Re: [CR]Help dating Raleigh Record Ace Moderne?

(Example: Framebuilders:Alex Singer)

From: "P.C. Kohler" <kohl57@starpower.net>
To: "Don Wilson" <dcwilson3@yahoo.com>, "Classic Rendezvous" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <20050912053854.27469.qmail@web52508.mail.yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [CR]Help dating Raleigh Record Ace Moderne?
Date: Mon, 12 Sep 2005 08:21:59 -0400
reply-type=original

Now this IS a switch when I my comments elicite a "Raleigh is great" tribute like this!

But Don, you'll get absolutely no argument from me. Not at all. I'd love a RRA Moderne (24" frame, sunset yellow and black please with Cyclo Mark 7 5-speed). My 1948 RRA is a dream on wheels. And yep, I'd rather have that than any Continental bike of the era.

But I think it was correct that by 1957 the era of the classic club bike was over and the RRA Moderne was its last gasp. Our British friends can tell us more, but I think by the end of the 1950s British clubmen looked to the Continent for their lightweight inspiration. Frames, no, but bits yes.

As for the RRA Moderne's frame, the angles were head 73 and seat 71, and that is the same as the 1948 model. No complaints here about the handling but she'll give up some points on cornering, no mistake. I'd like to rig up an RRA with 26 x 1 1/4" wheels and suspect she'd handle even better.

So a classic machine on all counts and the RRA Moderne even more rare and desirable given its short production run. I've seen more examples here in the States than in the UK so maybe there's hope yet in my search!

Peter Kohler
Washington DC USA