Few teams can claim the astonishing success of the legendary Ti Raleigh team of the 1970s and early 1980s.
Led by charismatic manager, Peter Post, and packed with stars, the unlikely alliance of Holland and Nottingham won the biggest prizes in the sport during a glorious eight-year period from 1976 to 1983.
The crowning achievement was Joop Zoetemelk’s 1980 Tour de France victory, but a host of other highly prestigious successes included a world road race championship and numerous Classics victories for Jan Raas, and a Tour de Suisse victory and two Tour de France runner up slots for Hennie Kuiper.
Now, to celebrate their 125th anniversary, Raleigh has released a replica of the team bike, priced at £2,000. Just 125 will be made, and half have sold already.
At its heart is a Reynolds 525 frame, finished in the signature red with black head tube and black and yellow down tube panel, and paired with a Reynolds chromoly fork.
The groupset is a mix of Campagnolo Veloce (polished alloy chainset, cassette, mechs and shifters) and Athena (brake calipers).
Further Campagnolo influence can be found in the Record hubs which are laced by stainless spokes to Mavic Open Pro rims shod with Challenge Criterium “open tubular” tyres.
Period detail can be found in the finishing kit, which includes a Cinelli 1A quill stem, a classically-shaped Cinelli Giro d’Italia bar, and San Marco Concor Super Corsa saddle. An alloy seat post and toe clips are pleasing details.
If your budget doesn’t stretch to the bike, Prendas Ciclismo have a Santini-made replica jersey at £49.95, and there’s a book documenting Ti Raleigh’s history available from Raleigh for £25.
