Talk:Raleigh Chopper

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is the talk page for discussing improvements to the Raleigh Chopper article.
Article policies
Cycling Portal
This article is within the scope of WikiProject Cycling. WikiProject Cycling is an attempt to build a comprehensive and detailed guide to cycling on Wikipedia. If you would like to participate, you can edit the article attached to this page, or visit the project page, where you can join the project and contribute to the discussion.
??? This article has not yet received a rating on the quality scale.

Contents

[edit] Coolness

To quote from the article: "Nevertheless the Chopper was always the cool bike to own, and those who didn't have one were often envious of those who did." This is probably subjective. This may have been the case in the late 70s, but in my experience in the early 80s (in the UK at any rate), the Chopper was pretty much a laughing stock, especially when the likes of the Grifter and BMXes arrived on the scene. --Sonance 13:15, 13 April 2006 (UTC)

It's not subjective, but it does relate purely to the period roughly between 1972 and 1975. It is also true that, at that time, those who didn't have one were often envious of those who did. Hence the scare stories about it being a "dangerous toy" - perfect ammo for defending why you don't have one! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.179.117.193 (talk • contribs) 13:41, 1 November 2006

I agree with the above regarding the years they were "cool" probably 1971/72-75...although even as late as 75 was probably pushing it and I find it incredible that they were still making them in the late 70s as if you'd bought a new chopper in my secondary school at the end of the 70s people would have laughed their heads off... —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.152.33.177 (talk) 14:31, 24 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Small Choppers

"A smaller version aimed at younger children, the Tomahawk, was also popular."
There was a range of cycles from Raleigh, not just the Tomahawk, which had a similar style to the Chopper but were available for smaller riders. The range, starting with greatest first, was thus:
CHOPPER
CHIPPER
TOMAHAWK
CHIPPY
BUDGIE

Images of these can be found on the Raleigh Chopper Owners' Club: Raleigh Chopper Owners' Club

LewisR 22:20, 13 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Gearshift

Probably worth making the point that the Raleigh Chopper's frame mounted gearshift wasn't totally unique - I possessed a Puch Highriser with a 5 speed frame-mounted shift. It is true to say, however, that, Raleigh seem to have got there first... Paul-b4 09:01, 13 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Trivia

Moving unsourced trivia to talk:

The singer Lily Allen can be seen riding a chopper in the video for her song "LDN" and on the cover of her album Alright, Still.

Toddst1 (talk) 20:19, 29 November 2007 (UTC)