Raleigh Overview

A giant in the industry since 1885, Raleigh, along with most of the big makers, was slow to accept mountain bikes as anything other than a passing fad. ¹⁾

When Yvonne Rix [Raleigh product manager] visited the USA … in 1981, she formed the view that mountain bikes would eventually come down from the hills and onto the streets. The reaction from the Raleigh board was, who needs mountain bikes in England where there are few mountains? Yvonne Rix’s response was that neither do you need a 4×4 to drive in London, but you see plenty of Range Rovers in Chelsea. bikebiz

Raleigh UK wouldn't launch a mountain bike until 1985. However, Raleigh USA was separate entity run by Huffy Cycle Company of America, manufacturing bikes in the USA.²⁾

The mt. bikes listed from 1982 → 1985 are the US only versions. Canada debuted a Rocky in 1985 and the UK a Maverick also in 1985. British Raleighs kept to non-ISO threading standards until the mid-80's so that restoring an old Raleigh usually means upgrading to ISO.

The future is bright, on a Raleigh
the guardian, photo by Don McPhee

1982 Trail Rider

An obvious knock-off from a 1978 Breezer Series I, except with single piece cranks, BMX parts, and spring cruiser seats. Decent gearing with a 38 tooth freewheel.

I remember that Raleigh. … There's little reason to doubt that the first 10 Breezers were the source of influence. The Raleigh design is of course a cheap imitation. The Raleigh twin-lateral design negates most of their benefit as the tubes hug the seat tube and kink around the tire. The Breezer twin lats made a bee line between the head tube and rear tips and had more bending stiffness. Granted, subsequent designs (diamond frame) were far better.

Soon after I built my first Breezers I determined that, with a diamond-frame design, I could make a frame 3/4 of pound lighter, requiring 10 fewer welds and 9 fewer tubing cuts, while achieving greater laterally stiffness and greater strength overall.

Cheers,
Joe Joe Breeze, from: mombat

1982 Trail Rider mombat

1983 Grand Mesa

The Grand Mesa and Teton remained at the bottom of the price range and top of the weight range (35 and 36 pounds) for Raleigh Mountain Bikes. Interestingly, both of these were available in 650b versions. The bike at the right is likely a 1984 Grand Mesa, with factory 650b rims.

1983 Grand Mesa bikeforums

1984 Elkhorn

The Elkhorn was the mid-range ATB, with Suntour components and weighing in at 32 pounds.

1984 Grand Mesa
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1985 Crested Butte

Originally debuted in 1984, the Crested Butte was at the top of Raleigh USA's Mountain Tour series. Shimano XT components, 29 pounds. ³⁾

1985 Crested Butte
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1986 Maverick

Starting in 1985, Raleigh UK started offering a mountain bike to Europe. The lugged Maverick would be the sole Raleigh ATB for the UK for a few years. An unidentified Shimano Skylark related rear derailleur (1977-1986).

1986 Maverick
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1987 Seneca

Suntour XC Sport 7000.

1987 Seneca
mombat

1988 Vision

First offering of a Technium Aluminum/Carbon MTB, by “Raleigh Company of America,” under license from Easton. This frame technology was successfully raced by the 1989 Yeti team. SunTour XC 6000 (1988 in this version.)

1988 Vision
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1989 Chill

Deore II (1989-90). If “chill” wasn't your thing, you could also opt for a “killer instinct,” “ovation,” “heat,” “flashpoint,” or “frenzy” models.

1989 Chill
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1990 Instinct

SunTour XCE (?) rear derailleur (1990-92).

1990 Instinct
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