Triumph Traffic Master, Raleigh 20, try-out ride & chat. Why everyone should have one.

[@williamwinslowhansen]

The twenty rides like a full size bike , it’s smooth and solid , with decent tires on it a trail or hard gravel surface is just fine . Stock brakes suck , my longest ride on a twenty was sixty miles a few fitter years ago. On a flat surface no problem and kinda a quickish ride in top gear . I have two 20s left . Owned so many over the years I’ll never part with my last two . Love 20s

[@rocky5755]

Grew up with a Triumph 20 (made in Ireland I think) - it was a great bike.

[@TheRickurb]

I was secretly hoping for a Brompton owner to throw a hissy fit in the comment section. Oh, well…

[@trevorcullen566]

Great bike raleigh twenty still lots about cheap for a classic raleigh Great for taken to campsite got 2 mys

[@ianallen2]

I have put black grips (but need changing for new ones) and a black seat on my Twenty. Also black BMX wheels. Thinking of fitting black brake cables on it too.

[@JonByrne]

I had a Traffic Master for a little bit before i got my Brompton and i enjoyed it. It was a much uglier version than yours though. I love my Brompton for communting into the city centre, nothing beats it for beating the traffic, but there are plenty of times i would prefer that cushion of air you get on a 20 tyre. Handling wise, much like every bike i have owned, they just take a little bedding in and its like riding a bike 😊 Have you seen one of the moder Raleigh Hoppa bikes which seem to be a homage to the shopper. 24 inch wheels, 3 speed and steel framed. They dont seem to have taken off too well though.

[@Sidrafonas]

Hello! what are those grey tyres ? Thank you

[@unbalancedcrank]

They came with the bike. I will ask the current owner to have a look.

[@frankdevaney5156]

Nice vid and as you say a nice bike. Recently acquired the folding version in blue. I live in Thailand mostly, so may bring it back with me in parts to use over there as a travel bike, ought to fold down enough for the car. Got a non folding R20 back there already. Also recently given a Puch Promenade - rides very well. Hoping to come by a Dawes Kingpin at some point, then there's the BSA, and Hercules, and Sun.......... :)

[@Blodwyn-RobA]

I think your observations on the Brompton are perfectly fair and reasonable. They are nice bikes, and I like them, but they have their downsides. Ride quality being one of them. I've not had a Raleigh 20, but I did once have a Parkway, which I believe has the same wheel size. If it doesn't, it's not far off. It did provide a more comfortable ride...despite the saddle and tyres being awlful 😅

[@harbourwoodlandvisitor2445]

i just bought an 81 stowaway. the white unsprung seat the bike had on it felt as if it was some kind of middle ages torture device. i could not ride for more than 15 minutes, was just so painful. i swapped it for a black Raleigh sprung saddle from the 1950s. it is super comfy. I just bought a brooks leather sprung saddle to try in a light brown/tan colour. i have never owned a brooks before so something to look forward to trying out for the first time. i love the little bike. its great.

[@chagas99z]

Nice. I have 2 brompton and 4 twenties, one of which is fixed. Yes, they roll well and feel good, but it’s really hard to compare a brompton with dual pivot brakes and a modern saddle. The brompton is twitchier but stops a lot better and has more gearing options. But… strip a 20 of it mud and chain guards, put a brooks saddle on, and swap some in alloy wheels and higher pressure tyres… that’s a whole different story! Sheldon figured this out a long time ago :-)

[@unbalancedcrank]

I made a folding Sheldon Brown 20 back in 1999. Twas much fun!

[@harbourwoodlandvisitor2445]

i googled for knew Raleigh stowaway decals. couldn't find the right ones for my 81 stowaway. any suggestions to where i can find the correct set. thanks.

[@julianruneckles2198]

I bought a Dawes kingpin folder as a cheap folder to have alongside a Brompton and preferred the ride of the KP. My son now has the KP and his girlfriend a twenty they love them.

[@doronron7323]

Do I detect a touch of sales patter here, Rowan? You didn't give your 'Shopper' such a glowing report, I recall. You are quite correct; considering a well preserved 20 offers a genuinely better built bike than many modern utility cycles, everything about it is substantial in all the right areas, so why they are so undervalued is a mystery to me at least. You used the terms 'girly', 'cute' and 'sweet' to describe the 20's. Indeed it is. However, just this morning I googled 'Cross Framed Cycle' and to my surprise I discovered this configuration has a respectable lineage, two examples popped up from the 1880's, one by Rudge, the other by Peugeot (there were others). Half close your eyes and there's the 20's pedigree/influence. Clearly a well thought out engineering solution, bearing in mind that was the same period as the wonderful 'Dursley Pedersen'. The 20 must be seen in its proper context; it was never envisaged as a 100 mile a day Cornish tourer. The first 20's indeed had a forward curved steering stem, which could no doubt be included in later orders upon request. Curiously the later U-framed models had the curved stem.....so it was always available. Also comparing the fully rigid 20 with anything supplied with suspension is surely fatuous? A proper sprung leather Brooks saddle would contribute another level of comfort and instantly increase the value exponentially! Hopefully favorable reviews like this will give this fine cycle a little of the respect it deserves.

[@andywalker7582]

Your regular reminder that Rowan needs our help if this channel is to continue. Please become a Velocipedian to thank him and allow him to continue sharing his knowledge and passion with us.

[@ianallen2]

I think Bromptons would be better with 20" wheels. In wheels, size matters.

[@rogerhudson9732]

For me the 20 inch wheel size is the best available, it let firms create folders without having to have suspension . The Royal Enfield, Dawes , even Raleigh.

[@doronron7323]

Raleigh did the same frame, using 18, 20 and 24'' wheels. No guessing what they were called!

[@another3997]

​@@doronron7323 There was also the Raleigh Denim for girls and the Commando for boys, both based on the Eighteen, which, unlike the Twenty, didn't have the strut brace underneath. It's amazing how many 'different' bikes Raleigh could make from a couple of standard frame designs. 😁

[@harbourwoodlandvisitor2445]

i just bought an 1981 Raleigh stowaway never owned one before until now. it appears to be in good condition. the chrome shines brightly and the paint is ok but i had to change the tyres for knew. what should the psi be in both front and rear and also was there a front rack produced as an extra option for the 81 stowaway?

[@doronron7323]

Originally 50psi max. All the 20 family could be fitted with a Raleigh optional front and or rear rack. Indeed the entire range would happily accept the companies dedicated optional extras. The 'Stowaway/Folders' don't really collapse into the dimensions of a modern folder. I can't understand Rowan favoring one; to my mind all you get is extra weight, yet the thing is too heavy to be carried easily for any distance.

[@beardyface8492]

@@doronron7323 They fold small enough to be dropped in a typical car boot or behind the seat in a hatchback without dismantling, & qualify to take on most trains without a reservation though, even if they're somewhat awkward (actually a PITA) to manage in the latter case. Which also inclines me towards them over the non-folding version. Though I'd prefer a modern folder to either if I were going to do those things with any regularity.

[@harbourwoodlandvisitor2445]

thanks for the reply. the tyres that came with my stowaway bike had good tread but the side walls have some signs of major disintegration. the old tyres that came with the bike felt much firmer and solid when inflated to there maximum of 65 psi. the brand knew Raleigh records i put on say there max psi is 55. but when riding the back tyre seems far too squishy not firm enough compared to the old tyre and there seems to be room for little extra psi. i inflated the back tyre to 58 psi and it feels much firmer much better when riding. i realise 55 is its max but it just felt too soft and i only weigh 12 stone. i just wanted peoples thoughts on over inflating the back tyre to 58 over its max if 55 psi. am i running a risk of exploding the tyre?

[@beardyface8492]

@@harbourwoodlandvisitor2445 I wouldn't worry about 5% ish over, assuming your pressure gauge is that accurate. I can't actually recommend going above what it says on the tyre wall, but I'll quietly mention that the manufacturers always test to a much higher pressure than they mark on the side.

[@doronron7323]

@@harbourwoodlandvisitor2445 Just a thought; have you checked the spoke tension?

[@MUSIKPENYEMBAHAN]

Amazing... How much?

[@unbalancedcrank]

Sold

[@rustyrover3808]

The RSW was the first small wheeler from Raleigh, copying the Moulton. Nice bike but like you say worth very little unfortunately 👍

[@doronron7323]

An RSW in the same condition as this Triumph will fetch 4 times as much on a good day, yet it is inferior...hence the 20!

[@unbalancedcrank]

I would love a mark 1 RSW16 in green with cream tyres and all the kit. My mum had one and I rode it a lot as a kid

[@doronron7323]

Remember the 60's TV series 'The Prisoner'? The RSW could be seen in 'The Village'.

[@doronron7323]

Raleigh even bunged an engine into the RSW....becoming the Wisp! What a novelty.

[@another3997]

​​@@unbalancedcrank I was in my local bike shop yesterday, and hidden behind several brand new, modern bikes, was a little RSW16. It looked well used, but in good condition. Unfortunately it's a display item and not for sale. Still, lovely to see one, and I'd like to get one, even if they weren't that good to ride. 🙂

[@FrancoDX]

I had this exact same model and also fitted the grey Schwalbe tyres, I think they were on offer at Bankrupt Bike Parts at the time. Nice bike, I only sold it because a green Stowaway in good condition came along. Thanks for the video 🙂

[@unbalancedcrank]

Maybe this is yours!

[@FrancoDX]

I did look twice but mine had working dynamo lights, a 22T sprocket and the original cable housings. I had to modify the chainguard clamp to higher the chainguard and get clearance on the chain with the larger sprocket. I think you are right about adding a black saddle, grips etc. as much as I like keeping these original they can look like a child’s bike.

[@grantbaldwin2236]

What sort of price were you thinking to sell it for with the modifications you mentioned doing? I couldn't find a direct messaging button - apologies.

[@unbalancedcrank]

Just the same. You can email me on [e-mail]

[@andywalker7582]

I didn't know it was for sale!

[@kennethmclaren8064]

Didn't Dawes do a version carnt remember what it was called. Would be a good bike for going to shops panniers on etc.

[@kennethmclaren8064]

I can remember seeing an old British film where this guy arrived outside his office on a small motorized scooter bike with very long stem handle bars he folded down and picked up the bike scooter and carried it inside

[@kennethmclaren8064]

It was like the electric ones people stand up on today there's a lot of the past inventions in today's world.

[@doronron7323]

The Dawes was called the 'Kingpin' which, just as the 20, came in a 'folder' version. The Dawes was a little lighter but has a reputation for the main frame rail bending. Unheard of with the 20.

[@kennethmclaren8064]

@@doronron7323 thanks seen one on the internet but couldn't remember the name

[@Mick_Holland]

That would be the Dawes Kingpin. I gave mine away about a month ago. Nice enough bike which rode well but I didn't have the time or inclination to bring it back to VG condition. I've since seen it for sale for £70. Haha.

[@tonythetourist2025]

Strip the paint, and paint it military OD green and call it a vintage mini bug out bike.

[@ianallen2]

Are you FrankCrank ?

[@frankdevaney5156]

Nay fella, I am the one and only true FrankCrank :)

[@doronron7323]

I remember 'BlankFrank'.

[@ianallen2]

@@frankdevaney5156 I just wondered as on the cycle forum, FrankCrank said he was going to ride his triumph traffic master the next day and this video was on of a traffic master. :)

[@unbalancedcrank]

I don’t do forums/fora. Hate them.