Raleigh Criterium Triathlon

richardast
richardast Posts: 273
edited May 2010 in Road beginners
Just bought a nice one of these 1980s throwbacks on eBay for commuting, but I have a question...

Does anybody know why it was called a Raleigh Criterium Triathlon bike?

Was it intended for triathlons or criterium races?

Or am I missing something?

Comments

  • Smokin Joe
    Smokin Joe Posts: 2,706
    I wouldn't worry. It was Raleigh who missed something, which is how they got where they are today...

    A manufacturer of little pink bikes with stabalisers and a basket.
  • jefferee
    jefferee Posts: 80
    Smokin Joe wrote:
    *snip* stabalisers

    I could use a couple of those on the ice... :?
  • oldwelshman
    oldwelshman Posts: 4,733
    I used to race on a Raleigh Road Ace in early eighties, I don't recall a criterium triathlon bike around then.
    In fact I don't remember triathlons being around then either :D
    http://s290.photobucket.com/albums/ll245/oldwelshman/
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aK5Bfqj5fxY
  • fizz
    fizz Posts: 483
    Is it 501 painted Blue with a metalic effect in the paint ?

    If so I had one of those, I loved that bike, I did thousands of miles on it. I don't think theres anything special to it, I think it was more of a marketing gimic by Raleigh. Not 100% sure though.
  • Gussio
    Gussio Posts: 2,452
    I had one of these, early 80's - 501 tubing in metallic blue, just like fizz describes. Other than crappy decals, it was a good bike.
  • LeighB
    LeighB Posts: 326
    Sounds like a Raleigh Elan.
    I have just got a Raleigh Elan from a work mate (thanks ‘H’) who was clearing out his cellar, my daughter intends to use it but needs to grow a couple if inches. The bike is early 1990’s with a 501 frame (with metallic blue paint as described), alloy clincher rims and Shimano Exage group set. It is a nice reasonably light bike with very useable components. I think it a good bike and my daughter thinks its ‘cool’!
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/21286698@N06/
  • Mr Bojangles
    Mr Bojangles Posts: 12
    Hey, I used to have a Raleigh Triathlon back in about 86 or 87. It was a Reynolds frame (dunno what tubing) and kitted with the latest (at the time) Shimano 105. It was painted in a creamy yellow colour with black graphics. Not sure about the Criterium reference though, I don't remember that at all
  • custom-freak
    custom-freak Posts: 85
    i had one of the blue ones as well and have seen a couple more in the north east as well, i only got rid of mine because it we too big for me, nice bike though
    Cf
  • richardast
    richardast Posts: 273
    Cheers for the replies.
    Mine is the metallic blue bike in Reynolds 501 - nothing special, but perfect for everyday commuting in London.
    And it was an eBay bargain for £56.

    Pics here of an identical one that went on eBay recently for £200 :shock: .
    Not the one I bought, but it's the same and the pics are better...

    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330187658575&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.co.uk%3A80%2Fsearch%2Fsearch.dll%3Ffrom%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dm37%26satitle%3D330187658575%26fvi%3D1
  • richardast
    richardast Posts: 273
    My mistake - that is the one I bought.
  • fizz
    fizz Posts: 483
    Ah the memories.

    One tip I'd offer, is that if it still has the orginal wing shaped plastic moulded downtube shifters is to change them for something else. Even when I had mine and it was quite new the shifters went brittle and the RHS one snapped one day and it made shifting a bit difficult.

    Rest of the bike was flawless and never missed a beat, enjoy it.
  • richardast
    richardast Posts: 273
    The originals were still on. Already ordered some cheap and cheerful (but metal) Shimano R400 shifters.
    Not too worried about keeping it in original condition (hardly a vintage model), so it's been given a spangly new red saddle and bar tape too...
    ...and new cables, and SPD pedals, and tyres, and mudguards, and chain, and my wife is wondering why I didn't just buy another new bike (or Wiggle shares). They don't understand do they?
  • timrwallis
    timrwallis Posts: 1
    My Raleigh Criterium 12 Triathlon is currently in my garage in the French Alps and I use it when I visit the region in the summer.

    I've just got back from a trip when I used it to climb the Col de Ramaz, the Col de Joux Plane and most of the way up the Col de Colobiere. (I had to stop because of an avalanche about 200m from the summit)

    The bike has been upgraded over the years and is still going strong. I managed the rear mech last year when climbing the Col de Joux plan and it bent the rear of the frame. Being steel though, I was able to bang it with a big rock and got it straight enough to continue the ride. A few bangs with a hammer back in the chalet and now it's as good as new. You couldn't do that with a modern ali frame!

    Only problem I've got at the moment is finding a way to get a trip front mech mounted. The 28.2mm (I think) tubing doesn't seem to be supported by the current crop of front mechs and I can't seem to find any adapters or collars that are right size. Anyone able to help?

    Next time I'm out in France I'll try and take a picture and get it posted on this forum.
  • hugo15
    hugo15 Posts: 1,101
    Mr Bojangles wrote:
    Hey, I used to have a Raleigh Triathlon back in about 86 or 87. It was a Reynolds frame (dunno what tubing) and kitted with the latest (at the time) Shimano 105. It was painted in a creamy yellow colour with black graphics. Not sure about the Criterium reference though, I don't remember that at all

    I have one of these. Got it as a teenager back in the late 80's. It sat in the garage for a good few years un-used but now does service as my winter bike. Only the frame and bars/stem left from the original build now, and the pastel yellow have been replaced by gloss black.

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