SB3505 1980 SBDU Ilkeston Reynolds 753 TI-Raleigh Team Pro Campagnolo Super Record Headset

Specialist Bicycle Development Unit (SBDU)

The SBDU Blog | A small selection from my 250+ SBDU blog posts

The SBDU Blog

Raleigh’s Specialist Bicycle Development Unit

I’ve researched and blogged about the SBDU since 2011. This was after buying my first SB numbered frame, and finding that there was almost no information available online to help confirm my questions about what I was buying.

My initial aim was simply to write about my build of SB4059, sourcing the parts, and seeing the bike come to life. But it quickly snowballed, and my interest expanded at a pace, beyond my own frame, and into the unit itself. Before long, I was blogging about different frame styles, and frame features, documenting and sharing everything I was finding. As my collection of SBDU frames was growing, I was finding and buying more original frames. This meant that I could confidently ensure that the information I was publishing was accurate. This was really important for establishing my blog as a safe place online to find correct information.

After 12 years, an amassed collection of approx 60 frames, 250+ blog posts and in excess of 300,000 words, I stopped blogging. I removed my blog posts. There were a couple of reasons for that decision. One of those reasons was a reaction to negativity I was constantly receiving from a group of folk. You can read a little about that period here.

However, over the past 12 months, my mental health has improved and I’ve decided to release a small selection of the huge volume of posts I’ve written on the subject of the Specialist Bicycle Development Unit.

I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them.