'78 Carlton Raleigh Super Course

[FICHT 150]

The Suntour derailleurs are better than the plastic Simplex stuff Raleigh used, just a few years prior, on the Super Course bikes.

I’ve replaced Simplex kit on several French bikes with Suntour AR and ARX derailleurs, mostly because bike junkyards have them around, for cheap, and I’d say they work above their pay grade.

Ted

 

[Fritz Katzenjammer]

The ARX derailleurs might be a later replacement. If you check Velobase the rear unit didn’t come out until about 1981. It looks too new for the seventies anyway. I’d stick a Suntour Cyclone on it.

 

[juvela]

The ARX derailleurs might be a later replacement. If you check Velobase the rear unit didn’t come out until about 1981. It looks too new for the seventies anyway. I’d stick a Suntour Cyclone on it.

Cyclone listed as OEM in the specifications on the catalogue page posted above

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[Real1]

Hope you didn't pay a lot for it....they're pretty common and generally less rusted...... depending on what part of the country it comes from I guess. SC was just above the Grand Prix in the Raleigh line. They're pretty good road bikes and yes, the Suntour stuff will improve any of these bikes. I have a slightly older one down in the basement I never got around to restoring and have some nice Suntour stuff to put on it.

You should string the frame and check for damage/warping before you put a lot of time, sweat and $$ into it. It was made in England, so there's that. You can get complete sticker sets for it and yr appropriate too.

Even completely restored, these don't bring the big bucks, so I would put the best running gear on it you can afford....if you intend to ride it a lot. You don't have to worry about 'ruining' its value. You can update the brake pads with much better ones so the bike actually stops.....while still retaining the original brake setup.

When I was in college these bikes were supremely popular. I had an accessorized Grand Prix with much Suntour stuff circa 1972. Had a three-speed Columbia before that and should have tossed it into the river for fish cover.

A little bit later Raleigh put foam on the handlebars instead of tape wrap but continued on with the stem shifters.

Kevin

 

[Real1]

If you don't already know it, Sheldon Brown's website has a lot of decent Raleigh information. And there's a lot more if you noodle around the Net.....long bike threads just devoted to the various models like the SC. The Carlton connection isn't really a big deal because Raleigh bought them out early on. Where(plant) the upper-tier Raleigh bikes are made becomes important to some models and collectors. But this isn't a 'thing' with the SC.

Kevin

 

[Coot]

I've been known to save more than a few less-than-desirable bikes over the years but even I would pass on doing much to this one, mainly based on the paint condition and the amount of rust present. It feels more like a parts bike to me. I hate to rain on someone else's parade but I truly do think this one is a hard pass. I bet you could find another example of this bike that's in much better condition and wouldn't cost very much. In the end, your time and money would be so much better invested.

 

[3-speeder]

Well I spent next to nothing and I am a sucker for rough looking bikes. I'll get this mechanically sound and running right and I won't have to worry about anyone stealing it. I am always on the look out for the nicer ones but couldn't resist grabbing this one. It's old paint and patina found my weak spot.

Thanks to everyone for their input.

 

[juvela]

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3-speeder prime directive: CONSERVE! 🤩


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[Real1]

I've been known to save more than a few less-than-desirable bikes over the years but even I would pass on doing much to this one, mainly based on the paint condition and the amount of rust present. It feels more like a parts bike to me. I hate to rain on someone else's parade but I truly do think this one is a hard pass. I bet you could find another example of this bike that's in much better condition and wouldn't cost very much. In the end, your time and money would be so much better invested.

I absolutely second this for a couple of reasons; the rust/paint and the fact that SC's are not particularly rare and so many better examples are out there for decent prices.

And....say you bought it somewhere for $25.....find another one in better shape and feed the parts from this one into it as you need them. Consider it a donor bike. OP is right...in that shape not going to be a 'hot' bike to steal. Don't put a Brooks seat on it though........

Kevin

 

[Schwinny]

Cyclone listed as OEM in the specifications on the catalogue page posted above

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We have two of these frames hanging in the rafters at the collective.
If you want.... We have VX and Cyclone stuff out the wazoo. Msg me if you want.
You could check out the disreally gears website to get the lowdown on Suntours derailleurs.