Gosh, I have to choose between my '69 PX-10, '75 Raleigh Team Pro and '80 Raleigh Team Pro?
The best bike I own is the one I just got back from riding. So the PX-10 gets the nod just back from a 14-mile pre-work ride.
No doubt about it: the Raleighs win hands down in workmanship, paint and finish. As well they should being built at Ilkeston and handmade. Exquisite.
Ride: PX-10 remains the "lightest" bike I own, not in weight (close) but feel. Especially the front end. She's the best climber I own. The ride on the flat, at speed, is the unmatched. Descents at speed can be "exhilerating" because of the whippy quality of the rear end. The '75 Raleigh rides like my Cinelli; superb handling and brilliant on cornering without even thinking of it. The '80 Raleigh is best "all rounder" thanks to that 753 frame... as comfortable as a roadster and as fast as anything.
So three great bikes.
But... let's always keep this in mind. Literally for the price of ONE '75 Team Pro, you could buy FOUR PX-10s. Four. So get over this finish and lugwork fixation. It never won a race. The PX-10 was built to do just one thing. Win races. And it did it pretty well. And it must be just me but I think it looks great in the classic team colours.
Peter Kohler
Washington DC USA