106-470: The Raleigh Chopper is a bicycle (referred to as a wheelie bike) for children / young adults, manufactured and marketed by the Raleigh Bicycle Company of Nottingham , England . The unique design became a cultural icon and is fondly remembered by many who grew up in that period. The design was influenced by dragsters , "chopped" motorcycles , beach buggies, and even chariots, as can be seen on
212-520: A French citizen, set up a small bicycle workshop in Raleigh Street, Nottingham , England. In the spring of that year, they started advertising in the local press. The Nottinghamshire Guardian of 15 May 1885 printed what was possibly the first Woodhead and Angois classified advertisement. Nearly two years later, the 11 April 1887 issue of the Nottingham Post contained a display advertisement for
318-540: A Raleigh 'Safety' in 1887, he did not visit the Raleigh workshop until autumn 1888. That visit led to Bowden replacing Ellis as the partnership's principal investor, though Bowden did not become the outright owner of the firm. He concluded that the company had a profitable future if it promoted its innovative features, increased its output, cut its overhead costs and tailored its products to the individual tastes and preferences of its customers. He bought out William Ellis's share in
424-560: A Raleigh bicycle in a shop window in Queen Victoria Street, London , about the time that William Ellis's investment in the cycle workshop was beginning to take effect. Bowden described how this led to him visiting the Raleigh works: In the early part of 1887, while looking for a good specimen of the then new safety bicycle, I came across a Raleigh in London. Its patent changeable gear and other special features struck me as superior to all
530-579: A chain drive. A two-passenger version was followed by Raleigh's first three-wheel car, the Safety Seven. It was a four-seat convertible with shaft drive and a maximum speed of 55 mph (89 km/h). A saloon version was planned, but Raleigh shut its motor department to concentrate on bicycles again. Chief designer T. L. Williams took the equipment and remaining parts and moved to Tamworth , where his company produced three-wheelers for 65 years. The leftover parts from Raleigh carried an "R", so Williams chose
636-490: A choice of a single-speed coaster hub, a 3-speed coaster, a standard non-coaster 3 speed or 5-speed (3+2) Sturmey Archer gear hub, selected using a frame-mounted console gear lever. Other features that appealed to the youth market were the unusual frame, long padded high-back seat, sprung seat at the back, high-rise ( ape hanger ) handlebars, 'bobbed' mudguards (fenders) and differently sized wheels: 16 in (41 cm) front and 20 in (51 cm) rear. The rear hoop above
742-521: A display stand at the Annual Raleigh Chopper show 2023, held at Emberton Country Park (Prev. held at Billing Aquadrome) in early June 2023. This consisted of a display of previous generations of the Chopper with two of the new MK-IVs forming part of the display, one of those being Ultra-Violet RD230010, the other being Infra Red RB230002. Only two other MK-IV's were in attendance, those belonging to
848-792: A factory in Kent, Washington manufacturing two Raleigh lines, the bimetallic Technium road bike line, which used heat-treated aluminum main frame tubes, thermally bonded and heat-cured to internal steel lugs using a Boeing-developed proprietary epoxy – along with chromoly steel head tube and rear stays. Kent also manufactured the off-road chromoly steel Altimetric line (Tangent CX, Traverse CX, Tactic CX and Talon CX 1991–1992). The factory closed in 1994. All Raleigh Cycle Company of America parts and frames from 1995 on were then mass-produced in China and Taiwan and assembled in other plants. The high-end framesets offered for sale in Raleigh catalogues together with
954-649: A further batch of prototype frames were manufactured. In each case, three frames were produced. Of the April 2021 batch, only frame number three (RE210003) passed testing and is the only frame that remains extant. Of the October 2022 frames, frame number one (RN220001) was used as a test mule and destroyed (photos exist of this testing), whilst frame number two (RN220002) and frame number three (RN220003) were painted in Ultra-Violet and Infra Red respectively. These were, are and remain
1060-450: A knob to a T-bar-style shifter only with a different style to the lever. (The earlier 'Tall frame' model had already sported the T-bar style, albeit with a black shifter handle with an elliptical window within the shifter cover.) The frame was subtly revised, and the seat shortened, bringing rider weight forwards of the rear axle (and thus the fulcrum point of balance) to help prevent the front of
1166-493: A matching name: Reliant . Raleigh also made mopeds in the late 1950s and 1960s as the bicycle market declined. The most popular of which was the RM6 Runabout. This model featured unsprung front forks and a cycle type calliper front brake which made it a very affordable mode of transport. Because of its success, production continued until February 1971; 17 months after Raleigh had stopped manufacturing all other mopeds. With
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#17328557693211272-443: A narrow reflector, a feature harking back to the early twin-block pedals used on late mk1 and early mk2 Raleigh Choppers before legislation required slightly wider reflectors be utilised. The new narrow reflectors, however, are sized between the original narrow reflector s and the later larger reflectors and thus are a hybrid between the two styles. The spoke protector is of a brushed finish and does not carry any makers mark, though it
1378-573: A rate increase in foreign bicycle tariffs caused a shift in imports in favour of bicycles from West Germany and the Netherlands . However, this proved only a temporary setback, and by 1964, Raleigh was again a major selling brand in the US bicycle market. In 1965, Raleigh introduced the RSW 16, its long-awaited competitor to the hugely successful Moulton Bicycle . The new Raleigh shared several important features with
1484-654: A separate Dutch group Accell for £62m (US$ 100m), whose portfolio included the Lapierre and Ghost bicycle brands. Raleigh had a long association with cycle sport. Most notable is the TI–Raleigh team of the 1970s and 1980s. In 1980 Joop Zoetemelk won the Tour de France on a Raleigh during which time Admiral Sports produced the jersey. In the mid-1980s the Raleigh team was co-sponsored by Panasonic . In 1984, riding Raleigh-badged bicycles, Team USA scored several impressive victories at
1590-486: A split saddle and cissybar arrangement to circumvent saddle height laws, and dropped the groin-catching gear lever in favour of handlebar mounted gear controls; to commemorate this former feature the Mk3 had a sticker where the lever once was located. It was available at first in red, then purple then various colours followed including Limited Release models. . Rather than steel, the frame was made from aluminium alloy tubing to make
1696-453: A very close duplicate of the original type used on the mk2. However, they are now made from 2mm steel and thus a single skin "U" shape rather than 1mm steel folded over with an inner shoulder, as per the original type. The wheels are laced to contemporary standard alloy hubs, utilising 12G stainless steel spokes for the rear wheel and 14G stainless steel spokes for the front wheel. In line with contemporary standards, both wheels are spoked with
1802-478: A woven pattern. One not-so-obvious change in design is seen within the chainstays. On mk1 and mk2 models, the "S" bend of the chainstays started 1-1/2 inches (38.1mm) behind the saddle post tube of the frame. On the MK-IV this "S" bend starts at 1/2 inch (12.7mm) behind the saddle post tube. Production of prototypes occurred Twice Production of the first prototype batch occurred in April 2021, then again in October 2022
1908-421: A year. In 1981, the former Carlton factory at Worksop closed after a vote was held. The original decision to continue at Worksop was reversed but the management decided to go with the original decision, and by the autumn production was moved to a Lightweights facility at Nottingham. However, all bicycles made there afterward still carried the W for Worksop frame number designation until early 1990. In 1982, rights to
2014-582: Is a British bicycle manufacturer based in Nottingham , England and founded by Woodhead and Angois in 1885. Using Raleigh as their brand name, it is one of the oldest bicycle companies in the world. After being acquired by Frank Bowden in December 1888, it became The Raleigh Cycle Company, which was registered as a limited liability company in January 1889. By 1913, it was the largest bicycle manufacturing company in
2120-437: Is also confirmed by Nottinghamshire Archives. In recent years, the Raleigh company has cited 1887 as a foundation date but, whilst this pre-dates Bowden's involvement, the Raleigh brand name was created by Woodhead and Angois and the enterprise can, as demonstrated above, be traced back to 1885. The company established by Bowden in December 1888 was still privately owned with unlimited public liability. In January 1889, it became
2226-527: Is in all other ways a perfect duplication in size and pattern to the later alloy type as used on the mk2 models The handlebars are of the same pattern as the mk2 model, however they do not have the ball bearing groove and carry a tapered locking wedge in place of the conical locking wedge used on the mk1 and mk2 models. All handlebars carry dates on the lower end of the stem as well as under the left hand handlebar grip. Brake levers and brake callipers are alloy Dia Compe units. Wheel rims are once again steel and
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#17328557693212332-441: Is partly set in Raleigh's Nottingham factory, Sillitoe himself being an ex-employee of the firm. Several scenes for the 1960 film adaptation starring Albert Finney were filmed on location at the factory itself. In the 1985 movie American Flyers , David Sommers played by David Marshall Grant, is seen riding through St. Louis, Missouri, on a Raleigh bicycle from that same era. Later in the film, specialized bicycles are used for
2438-407: Is slightly shorter in height at the rear end. The saddle is also slightly wider at the front. The other most notable difference is the low height sissybar, which is the same style as was used on the mk2 Sprint GT as well as some USA models of the chopper from the late mk1 onwards. Again, this is to meet contemporary regulations as at time of the design process. With the shifter once again returning to
2544-409: Is suggested early in the film when Bacon dismounts while in motion and a distinct clicking sound is heard until the bike stops moving. A 1984/5 Raleigh Grand Prix is used for the opening chase sequence, and a 1984 or '85 Super Course makes a brief appearance in the opening credits. In 2019, Raleigh 's electric bikes featured in episode 4 of the 2019 season of The Apprentice. A much expanded version of
2650-467: The BMX craze had taken over its market. However, the Chopper almost single-handedly rescued Raleigh, which had been in decline during the 1960s, selling over a million of the model worldwide. After being out of production for over 20 years, a new version of the Chopper, the Mk3, was launched in 2004. In deference to modern safety concerns, adopted a more conventional saddle design from a single one-piece saddle to
2756-536: The Bowden cable but there is no evidence to support this myth. Sir Frank Bowden died in 1921 and his son Sir Harold Bowden, 2nd Baronet took over as chairman and chief executive, guiding the company through the next 17 years of expansion. In 1931 their new headquarters in the Howitt Building on Lenton Boulevard was complete. This building was designed by Thomas Cecil Howitt and won a RIBA Bronze Medal. In 2018
2862-634: The Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The company also supplied bicycles to the French Système U team in the late 1980s where Laurent Fignon lost the 1989 Tour de France to Greg LeMond by 8 seconds. The company's special products division made race frames, including those used by the Raleigh professional team of the 1970s. Presently Raleigh as a company owns the Diamondback Bike brand as well. During
2968-514: The Raleigh USA name were purchased by the Huffy Corporation after decades of being the US distributor of Raleigh bikes from England. Under the terms of the agreement, Raleigh of England licensed Huffy to design and distribute Raleigh bicycles in the US, and Huffy was given instant access to a nationwide network of bike shops. The renamed Raleigh Cycle Company of America sold their bikes in
3074-544: The University of Nottingham and Sturmey-Archer and saddle manufacturer Brooks to a small company called Lenark. Lenark promised to build a new factory in Calverton but failed to pay the first instalment and the company entered liquidation. It was reported that the reason for selling the business, after extracting the cash for the factory site, was to have Lenark declare it insolvent so that neither Derby nor Lenark would have to pay
3180-564: The 1970s and 1980s, including "Back to the future". Until the BMX came along in the mid-1980s, the Chopper outsold other bikes by 6 to 1. In 2014 a 1980 MK2 Raleigh Chopper gifted to US President Ronald Reagan sold at auction for a record $ 35,000. The Chopper was designed in response to the Schwinn Sting-Ray , and an earlier attempt, the Rodeo, which was not commercially successful. The popularity of
3286-487: The 1980s Raleigh also supported British professional teams, including Raleigh Banana and Raleigh Weinmann . Raleigh's most notable riders were Paul Sherwin , Malcolm Elliott , Mark Bell , Paul Watson , Jon Clay and Jeff Williams . It also sponsored a mountain bike team in the early 1990s that also raced in road events. In 2009 it was announced that the company would be creating a new Continental -level cycling team called Team Raleigh . The Team were co-sponsored by
Raleigh Chopper - Misplaced Pages Continue
3392-567: The 1980s, together with Raleigh branded models such as the popular Raleigh Arena. However, the majority of Raleigh branded models were built in the main plant at Nottingham. Sun branded bicycles were made in the Carlton factory at Worksop, England. As a vertically integrated manufacturer in the mid-1960s, TI–Raleigh owned Brooks (one of the oldest saddle makers in the world), Sturmey-Archer (pioneer of 3-speed hubs), and Reynolds (maker of 531 tubing ). Carlton, which had been unable to make inroads in
3498-498: The 1981 Raleigh Bomber had the original Raleigh 26 TPI threading despite the earlier Grifter model and Chopper (1974 on) having already reverted to 24 TPI. The Raleigh Chopper was designed by Nottingham native Alan Oakley , though this has been disputed by Cambridge designer Tom Karen . The Chopper was patented in the UK in 1967 and patented in the US in 1968. The bike was the "must have" item and signifier of "coolness" for many children at
3604-636: The American market, except the top-of-the range Team Professional (made in Ilkeston) and Prestige road bikes (made in Nottingham), were produced in the Far East. Meanwhile, in the home market, Raleigh had broken into the new UK BMX market with their Burner range, which was very successful. In 1987, the leading German bicycle manufacturer Derby Cycle bought Raleigh from Ti and Raleigh USA from Huffy. In 1988, Derby opened
3710-641: The British Cycle Corporation with Raleigh to form TI–Raleigh, which now had 75% of the UK market. TI–Raleigh then acquired Carlton Cycles in Worksop , England that same year, at the time one of the largest semi-custom lightweight makers in the UK. TI Raleigh gave total control of its cycle division to Raleigh and soon set about marketing many of the acquired names as budget ranges, though with Raleigh frames. The old Lines Bros. factory at Handsworth, acquired in 1971, produced non Raleigh branded product well into
3816-484: The Chopper also led to a range of smaller bikes following a similar design theme. These included the Raleigh Chipper, Tomahawk and Budgie models, aimed at younger riders. Mk1 1968 to 1972. The Chopper's patent was applied for in the US in 1967. The Chopper was introduced at American trade shows in January 1969 but it was not until April 1969 when Raleigh Choppers were available for public to purchase. The bike featured
3922-850: The Ipswich BMX Club, which still provides coaching and races on a regular basis. In April 1981, the International BMX Federation was founded, and the first world championships were held in 1982. Since January 1993, BMX has been integrated into the Union Cycliste Internationale . In 2003, the International Olympic Committee made BMX a medal Olympic sport for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing , China , and Māris Štrombergs (male, for Latvia ) and Anne-Caroline Chausson (female, for France ) became
4028-480: The MK-IV for test fitment on a mk2, as well as mk2 parts being tested for fitment on a MK-IV to prove compatibility both backwards as well as forwards. The RN22 prototypes carry wheel rims of a slightly different profile, early dated shifter covers and handlebars, have thin vinyl decals on the shifter covers vs the better quality production decals, slightly different front forks and slightly different mudguards. RN220003 still carries prototype pedals. Full production of
4134-549: The MK-IV is accurate, well presented and openly shared with everyone, rather than being gatekept as is so prevelant elsewhere. The MK-IV project was started in 2019 with the intention for the new model to be released in 2022 to mark the 50th anniversary of the release of the mk2. However, world events delayed this until 2023. The team behind the new MK-IV invited two members of the Raleigh Chopper Enthusiast movement Mr K Price and Mr R Whitmill to work with and as part of
4240-556: The MK-IV started in February 2023 and lasted through March 2023 for the first release of this new model, production of the frames being carried out in Taiwan. Other parts specifically for the new model were manufactured as well as appropriate parts from other manufacturers / models being used. The frames are constructed of metric tubing with a thicker wall than previous models due to contemporary safety standards making all tubing much stronger than
4346-520: The Moulton, including small wheels, an open frame and built-in luggage carrying capacity. However, the RSW lacked the Moulton's suspension, which compensated for the bumpy ride that comes with small wheels. Instead, Raleigh fitted the RSW with balloon tyres , which effectively smoothed the ride but at the cost of increased rolling resistance. Nevertheless, the RSW was pleasant to ride, and Raleigh's extensive retail network ensured its success. The success of
Raleigh Chopper - Misplaced Pages Continue
4452-591: The Pattern was EVEN numbers were Ultra-Violet (RN220002) and ODD numbered frames were Red (RN22003). Main production started in February 2023 by reversing the colorway pattern of the RN22 prototypes. Frame number RB230001 being in Ultra-Violet, then RB230002 in Infra-Red. This alternating pattern was followed to the end of the month, thus ODD numbered RB23 frames are Ultra-Violet and EVEN numbered frames are Infra-Red. In March 2023,
4558-461: The RSW took sales away from the Moulton and put that maker into financial difficulties. Raleigh then bought out Moulton and produced both bikes until 1974. Raleigh also produced a sister model to the RSW, the 'Twenty' , which was more successful and which remained in production well into the 1980s. While bicycle production had steadily risen through the mid-1950s, the British market began to decline with
4664-442: The Raleigh 'Safety' model under the new banner 'Woodhead, Angois, and Ellis. Russell Street Cycle Works.' William Ellis had recently joined the partnership and provided much-needed financial investment. Like Woodhead and Angois, Ellis's background was in the lace industry. He was a lace gasser, a service provider involved in the bleaching and treating of lace, with premises in nearby Clare Street and Glasshouse Street. Thanks to Ellis,
4770-575: The Raleighette, a belt-driven three-wheel motorcycle with the driver in the back and a wicker seat for the passenger between the two front wheels. Financial losses meant production lasted only until 1908. In 1930, the company acquired the rights to the Ivy Karryall, a motor tricycle fitted with a cabin for cargo and a hood for the driver. Raleigh's version was called the Light Delivery Van and had
4876-483: The UK with 280 assembly and factory staff made redundant, and bicycles were to come "from Vietnam and other centres of 'low-cost, high-quality' production." with final assembly taking place in Cloppenburg , Germany. In 2012, Derby agreed to be acquired by Pon Holdings , a Dutch company, as part of their new bicycle group. and buyout terms were agreed in 2012. In April 2012, Raleigh UK, Canada and USA were acquired by
4982-465: The US. In the rest of the world, origin varied. The majority of territories received bikes from Raleigh in England, but other markets such as South Africa and India for example, had their own independently owned "Raleigh" companies like with Huffy in the US. At that time, production of some U.S. Raleigh models were shifted to Japan, with Bridgestone manufacturing most of these bikes. By 1984, all Raleighs for
5088-530: The USA market after a failed rebranding deal with Huffy , found success in the late 1960s by recasting itself as "Raleigh-Carlton", a Raleigh-logo'd bike with some Carlton badging, and using the US dealer network to import and distribute bikes. One consequence of the vertically integrated approach was that Raleigh did not adopt ISO threading standards and dimensions until the 1980s for some of its range (premium models were standardised earlier). The bottom bracket shell of
5194-470: The bicycle lifting up. A small rear rack was added, the handlebars were welded to the stem to stop children from inclining the "ape hanger" bars backward, thereby rendering the bicycle almost unsteerable. A drop-handlebar version, the Sprint GT, was produced 1972 - 1973 and this differed from the standard Mk 2 as it had a slightly taller frame. The Chopper Mk 2 remained in production until 1983, by which time
5300-497: The bicycle lighter. The wheels were still 20 inches at the back and 16 at the front. In 2012, all unsold stock was brought back in-house, re-liveried (new colours and decals) and then sold off up to and including 2018. Available in various colours including Purple, Yellow, Polished alloy, White, Pearl white, Black, Red and some runs of Limited Releases such as the World Cup Edition, Beano edition, and Ben Sherman edition. The Mk3
5406-475: The bicycle works had now expanded round the corner from Raleigh Street into former lace works on the adjoining road, Russell Street. By 1888, the company was making about three cycles a week and employed around half a dozen men. It was one of 15 bicycle manufacturers based in Nottingham at that time. Frank Bowden , a recent convert to cycling who on medical advice had toured extensively on a tricycle , first saw
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#17328557693215512-474: The bike at a time). The Chopper remained in production until 1982, when the rising popularity of the BMX bicycle caused sales to drop off. Raleigh revisited the chopper design in recent times, with great success although the new version has had some changes to conform to modern safety laws. Gone is the top tube shifter and long integrated seat, but the look and feel of the bike remain. In 1979, production of Raleigh 531 butted-tube bicycles reached 10,000 units
5618-467: The building was Grade II listed . There was a resurgence in domestic and export demand for pedal bicycles and by February 1932 Raleigh had acquired all the Humber Limited trade marks. Manufacture was transferred to Raleigh's Nottingham works. Raleigh-made Humbers differed from Raleighs only in chainwheels , fork crowns and some brakework. During World War II , the Raleigh factory in Nottingham
5724-449: The business, Bowden financed the renting of this property and installation of new machinery. Under Bowden's guidance, Raleigh expanded rapidly. By 1891, the company occupied not only Clarke's factory but also Woodroffe's Factory and Russell Street Mills. In November 1892, Raleigh signed a tenancy agreement for rooms in Butler's factory on the other side of Russell Street. Shortly after this,
5830-500: The centre page of the 1969 Raleigh US catalogue. The bicycle has featured in many movies and TV series. MK1 models were produced from 1968 to 1972 , MK2 models were produced from 1972 to 1983 and MK3 models were produced from 2004 to 2012 and sold through to 2018. The Raleigh Chopper design has been subject of debate but only since 1996, with claims by Alan Oakley (1927-2012) chief designer for Raleigh and then more than 30 yrs later, from Tom Karen of OGLE Design. Alan Oakley's archive
5936-421: The company also occupied Forest Road Mill. (Forest Road junctions with Russell Street at the opposite end from Raleigh Street.) Bowden created a business which, by 1913, was the biggest bicycle manufacturing company in the world, occupying seven and a half acres in purpose-built premises completed in 1897 at Faraday Road, Lenton, Nottingham . It subsequently became very much bigger. Many say that Bowden invented
6042-412: The cross-bar, the need to completely redesign the inner mechanism arose. It was, therefore, designed in such a way as to be made from laser cut steel which includes the slider table as part of the shifter base itself whilst also having cable guides. The shifter lever is held between "plate packs" either side of the lever acting to space the lever into the centre. One set of these plate packs on one side of
6148-558: The design team from 2020. Based upon and reverse engineered from the Mk2, the MK-IV Chopper is an updated version that complies to contemporary safety standards as at time of manufacture, with a frame that is stronger than any previous model through use of modern tube materials with thicker walling. There are a number of differences between the mk2 and the MK-IV, most notably the saddle, which, as per contemporary regulations and safety standards,
6254-540: The design team provided information on and about the new model being released. Raleigh UK used the National newspapers, television and social media, whilst the two enthusiasts, with the blessing of Raleigh UK, worked privately using social media and the Annual Raleigh Chopper show website exclusively to bring news and information of the new model to the general public and enthusiasts alike. The third launch event
6360-527: The dominant bicycle for the younger rider, with older teenagers and even adults becoming known names through publications like BMX Bi-Weekly , featuring big names like Tim March and Andy Ruffell. The shift to freestyle from racing came in 1985 with popular styling moving from chrome frames and contrasting components in black blue or red being the norm, to brightly coloured bikes in one colour only, including their magnesium alloy wheels and even matching tyres. Because BMX exploded into Britain's streets so suddenly, it
6466-451: The doorway, with RB230002 (Infra Red) and RD230010 (Ultra-Violet) taking centre-stage in front of a balloon arch where people could get "hands-on" with the new model, inspect and even pose with them for photographs. Previous generations of the model (mk1, mk2 & mk3) were also on display courtesy of enthusiasts who brought them along to the event. Between official media launch, yet prior to official sales launch, Raleigh UK attended and had
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#17328557693216572-455: The early 1970s in the United States when children began racing their bicycles on dirt tracks in southern California , inspired by the motocross stars of the time. The size and availability of the Schwinn Sting-Ray and other wheelie bikes made them the natural bike of choice for these races, since they were easily customized for better handling and performance. BMX racing was a phenomenon by
6678-428: The enthusiast movement were invited to work with and on the design team from 2020. Support in the form of Q&A and general advice for and about the new model has been and continues to be given in a social media group specific to the new model since the official media launch. The group is currently headed by the two enthusiasts who worked with and on the Raleigh design team, therefore the knowledge being shared about
6784-517: The factory burned down. Models produced there latterly were the Chopper and Triumph 20. The head badges changed in the late 1960s, possibly after the passing of the Trade Descriptions Act in the UK. Dublin-made machines no longer had "Nottingham England" on the Heron or Triumph head badge, the panel being left blank instead. In 1899, Raleigh started to build motorcycles and in 1903, introduced
6890-611: The firm and was allotted 5,000 £1 shares, while Woodhead and Angois between them held another 5,000 shares. In Frank Bowden's own lifetime, Raleigh publicity material stated that the firm was founded in 1888, which was when Bowden, as he himself confirmed, first bought into the enterprise. Thus, Raleigh's 30th anniversary was celebrated in 1918. The 1888 foundation date is confirmed by Bowden's great-grandson, Gregory Houston Bowden, who states that Frank Bowden "began to negotiate with Woodhead and Angois and in December 1888 founded 'The Raleigh Cycle Company'." The December 1888 foundation date
6996-441: The first of a series of limited liability companies with Raleigh in its name. It had a nominal capital of £20,000, half of which was provided by Frank Bowden. Paul Angois was appointed director responsible for product design, Richard Woodhead was made director responsible for factory management, and Frank Bowden became chairman and managing director. Some shares were made available to small investors and local businessmen, but take-up
7102-554: The former brand names New Hudson and Sunbeam. Raleigh also already owned the Robin Hood brand, and Three Spires with Triumph (cycles) also at their disposal. BSA had itself acquired Triumph Cycle Co. Ltd. only five years previously. TI added the Sun bicycle company to their stable in 1958, and with two "super groups" now controlling a large portion of the market, it was perhaps inevitable that in 1960, Tube Investments acquired Raleigh and merged
7208-677: The frames built for Team riders were produced in Ilkeston by the Special Bicycle Development Unit (SBDU) from 1974 onward under the guidance of Gerald O'Donovan; production was moved to the Lightweight Facility in Nottingham, albeit on a much reduced workforce, on closure of the Ilkeston factory in 1986. Raleigh Canada had a factory in Waterloo, Quebec from 1972 to 2013. Derby Cycle acquired Diamondback Bicycles in 1999. In
7314-475: The global shipping and logistics firm GAC in 2012 and were known as Team Raleigh-GAC. The season was notable for Team Raleigh's first victory in the Tour Series Round 6 and a succession of Premier Calendar wins, which resulted in team rider Graham Briggs finishing the season at the top of British Cycling 's UK Elite Men's standings. Raleigh once again became the sole headline sponsor of the team in 2013 and
7420-429: The hugely successful Twenty range of shopper bikes, the Chopper and even the 1976 Grifter, all had a Raleigh exclusive 76mm wide bottom bracket shell. Headsets and bottom brackets use Raleigh exclusive 26 threads per inch (TPI) threading (until 1974 when some models reverted to the standard 24 TPI.) There were even models that had a mixture of both, with the fork thread being different to the bottom bracket thread. Indeed,
7526-575: The increasing affordability and popularity of the motor car. For much of the postwar era, British bicycle manufacturers had largely competed with each other in both the home and export markets, but 1956 saw the formation of the British Cycle Corporation by the Tube Investments Group which already owned Phillips, Hercules, Armstrong, and Norman . In 1957, Raleigh bought the BSA Cycles Ltd., BSA's bicycle division, which gave them exclusive use of
7632-708: The lack of BMX organizations in the East, which prompted Esser to start the NBL in Florida. By 1977, the American Bicycle Association (ABA) was organized as a national sanctioning body for the growing sport. Freestyle BMX is now one of the staple events at the annual Summer X Games Extreme Sports competition and the Etnies Backyard Jam, held primarily on the East and West coasts of the United States. The popularity of
7738-500: The mid-1970s. Children were racing standard road bikes off-road around purpose-built tracks in California. The motorcycle racing documentary On Any Sunday (1971) is generally credited with inspiring the movement nationally in the United States; its opening scene shows kids riding their Sting-Rays off-road. By the middle of that decade, the sport achieved critical mass , and manufacturers began creating bicycles designed especially for
7844-474: The new tubing sizes and were reduced proportionately to suit during the design process. The "Arrow Wedge" design decal carries the number 954917. Although this number bears no relationship on or to the design of the new MK-IV frame, it is carried as a continuation of the prior number carried on the last of the mk2 models, which was 954916 (prev 954915, prev "design no applied for"). With the RN22 Prototypes,
7950-413: The old heavy English utility roadster or the American " balloon-tire " cruiser bikes. In 1946, Raleigh and other English bicycle manufacturers accounted for 95% of the bicycles imported into the United States. Raleigh's sports roadster , or British racer bicycles were exported around the world, including the United States. The company continued to increase imports to the United States until 1955, when
8056-482: The only painted prototypes to exist and they are the first of any of the new model to carry the colours decided on for the "first launch" models. These colours were chosen as the first to be released in recognition of these colours being the launch colours of the mk2 model of 1972. Later into the R&;D process, RN220003 the Infra-Red prototype, was used as a parts compatibility test mule, this involving removal of parts from
8162-496: The original design, a return to twin block pedals and a specifically newly designed headbadge to match the original other than being a stick-on type vs the original rivetted on type. The pedals were manufactured once again under the UNION brand ( owned by Marwi group from 1995 ). Union previously produced the pedals as used on late mk1 and all mk2 models as well as other Raleigh bicycles of the period. Uniquely, these new pedals also carry
8268-436: The others I had seen, and I purchased one upon which I toured extensively through France, Italy and England during 1887 and 1888. In the autumn of the latter year, happening to pass through Nottingham, and with the idea of, if possible, getting a still more up-to-date machine, I called upon Messrs. Woodhead and Angois, the originators and makers of the Raleigh … It is clear from Frank Bowden's own account that, although he bought
8374-493: The pattern reversed again so that ODD numbered frames are Infra Red (Ex. RD230001) and EVEN numbered frames are Ultra-Violet (Ex. RD230002) and thus run in identical colorway sequence to the RN22 prototypes. There are, as with any production environment, exceptions to the above patterns. The Raleigh Chopper MK-IV underwent three launch events. One private launch, two public launches and these events consisted of both Official and supported Private campaigns. The first launch event
8480-428: The previous models. With all joints TIG welded, rather than using a mix of brazing and welding as used on the mk1 and mk2 models, the new frames are therefore more robustly constructed. Paint finish is achieved utilising etch primer over the bare metal, followed by white primer, colour coat, then decal application, followed by a coat of clear lacquer. All paints used being water-based. Decals are slightly smaller due to
8586-636: The race scenes in Colorado and training. In the 1986 bike messenger film Quicksilver a variety of Raleigh USA bicycles are used. 1984–85 road bikes are used throughout by notable players in the movie. Kevin Bacon's bicycle is a singlespeed '84 Raleigh Competition. While no differentiation is made in the film, at least three different configurations are seen on Bacon's bike during the movie: fixed-gear , singlespeed, and outfitted with 0-degree trick forks during various scenes in Bacon's apartment. A possible freewheel
8692-470: The redundancy costs. Sturmey-Archer's assets were acquired by SunRace of Taiwan who relocated the factory to Taiwan and sales to the Netherlands. Sister company Brooks was sold to Selle Royal of Italy. In 2001, following continuing financial problems at Derby Cycle, there was a management buy-out of all the remaining Raleigh companies led by Alan Finden-Crofts. By 2003, assembly of bicycles had ended in
8798-416: The same year, Raleigh ceased volume production of frames in the UK and its frame-making equipment were sold by auction. In 2000, Derby Cycle controlled Raleigh USA, Raleigh UK, Raleigh Canada, and Raleigh Ireland. In the latter three markets, Raleigh was the number-one manufacturer of bicycles. Derby Cycle began a series of divestitures, because of financial pressure and sold Sturmey-Archer's factory site to
8904-552: The seat resembled a dragster anti roll bar " sissy bar ". Even the kickstand was designed to give the stationary bicycle a lean reminiscent of a parked motorcycle. Tyres were wider than usual for the time, with a chunky tread on the rear wheel, featuring a red line around the sidewall. In 1969 the Raleigh Chopper was launched on the UK market. This was a triple launch for Raleigh with the Mk1 Chopper produced until 1972. The Chopper
9010-533: The shifter lever house the indexing plate, bearing and spring which gives the shifter mechanism the ability to correctly set the cable position for each gear of the SRF3 rear hub. This new shifter works with the AW hubs of prior models and original shifters work with the SRF3 proving compatibility forwards and backwards. Other design elements include a newly designed heron head chainwheel, a newly manufactured spoke protector to match
9116-422: The show choosing to test ride them, it proved a great method of further promoting the new model, along with those on display by Raleigh UK. The reasoning behind the two MK-IVs being in private ownership was, in part, to allow time for real-world testing and feedback as well as for acquisition of photographic material for the private publicity campaign. Raleigh Bicycle Company The Raleigh Bicycle Company
9222-411: The sport has increased due to its relative ease and availability of places to ride and do tricks. In the UK, BMX was a craze which took off in the early 1980s, specifically 1982 and 1983, when the BMX bike became the must-have bicycle for children and teenagers. The 1983 cult movie BMX Bandits helped establish the sport further worldwide. Previously a small niche area, BMX exploded at this time into
9328-545: The sport. In 1974, George E. Esser founded the National Bicycle League as a non-profit bicycle motocross sanctioning organization. Before they set up the NBL, Esser and his wife, Mary, sanctioned motorcycle races with the American Motocross Association (AMA). Their two sons, Greg and Brian, raced motorcycles, but also enjoyed riding and racing BMX with their friends. It was their sons' interest, and
9434-520: The surge in scooter ownership in the UK, Raleigh built a small Italian scooter, the Bianchi Orsetto 80, under licence, sold as the Raleigh Roma, with production continuing until 1964. After World War II , Raleigh became known for its lightweight sports roadster bicycles, often using Sturmey-Archer three and five-speed transmissions. These cycles were considerably lighter and quicker than either
9540-515: The team re-paid the investment with high-profile wins in the Tour de Normandie , Tour of the Reservoir and Tour Series Rounds 1 and 2. Raleigh decided to withdraw from supporting a road team at the end of the 2017 season The Raleigh archives, including the Sturmey-Archer papers, are at Nottinghamshire Record Office. Saturday Night and Sunday Morning , the 1958 debut novel by Alan Sillitoe ,
9646-574: The text of this book, with full academic referencing, is held by the National Cycle Archive at Warwick University for the benefit of researchers. 53°00′43″N 1°18′49″W / 53.01185°N 1.31358°W / 53.01185; -1.31358 BMX BMX , an abbreviation for bicycle motocross or bike motocross , is a cycle sport performed on BMX bikes , either in competitive BMX racing or freestyle BMX , or else in general street or off-road recreation. BMX began during
9752-407: The then Managing Director and Chairman of Raleigh that reveals the reasoning for Raleigh sending their chief designer to America for a three week fact-finding mission, it describes the trip, the 'envelope sketch' that provided the inspiration for the eventual product and the months following the trip. It describes the market's need for the Chopper and the strategy for going to market. Whilst this debate
9858-510: The time. The Chopper was first available for sale in June 1969 in North America. It went on sale in the UK in 1970 and sold well, and was a key factor in reviving the company's fortunes. The Chopper featured a 3-speed Sturmey-Archer gear hub, shifted using a top-tube mounted gear lever reminiscent of the early Harley-Davidson suicide shifter – one of its "cool" features. Other differences were
9964-456: The two enthusiasts who were working with the Raleigh design department and who were carrying out private publicity campaigns for the new model with the blessing of Raleigh UK after receiving one each of the new MK-IV. These two privately owned MK-IV's were not only the very first in private ownership, even before official media launch or sales launch, but they were on display for the purpose of inspection by fellow enthusiasts. With many attendees of
10070-505: The unusual frame, long padded seat with backrest, sprung suspension at the back, high-rise handlebars, and differently sized front (16") and rear (20") wheels. Tyres were wider than usual for the time, with a chunky tread on the rear wheel, featuring red highlights on the sidewall. The price was from approximately £32 for a standard Chopper to £55 for the deluxe. Two smaller versions, the Chipper and Tomahawk , also sold well. The Mk 2 Chopper
10176-774: The world. From 1921 to 1935, Raleigh also produced motorcycles and three-wheel cars, leading to the formation of Reliant Motors . Raleigh bicycle is now a division of the Dutch corporation Accell . In 2006, the Raleigh Chopper was named in the list of British design icons in the Great British Design Quest organised by the BBC and the Design Museum . The history of Raleigh bicycles started in 1885, when Richard Morriss Woodhead from Sherwood Forest , and Paul Eugene Louis Angois,
10282-586: Was active for a short while, study of the Oakley archive confirms that Oakley's famous envelope sketch was the inspiration and was included in the brief that was offered to an outside design firm, OGLE design, who then designed the product. The Raleigh Chopper was the bike that rescued Raleigh from administration with huge global sales from a total production run including Mk1 Mk2 Mk3 models which ran from 1968 to 1983 (mk1 & mk2) and then 2004 to 2012 (mk3). The Chopper featured in numerous TV series and movies throughout
10388-475: Was an improved version from 1972. It had the option of five-speed derailleur gears in the United States, but all UK bikes had the 3 speed hub, with the exception of a model introduced in 1973 and only available in a bizarre shade of pink. This model was discontinued in 1976. The Mk 2 had a shorter seat and the frame modified to move the rear of the seat forward, this helped prevent the bike tipping up . The shorter seat also made it harder to ride '2 up' (2 people on
10494-522: Was an invite only VIP "Soft Launch" in May 2023 consisting of a few select members of the Raleigh Chopper enthusiast movement. This was held at the ( now closed ) " Experience Raleigh " center in Maid Marian Way, Nottingham The second launch event was the official media launch of 31st May 2023. From this point onwards both Raleigh UK and the two members of the enthusiast movement who were working with and on
10600-526: Was branded as THE HoT oNE, alongside the Moulton Mk3 (The Smooth One), and the RSW Mk3 (The Dolly One). The Chopper was sold as a "must have" item and signifier of "coolness" for many children at the time. 1972 to 1983 The Mk 2 ("Mark 2") Chopper was an improved version sold from 1972. It had the rarely-purchased option of five-speed derailleur gears (1973/74 "Pinky"), and the gear lever shifter reverted from
10706-460: Was minimal, and Bowden ended up buying most of the public shares. He subsequently supplied virtually all the capital needed to expand the firm. When Frank Bowden got involved with the enterprise, the works comprised three small workshops and a greenhouse. As Woodhead, Angois and Ellis, the firm had expanded round the corner from Raleigh Street into Russell Street, where also stood Clarke's five-storey former lace factory. To enable further expansion of
10812-610: Was never manufactured in Nottingham UK and instead production was either based in the USA, Taiwan or Vietnam. The MK-IV is the latest model to be added to the Raleigh chopper range and is a return to the classic mk2 model outline in all major design aspects but with the need to comply with modern legislation (see Design below). Released to the General public in June 2023 the entire available stock sold out within three hours. Available colours were Ultra-Violet and Infra-Red. Two members of
10918-485: Was perhaps inevitable that it would implode with similar speed, when the children who rode the bikes left school and went to work. By 1986–1987, sales in the UK had dropped off dramatically, with the new all-terrain bike or mountain bike (another trend from mid-1970s California) taking off, soon to become the most popular adult bicycle. In 1980, the first BMX track in the UK was founded in Landseer Park , Ipswich , by
11024-530: Was sold in 2018 (Mellor & Kirk Auctioneers, Nottingham, August 2018) and reveals valuable insight into this debate that until 2018 had not been seen in public. The archive reveals that the Design Council did not consult Raleigh before citing Tom Karen as designer of the Chopper and the Design Museum merely acknowledge Karen as the designer of the finished 'product'. The Oakley archive contains an account from
11130-401: Was the official sales launch of 20th June 2023, once again held at the ( now closed ) " Experience Raleigh " center in Maid Marian Way, Nottingham. Doors were opened to VIP guests at 10am whilst, officially at least, the doors were opened to the general public at 12pm. Four of the new model were on display, these consisting of the two RN22 prototypes being displayed in the window to the right of
11236-433: Was used for the production of fuzes . Bicycle production was reduced to approximately 5% of its peacetime capacity. In 1939, Raleigh opened a bicycle factory at 6 Hanover Quay, Dublin, Ireland and commenced bicycle production there. The Raleigh (Ireland) business expanded and moved to 8–11 Hanover Quay, Dublin in 1943. The plant produced complete bicycles and Sturmey-Archer hubs, and remained in production until 1976, when
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