Raleigh has been around since 1885, right about when the “safety bicycle” first hit the scene. This would be the style of bike you’re used to today, two wheels of the same or very similar size, with a chain or belt drive. All of this as opposed to the penny farthing, a decidedly dangerous bike, no matter how waxed and twisted your mustache may be.
We recently covered a great book that can walk you right down the path of bicycle history, where you can learn all about the development of our fave mode of transportation.
Anyway, this video came across our desk after being shared by a friend who saw it at Bikepacking.com — we love their work, btw. It’s a story of Raleigh, put together as a documentary by the BBC. Even if you’ve never owned a Raleigh, you’ll dig learning about the rise of one of the world’s most known bike brands through cycling’s various stages.
Carve out an hour, watch it, then go for a pedal, You’ll appreciate the bike even more after this one.
Raleigh was bought by a Dutch firm in 2012 and this month acquired by the US investment group KKR.
I remember that now.
I never like to hear that a great brand had been bought by an “investment group.” By their very nature and definition, the sole purpose of an investment group is to milk as much profit as possible out of the brand (or company). And quality never seems to yield the short-sighted earnings these groups are after.
Makes me miss my 2004 M80 that I got as a graduation gift. I promptly put new, double wall alloy rims on it and a Rock Shox Psylo fork. I put so many miles on that thing. I loved it.
I enjoyed the video and learning more about British bikes and Raleigh. I didn’t realize there was such a history behind this bike brand. Thanks for sharing the story. Just another reason I love AJ’s website and print publication!
My first bike was a single speed/coaster brake Raleigh – and I returned to the brand with a 10-speed “Grand Prix” about 10 years later (after a detour to a Huffy 3-speed with a Sturmey-Archer hub). Man, I rode the hell out of that GP, and learned to work on and upgrade bikes with it, eventually turning it into a fixie and finally selling it 25+ years after I first got it. I hope it’s still going strong somewhere out there.
Two Raleighs in my history.
Mid-70’s Super Course and ’78ish International. The International was my pride and joy – 531 double butted tubing, all Campy NR (except brakes – weird). If I went away for a weekend, I hid the bike in the shower of my very small efficiency apartment. It ended up getting stolen off my car.
Thanks for pointing us to the story.
I bought this lovely bicycle in the year 1973.after at about 8years it this was stolen. I am still waiting to by this. But it is not available in my town. I miss my stolen lovely cycle most.