THE RALEIGH TWENTY
Your ever-expanding web resource for the Raleigh Twenty
and other classic small-wheel bicycles.
and other classic small-wheel bicycles.
October~2017
Al’s 20 in
Philadelphia, on Society Hill
Al’s 20 in Philadelphia, on Society Hill
This Twenty
is a rather plain and unmodified version and so enabling a closer vantage
wouldn't reveal much to those familiar with the Twenty.
The bike is shown in front of the 1795 Federalist Period house I call home and it serves as my preferred means of getting about the city's center. It is shown parked after a shopping trip on a fine summer's day in Philadelphia's Society Hill neighborhood.
By the way, the "Society" in Society Hill does not refer to social status or anything posh but rather takes its name from the Royal chartered Free Society of Traders that was headquartered in the area at a time when Philadelphia was the second largest city in the British Empire.
The house dates back to the late 18th Century, just after independence was declared and won. This American flag that is flying is the second iteration of the national banner. This flag of 1795 is markedly different from both its predecessor and the versions that followed. It shows fifteen stars and fifteen stripes to recognize the addition of Kentucky and Vermont to the Union. It is the design that inspired the Star Spangled Banner.
Oh yes, the bike has been my daily-ride for about three years now. It was purchased after I sold my 1965 Moulton Series 1. I’ll add that I've found this Raleigh to be vastly superior to the Moulton. It was made even better when I fitted 170mm cotterless cranks.
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Please send me your pictures and write-ups by the 25th of the month so I have something to choose from for the next month and beyond.
If you think you have a photo of a Twenty for our front page, post it in
the Gallery along with some information about it and contact a Website Administrator (The Grumpy Old Squid, David in Florida, or 2whls3spds).
Happy snapping!
Come and visit the Raleigh Twenty Forums.
The original Raleigh Twenty was in production in various forms and under various names from 1968 until 1984 and has gained a cult following from cyclists worldwide. This popularity can be largely attributed to the late Sheldon Brown, a legendary bicycle guru, who owned several Raleigh Twentys throughout his lifetime.
At one stage, the Twenty was Raleigh's biggest seller. Raleigh's survival through the cycling slump of the 70's can be largely attributed to the Twenty and it's variant models. It was sold also under many of Raleigh's captive brand names such as Triumph, Sun, Hercules and BSA. It was also sold as the"Supercycle Twenty" in Canada. It was also built to a unique design by Morrison Industries in New Zealand.
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