Raleigh Road Ace (and Shimano 600 groupset)
Maybe I’m a bit too obsessed with order, but I can’t help being a little shaken by the variety of names on the parts of my latest machine (Sora, Tiagra, Tektro, ITM, 2200 etc). Another trip down memory lane, then: a racing bike that I bought in the 1980s. It hasn’t had a lot of use and I haven’t had to modify it much (a 24T rear sprocket to replace the 21T original); it is almost entirely assembled from Shimano 600 components. A sprinkling of rust and a few scratches. My Raleigh Road Ace:
Friction gear levers mounted on the downtube. I think when I bought the bike in 1987 it was the previous year's model. Not long after I got it Raleigh upgraded the Road Ace to Shimano 600EX with SIS gearing.
Older front derailleurs could cope with larger chainring differences, I believe.
The rear derailleur took a rear sprocket up to 28T. This one has a scratch from when I fell off in a multi-storey car park in Lincoln. I was racing some fellow youngsters.
The classic racing chainrings of 52 and 42. The big ring hasn't got much wear.
I changed the brake blocks to Aztecs. They chewed up the rims. After I hit a kerb on a cycle path and flattened both rims I put the Shimano blocks back on for the replacement wheels. Note the Shimano 600 headset.
You knew where you were with brake levers in the 1980s. They were happy enough being used for braking only.
The stainless steel clips rusted early on. A review at the time lamented the fact that the only British-made components on the bike were the Sturmey Archer toe straps. These are the originals.
Shimano 600 front hub. Note the Campagnolo chromed dropouts. My touring bike from the same period rusted quickly around this area: the first time the wheel is replaced the paintwork on bikes without chromed dropouts is compromised.
The stem was unusual in that the owner was presented with an extra long allen key wrench that came with its own metal sleeve (about 5” long) that you slipped over the shortest length of the wrench to get extra torque. It’s still in my cycling toolkit.
The stem is Shimano 600, of course. Gasp! Dura Ace handlebars. Oh, well...
... here's the bike. It needs a little attention, obviously. The frame was too big for me and it is over-geared. And although I probably don't need to keep it anymore, I don't think I could part with it after all these years.
A proper bike needs a sprinkling of rust and a few scratches to show it's had a life. Good photos. Horizontal crossbars (top tubes as they are today, for some reason) look very 'classic' – my 1980s Peugeot ATB has one (plus rust and scratches) and I'm not parting with it at any price.
Added later: reading the Feb-Mar issue of Cycle magazine, there's a Villiers-Velo advert towards the back, with a photo of a similar looking bicycle, also with a horizontal crossbar and other bits of traditional styling.
January 29th, 2010 at 10:55 pm
Chris, I've had almost every part on that bike in my time, except the Dura-Ace bars. Had the same pedals, brakes, derailleurs etc. and had a Raleigh Frame like that but it was red and black and gorgeous. Mine was of 531 tubing. Is this?
I gave it away to the brother of a friend of mine about 13 years ago, as my garage was full!
January 30th, 2010 at 7:31 pm
There seems to have been a mini revival of cycle magazines just lately. I’m fairly sure the last one I bought (Cycle Active???) is another new one. I'll have a browse in WH Smiths, thanks, Patrick.
Added later: Oh, Cycle is the CTC's magazine, right? When I was a member I think it was called Cycle Touring, or something like that.
Yes, Garry, the frame is Reynolds 531C – Competition – the transfer on the forks just states 531, but the seat tube sticker suggests that the forks are Competition, too. I've been looking at scanned-in catalogues and various web sites that give advice on frame sizes. I think I must have disproportionately small legs for my height. For years I’ve grumbled to myself that the chap in the bike shop sold me a bike one size too big for me. Now I've discovered that my 21 ½ (54 ½ cm) frame was the smallest one available in the Road Ace range. Strange that. Incidentally, the Ridgeback Panorama is available from 50cm; the Dawes Galaxy range starts at 54cm, so I wouldn’t buy one even if I liked the Galaxy. I’m 5”8’, hardly freakishly small.
I nearly sold the Raleigh to a colleague a few years ago. Even though I am a bit too stretched out over the top tube I'm so glad I kept the bike. I have the correct replacement handlebar tape somewhere (and probably the 21T sprocket too), so possibly another job for the half term break...
January 31st, 2010 at 2:20 pm
I ride classic road bikes like Raleigh (Grand Prix,Technium), Fuji(Dynamic), Panasonic (Sport, Touring), Schwinn (Sprint, World), etc. I'm a bike restorer as well. I ride bikes that are too large for me also. The advantage is I'm less crouched over if the seat is closer to the top tube. I like a long leg extension anyway as I can can put more energy into pedaling. I compensate if necessary by sometimes replacing the qill / stem woth one that has a shorter reach. Also by sometimes raising the handlebars and stem up. Some head tubes are angled so this will also bring the stem closer towards you or the seat. Another alternative is to replace the seatpost. Some posts jut out towards the rear of the bike where it holds the seat. Some don't, Thompson brand comes to mind. All of these adjustments can make an old road bike into more of a touring type set up and more comfortable for me anyway. Dave's Bikes & Restoration
February 9th, 2010 at 8:10 pm
Hi, Dave. I'm sure I'm not alone in buying a frame in the 80s that was, by today's standards, too big for me. I'm not going to make any further adjustments to this bike (apart from replacing the bike ribbon) because I want to keep it as it has always been. For the most part. I'm even going to take off those screw-on clamps that allowed very tight clearance for the mudguards I once had on this bike. Having said that, I've done away with the Ever Ready Night Rider brackets that fastened to the front fork and the seat stay. That's a bit too retro, even for me.
February 18th, 2010 at 8:46 pm
Hi Chris. it was 1986 and i either bought a motorbike or spent £300 on a 1 month old road ace im so glad i bought the bike! i was the king of the village (findern derbys) where i grew up and worshipped my bike for years.i eventually sold to my dad who had a full raleigh respray in a deep red with white decalls,it looked Ace!Mine was also a 21 inch frame with dura ace handlebars(i thought it was just me and someone at the factory had made a boo boo!!.i added mavic rims and a rolls saddle as time went on. The Road ace was a brilliant bike and now aged 39 if Raleigh bought out another i would buy one once again for my 40th!
Thanks everyone for the great reading, WHAT A BRILLIANT BIKE
March 20th, 2010 at 5:22 pm
Hi, Will. Glad you enjoyed this piece of nostalgia, thank you. I paid £375 for my bike – a lot of money in those days. I went out on it a few weeks ago when I lent my new bike to a friend. It still rides well compared to the new one. Hope you're still riding.
March 21st, 2010 at 8:17 am
Hi, great 80s nostalgia trip. I still ride a 1986 off the peg Raleigh 531 kingfisher blue (now resprayed in eddy merckx orange – sweet) on shimano 600 sis and cinelli giro d'italia. very comfortable ride, survived many crashes (in racing caps not hardshells!). Great bike. my other ride is a 1989 raleigh dyna-tech titanium with shimano 600/dura-ace mix on campag record hubs/campag strada rims. for its age it is seriously light, gratifyingly lighter rather mates' lightweight alu rides. Ha! Retro rules.
April 23rd, 2010 at 10:08 pm
WoW! This takes me back...I bought a Road Ace from Evans in Kingston around 1985, I then sold the frame (which was a size to big for me too) in 1987 when in Leicester and got a Condor built 22" frame and transferred all the Shimano 600EX components. My seat post is now Dura Ace, new saddle, handler bars, stem and now brake levers too which are more comfortable. I changed the pedals for LOOK with better cleats to go with new shoes but still have the original pedals.
My bike is still going strong after all these years, am gonna get the wheels rebuilt with new rims (I reckon I've earned that).
My gear set is non-SIS so same as yours I think. Shift levers on the down tube, brake levers that just...er...brake
I have put larger sprockets on the rear which you can still get and interchange. Think I have a 28T on there but its still not low enough with that 42T chainwheel
September 15th, 2011 at 10:30 am
Hi, David. I think I may have to source a 28T sprocket. I only bring the Road Ace out on special occasions, but I would like to do a few hills from time to time. Apparently there is also a Shimano 600 seat post in the range, but I think I'll stick with what I have.
September 21st, 2011 at 9:09 am
Hello Chris – great to read about your bike.
I am currently restoring my own Road Ace which I bought in 1989.
I have had the frame powder coated in sky blue and will finish with red relief cables and stickers etc.
I reckon there is about 50k on the clock but I am looking forward to riding it again.
Chris Wall
November 17th, 2011 at 11:12 am
A bit rad with the colour scheme there, Chris, but if you have pictures on, say, Flickr do let us know where they are so we can link to them. Is there any of the original spec on your Road Ace I wonder.
Actually, I've just had my 1984 Coventry Eagle Touristique – Reynolds 531ST frame – shot blasted and enamelled in black (it was originally 'pewter' I believe). Pictures to follow...
November 17th, 2011 at 6:04 pm
Hi Chris – Yes, the colour scheme is " interesting"
I have replaced the wheels, about 20 tyres,4 chains , rear cassette ( teeth wore down to nothing and chain jumped ) pedals , 42 teeth chain wheel, brakes and all cables.
Front and rear derailleurs still going strong.
Send email and I will post pics
Chris Wall
December 13th, 2011 at 8:12 pm
pictures posted on flickr code name xbow1949 – comments welcome !!!
December 14th, 2011 at 10:19 pm
I give up. Cannot find them.
December 15th, 2011 at 5:52 am
My email is xbow1949@yahoo.com
December 15th, 2011 at 7:26 am
I purchased a Raleigh competion in the summer of 1987, did a couple century rides, placed 3rd overall in spring series in Seary, Akransas and then took a 1000 mile solo trip to North Carolina. Switched to kevlar tires, no flats the entire way. Broke a spoke going up and one hour climb in Western NC, had it fixed in Ashiville and then did a 5 mile climb out of Ashville. Did not turn a crank on th 20 minute ride down. I stil have it hanging in my garage, but have not ridden much lately. I could sell it at the right price. It has Shimano 600 components, smoot as silk. After a long tiring climb in mid tennesse, I got jumped by a couple German Shepherds and addrenalin will make you do superhuman things. Crashed and burned a few times, but loved it all, especially when at age 40 plus, I dropped 22-25 year olds regularly. Ken PS. I did not like getting droped by a 63 years old who had an unbelievable capacity.
December 27th, 2011 at 3:02 am
My mate sold me his Raleigh Road Ace just like the one in the picture. That was back in 1994. Hung it up in the garage and it has never seen the light. May look at it now!
February 14th, 2012 at 7:22 pm
Not that interested in the bike myself.......anyone interested before I put it on e-bay?
February 21st, 2012 at 10:50 pm
Hi, Martin. If I was buying an old bike off eBay the most important thing after the model is the size. Google how to measure this if you're not sure. Then I would hope to see pictures of the sort I have taken in this post, showing the original kit and its condition. A Raleigh Road Ace in good condition with much original kit can fetch a couple of hundred pounds. If the components aren't up to much you might try to sell the frame only. Fix wheel types are always on the lookout for good quality Reynolds 531 frames. Best of luck
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:38 am
Hey thanks Chris...good info.
I will look to clean and get the bike up to scratch! I am sure that someone will get a lot more nostalgia out of it than I will. May post some picks when it is done.
Kind regards
Martin
February 27th, 2012 at 8:01 am
Martin, what size is your Road Ace? I have a 22.5" framed bike and love it!!! Great ride. Might be interested in it. Email Steve at b41ley dot com
March 9th, 2012 at 5:57 pm