This swanky new Raleigh Chopper is the best kind of nostalgic frivolity
Denim saddle? We never had no denim saddle when I were a lad...
A Raleigh Chopper! I used to have one of these as a wee bowl-haircutted nipper
You and everyone else in the ’70s and ’80s, chum. But this isn’t an antique. No sir, this is a brand new production. A reissue, if you like.
One for the Shoreditch crowd, then?
Oh, come on. For starters, they’re all in Peckham now. And there’s nothing try-hard about indulging in a bit of nostalgia, is there? Especially when it comes in such a nice package (no pun intended) as this Chopper.
So what are we looking at here?
Well, it’s not a knock-off. This limited-edition version is produced by Raleigh, rocks a striking gloss-black-and-gold paint job on its aluminium frame, features a denim saddle and back pad, swanky leather-look grips and a healthy amount of chrome.
As well the original Chopper’s three-speed gears?
Nope, this one goes a little further: there’s a six-speed Shimano derailleur.
I bet it’s stupidly pricey
Not so! In fact it costs less than a new graphics card: £250 at Velorution. Better be quick, though – fewer than 400 are being made.
Halfords is also selling a more standard-looking three-speed Chopper for the same price – but we’d urge you to opt for the limited-edition black version while you still can. And then it’s off to recreate scenes from E.T. in your local quarry/building site/woods.
Sam Kieldsen
Contributor 