The Record Ace is Model 45 in the 1938 catalogue, offered in 20, 21 and 22in frames on 26 × 1¼in wheels, with a 46T chainwheel and a radially spoked front wheel. Peter Kohler records that the name returned in 1957 as the R.R.A. Modèrne; the 1958 catalogue lists it as Model 57, gent's only, in Reynolds 531 butted tubing with 22, 23 and 24in frames and 27 × 1¼in high-pressure wheels. Raleigh later reused the name for different bikes: a high-tensile Record Ace in the 1978 US catalogue and the Record Ace 12, a Reynolds 531 tourer, in the 1984 UK catalogue.
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 butted tubing1958 · 57 — Ebykr catalogue archive, p.13
- Raleigh 20-30 high-tensile steel1978 — Ebykr catalogue archive, p.27
- Reynolds 531 double-butted tubes with taper-gauge stays1984 — Ebykr catalogue archive, p.12
Gears and drivetrain
- 46T chainwheel1938 · 45 — Ebykr catalogue archive, p.17
- two fixed sprockets, Sturmey-Archer 4-speed (FM) or Cyclo 5-speed derailleur1958 · 57 — Ebykr catalogue archive, p.13
- SunTour 7GT1978 — Ebykr catalogue archive, p.27
- Campagnolo Gran Sport derailleurs1984 — Ebykr catalogue archive, p.12
Brakes
- G.B. alloy brakes1958 · 57 — Ebykr catalogue archive, p.13
Wheels and tyres
- 26 × 1¼in light Endrick steel rims1938 · 45 — Ebykr catalogue archive, p.17
- radial-spoked front wheel1938 · 45 — Ebykr catalogue archive, p.17
- 27 × 1¼in high-pressure1958 · 57 — Ebykr catalogue archive, p.13
- 27 × 1¼in1978 — Ebykr catalogue archive, p.27
Catalogue appearances
| Year | Name as printed · model no. | Details | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1938 | RALEIGH RECORD ACE MODEL 45 · 45 | 20, 21 or 22in frame; 26 × 1¼in light Endrick steel rims; 46T chainwheel; radial-spoked front wheel. | Ebykr catalogue archive, p.17 |
| 1958 | R.R.A. Modèrne, Model 57 · 57 | Gent's only; 22, 23 and 24in frames in Reynolds 531 butted tubing; 27 × 1¼in high-pressure; two fixed sprockets, Sturmey-Archer 4-speed (FM) or Cyclo 5-speed derailleur; G.B. alloy brakes. | Ebykr catalogue archive, p.13 |
| 1978 | Record Ace | Spec table only: Raleigh 20-30 high-tensile steel; 27 × 1¼in; SunTour 7GT. | Ebykr catalogue archive, p.27 |
| 1984 | RECORD ACE 12 | Section: Lightweight Tourers. Reynolds 531 double-butted tubes with taper-gauge stays; Campagnolo Gran Sport derailleurs; Fern Green. | Ebykr catalogue archive, p.12 |
Specs are as printed in the catalogue. Years are when the model appears in a source, not exact production dates.
Other sources
| Year | Name · variant | Details | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | The Record Ace (R.R.A. Model 26) · 26 | Catalogue title in the Ebykr index; contents not read. | Ebykr |
| 1957 | R.R.A. Moderne | Kohler: the Record Ace was re-introduced as the R.R.A. Moderne in 1957. | Retro Raleighs (sheldonbrown.com) |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1934 | Raleigh Record Ace · Model No 45 | Page title only. | Online Bicycle Museum |
| 1947 | Raleigh RRA | Online Bicycle Museum | |
| 1948 | Raleigh Record Ace | Online Bicycle Museum | |
| 1957 | Raleigh RRA Moderne | Online Bicycle Museum | |
| 1973 | RRA | Chronology lists an RRA in lugged, butted Reynolds 531 throughout. | Retro Raleighs (sheldonbrown.com) |
Sources
Last updated 19 October 2026. Every fact on this page comes from one of these.
- Ebykr catalogue archive: Raleigh 1938 catalogue 'The All-Steel Bicycle and Its Production' (transcription) (p.17)
- Ebykr: Ebykr catalogue archive – index of Raleigh items
- Retro Raleighs (sheldonbrown.com): Peter C. Kohler, 'The Raleigh Lentons'
- Ebykr catalogue archive: Raleigh 1958 catalogue 'Magic Carpet Cycling with Raleigh' (transcription) (p.13)
- Ebykr catalogue archive: Raleigh 1978 catalogue 'Ride With the Winner: Team Raleigh' (US) (p.27)
- Ebykr catalogue archive: Raleigh 1984 catalogue 'Racers: The Race-Bred Raleighs' (transcription) (p.12)
- Online Bicycle Museum: '1934 Raleigh Record Ace (Model No 45)' (page title)
- Online Bicycle Museum: 'Raleigh Cycle Co – the early years' (tour page)
- Retro Raleighs (sheldonbrown.com): 'A Chronology of Raleigh Models'