I’ve always kept an eye out for anything interesting and different with an SB frame number, something that might expand my collection and add a new dimension, even if that means moving outside my comfort zone of the Specialist Bicycle Development Unit (SBDU) at Ilkeston. My initial interest, and basis of the collection and blog was always Ilkeston built frames, but this moved on when I got my first SBDU Nottingham frame, I now have 3 Nottingham built SB frames, SB8851, SB8868 and SB8945. Today things have moved on again with the arrival of SB9529.
It has certainly opened up a few new avenues of research as this frame is built using the bonded Dyna-Tech technology, the tubing is different to the standard Reynolds range, the rider name is interesting and of course there is Raleigh’s Special Products Division which is an entirely new area for me. I’m really happy to now have an SB frame from three different eras of Raleigh’s specialist production.
Together with the SB frame number of SB9529, and the size stamp of ’50’, it is also stamped S.DAY.PROTO, so hopefully that reference will be my starting point for researching not only this frame but also a bit about Special Products. The BB has suffered from some corrosion and it was difficult to get an image of the frame number, but the fork column confirms it.
I’m not going to write reams today, I have a few things to check and find out before I write another post; this is just a little introduction of the frame using a few initial images.
All I know so far is that this is a 700c/650c low profile Raleigh Dyna-Tech, built with 2070 steel tubing circa 1991/1992. I have several records of later built SB SPD frames in this number range so I’ll try and pin this SB number down to a specific year when I get stuck into my checks.
The frame has an internally routed rear brake cable, number tag fitting, front derailleur brazed fitting and RALEIGH stamped vertical frame ends.
I’m looking forward to finding out lots more about this frame in the coming weeks. You never know, it may well spring a few surprises on me.
I love the colour scheme of this frame. Metallic purple and silver always work well together.
It is definately nicer than some of the later schemes that Raleigh came up with. I’ve just been told that this frame was one ridden, and which won the 1992 National 100km Team Time Trial.
S DAY could be Simon Day.
It is indeed Simon. I’ve received a few photos from Simon of him riding this frame, when I get a chance I’ll publish another post.