1958 Raleigh Record Ace Moderne

model no. 57 serial no. 3766AD

"A thoroughbred, embodying every modern refinement to meet the specialized requirements of the connoisseur. Eminently suitable for time-trialling and various other forms of racing where the 'last ounce' is asked-- and given."

Short-lived successor to the post-war RRA (1948-1954), this utilised the Super Lenton frameset (withdrawn in April 1957) but with a rear hanger for a Cyclo-Benelux derailleur, pump pegs under the down tube, fork end mudguard eyes and Tecalemit grease nipples on the low head race and bb. But costing nearly double what the Super Lenton had and lacking exquisite special components of the previous RRA, it was In production for just two years, 1957-58. The RRA Moderne was the last all Reynolds 531 complete machine manufactured at Raleigh’s Lenton, Nottingham works until the mid 1980s as Reynolds 531 frame production switched to Carlton's Worksop works in 1960. Original cost: £39. 19 s. 6 d. (£650 in 2005 pounds).

This machine was custom-ordered for the original owner by his father who worked for Raleigh, Nottingham, for over 40 years. He rode it regularly but in the early 1960s changed out the original components to GB “66” brakes, GB Hiduminium stem, Huret Allvit derailleur, Weinmann alloy 27” clincher rims on Normandy large flange hubs etc. Not used since the mid 1980s. Purchased on eBay (UK) on 21 November 2006. All other non original parts replaced with correct components per catalogue spec except for stem and ‘bars. Back on the road 27 January 2007.

Frame/Fork

Material: Reynolds 531 butted tubing, thin taper backstays and chainstays.
Braze ons: Sturmey Archer gear pulley boss, pump pegs under top tube, rear brake cable stops on top tube and derailleur cable stop on chainstay and gear lever boss. Tecalemit lubricators for bottom bracket races and bottom headrace. Special Raleigh chainstay and fork ends with mudguard eyelets.
Fork: “D” to round section blades of Reynolds 531.
Finish: original Raleigh black dipped enamel with white enamel seat tube panel and head. Gold lug lining, seat post bands and fork bands. 12” chromium plating on front fork ends and 6” on rear triangle ends. The transfers and longer chrome socks on the front fork differ from the catalogue depictions and may be due to this being a custom-ordered frame for a Raleigh employee.
Size: seat tube 24” (c to t), top tube 22” (c to c)
Angles: 73 (head) 71 (seat)
Fork rake: 2 ½”
Wheelbase: 41 ¼”
Bottom bracket height: 11 1/8”
Chainstay length: 17 ¼ “
Rear spacing: 118 mm
Lugs: Raleigh pattern cutaway lugs
Weight: 26.5 lbs. complete machine

Components (per original spec except as marked*)

Wheels: 27 x 1 ¼” Dunlop special lightweight high pressure steel 32/40-hole rims, 15/17G double butted Wheelsmith spokes (4x in back, 3x in front), BH Airlite Continental high flange hubs with Cyclo wingnuts
Chainset: Williams C.1200 46t with 6 ¾” cranks
Pedals: Raleigh steel quill road racing with GB “Professional” stainless toe-clips and Popular straps
Gears: Benelux Mark 7 derailleur
Freewheel: Regina 14-16-18-20-22 t*
Gear lever: Benelux
Chain: Renold Elite 3/32”
Brakes: GB alloy Coureur side-pull calipers with Super Hood alloy levers, white GB rubber hoods and white fluted cables.
Headset: Raleigh chromed steel
Stem & handlebars: GB 4” chromium-plated Reynolds 531 spearpoint with GB 16” wide alloy Maitland bend ‘bars, white plastic tape and GB plugs.*
Saddle: Brooks oval badge B17N Competition with chromium undercarriage.
Saddle toolkit: Brooks Challenge
Seat pin: Reynolds domed top alloy
Mudguards: Britannia Sprint Veloce narrow section white plastic.
Pump: 19” alloy
Lamp: Eveready battery cycle lamp
Lamp bracket: Raleigh right fork-mounted