Well after a couple of months of
slowly disassembling and reassembling
the RRA,( see in original state here),
I have finally got it ready for the
first road test, complete with new Ultra Close
ratio Sturmey Archer AC hub with
Dunlop Special Lightweight wheels.
I was really looking forward to this maiden voyage.
The initial ride up the road was a real pleasure, the AC
hubs ultra close ratios felt exactly right to me, far better
than the FM, AM hubs I am used to.
The first big ride didn't go quite so well, the indicator rod
broke leaving me facing a stiff head wind in the
toughest gear..ouch
Still it didn't take away my enthusiasm for this classic ride.
Riding the RRA, you can really feel the solid British history
swirling around you, sort of like a bike version of the
Bentley Continental R-Type maybe.
The best of traditional post war English engineering
Fast, but not extremely so ( although I wouldn't say that to Ray Booty),
well thought out, stylish and comfy.
I chose the Oppy bend bars, imagining who would be buying a
RRA in 1950. I thought it could well be an older club man,
with a little more to spend than your average rider.
especially after his stay there in the 1930's, he could well
have had his favorite old bars fitted to his new RRA.
I love the shape and feel of these bars, with the GB stem
just right. I was going to fit a twin bolt Reynolds stem, but
just couldn't live with a short stem.
GB Hiduminium brakes work very well.
Strata cages with Cyclo straps, combined with the
RRA specific pedals, make a great package.
Airlite front hub with Raleigh wing nuts laced
to Dunlop Special Lightweight rims.
Hollow axle, actually the RRA is surprising light...
no really.
Bluemels Feather light pump.
Original Raleigh bag
Ray Booty on a special RRA built for him by Raleigh.
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