Gourt Home::Gourt :: Raleigh Bicycle Company
The Raleigh Bicycle Company is an English bicycle manufacturer originally based in Nottingham in central England.
Raleigh notably produced popular three-speed bicycles. These were utility bicycles featuring hub gearing provided by Sturmey-Archer. These bicycles are particularly popular in the Netherlands.
During the 1970s, Raleigh produced the iconic Raleigh Chopper bicycle, the "must have" bike for kids of the time. It was a massive success, and led to a significant revival in the company's fortunes, despite a design that is regarded as substantially flawed by some.
History
Raleigh was founded by Frank Bowden in 1887 in a small cycle manufacturing shop on Raleigh Street, producing roughly three high-wheel bicycles each week.
Raleigh Industries became TI/Raleigh after becoming part of the Tube Investments Group in 1960. Raleigh produced millions of bicycles in its Nottingham factory and were, at one time, the largest bicycle manufacturer in the world. The company acquired several other British bicycle manufacturers, notably Phillips Cycles and Hercules. Several mopeds were also made in the late fifties and sixties. TI owned Raleigh until 1982 upon when Huffy Corporation purchased TI/Raleigh.
By 1984, all Raleighs for the American market, save for the high-end Team USA and Prestige roadbikes, were being produced in the East for Raleigh. Bridgestone bicycles produced most of these machines. While not classics, they are fine bicycles.
Derby International Corporation purchased Raleigh in 1988. The years following would be the last of Raleighs of the old guard.
Today, Raleighs are mass-produced in China and Taiwan for Derby. Only Raleigh of Denmark still offers traditional rod-brake models in their lineup.
External links
- Raleigh corporate website - U.K.
- Raleigh Bicycles - U.S.A.
- Raleigh Bicycles - Denmark
- The Headbadge - Vintage English Bicycle Information
- Tony Hadland's history of Raleigh bicycles
- Made in Birmingham-- Birmingham's industrial history site including cycles and motorcycles
"Raleigh Bicycle Company"