RALEIGH EQUINOX
Hurrah! At last I own a 531 bicycle and it came out of the blue! I saw it in an online selling site and made an offer as it was pretty low for a 531c with high spec Shimano RX100 groupset, Campagnolo rims and little rust only on the surface. The seller said it had suffered worn threads on the derailleur hanger and the bike shop brazed another over it much to his dismay. I said I'd pass on this but then something told me to look at it as it was only 20 miles away. So I planned to see it and boy was I surprised. I took it for a quick spin and at once it felt light, tight, very responsive and super smooth. It did need some fine tuning but I just handed him the very modest asking price without flinching or trying to barter as I knew this was a gem and he was happy it was going to a good home. The serial number dates this frame to 1994.
The Equinox as I got it.
A new RX100 chain set was bought during restoration by the owner
Shimano RX100 and 8 Speed Cassette, indexed of course!
RX100 Brakes
The famous Raleigh badge
Shimano RX levers and view of beautiful teal forkChrome seat tube but not original seat
Shimano RX100 front changer
It says made by SPD and we all know what that means!
The badge of steel bicycle envy! Reynolds 531c tubes
Campagnolo 'V' rims
Lambda to be more precise
Raleigh bars and nondescript stem
Shimano RX rear hub
Fork drop outs and Shimano RX hub and QR skewerAnother view of that winning badge!
Shimano RX brake levers
Tasty Vittoria Zaffiro tyres
Badly worn Equinox decal
Aah the nostalgia of the golden age of steel bicyles!
So, the Equinox needs a little makeover, it's a little shabby in parts but feels great on the road. I took my hands off the bars and it ran true without a slight wobble. It's a very nice machine and I plan a complete overhaul soon!
Hi mate thank you for posting pics of your bike. The reason i came to your page was because ive just got a RALEIGH EQUINOX bike but its got different wheels and different gear changers. Its also 12 speed. The bike under its present condition is VERY tatty with rust spots on the frame and else where. I am guessing that i could maybe get it back on the road but would probably cost too much money to do. Rather than scrapping it, i was wondering if you need any parts from it. it is missing the gear changer at the pedal end (sorry im not bike savvy so don't know the terms). I read that the bike you bought was missing pedals and from your pic, you said it had the wrong handlebar stem (mine says it is a XmissionX)it is black.
ReplyDeleteThe serial number on the bike is E25196.
I would be willing to strip the bike if you needed any bits? I'm not looking for a lot of money for it and i am sure we could come to some sort of arrangement. i would do you a good deal.
Let me know if you are interested? and i will try my best to sort you out. Like i said it has rust so some parts may not come off but i can try.