I bought a "fat bike" in the autumn. SWMBO nearly decapitated me. But I escaped with my life and bits intact.

I had to remove bugs from my teeth, I was smiling so much the first month of riding it. Imagine a rigid mountain bike, with motorcycle wheels and tires. What a blast.

As I have watched Brit movies and TV shows, it became apparent that, as you observed. they were really transportation. I'm looking at a new frame and ride this spring, and I'm wondering if I shouldn't go with a Classic. The new styles and models and 'ol folks' bikes are just too ugly to contemplate, y'know?

Good riding, too all.

Not only did Raleigh own multiple brands, they also controlled the manufacture of almost all their parts, including the terrific Sturmey Archer hubs, the Brooks saddle company, and on and on.

Consider that these weren't sporting bikes for the Brits; they were daily transport to and from the train station, and before that, from farm to town or town to town, predating the automobile. The first modern paved roads were arranged for cyclists, who tired of riding through horse manure.

Great bikes, and the quintessence of British industry. Raleigh manufactured EVERY part for their bicycles... every nut, bolt, "tyre", reflector, steel tube, all the paint, the leather seats... and, I assume, the rifle mounts pictured here.

Can't speak to the asking price, but such a rig would be fun, in addition to historically interesting.