The Competition GS appears in the 1976 US catalogue, the Competition in 1977, and the Competition G.S. in 1978 with Reynolds 531 double-butted tubing, Campagnolo Gran Sport and 700c wheels. In the 1984 UK catalogue the Competition 12 used a Reynolds 531 Competition tube set with SunTour Cyclone II gears, in Iridescent Green. Retro Raleighs' chronology gives 1968 for the first Competition, still to be checked.
Known components
Listed exactly as our confirmed sources give them, with the year and source for each. A part listed for one year or version may not apply to every bike, so check against yours.
Frame and fork
- Reynolds 531 double butted1978 · GS — Ebykr catalogue archive, p.4
- Reynolds 531 Competition set1984 — Ebykr catalogue archive, pp.3–5
Gears and drivetrain
- Campagnolo Gran Sport1978 · GS — Ebykr catalogue archive, p.4
- SunTour Cyclone II1984 — Ebykr catalogue archive, pp.3–5
Wheels and tyres
- 700c1978 · GS — Ebykr catalogue archive, p.4
Catalogue appearances
| Year | Name as printed · model no. | Details | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Competition GS · GS | Page caption. | Retro Raleighs (sheldonbrown.com), p.6 |
| 1977 | Competition | Page caption. | Retro Raleighs (sheldonbrown.com), p.3 |
| 1978 | RALEIGH Competition G.S. · GS | Reynolds 531 double butted; Campagnolo Gran Sport; 700c. | Ebykr catalogue archive, p.4 |
| 1984 | COMPETITION 12 | Section: Lightweight Racers. Reynolds 531 Competition set; SunTour Cyclone II; Iridescent Green. | Ebykr catalogue archive, pp.3–5 |
Specs are as printed in the catalogue. Years are when the model appears in a source, not exact production dates.
Unconfirmed mentions
These come from a single uncited or enthusiast source. They are not used for the dates, components or confidence above. If you can confirm one from a catalogue, please tell us.
| Year | Name | What it says | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Competition | Chronology gives 1968 as year introduced. | Retro Raleighs (sheldonbrown.com) |
| 1983 | Competition (Raleigh USA) | Chronology: lugged Raleigh 555. | Retro Raleighs (sheldonbrown.com) |
Sources
Last updated 19 October 2026. Every fact on this page comes from one of these.
- Retro Raleighs (sheldonbrown.com): Raleigh USA catalogue 1976 – page index (p.6)
- Retro Raleighs (sheldonbrown.com): Raleigh USA catalogue 1977 – page index (p.3)
- Ebykr catalogue archive: Raleigh 1978 catalogue 'Ride With the Winner: Team Raleigh' (US) (p.4)
- Ebykr catalogue archive: Raleigh 1984 catalogue 'Racers: The Race-Bred Raleighs' (transcription) (pp.3–5)
- Retro Raleighs (sheldonbrown.com): 'A Chronology of Raleigh Models'