new to pedal power... on a retro Raleigh
Discussion
Evening all...
Just thought I'd post on here as I've recently lost my driving license I've been thrown in at the deep end in the pedal power section. I'm facing a 14 mile each way commute to work and back. I'm rather excited at the challenge and looking forward to getting to grips with road riding. I'll shortly be in the market for a road bike no doubt but just while i get used to being in the saddle I have been given my dads bike:
1994 Raleigh M-Trax Titanium 1000. It's barely been used so looks practically like new. Hard to believe it's 17 years old. He's basically given me the bike as it's my only mode of transport now. I have all the original docs and warranty booklets and even the original certificate with a picture of the chap who built it (just to be a bit geeky about it) as its all been kept together in his garage.
Anyway I love the bike, hoping to keep it in a mint condition although it will now be clocking up the miles.
I'm sure I'll be on the forum every now and then to ask some newbie questions
Just thought I'd post on here as I've recently lost my driving license I've been thrown in at the deep end in the pedal power section. I'm facing a 14 mile each way commute to work and back. I'm rather excited at the challenge and looking forward to getting to grips with road riding. I'll shortly be in the market for a road bike no doubt but just while i get used to being in the saddle I have been given my dads bike:
1994 Raleigh M-Trax Titanium 1000. It's barely been used so looks practically like new. Hard to believe it's 17 years old. He's basically given me the bike as it's my only mode of transport now. I have all the original docs and warranty booklets and even the original certificate with a picture of the chap who built it (just to be a bit geeky about it) as its all been kept together in his garage.
Anyway I love the bike, hoping to keep it in a mint condition although it will now be clocking up the miles.
I'm sure I'll be on the forum every now and then to ask some newbie questions
Nice bike, I have a old Raleigh, circ 1983, that I use on the road. As already suggested, change the tyres to some more suitable for road use, you will fly! I use Michelin City MTB. You need 26" tyres.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...
You should also get some mudgaurds, essential for a wet commute.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...
You should also get some mudgaurds, essential for a wet commute.
Thanks guys. Yes I think I definatly need some tyres, went for a first ride out this afternoon and it killed me! Then I checked the tyre pressures 
should be easier next time.
Also the brakes are shocking, really dont work at all, probably a combination of cantilever brakes and 17 year old pads. Apart from that it's just a case of getting fit. Oh and it might have been light in its day but doubt it is by todays standards.
should be easier next time.Also the brakes are shocking, really dont work at all, probably a combination of cantilever brakes and 17 year old pads. Apart from that it's just a case of getting fit. Oh and it might have been light in its day but doubt it is by todays standards.
My advice would be dont commute on that for the following:
Its a MTB even if its a decrepit one so the scallies will try and steal it
Its a decrepit MTB so the beardies on retrobike will pay stupid money for it
Its on nobblies not slicks
It doesnt have mudguards
Its brakes wont
Further advice would be to buy something else with full mudguards and preferably drop (racer style) bars so the tea leaves will be less interested
The brakes on a road bike still wont do much though
Get some decent lights - one of which should be a front mounted flasher, possibly helmet mounted
Buy some decent water proof kit
Good luck - I commute year round in preference to driving my RR Sport around town
Although if you had a RR Sport youd probably leave it in the garage too
Nice looking bike. It should be Ok for your commute with some road orientated tyres, at least there are no heavy front forks to lug around. I'm sure the brakes will be fine for road use, maybe just get some new pads. The brakes may be rubbish compared to disks, but you don't need that stopping power on the road. Plenty of space for decent mudguards if you want to use it rain or shine.
That looks very very tidy, did like the Mtrax back in the day. I echo the comments about it being a little shiny for a commuter, so I'd get a good lock and cable. Also consider buying about a tenners worth of black electricians tape and wrapping the frame with it - it will draw a lot less attention and with a bit of grime on from your first few trips it won't drae much attention.
Slicks will make so much of a difference you won't believe it at first, and if you're serious about 14 miles there and back I'd consider some SPD's as you'll be a whole load more efficient.
Slicks will make so much of a difference you won't believe it at first, and if you're serious about 14 miles there and back I'd consider some SPD's as you'll be a whole load more efficient.
TBH, I would'nt start to use that. Unless I'm mistaken from the pictures, it looks mint, and you have all the 'history / docs' that came with it. I'd get it up for sale some where like ebay retro mountain bike section or RetroBike, like others have said, with an optimistic price tag and see what someone will pay.
Someone will want a clean and origianal bike to hang up and may be prepared to pay for it. If you use it and spend some cash making it work better for you, then end up buying a road bike anyway, you'll then have a used less appealling bike to sell along side other used old mountain bikes.
Get it sold and get the right tool for the job now that you actually need. A flat bar road/commuter bikes performace will be astonishing compared to that, and wont cost a whole lot either, especially as it's discount season too.
HTH
Someone will want a clean and origianal bike to hang up and may be prepared to pay for it. If you use it and spend some cash making it work better for you, then end up buying a road bike anyway, you'll then have a used less appealling bike to sell along side other used old mountain bikes.
Get it sold and get the right tool for the job now that you actually need. A flat bar road/commuter bikes performace will be astonishing compared to that, and wont cost a whole lot either, especially as it's discount season too.
HTH
I hadn't even thought of selling it... I can't see it being worth a lot, as mint as it is it was £349.00 new in 1994 and even if I got the same figure back for it now it's only going to cost me more to change to something descent...
I'm just going to use it and enjoy it, plus there is a short cut down the canal tow path so it should perform better on there than the road.
6 months down the line I'l appreciate a more modern bike all the more and hopefully have saved a wedge by then in saved fuel bills/tax/insurance/MOT... i was running three vehicles so I want to use the opportunity to save a bit.
Thanks for all the kind comments.. off for a ride
I'm just going to use it and enjoy it, plus there is a short cut down the canal tow path so it should perform better on there than the road.
6 months down the line I'l appreciate a more modern bike all the more and hopefully have saved a wedge by then in saved fuel bills/tax/insurance/MOT... i was running three vehicles so I want to use the opportunity to save a bit.
Thanks for all the kind comments.. off for a ride
WOW! That's a massive trip out! When I was a teenager I had a Marin Bobcat that got stolen and bought one of these with the insurance money. I completely forgot about it!
Lovely to see the old beasty now. Looks very nice still, I can see what I found attractive about it.
The annoying thing was though, the laminate that covers the ti triangle tubes gets chipped and lifts very easily.
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6...
They build up on new kit quite nicely as well.
Lovely to see the old beasty now. Looks very nice still, I can see what I found attractive about it.
The annoying thing was though, the laminate that covers the ti triangle tubes gets chipped and lifts very easily.
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6...
They build up on new kit quite nicely as well.
Tiger Tim said:
WOW! That's a massive trip out! When I was a teenager I had a Marin Bobcat that got stolen and bought one of these with the insurance money. I completely forgot about it!
Lovely to see the old beasty now. Looks very nice still, I can see what I found attractive about it.
The annoying thing was though, the laminate that covers the ti triangle tubes gets chipped and lifts very easily.
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6...
They build up on new kit quite nicely as well.
Thanks for the link, a couple of nicely modified versions there! I'm definatly keeping it now as it shows there's always scope for improvement if I fancy it.Lovely to see the old beasty now. Looks very nice still, I can see what I found attractive about it.
The annoying thing was though, the laminate that covers the ti triangle tubes gets chipped and lifts very easily.
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6...
They build up on new kit quite nicely as well.
Other than covering it in tape, are there any suggestions for keeping it nice and shiney other than the obvious regular washing and cleaning. Seems a shame to age it all of a sudden after all these years if I can help it, it is litterally box fresh, not a chip or scratch, I'l have to take some more close ups
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