
Strika
Sensor
Only non-raleigh over that period was a catalogue purchased BMX Falcon Street Flyer
Volant
After this, because it got stolen, I had a 531c Orbit America, then moved to the dark side when that got stolen with an Orange Clockwork MTB which was also stolen. Finally I got a Dawes "The Edge" XT in shock pink, which I still ride.
Small rider
Strika
Sensor
Only non-raleigh over that period was a catalogue purchased BMX Falcon Street Flyer
Volant
After this, because it got stolen, I had a 531c Orbit America, then moved to the dark side when that got stolen with an Orange Clockwork MTB which was also stolen. Finally I got a Dawes "The Edge" XT in shock pink, which I still ride.
Oh it was special! A mate of mine had one too and we thought we had really made it.
In truth the Volant with an avocet30 was a world apart though, my first grownup bike with a special product division 531 frame and 14 hyperglide indexed gears.
I really enjoyed watching the docco. The teddyboy guy and his amazing topiary was a highlight.
In truth the Volant with an avocet30 was a world apart though, my first grownup bike with a special product division 531 frame and 14 hyperglide indexed gears.
I really enjoyed watching the docco. The teddyboy guy and his amazing topiary was a highlight.
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