Greg W’s Mid 80s Raleigh Marathon

Posted

Wow, what a ride!  At this point Greg, I’d forget the drops and opt for some ape-hangers instead.

As I was sitting in a hotel for a few weeks in Minneapolis I was itching for a bike ride over the Memorial Day Weekend (05/10).  That is when I found this wonderful mid 80’s Raleigh Marathon that had been hanging in a divorce’s garage (for a few years by the look of it).  $60, a bit of air in the tires and a minor seat adjustment entertained me for just under fifty miles around the Minneapolis Greenways that afternoon. I started out just looking for something I could discard after the end of my summer deployment (survey in Alaska).  $60 is right in that price range, but I like this bike so much, I went out and bought a few necessary accessories (lock, tool kit, helmet, and lights), and am sure that I will find it difficult to part with at the summer’s end. The frame is pretty tall.  There is a 61 stamped on the steering head. I suppose this means 61 cm.  As I am 6 foot, it is just a bit tall for me, but it feels really good.  I like the geometry.  You can see by the photos that I have the seat in the lowest position and the previous owner had replaced the dropped bars for a straight bar.  Perhaps I will replace the dropped bar if I decide to keep it.

Greg W.

Thanks Greg

Related posts:

  1. James T’s Sportslife 10-Speed
  2. Eduardo V’s 1984 Raleigh Corsa
  3. Tom B.’s Huffy Premier 12
  4. Mike L.’s Unidentified Old 10-Speed
  5. Max M’s 1974 Schwinn Continental
  • http://doohickie.blogspot.com Doohickie

    Great ride! Then again, I’m biased, since I have the same bike, even the same size. You can see it in the Related Posts; I’m Paul H.

    The Marathon was barely mid-range, but mine has served me very well so far. It was my only road bike for a while. Now it serves as my backup commuter and light tourer. It’s great on unpaved roads.

  • older1

    The flatbar inspires new glossary entries:

    UMOTS:
    Unfortunately Mutated Old Ten Speed

    VUMOTS:
    Very Unattractively Modified Old Ten Speed

    TROTS:
    Thoughtlessly Revised Old Ten Speed

    SNOTS:
    Sadly Neglected Old Ten Speed

    NOOTS:
    Nearly Original Old Ten Speed

    WHIOTS:
    Wretched Handlebar Install Old Ten Speed

    UFOTS:
    Uexplained Flatbar Old Ten Speed

    UMBHOAOTS:
    Ugly Mountain Bike Handlebars On An Old Ten Speed

    WITWWYTWYIUMBHOAOTS:
    What In The World Were You Thinking When You Installed Ugly Mountain Bike Handlebars On An Old Ten Speed

    • older1

      Okay, Greg, I apologize for my ruthless display of disapproval at what is otherwise a great bike. I admit: I was harsh, in a poor mood that day, and it’s unfortunate what the previous owner did.
      If you could make any effort to do what you can to put drop bars back on it, I’m sure the results would be outstanding, and we’d all like to see it!