Carlton Bikes

Looking for a Vintage Bike? Try Carlton Bikes

If you are looking for a bike, make sure to consider vintage Carlton Bikes. These handmade Carlton motorcycles were designed to remain very lively and responsive, allowing them to be a great model for riding around the city. When shopping on eBay, you will also see vintage Carlton bikes built for racing.

Raleigh purchased Carlton in 1960, and the company was soon producing top racing bikes, including:

• Carlton Franco-Suisse: This racing bike built on a Reynolds 531 frame weighed less than 14 pounds, and it was the first Carlton bike to feature Campagnolo five-speed derailleurs. Four-, five-, eight-, and 10-speed options were available in this Carlton bike. These vintage Carlton bikes were the last ones designed before production stopped at Carlton Cycles in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, as Raleigh took over the company.
• Carlton Catalina - This bike was introduced in 1959 and sold until 1966. Workers made the frames on these vintage five-speed bikes of 2030 steel tubing. When shopping for these bikes on eBay, realise that they have anodically coloured finishes designed to help them withstand abrasions and be easier for others on the road to see at night.
• Carlton Flyer - First introduced in 1937, this model continued to be the company's club model well into the 1960s. This vintage 10-speed model frame and components changed many times during this model's lifetime with track and fixed-gear vintage Carlton bikes often built to owner's specifications. This bike often sported GB deep-drop handlebars and a Weinmann brake set.
• Dynamic Clubman - You may find these Carlton bikes for sale on eBay in either red or black. These five-speed bikes were designed to follow classical Latin-bike design trends, and many international racers rode these vintage Carlton racing bikes.
• Carlton Corsa - The blue and yellow Carlton Corsa bike came in five- or 10-speed options. This bike model had centre-pull brakes and short stainless-steel guards.

After Raleigh took over Carlton bikes, they kept or introduced several five-gear bike models, including the Corsa, Cobra, Criterium, and Carlton Continental bike. All of these models were also available in 10-speed options. Additionally, the company produced the "531" Ten, Kermesse, and Equipe as 10-speed bikes. The last Carlton bike was built on May 29, 1982.

When shopping for Carlton cycles for sale, those built before 1967 had a serial number stamped on the left side rear dropout. If the number starts with an A, then the bike was built in 1934. If it begins with a B, then it was built between 1940 and 1948. If the serial number starts with a C, then the bike was built between 1948 and 1952. Bikes with serial numbers beginning with D were built in 1953 or 1954, while those starting with E were built in 1955 or 1956. Those starting with F were built in 1957 or 1958. From that point forward, the next letter in the alphabet indicates a new year. Vintage Carlton bikes made in 1973 or after have a seven-digit serial number, which may be preceded by zeros. The last digit of the serial number indicates the year that workers built the bike.