2011 Raleigh Record Ace Road Bike
Comparing the Raleigh 2011 Record Ace to the previous year, look wise not much has changed. Even the components have minor changes, but the Record Ace will still shine in 2011.
The 2011 Raleigh Record Ace road bike features a lugged Reynolds 520 butted chromoly steel frame, flat crown lugged 4130 chromoly forks, Shimano Ultegra Double Crankset, Shimano Ultegra derailleurs, shifters and brake levers, but Shimano 105 brakes.
Releasing in white, and available in sizes 53, 55, 57, and 59cm.
I applaud the effort back to steel but I have to wonder if the Asians that produce this bicycle have the expertise to work with this material. Is it low temperature silver brazed as it should be? With Asian emphasis on mass production of bicycles it is hard to believe they would take the time and have the skills to execute this process properly when fabricating with this material. A poorly executed steel frame is like a poorly executed frame with any material, ride quality just suffers and consumers just buy the hype.
I think your remarks concerning Reynolds tubing are out of date. The only Reynolds tubeset that required silver brazing was 753. 531 could be brass brazed, and was in great quantities. Both 520 and 853 can be TIG welded and so can handle brazing just fine. As for the asian frame builders go, Raleigh was having Reynolds 531 frames built in Taiwan back in the mid 80s, so I suspect that by now there should be a fairly decent pool of expertise out there. I suspect that the frame company Maxway may be doing the work. Also, Reynolds 520 is actually manufactured in the far east under license from Reynolds and to their specifications. Asian builders are familiar with it.
I have a 2010 Record Ace and love it. I swapped out a few things, RS80 Shimano wheelset, Ritchey WCS seat post and stem and a set of Dura Ace brakes I had from another bike. It now weighs 19.7 lbs and is a dream to ride long distance.
Oh and I got rid of the gel tape and put on some Salsa bar tape. Sweet.
I own several bikes with steel frames made in Taiwan. They are all very nicely built and I have experienced zero problems with the frames. Latest is a Surly LHT. Very solid bike all around. I weigh 230, so strong, lasting frames are important to me. I would never purchase a carbon bike. Too many frame failures… too many things that can go wrong with torquing nuts, etc.
Raleighracer: What seatpost size does it require? I’m thinking about a Ritchey myself…
Hey, Does anyone know where are these sold or for sale? looks very yummy! back to basic i’ll say!