Old Raleigh Banana, 531c, Shimano 105, 60cm

It's my understanding that two Banana models were sold, a more mass market version which you usually see and this one a more upmarket competition model with the 105 groupset, and a lighter 531c frame (correct me if I'm wrong). The whole bike weighs about 9k, pretty light I think for a steel frame.

Size is 60cm from centre of bottom bracket to top of seat post.

The bike has seen a lot of miles and has had little to no work done. The groupset (drive chain) is completely knackered and will need replacing before it can be ridden reliably. It still has the original Shimano 105 groupset.

Really you'd be buying it for the frame, and probably looking to replace most of the components.

I had harboured grand ideas about restoring this bike back to its original grandeur, but time and money go the better of me. It's served me very well, and it would be a great project for the winter for anyone with some nostalgia for this iconic early 90s (?) racer.

Anyway, I was hoping for around £130. Any offers?

I think it's fairly unusual to see this model come up (relative, as I said, to the more mass market version). But I'm up for a history lesson for anyone that knows details about these different models.

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More pics...

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Hi Theskieswere

Could you please tell me the frame number.

thanks

Ian

Dib's PM'ed

Ian,

There doesn't seem to be a frame number. Normally this is stamped underneath the bottom bracket cylinder is it not? Any ideas where else to look?

Frame number might be near the top of the seat tube?

The frame number, I've finally discovered on the BB shell is obscured by the cable guide, but the number starts - as best I can tell - WD80...

Reading up a bit more on these, this is definitely the rarer and nicer (lightweight) frame. It's a 1988 model. The mass market model was a 'Paul Sherwin' frame and not the Reynolds 531c that this is.

It seems this frame is actually pretty sought after, so £130 seems like a pretty good deal. Anyway, a couple people have expressed interest but still in discussion...

A few links...

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=138114

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12707700

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40013&t=12557438

This chap wants £290, but in much better condition.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Raleigh-team-banana-Reynolds-hand-built-531c-circa-1988-/161855784531?hash=item25af5b4653

As you can see from my pics above, the chainring is like shark's teeth, completely gone. As I said, it pretty much needs a full rebuild.

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Hi i just pmd again an will be happy to buy this.

Cheers.

has this been sold? a friend of mine might be interested

Hi all, this bike has now sold. Thanks for your interest.