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Collecting, Building, Documenting and Photographing Beautiful SBDU Bikes
TI-Raleigh scheme
SBDU frames and the TI colours have become hugely popular. The demand is producing a steady supply of TI painted frames. With so many looking to buy and then repaint, and so many looking to repaint and then sell, the amount of freshly painted frames I’ve seen recently has spiralled. My concern based on what I’ve seen is that the detail of the SBDU TI scheme is in danger of being lost forever.
The TI colours didn’t just last for a couple of years, it was in use as the current “Team” colours from the early 1970s, right up to the end of 1983 when the team colours changed to Panasonic. The longevity and success of the team are probably the reason it appeals to so many. Unfortunately, there are only a few examples of original paint SB numbered frames with original transfers remaining, and the rush to renovate with new glossy red paint means that the dwindling pool of originality is in danger of extinction.
SBDU Frame Details
I think the most searched terms on my blog are related to information about SBDU frame details, frame age or frame tubing. So it is just as well I have plenty of information available. Here are a selection of blog posts you need to read related to details and dates.
I’ve started to write a series of blog posts that document different SBDU frame details that existed over the life span of the unit. At the moment these include the different types of frame and fork ends and seat stay types together with their seat stay caps There are also little known changes such as gear lever positioning. All of these details can help to identify and date an SB frame.
Reynolds Tubing
TI-Raleigh & TI-Reynolds… both names linked by the ‘TI’ of Tube Investments. The SBDU built with Reynolds tubing and they also worked with Reynolds to develop the legendary Reynolds 753. As a consequence, just about every post you will read on this site will include some reference or fact about Reynolds Tubing.
I clearly write a lot about Reynolds tubing, it’s and unavoidable topic when writing about the SBDU. But sometimes I write more generally and cover topics about how the SBDU used this tubing in the frames that they built.
my collection
It started with my first SB numbered frame in December 2011, and it quickly moved to two then three then ten and so on. From just wanting to own a TI-Raleigh Team Pro 753, I now have a comprehensive collection of SBDU frames that display most of the frame types, frame tubing and design styles that were used at Ilkeston and Nottingham, the collection has even moved into Raleigh’s Special Products Division.
There are still gaps and the searching has become specific to allow me to fill those gaps. However, if a good frame at a good deal comes along, it is difficult to say no!
"Another great post. I love this blog. Would love to see these frames. They are beautiful and just a great place in time."
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My TI-Raleigh Featured Blog Posts
1st Generation Campagnolo Super Record – SB9 Stripdown
1st Gen Super Record components on an original paint 1974 SBDU bike! Not just a 1974 SBDU bike, but also a single digit SBDU bike! This bike has to be preserved. It is suffering, it has 46 years of dirt, ...
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SBDU SB9 – Sharing Frame Numbers Across the Pond
SBDU SB9 has certainly sparked interest in the Raleigh community since it returned to the UK. And it is set to create more. If SB9 is now settled back in the UK, how can it also still be in the ...
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1974 Raleigh SBDU SB9 – New Arrival – Home From America
1974 Raleigh SBDU frames, there aren't too many, believed to be no more than 50. My thoughts on the use of the word 'Rare' are documented in my blog, I think it is used too much to incorrectly describe common ...
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Handlebar Wrapping – Putting the Finishing Touches to SB5422 with New Cables and Bar Tape
Handlebar wrapping can be one of those bike building tasks you either love or hate. When it is done badly it will make the best build look terrible. When it is done well it will be the crowning glory. So ...
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Specialist Bicycle Development Dept – Original Letter Confirming My Research of SB1995
Specialist Bicycle Development Dept? Yes, more of that in a future post. But for now, it's all about SB1995, and the work I did to establish when this frame was renovated. I've just re-read my own post and still surprise ...
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Spoke Length Calculation – SB1861 Wheel Rebuild Step One
Spoke length calculation needn't be a black art! So many calculators have been produced meaning all you need are a few basic measurements. So here's a post and a short video explaining the five minute process of finding the length ...
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50th Anniversary Super Record Bits and Pieces – SB5422 Gets a Few More Parts
Bolting a couple of derailleurs and other small parts to a frame is the easy stage of any bike build. Normally I build in three stages. In the previous post, I did the first stage, the frame prep and fitting ...
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Campagnolo Super Record Titanium Bottom Bracket and Headset – My SB5422 Build Continues
Campagnolo Super Record 50th Anniversary Group - that's what I'm working with again. But before I get to the shiny gold parts, I need to fit the BB and Headset ...
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Frame Prep – Frame Facing and Fork Crown Race Cutting – My SB5422 Build Starts
Frame Prep! Any task requires prep. Great prep should be the foundation of everything you do, it will give you the best chance of achieving the results you are after. So if you are restoring, renovating, or just servicing some ...
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Carlton Capella Lugged Raleigh SBDU Ilkeston Reynolds 753 SB1625 – New Arrival
Carlton Capella lugs seem to be everywhere in my SBDU collection at the moment. They are always nice to have, and when they appear on Reynolds 753 frames, it's even better ...
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TI-Raleigh Tour de France Hennie Kuiper HK276
"TI-Raleigh Tour de France!" It only really dawned on me the day after I bought it, but this bike could be something amazing, a special bike for TI-Raleigh and the Tour de France! The day after Nigel and Carol left ...
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My TI-Raleigh SBDU 2019 Review
2020 is moving fast, it will soon be February. I've already added two frames since the New Year and I'm aware I haven't yet recapped the last year for My TI-Raleigh SBDU. So here is my SBDU 2019 review of ...
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Frame Preservation Required. A Bargain New Arrival with Issues and a Missing Fork. An Original SBDU Ilkeston Team Pro Under £100
One of my top collecting aims is to document and preserve the originality of SBDU frames, especially the TI-Raleigh scheme. This scheme is one of the most recognisable in cycling history. But it's also the one that renovators get wrong ...
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Hennie Kuiper (HK276) TI-Raleigh 1976 Team Road Frame – New Arrival
Hennie Kuiper! Yes, HK276 has arrived and sits in my collection right next to other TI-Raleigh riders such as Jan Raas, René Pijnen, Cees Priem and Günter Haritz. Here is a quick story of how that new addition happened ...
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SBDU Nottingham Raleigh Track Champion SB8850 Reynolds 531c – Stripdown
I'm kicking off the New Year with the spanners and getting stuck into SB8850. Every bike I receive comes apart. This is because every bike generally has hidden mechanical issues. What can often look like a well put together bike ...
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SBDU Ilkeston SB1861 TI-Raleigh Team Pro Reynolds 531 – Moving Things On. Rebuild (Part Two)
SB1861, built at SBDU Ilkeston in late 1977 is back in the workstand, I need to get this bike completed. It has sat for too long, and this original SBDU bike deserves more. So I'm picking up where I left ...
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MK5 Professional – Worksop Carlton Raleigh – 1981 Team Professional New Arrival
MK5 Professional? What's that all about? Yes, this is an unexpected step back into the area of Worksop frame production. This time though, it's not pre SBDU, it is early 1981, before things with Raleigh and Carlton production were set ...
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SBDU Frame Number Mystery – Solving a Puzzle
It's time to figure out the correct SBDU frame number for my frame stamped as SB4522. Is that number correct? Is it SB5422, indicated on the fork column? Once again, being able to read the SBDU frame details should give ...
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Worksop Carlton Raleigh – Giro D’Italia? Carlton BMB Team? MK 1 Raleigh Professional?
As if I don't already have enough projects. As if I don't already have enough plans to fulfil and enough mysteries tucked away in my collection to solve. I've now added another frame to keep me busy. C4619 is a ...
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My TI-Raleigh Blog – What do I have planned for 2020
What do I have planned next year for My TI-Raleigh Blog? Tricky question as most things with me and my blog and collection just seem to evolve depending on what I find out there. But I do try and influence ...
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Campagnolo 50th Anniversary Super Record Raleigh Ilkeston SBDU Reynolds 753 Bike – New Arrival
This is probably the only bike that has had a pre-new arrival post. I wrote about this Campagnolo 50th Anniversary bike a short while ago when I had it 'on approval'. A kind of try before you buy deal. I ...
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Raleigh SBDU Track Bike SB8850 (Nottingham) Reynolds 531c – New Arrival
This was a quick decision, a moment of thought before pressing the button. It was a lovely Raleigh SBDU track bike. I knew this bike before seeing it for sale online. I saw details and images of it last year, ...
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Iscaselle Tornado – The Last Piece of the Puzzle for my Ilkeston SBDU Reynolds 753 TI-Raleigh Team Pro SB4059?
I often ask myself if this bike will ever be finished. Is it good that I think there is always more to do? Will fitting a new Iscaselle Tornado eventually complete this bike? ...
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Raleigh SBDU Frame Identification – Knowing Your Details and Identifying Frames
What happens when a frame looks like an SBDU build but you aren't too sure? A frame may have several features that match an SBDU build, it might look right, but you have doubts. There might not be a frame ...
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A Reynolds 753 Ilkeston Raleigh SBDU with Campagnolo Super Record 50th Anniversary Group – Built for Denton Cycles, But What’s the Frame Number
There is no doubt that this bike is fitted with a Campagnolo Super Record 50th Anniversary Group. There is also no doubt that this is a Reynolds 753 Ilkeston Raleigh SBDU frame. And there is indeed no doubt that this ...
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A MAVIC Build Update – SB7393 Raleigh SBDU Ilkeston 1985 Reynolds 531 Professional
SB7393 is a 1985 Reynolds 531 Professional SBDU bike that I picked up last year. Since then I've slowly been putting together the missing pieces of the MAVIC puzzle to get this striking red and anthracite coloured Ilkeston bike back ...
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TI Raleigh UK Team Bike G4582 ‘D R’ Dave Rollinson 1972 MKIV Professional – New Arrival
I'm definately dipping my toes into the unknown with this one. This MK. IV Raleigh Professional frame is a break from the norm for me. After seeing it pop up on Hilary's Facebook feed, the part of my head that ...
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The SBDU Fast Back
Although an SBDU frame may be best known for the oversize seat stay cap design, it was the SBDU fast back that landed with a bang towards the end of 1982 that almost took the top slot. These are my ...
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Featured Frames – The Pick of my TI-Raleigh SBDU Collection
Did you know I have a "Premier League" of frames within my SBDU collection? I call the lucky ones that make it into this league my 'Featured Frames'. I have a full list here. The competition is real and it's ...
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TI-Raleigh Team Cees Priem (CP.1.79) Reynolds 753 Road Frame – New Arrival
It's amazing what can happen in a matter of minutes. I had my feet up, relaxing on a Sunday morning, doing nothing much at all other than trying to figure out what to watch on television. Then an email containing ...
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My SBDU Collection… What’s Been Happening Recently?
It's always nice to sit down and have a think about where my SBDU collection is and to plan where it is heading. That might sound ridiculous as these are only old steel bike frames, but writing about them does ...
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SB2589 Raleigh Ilkeston SBDU ‘Special’ Reynolds 753 1978 Road Frame – New Arrival
I've bought a few frames from Hilary Stone over the years. He's been the source for some of my best featured frames such as SB4409, my Dynaflite - an SBDU Special, and SB8790 - my unridden low profile frame. He ...
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SB3235 Raleigh SBDU Ilkeston Reynolds 753 1979 Road Frame – New Arrival
My site has taken over all of my spare time recently. I've been expanding it so I can let people in, creating an area that others can take part in. While I've been beavering away behind the scenes, I've also ...
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Metric Diameter Tubing? Reynolds 753 Raleigh SBDU Ilkeston 1978 Road Frame SB1995
"Never assume with the SBDU". That is a phrase I say a lot. It is a mantra I repeat when I'm assessing SBDU frames and bikes. Winding the clock back to 1978 you would think it was safe to assume ...
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Reynolds 753 Raleigh SBDU Ilkeston 1978 Road Frame SB1995 – Renovation Date
Recollections are a funny thing. Could you remember details or be precise about a specific date from maybe only a month ago? Could you remember a detail from ten years ago? How about four decades ago? Memories become fuzzy with ...
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SB1995 Raleigh SBDU Ilkeston Reynolds 753 1978 Road Frame – New Arrival
It was a Thursday evening a couple of weeks ago, and as usual I was sitting in front of the laptop, half watching TV half browsing the internet, when a flashing notification from a new email caught my eye. A ...
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Sorting, Arranging, Displaying – Finally Seeing the Efforts of my SBDU Obsession
I've been collecting for years. I can go for what seems like a lifetime without a new addition while at other times I seem to have new frames coming through the door every week! But while I've been busily collecting, ...
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Roy Schuiten GP Lugano and Grand Prix des Nations 1975 TI-Raleigh Bike
Back in March 2018, a short but interesting email dropped into my Inbox... I am the son off Roy Schuiten. I recently found a time trial bike off my fathers. I want to share some pictures and thoughts with you ...
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Motor Paced Stayer – Could it be a Jan le Grand Build for TI-Raleigh Rider René Pijnen
I'm going to make a bold statement right at the beginning of this blog post... my theory is that this Stayer frame could be a frame built by Jan le Grand for TI-Raleigh team rider René Pijnen - now all ...
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A Mysterious Motor Paced Stayer Frame – New Arrival
Every now and then I spot something slightly different, something that I struggle to identify but which has the potential to be something nice, maybe even special. Usually I might be the only one to spot it which normally gives ...
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SB8790 1987 Raleigh SBDU Nottingham Reynolds 531c – Model Classification
When I add a traditional horizontal top tube SBDU bike to my collection it can sometimes take a few careful measurements and a little bit of knowledge of the bike's history to figure out something as subtle as whether it ...
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SB6560 531c Services des Courses 1984 SBDU Ilkeston Raleigh – Fork Restore
While I'm patiently waiting for the final few Dura-Ace 7400 series 6 speed components to arrive, I'm going to begin the paintwork restore on SB6560, starting with the fork. The fork on SB6560 isn't too bad at all but it ...
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Buying a Specialist Bicycle Development Unit (SBDU) Bike with Confidence
I always find this topic a sad one to write about. I get sad when I know that someone is spending money on a bike that may not be what they think it is and I could have helped to ...
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The Tools of My Trade – A Tour of my Workshop
I always get nice comments about my work space. It is often commented on when I post bike images. So I thought I'd write quite a self indulgent post and show a few images of my tools and work space ...
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Frame Weights of Specialist Bicycle Development Unit (SBDU) Reynolds 753 and 531 Frames
Frame weight... it's often talked about, requested and used as a measure to try and determine tubing type. From my own experience I can see several factors that affect final weight and I frequently see through my own documentation process ...
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SB6560 531c Services des Courses 1984 SBDU Ilkeston Raleigh – Planning the Team Colours Transfer Layout
SB6560 arrived in terrible condition with missing gear lever bosses and poorly applied transfers. It is a frame that has always been overlooked and put on the back burner while other projects came in and took over. Underneath the skin ...
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Shimano Dura-Ace 7400 6 Speed Rear Derailleur My Favourite Piece of Kit
What do you call it? Do you say Rear Derailleur, Rear Mech, Rear Mechanism, 'Mech' or just 'Gears'... they are all names to describe the mechanism typically controlled by a spring and cable that derails the chain and moves that ...
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Raleigh Frame Numbers 1973 Onward. Worksop Carlton and Nottingham Lightweight Unit Frames, Specialist Bicycle Development Unit (SBDU) and Raleigh Special Products Division
This isn't intended to be an Internet resource of Raleigh frame numbers! If you are reading this for anything other than SB number sequences from the SBDU then please make sure you corroborate my information with other resources. This blog ...
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SB8790 Raleigh SBDU Nottingham Reynolds 531c 1987 Lo Pro Road – New Arrival
Emails dropping into my Inbox on a lazy Saturday afternoon are quickly becoming the best kind of email! The one I received last Saturday offered a mint condition frame together with it's original Raleigh box and some documentation! Now that ...
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SB7393 Raleigh SBDU Ilkeston Reynolds 531 Professional 1985 – Geometry and Design
Time Trial frame? Road frame? Or a bit of both? What exactly is it? SB7393 came with a story that it was built and used for time trials and ridden by a junior. I was also told by Rob, the ...
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SB4059 SBDU Ilkeston 1980 TI-Raleigh Team Pro Reynolds 753 – Seat Lug Thread Repair
I'm gradually working my way through the snagging list on SB4059, all those little jobs that I know about and that require attention are slowly getting done. Not so long ago I swapped the original Campagnolo grey outer brake cables ...
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SB4059 SBDU Ilkeston 1980 TI-Raleigh Team Pro Reynolds 753 – Removing Transfers From Underneath Clearcoat – Part Two
I think I must have been slightly bonkers to start this project but the desire to get SB4059 looking correct was too much! That morning when I took a knife to the clear coated transfers left me with a lot ...
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SB6827 SBDU Ilkeston Frame Transfers – Testing My Own Data
I've recorded and blogged what seems like an amazing amount of detail relating to SBDU frames over the years and I've always strived to make everything I publish as accurate as I can. It has been a goal of mine ...
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SB6827 SBDU Ilkeston Raleigh Reynolds 531c 1984 Road Bike Unridden Condition – New Arrival
Sometimes when I see a bike that someone else owns I feel a little pang of jealousy, I can't help it. And that is exactly how I felt nearly two years ago when I was first sent images of SB6827 ...
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Specialist Bicycle Development Unit (SBDU Ilkeston) Seat Stay Design and Seat Lug Attachment
You probably think seat stays are quite boring, why on earth would I devote a blog post to the two narrow tapering tubes on the back of a frame? Well as you hopefully all know by now, I do like ...
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SB4059 SBDU Ilkeston 1980 TI-Raleigh Team Pro Reynolds 753 Stripdown
It's just over six years since I fastened the first component to this frame and four or five years since I completed the first build on a long road to making this the best example of a restored TI-Raleigh Team ...
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The Specialist Bicycle Development Unit (SBDU) Details of Fork Ends and Dropouts
Having a large collection of SBDU frames means that I've accumulated most of the various features that they built with. Fork ends are one such area of the frame design where I have an almost complete set, ranging from the ...
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SB9000 SBDU Nottingham Raleigh Banana Reynolds 753R Low Profile Track Pursuit Frame – New Arrival
eBay! Love it or loathe it, every now and then it does serve a purpose. Personally I loathe it and while I'm definately not a fan, it has actually accounted for a small amount of my new arrivals. I do ...
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SBDU Ilkeston SB Frame Transfer Layout and Lug Detailing for TI-Raleigh Restorations (1974 – 1983)
SBDU frames and the TI colours have become hugely popular. More people are seeking to buy an SBDU frame and recreate the red black and yellow TI-Raleigh scheme. With this recent resurgence, sellers are looking to sell and buyers are ...
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Shimano Dura-Ace 7400 7401 7402 7403 7410 Series Road Component System 1984 – 1996
The year was 1984. I was only 14 and riding a beat up Raleigh Grifter around the estate. My parent's shed was my workshop and I was kept busy fixing the bikes for all the local kids. My own bikes ...
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SB4059 1980 SBDU Ilkeston TI-Raleigh Team Pro Reynolds 753 Replacement Frame Transfers
Following the change of cables on SB4059 there is now only one thing that I need to do, one more thing to sort out, one more thing that has bugged me the most about this build over the last couple ...
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SB4059 1980 SBDU Ilkeston TI-Raleigh Team Pro Reynolds 753 Replacement Brake Cables
It's been a while since I've written anything about this bike. SB4059 is my original bike, number #1 in the collection, the bike that started the blog and the search for SBDU knowledge! One day I hope to say SB4059 ...
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SBDU Ilkeston Reynolds 753 Raleigh Pursuit Frame SH377T – Cleaned and Documented
Every new addition gets a good clean and although it was already looking quite good, SH377T still needed a bit of work. Wet oil and grease on the surface of a tube will attract dirt and dust, and that is ...
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Günter Haritz TI-Raleigh Professional Team Track Frame Reynolds 531 1975 GH6175
It's been a busy week! First came SB4933, an SBDU 531SL frame with beautiful chrome and exquisite new paint. Following on quickly came SH377T, Steve Heffernan's Reynolds 753 pursuit frame. And finally, to end the week, GH6175 has just arrived ...
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SBDU Ilkeston Reynolds 753 Raleigh Pursuit Frame SH377T – New Arrival
eBay... it is a place I try to avoid. I like to find bikes and frames that haven't had much exposure to the internet. eBay links containing interesting vintage bikes are shared across social media, and before you know it, ...
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SB3505 1980 SBDU Ilkeston Reynolds 753 TI-Raleigh Team Pro – Photographed
If I ever get the time and opportunity, I'll take bikes into my wife's photography studio and pick up the camera to capture the details of these frames. It's good to get them into an environment where there are no ...
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SB3505 1980 SBDU Ilkeston Reynolds 753 TI-Raleigh Team Pro – Geometry and Design
The SBDU seemed to stop stamping their H reference on frames towards the end of 1979, meaning the frames coming out of Ilkeston at the beginning of the 80s would only have the SB frame number stamp and nothing to ...
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SB3505 1980 SBDU Ilkeston Reynolds 753 TI-Raleigh Team Pro – Clean Up
I've been itching to bring the original paint on this frame back to life ever since it arrived last week. And even though SB3505 is already in great condition, it never fails to amaze me how well these frames respond ...
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SB1500 1977 SBDU Ilkeston Reynolds 753 Time Trial Special – New Arrival
I have several frames and bikes in my SBDU collection that constantly vie for top spot. Should top spot go to JR178T, my Jan Raas frame? Should it be SB632, the earliest known Reynolds 753 SB numbered Track frame; the Beryl ...
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The Mysterious Carlton Capella Lugged Early Ilkeston SBDU Imperial Tube Reynolds 753 Frames
In the beginning there was Metric Reynolds 753 tubing, and then later in 1982, a new Imperial Reynolds 753 tube was introduced. The new tube, called 753R, had different diameters, different gauges and was slightly heavier than the original Metric ...
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Something Special Something Unique SB664 1976 SBDU Ilkeston TI-Raleigh Reynolds 753
There is no long winded waffle from me on this post, at least that is the intention... it's hopefully just a short introduction about a new addition to the collection. There WILL be many more posts about this frame; this ...
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SB632 1976 SBDU Ilkeston Beryl Burton Team 753 Track Pursuit Frame – Track End Repair
Back at the beginning of May, I had a weekend of frame repairs! SB4409 had new transfers and a bit of clear coat, while SB6560 had new gear lever bosses brazed into place. Before I tidied up and put the ...
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My TI Raleigh SBDU Blog The Most Comprehensive Resource Available for Frames Built at the Specialist Bicycle Development Unit
Now that is a massively bold statement to make... here it is again just to make sure that I did actually say it... "The most comprehensive resource available for frames built at the Specialist Bicycle Development Unit (SBDU)..." ...
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SB518 1976 SBDU Ilkeston TI-Raleigh Team Pro Reynolds 531 – New Arrival
After selling one of my frames a few years ago (SB447), I promised myself that I wouldn't sell another. These frames are sought after and I get lots of requests to part with them, but I decline them all. My ...
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The SBDU and Their Use of Reynolds 753 Reynolds 753R and Reynolds 753T
There has always been lots said on the subject of Reynolds 753, and that doesn't surprise me. This tubing had such an impact on the sport of cycling; the frames and their riders were breaking records before anyone even knew 753 existed! 753 frames ...
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SB6560 531c Services des Courses 1984 SBDU Ilkeston Panasonic Raleigh Frame Repair
It is Easter and I am loving the amount of time I've had in the workshop this weekend. I'm getting stuck into a couple of projects. Today is the turn of SB6560, a 531c 1984 Services des Courses frame that ...
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SBDU Ilkeston SB4409 1981 753 Dynaflite – Frame Transfer Restoration
The Easter weekend has given me some free time so I decided to work on a couple of projects. SB4409 was the first frame to get some attention. It's been sitting in the workshop for a few weeks while I ...
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SB8868 753R Services des Courses 1988 SBDU Nottingham Raleigh Banana Complete
I've not got much to write in this post as the pictures will hopefully say everything. This Raleigh Banana has been an awesome bike to build, a real blast from the past. I took it to the studio today to ...
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SBDU Ilkeston Special 753 Dynaflite SB4409 1981 (Reynolds 753 Fillet Brazed with Ovoid Tubing)
Wow, there are some rare frames, and then there is this one. The overwhelming reaction from most people is "Never seen one of those before..." ...
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SB8868 753R Services des Courses 1988 SBDU Nottingham Raleigh Banana Rebuild
To say that I'm happy with how 2017 has started is an understatement! My first SBDU bike for the year is built and it is stunning. My 753R Raleigh Banana is complete; and it has been such an enjoyable build ...
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SB6398 Restore Part Five – SBDU Ilkeston TI-Raleigh 1984 Reynolds 753R Campagnolo Super Record 50th Anniversary Group
All of the 50th Anniversary parts that I've carefully and patiently cleaned over the last couple of weeks have been re-united with the SBDU Ilkeston 753R frame that they came from. I've had a few things on lately so it has taken ...
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Jan Raas TI-Raleigh SBDU Track Bike JR178T 1978 Frame Size
Of all the frames in my SBDU collection, this Track frame is by far the most fascinating and prized. An actual frame once ridden by Jan Raas. Raas was one of, if not the most famous rider to be part of ...
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1982 Shimano 600AX Series Team 531SL SB4944 TI-Raleigh SBDU Ilkeston
This build is moving quickly at the moment which is remarkable for me! I've got a Shimano 600AX group that will complement this frame beautifully ...
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Creating an SBDU Date Timeline for TI-Raleigh Ilkeston Production
It is impossible to accurately date reference SBDU frames! There it is, a simple fact. I should really leave this blog post now with that 'bold' statement. But that's not like me, I like to investigate and I like to ...
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1982 TI-Raleigh Team 531SL Road SB4944 SBDU Ilkeston New Arrival
I have a new arrival in the collection. There have been a few frames available lately but I've resisted buying them as they didn't fit the 'wanted list'. But, after seeing the images for this frame, I had a hunch ...
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TI-Raleigh Joop Zoetemelk Team Bike Specification from SBDU
I'm frequently asked about the specification of TI-Raleigh's team bikes. The most popular search terms I see on my blog stats and the most viewed blog posts relate to 'specifications'. However, the question about specification isn't an easy question to ...
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TI-Raleigh Team Specification Berg Union Spokes SB4059 SBDU Team Pro 753 1980 Wheel Rebuild
This post gives me the opportunity to play with my favourite bike, my Team Pro 753 TI-Raleigh. I've built this bike as close to the only specification I've ever seen for the TI-Raleigh team. Hunting down the perfect quality parts ...
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1974 to 1975 Reynolds 531 Tubing SBDU TI-Raleigh Road Frames
I've wanted to write this post for a while, and I've tried to start and structure it a few times, but it has been difficult getting to grips with the scale of the subject. There was often either too much ...
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A Little Bit of Detail from the Tour de France Specialites TA Contrex Feed Station Bidon
Some things I set myself up to find for my bikes are extremely rare! Patience, and keeping one eye constantly on the internet, is the only way to secure these hard to find parts ...
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Protar Team Pro 1982 TI-Raleigh 753 Scale Model – New Arrival
I know there have been a few new SBDU frames coming through my door lately, but this is slightly different, this is not another addition to my collection of SBDU bikes... however, it is a very welcome new arrival ...
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1977 TI-Raleigh Team Pro SB1688 Reynolds 531 SBDU Ilkeston New Arrival
Frame number 12 of the current collection arrived! This is SB1688, a 56cm Reynolds 531 frame made in the middle to latter part of 1977 ...
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SB7121 SBDU Ilkeston 1985 Reynolds 753R Documented
I really do like to know everything I can about the frames in my collection. I like to be able to answer the "how long?" and the "how big?" and the "what is it?" type of questions for all my ...
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SBDU Ilkeston TI-Raleigh SB7121 1985 Reynolds 753R New Arrival
This is a little bit of an oddball. It's not even my size, a touch too small at 54 cm, but it was cheap and I wasn't going to turn down an SBDU frame at the price I offered ...
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SB Frame Number and Frame Detail Timeline – SBDU Ilkeston TI-Raleigh Specialist Bicycle Development Unit
Frame details..., it is all about those little frame details... Frame details are hard to change. They are individual elements, fitted to tubes and formed into a frame when the torch melts the filler. Paint and decals are not the same, ...
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1982 Raleigh Catalogue Featuring Jan Raas Track Frame JR178T from SBDU Ilkeston
While I was trawling through the multitude of sites on the Internet related to Raleigh literature, I found this catalogue. I believe it is from 1982. I know, I lead an exciting life!! ...
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The Geometry of an SBDU Ilkeston Services des Courses Road Frame SB6560
The "Services des Courses" frameset is described by the SBDU at Ilkeston as "...out and out 'Team Issue' framesets embodying our current thinking on design and construction..." ...
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Jan Raas TI-Raleigh Professional Team Track Frame Reynolds 531 1978 JR178T
When you think about the TI-Raleigh team and the riders that rode for it, most people probably come out with a few names. Joop Zoetemelk is one, for his 1980 Tour win; the next name could well be Jan Raas. ...
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My SBDU Ilkeston TI-Raleigh Wanted List
It's been a busy start to the year. January always seems to be busy with our photography businesses. New leases to organise, tax returns, accountants and a flurry of new clients to meet, not to mention trying to start my ...
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Shimano DURA-ACE 7400 Series – Is That A Perfect Partner for an SBDU Ilkeston Frame
I normally write about what I've been up to with builds, but sometimes I just need to get some of my ramblings and thoughts written down as it helps me to work out what to do ...
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SB6560 1984 Panasonic-Raleigh SBDU Ilkeston Services des Courses – A Close Up Look
It has arrived... it took a few weeks and was a bit of a saga, but it is here at last, and it is time to measure up and find out exactly what I have ...
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What's Coming To My TI-Raleigh SBDU...
Knowledge Base
It's on the way! It will take a while to populate but a knowledge base is designed and already available
Searchable Data
I have a huge amount of recorded data. I want to give everyone access to it by creating small online searchable SBDU datasets
Community
If you've created an account then why not talk to others. There are so many people who just love to talk about these bikes
YouTube Channel
Adding some Vlogging to my Blogging. I've always learnt more by watching rather than reading
Owner's Register
Create an account, log in and add your own SBDU frame details on a pre designed form
Sales and Classifieds
I've always been keen to create an online area for my own sales and hope to also have an owners private classifieds section too
About My TI-Raleigh SBDU
Thousands of people all over the globe have used these pages to research their own projects. So if you want to know more about Reynolds 753, SBDU frame details, the TI-Raleigh scheme or anything related to these beautiful bikes then you should definately read through these pages.
Trying to make sense and research and write about a workshop, the frames and the set of guys who built those frames is a big task. In fact it is a massive task! They only existed under the same roof in Ilkeston for a little over a decade, and for those few years, they designed and built bikes that beat the world over and over and they became the team behind the team – that team was the most successful team in professional cycling.
That success for TI-Raleigh has brought lots of information onto the internet, and I’ve given myself the job of sifting that information into the Good, the Bad and the Ugly. The ‘Good’ pile never seems to grow as much as the other 2! However, whatever does make it into the good pile is the stuff I like to write about and share. Hopefully what I find and share helps those with their own SBDU bikes…
Have a question?
Just get in touch and ask. I aim to give clear and unbiased advice and guidance, as quickly as I can.
I little about me, a little about my blog, a little about my bikes, a little about the details of these beautiful SBDU frames
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