[CR]In Defense of the Lowly Pro & Intl

(Example: Books:Ron Kitching)

From: <mdayton1@bellsouth.net>
To: <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 22:09:53 +0000
Subject: [CR]In Defense of the Lowly Pro & Intl

Having owned three Raleigh Pros (1969 -- the white one; 1971 and 1978/79) and four Internationals, (1970s and 1971s), a few thoughts on ride, value and quality.

* The Internationals are exceptionally good deals, particularly when they still have all their Campy parts and Brooks saddles. Average ebay price is around $400, and they come up pretty frequently. My favorites are the early ones with script decals, wrap-around seat stays and non-crimped chainstays.

* They come in great drink colors: coffee, chartreuse, champagne. I'd be interested in a dark green one, 24.5, if anyone out there has one in good shape. Not sure what flavor that is.

* None has shimmied, unless loaded for touring with a front bag, but my first Intl picked up a little shake after a car dented the seat tube.

* The 1969 Pro, which is essentially the Intl geometry with a sloping fork crown, is the best rider, and it's also fairly quick for what it is, although none of these bikes really accelerate all that well.

* The 1971 Intls, which have less fork rake than than the 1970 models, are the next best and are extremely stable with a load. The Intls are great tourers, notwithstanding that 45 chainring. I've used two of the Intls on brevet rides, and also rode one on a loaded tour from Maine to Mississippi.

* The worst rider, by far, is the 78 Pro: sluggish, a terrible climber. A surprise, given the way it looks and is advertised. The frame and fork are available -- $200 + shipping, 24.5 inch, looks great.

* The workmanship on the 69 Pro is horrible. The best is the 78 Pro -- some on the list have suggested that may have been the result of a new shop taking over over the frame production.

* The biggest pain with the Intls is trying to put Campy brakes on em.

Mike (on the chartreuse Intl today) Dayton
Raleigh, NC