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I bought the frame and built this up in November 2024 after the chain stay on my old Raleigh Randonneur’s frame snapped, I had an Elan in the 90s and I got caught by nostalgia. I’ve done at least two hundred miles on it commuting to Eccles since then. However summer is coming, so I’ve got something more suited to (middle-aged) me for touring (longer wheelbase, less nippy, takes bigger tyres and panniers).
Raleigh Elan Reynolds 501 Frame(In November I touched up the paint in places)Seat tube 64cm (BB to top)
Top tube 58cm (c-c)
Head tube 21cm
Wheelbase 102cm
Handlebars 42cm outside
Front dropout 100mm
Rear dropout 130mm
Bottom bracket drop 6cm
Seat top (in photos) 104cm
Handlebars top (in photos) 101cm
Standover 89cm
Sakae fluted alloy micro adjust seatpost (Ø27.2)
Random seat that I had
Painted Raleigh handlebars – untidy foam bar tape has been covered with white insulation tape.
Shimano 103 downtube shifters
Shimano front and rear mechs
Wheels: (I used some older battered ones for commuting, and put these nice ones in the attic)
Rims: Mach1 622×13 with brake wear indicator still showing
Hubs: unlabelled quick release, running smoothly
6 speed 12-24 Shimano freewheel
Hutchinson Nitro 2 tyres 700x25c with minimal use
(Spare Specialized tan wall 700x23c if you want it)
Bottom bracket is the servicable type. The one that was in the frame was rough so I removed it (both cups came out) and replaced with cleaned and greased parts from my spares. Annoyingly it wasn’t a proper set and the left cup goes in a bit further and the lock ring doesn’t stay properly, it’s held in place with silicone sealant, so will come off when needed. The winning bidder can choose another pair of cups and ring from my spares when they collect.
Raleigh bottle cage
Weinmann brake levers
Weinmann side pull calipers
3 year old hardly used Clarke cartridge type brakes
Rivetted 52-42 double chainset from an early 90s Raleigh Mercury (but I’d been using a touring triple)
Early 80s Lyotard quill pedals (but I’d been using my SPD pedals)
Silver SKS full length mudguards, working but a bit battered. I found that I could fit an old CST 700×32 tyre under them, but not the 700×28 Schwalbe Marathon I’d have liked to use.
Please see all the photos.
I’ve got all sorts of spares in assorted boxes, if the winning bidder is short of anything by all means ask if I’ve got a spare one. I’d be glad to take the opportunity to clear some of the hoard.
I like this bike, I don’t need the space, but having it distracts me from other things I should be doing, and it doesn’t suit my cycling needs. If I still have it at the end of April I’ll put back my preferred handlebars, stem, saddle, a triple chainset, remove the mudguards, fit the bigger tyres and do the Classic Manc on this rather than my tourer. (The Tour de Manc is a great day out, please have a look https://www.tourdemanc.co.uk )
I’m not going to list it with shipping yet, because I’d really really prefer that you come and collect at a mutually convenient time, I live in M14 near Alexandra Park on the border of Fallowfield and Whalley Range, 3 miles south of central Manchester, and I am easy to find.
Occasionally I leave Manchester and go to friends near Skipton, Holmfirth and to Milton Keynes, I may be able to deliver there for a fee at the right time, ask about this before bidding.
Also listing in other places.
I am not on eBay to make a living or cheat anyone. I buy spare parts and all sorts of stuff on eBay and it makes sense to use it to to shift usable things I no longer want or need. I try and give full descriptions and useful photos, but if you have any questions please ask, don’t make any assumptions.
Current Price: £100.00
This 25″ 64cm Steel Raleigh Elan Road Racing Bike Reynolds 501 700x25c Vintage Xl Xxl may be available on ebay