In 2023 | The "Raleigh Chopper" returns | #Raleigh #RaleighChopper
Channel: Tread Worn Journeys
Date: 2023-05-31

In 2023 the Raleigh Chopper is back - iconic bike from the 1970s returns.

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Updated for the 2020s, the Chopper still features the banana saddle and top tube gear shifter of the original.

Raleigh has relaunched the Chopper, probably its most famous model, in a new version updated to meet the safety requirements for all bicycles in the 2020s.

The new Chopper has the famous sprung banana seat of the original and even the top tube gear shifter, which was relegated to the bike’s bars in later versions of the Chopper, in deference to the march of health and safety. 

The MK 1 Raleigh Chopper was launched in 1969, but it was with the MK 2 Chopper, made from 1973 to 1985, that the bike really took off, selling millions worldwide and in the 1980s rescuing the Nottingham-based bike brand, which had once been the largest in the world, from near-bankruptcy. 

Raleigh has gone to great lengths to replicate the looks of the original Chopper.

The relaunched Chopper follows the design of the MK 2 Chopper, with a Cr-Mo steel frame and mismatched 20 inch rear and 16 inch front wheels.

As with the original, the 580mm riser steel handlebars are welded to the stem, so that they can’t be tilted backwards. Although later Choppers included derailleur gear options, the new bike replicates the three-speed hub gears of earlier models.

The "sissy bar" behind the saddle is there too, although it’s a few inches lower than on the original bike. As with that model, there’s the short rear rack to carry your frisbee or whatever and that funny mount in the headset to push your Ever Ready front light onto. Of course, there’s no sight of disc brakes, with rim brakes responsible for stopping power.

The company purchased a number of MK 2 Chopper frames, which, alongside the original hand-drawn technical drawings, which were scanned for new CAD design templates for the new bike built.

Despite its beefed-up frame and components, the modern bike's 18.4kg weight is similar to the original. 

Infra Red and Ultra Violet colour options replicate two or the original colours available for the Mark 2 Chopper.

The new Raleigh Chopper frame comes in one size, 37cm and the bike is available in two colours, Infra Red and Ultra Violet, again reflecting two of the colour options of the original Mark 2 Chopper.

The recommended retail price for the new Chopper is £950. That’s quite a jump from the £32 for which the Chopper originally sold. 

Raleigh describes the new Chopper as a limited edition, so it remains to be seen how many it plans to manufacture or if the Chopper will take off with kids (and their parents who remember riding the original) and again becomes a blockbuster bicycle.

It’s also offering a range of spares for the new bike, many of which it says are compatible with the original Mark 2 Chopper, so it might be time to dust it off if you still have one lurking in your shed awaiting a restoration project.
  
Thanks legends and I hope you're all well!  

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Mk 2

Mk2 1973 to 1985 The Mk 2 ("Mark 2") Chopper was an improved version sold from 1973. It had the lever shifter changed from a knob to a T-bar-style shifter. The Chopper Mk 2 remained in production until 1985, by which time the BMX craze had taken over its market.

Original models

MK2 - standard 3 speed models available in Infra Red, Ultra Violet, Fizzy Lemon, Quick Silver, Space Blue, and Jet Black (Prismatic decal model).
MK2 - Pink 5 Speed (Derailleur), Mk2 Lime Green 5 Speed(Derailleur).
MK2 - SE with cast alloy mags to commemorate 750,000 choppers

North American market

MK1 1969 'Tall Frames'; available as a single speed coaster (SC), 3 speed (AW - three speed and TCW - three speed coaster), and 5 speed (S5 - 3+2).
MK1 1970-1972  (SC), 3 speed (AW - three speed and TCW/S3C - three speed coasters) 5 speed (S5 - 3+2) 5 speed and 10 speed (derallieur).
MK2 available as a 3 speed (AW) and 5 speed (S5 - 3+2). 1973 -1984

Canada

The Glider Fastback 100 version was sold by Eatons of Canada
The Raleigh Chopper was also sold through Eaton's in Canada, badged as Gliders, and sold as the Fastback 100, Fastback XT101, SS357, ULT, Princess and MACH-2 models.

Worldwide sales

Raleigh sold the Chopper to many countries worldwide. In some countries Raleigh chose to sell Choppers with alternative brands. These included BSA, Hercules, Humber, Malvern Star, Phillips, Robin Hood, Rudge and Speedwell Fireballs.

Imitators

The success of the Chopper led to similarly styled imitators, such as the Pavemaster Trusty Tracker, Triang Dragster, Dawes Zipper, Panther and Vindec High Riser in the UK as well as the very close copy of an Mk 2 named "Cincoa" and in more recent years the Ground Cruiser which was sold in the UK at the same time as the release of the MK 3.