[dnlwthrn]

I've got a Raleigh frame, aluminum, guessing late '90s or early 2000s. It looks a LOT like an R700, but isn't. Its blue with "Team Issue" on the TT and "Raleigh" on the downtube. I can't find any info on this frame, and I'm just wondering if its worth building up.

The plan would be an inexpensive build, probably used 105 and Ultegra components. I've got a Ritchey wheelset I could throw on it too, so I'm not looking to spend much to build it. Any ideas or info? Raleigh has catalogs back to 2004, and its not in those. None of the "team" Raleighs I've seen online match the paintjob on this one either.

Thoughts?

Now with photos!

 

[Akirasho]

... no clues as to it's vintage... could U post a pic?

As far as build... Y knot?

Always nice to have another arrow in your quiver. Depending on the frame quality, you could go anywheres from downtube/bar end... or perhaps fixed... to whatever. Lots of options.

 

[hayduke1972]

Does the frame have Carbon seatstays?

Some of those early Y2K Raleigh Team frames were Columbus Airplane with a Carve carbon seatstay. They also had an integrated headset.

 

[dnlwthrn]

I'll try to get a pic, but it might not happen till sometime next week.

As for downtube/barend, that's what my main ride is! 1980s steel is a wonderful thing...

Nope, no carbon, its all aluminum, with "aero" shaped tubes.

 

[cmg]

if it looks like the first attachment it's steel, reynolds 531. Here's some history http://collection.rydjor.com/bikecollection/1985ral.htm

If it looks like the 2nd it's still built out of steel, Columnbus zona.

 

[dnlwthrn]

Sorry, I should have been more specific. I'm familiar with the OLD raleigh frames, having just rebuilt a 1968 Grand Prix for my dad, and worked with him on building an early 80s Super Record.


This frame is newer, and is aluminum.

 

[dnlwthrn]

Well, checking the serial no. to the stuff on Sheldon Brown's site, it appears to have been made Sept. 15, 1999, probably meaning its a 2000 model (?). I'm still not able to find any info about a "team issue" frame from that time period, though.

 

[cmg]

post a photo.

 

[dnlwthrn]

I'm working on it... Frame and camera (and user) are currently in two different states. I'll have one by this weekend.

 

[Akirasho]

I'm working on it... Frame and camera (and user) are currently in two different states. I'll have one by this weekend.

... which one is a liquid, gas or solid... though some physicist are now calling plasma a fourth state... :idea:

 

[dnlwthrn]

Well, I'd love to be in a liquid state, but I'm still at work...

 

[Mayday]

Looked at some

I looked at some Raleigh bikes around that time -- 1999 I think -- at a local shop. They had a couple different models that the salesperson said used the same frame, just different levels of components, different paint job and different numeric designation such as R700, R500 or something similar. One was primarily 105 components and the other had Ultegra. I didn't end up buying one, but they seemed like pretty decent aluminum frames, built by Kenisis according to the dealer. And the bikes were a good value for the price. I'm just guessing, but it could be the "Team Issue" was the same frame, but fitted with higher-level components, or maybe sold as a frameset instead of complete bike.

 

[dnlwthrn]

See photos in first post...

 

[lousylegs]

definitely aluminum and my guess would be that it was painted special for a team or something?

 

[dnlwthrn]

I just wish someone had a catalog... I don't know if Raleigh ever sold framesets, but it seems like that's what it would be. It looks very similar to the R500/700 frames.

 

[dnlwthrn]

To revive an old thread...

I finally got around to finishing the build.

So far it seems to ride fairly well. I'm going to play around with stem angle, height, length and seat position to try and get an optimal position, but the first ride felt good. Coming from a steel bike, this is DEFINITELY a different feel.

Specs:
Raleigh Team Issue Frame (either 1999 or 2000 model, date code is 9/1999)
Profile Designs BRC fork
Ritchey wheelset (aero front rim, OCR aero rear rim, zero system hubs)
Shimano 105 Brifters, crank, front derailleur
Shimano Ultegra rear derailleur, brakes

Truly a budget build... All parts were used except tires, tubes, stem, and cables and wrap.

 

[CleavesF]

Raleigh got a bunch of their catalogs on their website.

But yeah... Raleigh has some nice aluminum frames. Probably underrated just like everything else. But then again, I'm biased.

 

[dnlwthrn]

I looked through all their catalogs this summer when I got the frame (although I haven't checked to see if there are any other new ones since them) and couldn't find any info. I found the date code from Sheldon Brown's website, but haven't found any other info on any "team" frames from the late 90's to early 00's.