Raleigh Equator ATB/MTB

[keithh]

Hi, Can anyone hep me?

I have a raleigh ATB/MTB (more like a hybrid in today's terminology) called an Equator. It has a chromoloy frame, is burgundy in colour, has 21-speed shimano gears and is in great usable condition. It has no suspension and has rim brakes (not discs). The gear shifters are via triggers on the handlebars.

I am contemplating buying a newer bike but wanted to try and match the quality of the Equator against any new bike to see what improvements have been made since the bike was made as every new bike I have looked at so far for a reasonable price appears to have inferior parts to my "old" bike.

I think my Equator is 10-15 years old but cannot find any information on the net or via Raleigh to learn more.

Can anyone provide specs, pics, reviews etc for my Raleigh Equator bike (part of the Yoyager Series of the 1990's).

Thanks for any help.

[admin]

Hi Keith, thanks for signing up
Your old bike is a bit too new for this forum as we mainly deal in older bikes.
saying that, we do have some clever chaps (and chapesses) here that may be able to point you in the right direction.
If not I suggest trying www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/ as they mainly deal in ATBs from yester year.
Hope that helps and enjoy the forum
Paul

[jojo]

hi ya welcome aswell !!

[capitano]

Hi keithh from a fellow newbie.

Would that be a Raleigh Terrano Equator?

If it is, it's probably late 90s (V-brake introduction era) and came with a 501 frame, and low spec Alivio/Acera (but certainly not the lowest spec) Shimano gear fitted.

Personally I'd stick with it unless you want an allspringing alldancing MTB like the modern kids have got. I don't but that's just me.

You can replace the Shimano gear with better spec stuff as it breaks or wears out. STX/Deore spec will undoubtedly fit straight on. You may have to do this when the front chainrings wear out as I don't think that they were replacable separately with below Alivio spec cranks.

Bikes like yours and my old Saracen were meant for riding, not sitting in sheds or worse, being scrapped. So I'd say ride it and save your new bike money for upgrading it. ;D

[keithh]

Thanks for the reply. My bike is made from 4130 Chromo tubing, not 501 and had older "centre-pull" cable brake mechanism (very simply, just a few cables) which works extremely well.

I had thought of replacing the bike with a newer model but don't need/want disc brakes or front or rear suspension as I mainly ride on roads or rough tracks (never been up a mountain and not likely too so don't need all the fancy extras). The nearest modern equivilent is a "hybrid" model such as a Claude Butler Urban 500 but doesn't seem any better than my old Raleigh.

I have been told by a local dealer that my bike is one of the last "real" Raleigh's, whatever that means!?

Been reading up on frame construction too and the modern trend for aluminium frames may be misplaced - my old steel frame works fine and is easier to repair should anything happen to it.

Maybe I'll stick with the oldie for a while longer - it is completely silent (no clicks, rattles or rasps).

[capitano]

OK 4130 not 501 and having pre-V brakes too probably means it's a year or maybe two older than the model I was thinking of.

If you do want to upgrade the brakes a bit I'm guessing that Shimano V brakes will fit straight on. The Shimano Deore V brake went on in place of my STX front centre-pull with no hassle whatsoever.

As I said previously I'd stick with it.

[keithh]

Thanks. Think I'll stick with the old bike for the time being. Good to have my own thoughts reinforced by someone else.

[capitano]

Blimey, even I don't rate my advice, usually!

Seriously, I follow the same logic with my off-road ride too clicky ;D

[carter]

hiya mate i hope these pics help, sorry about the poor quality but the scanners gone on the blink so i had to photograph the catalogue

[keithh]

Thanks for the post - that's my bike!!!

[kaiser]

If your mainly riding road Keith, I'd stick some slim tyres road tyres on it, if you haven't already, you'll notice the difference....

although I've not ridden them myself, Schwable Big Apples are apparently the muts nuts...................thats according to my mate Charlie, and he knows his stuff........he runs them on his Big Dummy

www.charliethebikemonger.co.uk

and keep the old steel running.

[doorbundle]

Hi,
Firstly, many thanks for the pictures and information on this thread.
My son, up until recently the proud and happy owner of an Equator in good condition, has had it stolen from outside his digs in Edinburgh.
I know that I have noted the Frame Number 'somewhere',at home but locating the 'somewhere' is proving elusive.
I understand that production of the Equator was fairly limited within around 1996.
Does anyone have knowledge of the broad range of frame numbers in which his bike may fall, to assist in the event of its recovery.
Thanks for any assistance.
DB

[BB]

Sorry to say that I can't help but hope you find the bike again for your son.

[glengrifter]

Hi doorbundle im in edinburgh and work in a bike shop which takes in old bikes and sells them ill have a look in the warehouse fr you do you have any pics ?.ps i have mk2 chopper for sale

[doorbundle]

Hi BB and, Glengrifter,
Thanks both for your kind consideration.
Glengrifter,I would be grateful if you could check your warehouse.
The bike is very original equipmentwise,with Burgundy paintwork as per the Raleigh leaflets posted above, with some age related scratches to the frame/decals etc, size is 21" or 22" (Mens) Frame it has new Schwalbe 'Black Jack' puncture resistant Front and Rear Tyres, Recently fitted (New) plain gloss black enamelled Raleigh Front Forks, Newly fitted Front + Rear Derailleur Cables.
The bike is serviceable rather than pretty!
Plastic Mudguard fitted to Rear seat pillar and Front Down tube.
The Front Diagonal Down tube is marked where the clamp of my bike carrier has scored the frame.
The bike was stolen from Thirlestane Road, Marchmont, Edinburgh overnight 24/25 September 2012.
The theft has been reported to Lothian & Borders Police.
Hope this helps.
Thanks in anticipation.
DB