I have just acquired a 1972 (I'm almost positive about the year) Raleigh Competition bike with frame by Carlton Works. The frame is Reynolds 501 as are the forks. Paint and finish are in remarkably good condition. My question are concerning the components on this thing and they are as follows:
1. The crank had been replaced with a late model Shimano. What would be a "fittin' and proper" crank for this bike, or what might have been original in a a mid-priced brit such as this? 2. The FD, RD and levers are Suntour V. Looking at Frank Berto's stuff he's written, I would think that these were probably original. What's your opinion? 3. There is an SR Laprade seatpost being used, the one that looks like a Campy NR. Were these available in the early seventies? 4. The wheel set was upgraded from a tubular set of unknown origin. Currently they are Mavic Modele 3 rims laced to Miche hubs (the ones that look like Campy Record). What might have been on this bike originally and are the current one OK from a 'correctness' point of view? 5. The bike has Cycle Pro QRs. Was Cycle Pro around then?
Even though the bike has Weinmann long reach 999 brakes, the levers have Carlton hoods. Pretty cool I think. Thanks for your help.
Carl Gonzalez
bikecg@att.net