Hey everyone, I’m interested in getting my first vintage bike and was wondering if this is a good model. It’s a Raleigh Gran Sport selling near me for $50 and has new tires. Any opinions appreciated!
Sure, $50 isn’t too bad considering the condition and the new tires
Be sure that the frame is your size, it’s quite a large frame for someone taller than 6 feet
Check that the seatpost can move freely within the frame
Darnocpdx on
Good starter bike, vintage, but not so vintage that you’ll have to deal with Whitworth threaded hardware like earlier Raleigh’s. It is among their lower tier road bike models, but they’re solid and dependable.
If it all works, you can’t really beat the price, even without new tires. Enjoy.
I’m 6′ tall, 33″ inseam and it would be too big for me, just a heads up.
urinatingangels on
This was my first “good” bike. I bought it off eBay on a whim. It was really heavy and the shifting was not reliable thanks to their low quality. At the time I lived in Eastern Washington and had hills upon hills to contend with. You can get a nicer bike for $150 if you have patience. Those cottered cranks are a headache and I don’t have really pleasant experiences with this grade of bicycle- I just remember really needing to shift and not being able to trust the thing. It’d been serviced by a reputable mechanic. One vote for a continued search!
East_Requirement7375 on
Fifty bucks for a rideable bike with new tires is a good deal. It’s not a valuable bike, but that’s why it’s nice that you don’t have to go spend 20-30 bucks on tires just to ride it. It is easy to work on and cheap to fix. If it’s comfortable, it’ll be a fine first vintage bike.
Make sure the seat post isn’t seized and the bottom bracket is in good shape.
spiceybadger on
Looks amazing go for it
lg-DANGERweasel on
People would likely pay close to 50 bucks just for the suntour power ratchet shifters.. clickity clickity!
6 Comments
Sure, $50 isn’t too bad considering the condition and the new tires
Be sure that the frame is your size, it’s quite a large frame for someone taller than 6 feet
Check that the seatpost can move freely within the frame
Good starter bike, vintage, but not so vintage that you’ll have to deal with Whitworth threaded hardware like earlier Raleigh’s. It is among their lower tier road bike models, but they’re solid and dependable.
If it all works, you can’t really beat the price, even without new tires. Enjoy.
I’m 6′ tall, 33″ inseam and it would be too big for me, just a heads up.
This was my first “good” bike. I bought it off eBay on a whim. It was really heavy and the shifting was not reliable thanks to their low quality. At the time I lived in Eastern Washington and had hills upon hills to contend with. You can get a nicer bike for $150 if you have patience. Those cottered cranks are a headache and I don’t have really pleasant experiences with this grade of bicycle- I just remember really needing to shift and not being able to trust the thing. It’d been serviced by a reputable mechanic. One vote for a continued search!
Fifty bucks for a rideable bike with new tires is a good deal. It’s not a valuable bike, but that’s why it’s nice that you don’t have to go spend 20-30 bucks on tires just to ride it. It is easy to work on and cheap to fix. If it’s comfortable, it’ll be a fine first vintage bike.
Make sure the seat post isn’t seized and the bottom bracket is in good shape.
Looks amazing go for it
People would likely pay close to 50 bucks just for the suntour power ratchet shifters.. clickity clickity!