Raleigh Super Tourer: Lucky Find
I suppose all collectors dream of finding that one gem, stored away and forgotten for years, in pristine condition and at a bargain price. The 1974 Raleigh Super Tourer I bought in 2012 was just one of those rare cases, a vintage bike in practically mint condition like it had been suspended in time. I had never seen a bike in such amazing shape for it’s age, and not surprisingly I haven’t since. Bikes are at heart a practical item; people scrape them, drop them, scratch them against walls and posts, stuff them in a corner of the garage and often leave them exposed to the elements. Few escape the wear and tear of time, but this one did. The lady owner had ridden it while at college and had taken it on a ride abroad before calling it quits on cycling. She had always made a point to keep the bike stored in a warm room over the many years it had stood unused.
Near perfect main tubes
A Beautiful Build
The Super Tourer wasn’t a top end bicycle, but nevertheless it was a well appointed and nicely made touring bike made for just three years, from 1973 -1976. This particular example was quite unusual in that it had drop handlebars, not the straight type that was standard on most Super Tourers. Indeed, I have never come across another like this one since, though I’m sure there must be some that survive in the garages and barns of America. This Super Tourer had lovely bronze paintwork with mink detailing, in beautiful shape. Reynolds 531 double butted tubing for the frame and forks, clean and simple lugs, half chrome forks and stays. It weighed around 23lbs. The chrome was in near perfect condition. The original handlebar tape was still decent and didn’t need to be changed, and I loved the suede 3t saddle. Interestingly, it was a 5 speed bike, embracing that clean and simple aesthetic that I found really appealing. It had a lovely TA crank with a 6 arm spider, beautiful Normandy high flange hubs and to top it off, a Huret transmission with a Jubilee rear derailleur. Wonderful!
Exquisite
A Sad Ending
I sold it because it didn’t fit me. It was 2cm too small for me, and I had to let someone else have the pleasure of its ownership. I sold it on Ebay a few months after I brought her home for $430, but have regretted it ever since. It was just one of those bikes that stays with you, its condition, its originality, its aesthetic. The story for me finished badly, because not long after I sold it, I found out that its originality had been compromised, its distinctiveness squandered. The new owner had changed out the handlebars, saddle and tape, added mudguards and bigger tyres, to my consternation and horror. It didn’t need it. The customisation spoiled the bike, and I hope one day it will be restored back to the original and delightful bicycle that it once was, like the day it was bought in 1974.
Spoiled
This is an awesome bike – in either configuration. The Raleigh Super Tourer originally came with fenders (Bluemel’s Mud Guards) and an upright style handlebar similar to the one the new owner used. So maybe the new owner was trying to make this ST closer to original. The Brooks saddle added by the new owner also is closer to the stock ’75 and ’76 saddles – which would have been a Brooks B66….although the ’74 was originally outfitted with a big Brooks mattress saddle.
Thanks for your reply and for your thoughts on the bike. What I regret is that the bike, as I sold it, was all original, down to its handlebar tape; it was as if it’d been put in a time capsule since the late 1970’s. In my view, changing it into another version of the same model was unnecessary, it had its own uniqueness which was undeniably cool.
I have a 74 super tourer for sale all original with working pump. [email protected] 815-446-1752
Thanks for getting in touch. Do you have it advertised? DO you have any pictures? Cheers!
I don’t have it advertised but I can send u pics if u like.
Thanks for your comments Jon. I am the new owner who ‘ruined’ this Super Tourer. Apparently the previous owner does not know how Raleigh built this bicycle for the market. Sadly, Bluemels Classique fenders are very hard to find or I might have made the bike more like original.
BTW, I am the Admin for The Raleigh Bicycle Nottingham Facebook page. Raleigh bicycles of this era are pretty much my specialty.
Dominic, obviously you did not read or believe the points that Jon made in the post you replied to, The Super Tourer was not built with drop bars. It was built and delivered by Raleigh as an upright bike with fenders. Someone (perhaps even a bike shop) modified the bike sometime before you took ownership. I did indeed make some changes that are not consistent with the original configuration, but the bike is closer to original than when I received it from the eBay seller.
Thanks for your comments. I realise that Super Tourers were sold with straight bars and mudguards, but the point I was making was that this bike had been in a time capsule for more than 3 decades, and I thought it perfect in its build, style and condition. I loved it for what it was, and I believe it didn’t need to be brought out of its capsule to be changed into a catalogue version. But it’s just my opinion; maybe you prefer the changed version, but for me, it will always be the drop bar bike that was the sensational find.
Dominic, Darrell is correct. I sold both SCs and STs from 1973-77. They were straight handle bar configs with mud guards and Brooks Seats through that period from the factory. Some customers had us add rear aluminum racks to mount bags, etc so as to completely outfit the unit for extended travel.
As I said in my previous comment, I’m aware that the Super Tourers were sold with straight bars and mudguards. The point I made was that this bike hadn’t been changed since its owner personalised it in the 1970’s, and I liked it the way it was, it was quite unique.
Oh I hope you’re still monitoring comments here LOL – I’m currently rebuilding a ’74 10-speed Super Tourer with all the original parts as well – except the wheels/hubs/freewheel as they couldn’t be saved. I’m hoping you can help me with a question – do you know if the original GB stem is a 26.0, or 25.4 bar clamp size?
Hi, I believe in the 1980’s GB made some stems with a 26.0 clamp size, but I imagine yours would be 25.4 as it comes from the 1970’s. Good luck with your build!
I wish I could “spoil” my Super Tourer like the one in the “spoiled” picture. For that matter, the unspoiled version is equally impressive.
After I bought a Super Course MK II, a friend of mine who worked at a bike shop sold the Super Tourer to my dad. This was back in the mid 70s. At the time, people associated the dropped handle bars with serious cycling and an upright riding position as something more for mom and dad.
Our Super Tourer was converted by the bike shop to GB engraved dropped bars and a Brooks B17 saddle. Also, the fenders were removed. It came with Stronglight 93 cranks, short cage Huret Jubilee derailleurs and Malliard hubs.
The rear derailleur was changed to a long cage VGT for touring in the mountains but I still have the Huret. As soon as i can find a paint code for the original paint color, I plan to return the bike to “as originally sold” condition. Oh, and if anyone has the original paint codes from Raleighs of this era, please let me know.
I have a Super Tourer in good condition that I purchased slightly used in the Spring of 1976. It looks like the one featured in this article in bronze paintwork with mink detailing, and with drop handlebars. My bike also has the original Brooks saddle and black plastic mudguards. I’m sure I have the pump around here somewhere. In the Spring of 2020, I am either going to start using this bike again, or else sell it and purchase a cruiser with wider tires more suitable for seniors. If you think you might be interested in this bike at that time, email me your contact information and I will get in touch with you if and when I decide to sell. [email protected]
I have this model Super Tourer that I bought used in 1983 and have ridden ever since. The previous owner had put drop bars and added a second chainring to the Stronglight crank. It came with a Suntour Vx derailleur that still shifts so well. I plan to put vintage Suntour Superbe brakes and maybe a Superbe F/R derailleur, so it’ll be “of the time,” though not original. I wish I had taken care of the finish like this one. I’d like to have it repainted (mink) and decaled back to the way it was.
I really think these Super Tourers are a cool bike and always wanted to get one from the first time I saw one (1974). However I bought a Motobecane Grand Jubile instead as I wasn’t very impressed with the quality of Raleigh frames and paint during that time. This is the first time that I have seen this color combination, tho. Most of the ones I have seen have been a chartreuse Green and black with black fenders. I really do like the brown color, tho.
My father’s Super Tourer was repainted in the 80s. I’d like to re-paint it to the original “Bronze Mink” colour. Does anyone have any idea where I might find any information on old Raleigh paint codes or equivalents? I’ve kind of struck out on finding any information on “Bronze Mink” other than photos of old Super Tourers!
Hi, that’s a great question, I someone can provide you an answer. Chris recently posted on the Carlton Criterium page a comment about how close some car sprays can come to old Raleigh and Carlton colours. Cheers!
I have a ‘74 that I modified with down-turned handlebars the day I bought it in 1974. I also removed the fenders, and replaced the upright shifters with a set of Campagnolo down tube shifters. I have since lost the pump, which was worthless, and because I actually used this bike for several ambitious tours, I couldn’t afford to have gear with me that didn’t work. The bike has a 25” frame. I’m looking to sell. Just curious what this group thinks I should ask.
Enjoyed reading about your Super Tourer, do you have any pictures of it? I think condition is a big factor when it comes to selling one, but they are rare and collectable as they were made for only a few years. I would imagine you could sell it for somewhere between $800 – $1000 depending on condition. You don’t see them on Ebay very often, so I imagine you’d have a good chance of finding a buyer on a countrywide market if you’re willing to ship it. Cheers!