BeaterRezQ’s 1985 Raleigh Mountain Tour

Posted

Let me start by saying, this IS still the Old Ten Speed Gallery, and that IS what we will continue to be. That said, I have elected to post this next bike despite its somewhat ‘off-topic’ appearance. Let me explain why this bike will get in but others will not.

  1. The magnificent Pie Plate!
  2. All the Chrome!
  3. The SunTour derailers.
  4. The fender-mounted headlamp (FMH??).
  5. It IS old and a 10-Speed.
Now, here’s what nearly got BeaterRezQ banned for life!
  1. Those ridiculous handle bars/stem.
  2. The backward front skewer.
  3. The mattress saddle.
  4. The Lizard Skin chain-stay protector (If a 3-4″ chain ring is useless, then a chain-stay protector on a bike without one is double useless.  If said bike is also chrome from top to bottom, it’s triple useless.)
In any case, many thanks to BeaterRezQ for another fine conversation/dispute inspiring entry.

Hello to all the good people at OTS/Cameron! I don’t know if this will make the cut, ” but hey, it has TOUR in it’s model name!” Mountain bikes don’t tour…do they? Originally this bike came with 15 speeds, but I run only ten with the smaller chain ring up front removed. ( Is it just me, but I’ve always thought that silly 3-4 inch chain ring was useless for most applications!?! ) An older gentleman had this bike leaning up against the wall in his garage, with six other bikes leaning up against it. We dug it out–and to my amazement it had only a small insignificant dent on the top tube, nearly unnoticeable. Thirty dollars later, I had a new resto’ project….and this is the fruit of my labor. Sakae cranks Araya rims/Vittoria commuters Dia compe cantilever brakes Suntour everything: shifters, front/rear derailleurs Original suspension seat post Chromed frame/forks/fenders/bars/head lamp (D batteries of course)/massive pie plate/water bottle holder “This bike has more chrome showing than a convention of bald men.” **to note: lizard skins chain stay protector not chrome…block pedals strictly intentional by design

 ( formerly DEARSIRCOLON, Stevie James…BeaterRezQ works for me )

Related posts:

  1. Tom’s Mid 70s Raleigh Grand Prix
  2. Dave O.’s 1980 Schwinn Traveler
  3. Zach’s 1984 Schwinn Traveler
  4. Billnuke1’s Vista Esquire
  5. Guy’s Raleigh Record
  • http://twitter.com/robofunc Matt Kannenberg

    Whoa! That sure is a chrome bike. Nice.

  • BeaterRezQ

    Cameron, hats off to you for allowing this bike to slip past the “editing room” and into the Gallery!
    You, my friend are too kind and way too cool. You must be a bike nerd also!?!
    After reading the old post/submission–I can’t believe how lamely I tried to justify why this bike should make the cut. A “touring” bike, it’s almost hilarious now.
    I get so many stares when I commute on this bike to work, or anywhere in general. Come to think of it, I don’t know if they are looking at the bike that I am riding as much as they are trying to see what the heck is blinding them. I’m sure that there are many more bikes out there that are lighter and have better components than this little beast, but it’s my own creation and it’s really hard not to smile while riding this old Ruffy..
    Enjoy,BRQ

  • Trailerparkcyclist

    No point in voting this month: that there is definitely the OTSOTM. If every American were issued a bike like this one at birth, the world would be a better place. Do I sound overwhelmed? Well, I am. And yes, Beater, I recognize that pie plate from an old Electric Light Orchestra album cover…I just can’t remember which one.

    Gad, sir, you (and your splendid steed), dazzle me!

    • BeaterRezQ

      TPC,
      Thanks always for your kind words, and I love ELO.
      Here’s just one more pic so that you can enjoy the zoom in and zoom out function for a get closer inspection of my lil’ beast.
      BRQ

  • CliffClimber

    The small 20 odd tooth chainring is useless? Pfffft. Flatlanders.

  • Hugh

    I don`t know that a bike has to have drops and a racing saddle to be a ten-speed. After it`s not called Old Ten-Speed Road -Racer Gallery. I think this type bike is
    going to grow in popularity as the Baby-Boomers become the Senior Citizens. Very practical set-up for short urban commuting / Campus-Bike. I don`t know if I am digging those block pedals though. You may have crossed the line there : )

  • Docsprocket

    CHROME CHROME MUST HAVE MORE CHROME
    I LIKE IT

  • John h

    WOW !!!! You got my vote. When it comes to chrome I’m like a moth to a flame.

  • BeaterRezQ

    Thanks all for your kind words!

    Hugh, dude-you must have super-powers! You just described my whole life in one short paragraph….amazing!
    As far as block pedals: I suffer from flat feet caused by wearing skater shoes (Vans mostly) in my formative years as well as into adult hood and soon into senior citizenry. Heck, I wore Vans when wearing Vans was not cool.(if ever there was such an era?) I remember when the shoe box said “Hand sewn in the USA.” Block pedals seem so comfortable to me and my flat feet, not to mention an old bike nerd friend of mine gave me a boatload of NOS Union pedals made in West Germany–still in original boxes. I would put ’em on my road bikes but the Spandex Brigade would probably chase me down and beat me up.(or at least try…chuckle,chuckle)
    CliffClimber, lol….I am a flatlander! The only time that I go off road is when some idiot veers into the bike lane. I love my teeth and would like to keep ’em a few more years. My bones..complete and all in one piece.
    BRQ