Raleigh Bikes

It was the hottest, must have item of that era. Designed by the Raleigh Bicycle Company, this bike paved the way for future bikes to come.

The Raleigh chopper was not just used for riding down the street. This bike was designed specifically for wheelies. It sported a banana seat that cured up in the back, and wide set handle bars. It might not have been the most comfortable bike, but it did the trick for showing off new wheelie tricks to your friends.

What came of the Raleigh chopper? The Raleigh chopper paved the way for smaller designs.  Soon other bikes were created, such as the Raleigh Chipper, Tomahawk, Budgie and Chippy models. 

The Raleigh model did have its drawbacks.  These included safety hazards. It was definitely not a bike that you would want to ride for a 5 mile bike ride contest. The Raleigh chopper was slow in speed and heavy. Eventually they became known as a safety hazard and unreliable.

In 2004, the Raleigh Chopper got a new makeover. The MK3 was created. The chopper looks identical to the 1970’s version with a few tweaks. Aluminum is the new design, with more focus on safety. The bike is lighter in weight and has added gear controls for stopping when needed. A new seat design was created, making it more comfortable and conventional.

The chopper’s price has risen in price over the years. In the 1970’s, you could buy a Raleigh chopper for $32.95. Over the course of two years the bikes value increased. The last known price that the bike was being sold for was $90.90. Today if you go on EBay, the Raleigh chopper can be purchased for around $40 or less.

The Raleigh chopper is now considered a collectable. You might not see a lot of people riding them, but they are a favorite subject to talk about. That is if you know someone who has had the pleasure of riding one.

So, if you want to stand out from the crowd and have your own little blast from the past, than look around EBay and you are sure to find a few Raleigh choppers for sale. Your kids are sure to love them and history lovers will love seeing the transition from bikes through the years.