2018 Raleigh Preston

The 2018 Raleigh Preston is an unusual bike that blends a cool vintage retro aesthetic with modern design and components. It is a modern chromoly steel-framed single-speed urban bike inspired by iconic Raleigh heritage models from the era when British roadsters owned the world.

This bike’s unusual components include an Eccentric Bottom Bracket (EBB), which adjusts the chain tension instead of the traditional horizontal dropouts. This mechanism rotates inside the frame shell, keeping the rear wheel fixed and cleanly aligned in standard vertical dropouts. The Reversible Copper Hi-Lo Handlebars can flip between a relaxed, upright position and a sporty, lower profile. Massive 700x45c wheels are larger in diameter and wider than British 28″ touring tires. They look like modern 29er gravel tires with an urban tread for smooth rides. This bike pairs vintage aesthetic with modern Tektro mechanical disc brakes for all-weather stopping power. Raleigh added decorative touches to commemorate its long heritage: etched brass metal plates with a Raleigh logo on the top tube, a custom chainring with the heritage Raleigh Heron logo cutout, and a Burnished Heron Head insignia on the leather saddle.  

This bike’s size is labeled as SM (Small), best for 5’4″-5’7″ riders; however, the seat tube length from the center of the bottom bracket to the top of the tube measures 21.5″, which is considered Large, if not Extra Large, by American standards. This bike was designed in Washington State, produced in 3 sizes, and sold in the USA for $600. Click here for complete info about this bike’s geometry.

I will overhaul this bike to its original state. It may be possible to build it with extra gears in a 1-by-X drivetrain.