![]() ![]() Carlton came under the Raleigh banner during the spring of 1960, and for a time Reg Harris was member of the board. Raleigh needed this aristocratic brand to bring enthusiasts back to the company: Carlton was regarded as Tour de France material for the new world of leisure cycling beginning to emerge at the time. Reg Harris had been very impressed with Carlton cycles run by the O’Donovan family in Worksop (producing fine bicycles), and despite the small numbers produced had quickly won acclaim the world over. ![]() Harris however, still convinced at the need for a hand building section separate from the main works, suggested Raleigh buy an existing company already engaged in this hand built market. Harris was very enthusiastic, but the idea was shelved at the eleventh hour by Raleigh management, reason being it was ultimately contrary to the firm’s policy of reducing their number of brands. Harris, already well known to visitors of this website (four times World Sprint Champion), was discussing a new idea with Raleigh management: this was to form a new company called Reg Harris Cycles Ltd, that would hand-build specialist racing bicycles in small numbers in a vacant part of the Nottingham works. However it is important to understand the role Reg Harris played in the acquisition of Carlton. The Early History of Specialist Bicycles at Raleigh The Specialist Bicycle Development Unit at Raleigh was ultimately born out of the acquisition of Carlton Cycles of Worksop in 1960. ![]()
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