Discover 6 Iconic Vintage Raleigh Bikes of Your Childhood
In the Britain of the 1970s and 1980s, Raleigh bikes meant everything to kids. They represented freedom, rebellion and a rite of passage all wrapped up in steel and rubber. The banter would be all about who had what bike, who’d seen what model, and in every park and street you’d see these iconic machines roll gracefully by. The 70s and 80s were ‘the’ halcyon years for kids growing up … in my opinion anyway! So, today we’re taking a trip back in time to check out six more street legends, six Raleigh bikes that left a big mark on kid’s hearts and sometimes, let’s be honest, parents’ wallets! Join me as we take a look at six more famous Raleigh bikes from the 1970s and ‘80s and see how they stack up in order of sales and popularity!
To watch the YouTube video, follow the link below.
Raleigh Vektar
Coming in at number six, we’ve got the Raleigh Vektar.
Released in 1985 and produced for only two years until approximately 1987, the Raleigh Vektar was way ahead of its time. With its electronic dashboard packed with digital gadgets like an odometer, futuristic sound effects and built-in speedometer, it was like having a sci-fi spaceship for a bike – yes, flashy and a bit over the top, but it was certainly unlike anything else on the market at the time! In fact, the Vektar is now a collector's item due to its limited production run and distinctive design.
Cards on the table, it wasn’t cheap and I think it’s fair to say that you didn’t see many on the street. In 1985, the Raleigh Vektar was priced at around £209 in the UK, which was expensive for a children's bike at the time. As a result of the high price, it was an elusive bike, here and gone in time, almost mythical. You might even call it the unicorn of the bike world!
As a result of the cost, it’s estimated that Raleigh sold around 50,000 to 100,000 Vektars to a small but very loyal group. If you had a Vektar, you were the king of the street and the envy of your mates, the kid with a bike from the future. Ahead of its time, maybe, but unforgettable nonetheless. But if the truth is told, for most kids, it was more of a dream than a reality and despite being able to reach warp speed, this is reflected in its overall low sales figures and its position at number six in our list.
Raleigh Commando
Moving on to number five in our list, we have the Raleigh Commando.
Made between about 1973 and 1980, the Commando was designed for kids aged roughly around 5 to 10 years. It was a sturdy, affordable bike with a straightforward design, appealing to that wide age range of kids who wanted a simpler alternative to the Raleigh Chopper.
It was designed as a rough, reliable bike and was built like a little tank for the streets. Like we’ve already said, it was simpler than the Chopper, definitely, but more accessible, something every kid could have. And so, the Commando became a staple for families and remained popular right through to 1984.
In 1973, the Raleigh Commando was priced at around £35 in the UK. This price reflected its position as a robust and stylish children's bike during that time period, appealing to parents looking for a durable and long-lasting option for their kids or at least until they outgrew it!
While precise production numbers for the Raleigh Commando are not readily available, a focused estimate suggests that around 70,000 to 80,000 bikes were produced between 1973 and 1980, making it one of those solid, steady choices for parents who wanted a bike that could handle the daily rough and tumble.
There’s no doubt the Commando's design and features contributed to its popularity in the youth bike market. It was known by anyone who owned one for its strength and durability. It had this sturdy, no-nonsense frame and a rugged look that made it feel like a mini tank on two wheels. The Commando wasn’t flashy, but it was reliable, and it felt right at home bouncing down Britain’s roads and paths."
Raleigh Tracker
At number four in our list, we have the Raleigh Tracker.
Built between about 1983 and 1986 the Raleigh Tracker was introduced to capitalise on the BMX craze. The Tracker offered a sturdy design and BMX-inspired features, making it a hit among teenage riders in the UK during those halcyon years of the 1980s.
In 1983, the Raleigh Tracker was priced around £70 to £80 in the UK. It was the bruiser that Raleigh threw into the ring during the BMX boom - knobbly tyres, a rugged build - the bike you’d ride down any street, into the park or down any dirt track, trying out your best stunts to impress your friends.
It’s estimated that around 75,000 to 125,000 Trackers rolled off the production line between 1983 and 1987, each and every one built for those rough-and-ready kids wanting a taste of BMX action. The Tracker was for the young Evel Knievel’s, the daredevils not afraid to scrape their knees. It has to be said, it wasn’t just a bike; back in the 80s it was considered a badge of honour by kids in the BMX scene.
Raleigh Bomber
At number three in our list, we present the Raleigh Bomber.
The Raleigh Bomber was produced from around 1983 to 1986. It was designed as a rugged BMX-style bike, appealing to kids interested in BMX and off-road cycling. The Bomber featured a sturdy frame and was part of Raleigh's push to capture the growing BMX market during that period. This wasn’t a bike for young kids, it was for pre-teenagers who wanted let’s say, a little bit of street credibility as they were growing up.
The Bomber was primarily aimed at boys, and was designed as a fun, stylish bike, emphasising a sporty and adventurous look, similar to American "clunker" bikes that were popular in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The design included features like wide balloon tires, a low-slung cruiser style frame, and ‘cowhorn’ handlebars, which appealed to kids looking for a unique ride
In 1983, the Raleigh Bomber was priced at around £50 to £60 in the UK. This price positioned it as an affordable option for families looking for a sturdy BMX-style bike for their kids.
While exact production figures for the Raleigh Bomber between 1983 and 1986 aren't definitively recorded, it's estimated that the Bomber was one of Raleigh's more popular models during its production run. So, it’s reasonable to estimate that tens of thousands of Bombers were likely sold, possibly approaching 100,000 units over its production period, particularly considering the demand for BMX-style bikes at the time.
It's safe to say it was a go-anywhere bike for teenagers looking to break away from the smaller models, giving them a way to stand out and feel grown-up for the first time on two wheels.
Raleigh Strika
We’re now at number two in our list, with the unforgettable Raleigh Strika.
But before we explore some of the detail, we need to confirm one thing - the Raleigh Striker and ‘Strika’ refer to the same bike, though the name ‘Strika’ was often used in marketing and advertising in certain territories, particularly those located outside the UK.
The Raleigh Strika was manufactured around 1976 to 1983 and was part of the Action Bikes range, smaller in size than the Grifter but larger than the Boxer, with frame dimensions designed to accommodate 6 to12 year olds.
In 1976, the Strika cost approximately £37.50 in the UK based on catalogue prices I’ve found. This model was marketed as a durable, entry-level bike aimed at pre teenagers who wanted something sturdy but affordable. It became popular for its simplicity and toughness, making it a favourite choice for kids who enjoyed a lot of outdoor riding.
This bike was everywhere. If you didn’t have one, you knew someone who did. For many British kids, the Strika was a taste of freedom and with its simple, sturdy design, it was built to last.
With around 100,000 plus bikes sold, the Strika was one of the undisputed kings of Raleigh bikes in the UK during the 70s and 80s. Whether you were riding around your local estate, cruising down the pavement or racing down the street, the Strika was all about learning the ropes, making friends and above all, enjoying the ride.
Raleigh Tomahawk
And finally, at number one in our latest list, drum roll please …
We have the Raleigh Tomahawk.
Produced between around 1972 and 1982, the Raleigh Tomahawk was the younger brother to the mighty Chopper. Designed as a smaller, more accessible version of the Chopper, the Tomahawk featured a similar muscle-bike style, making it ideal for younger riders who wanted the aura, look and feel of the iconic Chopper.
The Tomahawk became popular during the ‘70s and early 80s as it offered younger kids an entry-level bike with the same style and appeal as their cooler older siblings.
The Raleigh Tomahawk cost around £20 in the UK in 1972 and like other Raleigh bikes of the time, its affordable price and on trend design contributed to its popularity.
Based on available data, approximately 100,000 to 200,000 Tomahawks were sold between 1972 and 1982, each one a tiny pavement powerhouse.
For many people, when they travel back in time and remember the Tomahawk, they think, ‘That’s where it started for me, that’s where my love of bikes really began.’ For a lot of kids, the Tomahawk was the bike that gave them their first taste of true independence on the street and for that reason alone it deserves its place at the very top of our latest list!
Now, based on the comments received in our YouTube videos, there’s definitely some debate around which Raleigh bike was the most popular in the 1970s and 80s. So, I’ll briefly explain why, in my opinion anyway, the Raleigh Chopper still comes out on top and ahead of the Striker.
Firstly, based on the available data, the Raleigh Chopper sold more units than the Raleigh Striker, albeit over a longer period of time. So, I suppose, that’s the crux of the debate?
The Raleigh Chopper, introduced in 1969, sold around one and a half million units by the time it was discontinued in about 1980, making it one of the most iconic bikes of its time worldwide. And it has to be said that it was so popular that although the original production of the Chopper ceased in 1980, there have been reissues and special editions produced in later years, including relaunches in 1990, 2004, 2009 and 2020 … but that’s a whole other blog!
The Raleigh Striker on the other hand, sold approximately one million units, roughly half a million less than the Chopper, albeit over a shorter period of time, primarily from its launch in 1978 to the end of production around 1982 as the BMX trend evolved and new models were introduced.
After its discontinuation in ‘82, Raleigh focused on other models, particularly as the BMX trend evolved and new designs emerged.
The Striker remains a nostalgic classic for those who owned one or who remember it from their childhoods, but there have been no official relaunches or modern versions produced since the early 1980s.
By the early 1980s, the bicycle market was shifting towards BMX and mountain bikes. Models like the Raleigh Burner and various BMX bikes became more popular, capturing the interest of young riders.
The Striker, which was more of a traditional bike, simply fell out of favour in a rapidly changing market.
And it has to be said, while both the Chopper and the Striker were incredibly popular and iconic in their own right, I also took into account the Chopper's cultural impact and its highly distinctive design, which without doubt helped it secure a place as one of the best-selling bikes in British history.
So, there you have it, six more top selling Raleigh bikes from the 1970s and ’80s, from niche to national big-sellers, each one carrying memories, each one marking a moment in a kid’s life. From the rare Vektar to the ever popular Tomahawk, these Raleigh bikes were more than just metal and wheels. They were dreams, freedom and represented adventure on two wheels.
Which bike did you ride into the sunset and what are your memories?
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Thanks for joining me and I’ll see you next time!
