1925 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 nearly nine decades later.

In 1925, Great Britain was the world’s leading industrial nation, 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 🙂

1925 Raleigh Popular Light Roadster

with Sloping Top Tube (3.5 inch drop)

Frame No 954897

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 any other manufacturer, fielding a dedicated road racer as well as two lightweight roadsters – the Popular and the Standard – that were essentially sloping top tube road racers with regular equipment to make them suitable for daily use.

Further down the page I have included a chart to show the evolution of this model through the 1920s, culminating in the 1929 model with the Heron headbadge.

This example is in excellent original unrestored condition, with much of the box lining still showing on the 1925 paintwork. As you can see in these photos, the transfers (decals) are faded, though visible. It is totally original (its ‘R’ headlamp bracket is obscured under the headlamp), apart from some fittings: the Brooks saddle support, bell and headlight are chrome, which would not have been used until 1929; and the Shockstop racing handlebar grips are 1930s.

The larger chainwheel on this model makes it a fast machine. It’s in good mechanical fettle and rides very well.