1924 Raleigh Popular Light Roadster (Sloping Top Tube)

LIGHT ROADSTER … ROUTIERE LEGERE … TIPO LIGERO de TURISMO … LICHTE ROADSTER … LA RALEIGH LIGERA

LOS TALLERES DE LA ‘RALEIGH CYCLE COMPANY LIMITED’ estan situados en Lenton, Nottingham (Inglaterra). Hace mas de 30 anos los establecieron unos hombres laboriosos que dedicaron sus vidas a la production de no solamente bicicletas se alta calidad, sino de bicicletas que siempre reunen las ultimas mejores. Ano tras ano, con adelantos siempre en aumento, la compania ha ensanchado sus talleres hasta que, desde un modestisimo taller, estos se han transformado en una fabrica gigantesca llena de maquinaria, que cubre mas de 7 hectareas y da emplo a mas de 2,500 operarios.

– Raleigh Catalogue

‘This is the Age of Steel!’ proclaimed Raleigh in their advertising brochure, pointing out that their ‘All-Steel Bicycle’ describes the fundamental difference between the Raleigh and other bicycles. It is a testament to the quality of manufacturing of that time that this machine is still in good running order nine decades later.

In 1924, Great Britain was one of the world’s leading industrial nations, and bicycles one of its leading exports. So Raleigh’s catalogue was printed in a variety of languages.

Given his record in the wars between Spain and England, I’m not sure how the Spanish version was received when accompanied by the reference, below, to Sir Walter Raleigh 🙂

1924 Raleigh Popular Light Roadster

with Sloping Top Tube

Frame No 922232

24″ Frame

26″ Wheels (26 x 1 3/8″ Tyres)

(Now sold)

In the 1920s, there was a public demand for a reasonably-priced fast lightweight road-racer. Raleigh responded more ably than other manufacturers, fielding a dedicated road racer as well as a lightweight roadster. Named either the Popular or Standard, it was a sloping top tube road racer with regular equipment to make it suitable for daily use. Further down the page I’ve included a chart to show the evolution of this model through the 1920s, culminating in the 1929 model with the Heron lamp bracket and metal head badge.

This example is in very good original unrestored condition, with the box lining still showing up well on its paintwork. As you can see in these photos, the transfers (decals) on the steering head and rear mudguard are also in good condition, as is the ‘Popular Light Roadster’ transfer at the top of the down tube. The ‘All-Steel Bicycle’ transfer, also on the down tube, is faded but legible. The nickel is tarnished and would benefit from cleaning, as would the rest of the bicycle (I’ve left it ‘as found’ after some years of dry storage).

I assume the rear stand to be a period accessory, in which case this Raleigh Popular appears to be totally original. I’ve left the old tyres on it as they are good enough for riding and fit the overall patina of the machine; I’ll include a pair of new Raleigh Roadster tyres in its sale too.