Raleigh S.F. (Safety First)

A · Seen in a catalogueRoadster / utilityIn confirmed sources: 1938

The S.F. (Safety First) was Model 11 (gent's) and Model 12 (lady's) in the 1938 catalogue. The gent's had a 22in frame, 26 × 1⅜in wheels, a 48T chainwheel with an 18T freewheel and rod-operated rim brakes; a gearcase was an extra on the lady's. Raleigh later reused the numbers 11 and 12 for the Dawn and the Dawn Tourist.

Same name, different bikesModel numbers 11 and 12 were reused in 1958 (Dawn, Dawn Tourist).

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.

Gears and drivetrain

  • 48T chainwheel, 18T freewheel1938 · 11 (gent's) — Ebykr catalogue archive, p.31

Brakes

  • rod-operated rim brakes1938 · 11 (gent's) — Ebykr catalogue archive, p.31

Wheels and tyres

  • 26 × 1⅜in Endrick steel rims1938 · 11 (gent's) — Ebykr catalogue archive, p.31

Lighting and fittings

  • gearcase available as an extra1938 · 12 (lady's) — Ebykr catalogue archive, p.31

Catalogue appearances

YearName as printed · model no.DetailsSource
1938THE S.F. (SAFETY FIRST) MODEL 11 · 11 (gent's)22in frame; 26 × 1⅜in Endrick steel rims; 48T chainwheel, 18T freewheel; rod-operated rim brakes.Ebykr catalogue archive, p.31
1938THE S.F. (SAFETY FIRST) MODEL 12 · 12 (lady's)22in frame; gearcase available as an extra.Ebykr catalogue archive, p.31

Specs are as printed in the catalogue. Years are when the model appears in a source, not exact production dates.

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Sources

Last updated 19 October 2026. Every fact on this page comes from one of these.

  1. Ebykr catalogue archive: Raleigh 1938 catalogue 'The All-Steel Bicycle and Its Production' (transcription) (p.31)
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