<<Raleigh-branded components on a Team-issue bike?>>
By "Raleigh components" I refered to solely the Raleigh frame brackets and lugs (embedded Raleigh on the seat stays, R cutout in the BB, etc.) not "Raleigh-branded components" as you imply... You are correct that Raleigh Team Pro and Team USA frames were sold as frame sets only. I am not aware they came standard with Campy SR head sets.
<<Do you mean some sort of Team replica bike? >> No, I refer to actual Raleigh Team USA production racing equipment.
When a rider advances through the ranks to earn top positions on cycling teams, they are afforded far more equipment choices to suit their needs and preferences. One of the choices available to top team racers is their personal selection of builders for their race frames, even though this may differ with the team sponsor logo.
Maranoni built the frame I now own and made it with Raleigh frame parts sent from the Raleigh Worksop shop (verified by both Raleigh Team Mgr M Fatka and Marinoni). Huffy had the Raleigh franchise from 1983-85 and paid for the construction of these Raleigh USA frames by Marinoni. The frame sets were constructed in Vermont where Marinoni actually used Columbus tubing instead of Reynolds 531 because of their company preference and since Huffy USA did not specify 531 in the contract. The bottom line is that pro frames may not be what they appear... decals change every race and only reflect the team sponsors for that particular race that do not necessarily reflect the actual frame components. This Raleigh frame was ridden to victory in the 1983 season by 1983 Women's World Champion Marianne Berglund.
For more info on the Huffy/Raleigh franchise agreement and "trial marriage: that eventually broke down, please refer to my comments on Tony Hadland's website with the following URL: http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/
Regards, Steve Neago "Just warming up in Cincinnati, OH"
Hi Steve:
I've never seen a broken 753 frame of any type, but I've seen many broken 531 frames... (just a "numbers built / miles ridden" issue, I'd say).
That said, early 753 frames, especially the forks, are almost scary light for steel. They're right at the limits of technology (for that time, for lugged-steel construction). That's what makes them sooooo cool, IMHO. My bike weighs 18.5 pounds road-ready. Pretty light for 1979, regardless of frame material. Unfortunately, it's less stiff than a heavier frame too (simple relationship true for any steel frame of standard tube diameters).
Raleigh-branded components on a Team-issue bike? That sounds a bit funky. The UK-built framesets were only available as bare framesets with SR headset. Do you mean some sort of Team replica bike? Sounds more like a Marketing split between the USA and the UK than anything else. Didn't Derby Cycle / Huffy own Raleigh USA by then?
Who in the Peloton(s) was using anything other than Super Record or Dura-Ace or maybe Mavic in '83?
Cheers & Raleigh Team bikes rule!,
Greg
In a message dated 3/4/02 11:56:06 PM Eastern Standard Time, questor@cinci.rr.com writes:
Hello,
I own one of the 1983 Raleigh Team Pro frames ordered by Mike Fatka for the 1983 season for his Raleigh USA Team. For 1983-1985, they mostly used Raleigh components with mostly 531 and a few frames with Columbus tubing built by Marinoni and several other USA builders. I have talked to Mike personally about this.
The Raleigh USA Team stayed away from 753 because there were durability
concerns and 531 was prefered. While the Raleigh UK Team had easy access to
753 frames and quick replacements, the USA Team did not have quick shipping
like the UK. This is why Raleigh components were built up by USA
manufacturers - as a better souce of repairs or replacements.