The 2024 Raleigh Chopper will be available in two colours \u2013 Fizzy Lemon and Space Blue \u2013 via the Raleigh website from 9 July at 12pm BST.\u00a0<\/p>
Off-the-scale enthusiasm<\/h2>The new Chopper has the distinctive gear shifter. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>Michelle Jakeway, Raleigh\u2019s activation manager, says enthusiasm \u201cwas off the scale\u201d when the Chopper returned last year.<\/p>
The bike\u2019s return received widespread attention across cycling and mainstream media, with an appearance on the BBC Breakfast Show.\u00a0<\/p>![\"Raleigh](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/06\/Raleigh-Chopper-Scott-Windsor-2024062786.jpg\")
There is a reflector on the back of the seat. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>\u2018\u2019The Raleigh Chopper really is the iconic bike. Everyone knows it, and countless people have fond memories of the first time they saw or rode one,\u201d says Jakeway.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>
Raleigh says the Chopper sold out online in minutes<\/a> and in-person sales at its Nottingham store saw overnight queues.\u00a0<\/p>Five years in the making\u00a0<\/h2>![\"Raleigh](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/06\/Raleigh-Chopper-Scott-Windsor-2024062785.jpg\")
The bike was inspired by chopper motorbikes, as seen in Easy Rider. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>While there have been remakes of the Chopper in the past, the 2023 version\u2019s likeness to the lauded MKII model, released in 1972, sets it apart.\u00a0<\/p>
The MKII resolved safety issues with the original MKI model, designed by Alan Oakley who came up with the idea after watching Easy Rider<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>The latest Chopper shares many of the same features as the MKII. These include a one-piece saddle, mid-frame gear stick and \u2018sissy bar\u2019.\u00a0<\/p>
Raleigh claims creating the near-replica involved five years of research and product development.<\/p>![\"Rear](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/06\/Raleigh-Chopper-Scott-Windsor-2024062792.jpg\")
The near-replica is said to have involved five years of research and product development. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>Speaking to BikeRadar last year, Lee Kidger, Raleigh\u2019s former managing director, who left the company soon after the release, said part of this process involved working closely with the internal hub gear manufacturer Sturmey-Archer to develop the gear shifter.\u00a0<\/p>
Raleigh also had to make several changes to the Chopper to comply with modern regulations. These included reducing the seat height and ensuring the handlebar doesn\u2019t protrude over the saddle.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>
\u2018A very difficult decision\u2019<\/h2>![\"Chopper](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/06\/Raleigh-Chopper-Scott-Windsor-2024062793.jpg\")
Kidger wanted the Chopper to evoke Raleigh’s heritage. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>Kidger explained to BikeRadar last year that releasing heritage models was a way to unite Raleigh\u2019s history with its modern electric bikes.\u00a0<\/p>
By pulling on the hearts and minds of people in evoking Raleigh\u2019s heritage, Kidger hoped the brand would convince people to cycle more and adopt electric bikes<\/a>, which he identified as \u201ca real growth area for the business\u201d.<\/p>But, despite pivoting towards this growing market, Raleigh has had a difficult year.\u00a0<\/p>
In November 2023, Raleigh\u2019s parent company, Accell, told ITV<\/a> that formal consultations for restructuring and redundancies were under way.\u00a0<\/p>Raleigh then confirmed redundancies had been made in January.<\/p>
Michelle Jakeway, Raleigh\u2019s activation manager, says enthusiasm \u201cwas off the scale\u201d when the Chopper returned last year.<\/p>
The bike\u2019s return received widespread attention across cycling and mainstream media, with an appearance on the BBC Breakfast Show.\u00a0<\/p> \u2018\u2019The Raleigh Chopper really is the iconic bike. Everyone knows it, and countless people have fond memories of the first time they saw or rode one,\u201d says Jakeway.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p> Raleigh says the Chopper sold out online in minutes<\/a> and in-person sales at its Nottingham store saw overnight queues.\u00a0<\/p> While there have been remakes of the Chopper in the past, the 2023 version\u2019s likeness to the lauded MKII model, released in 1972, sets it apart.\u00a0<\/p> The MKII resolved safety issues with the original MKI model, designed by Alan Oakley who came up with the idea after watching Easy Rider<\/em><\/a>.<\/p> The latest Chopper shares many of the same features as the MKII. These include a one-piece saddle, mid-frame gear stick and \u2018sissy bar\u2019.\u00a0<\/p> Raleigh claims creating the near-replica involved five years of research and product development.<\/p> Speaking to BikeRadar last year, Lee Kidger, Raleigh\u2019s former managing director, who left the company soon after the release, said part of this process involved working closely with the internal hub gear manufacturer Sturmey-Archer to develop the gear shifter.\u00a0<\/p> Raleigh also had to make several changes to the Chopper to comply with modern regulations. These included reducing the seat height and ensuring the handlebar doesn\u2019t protrude over the saddle.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p> Kidger explained to BikeRadar last year that releasing heritage models was a way to unite Raleigh\u2019s history with its modern electric bikes.\u00a0<\/p> By pulling on the hearts and minds of people in evoking Raleigh\u2019s heritage, Kidger hoped the brand would convince people to cycle more and adopt electric bikes<\/a>, which he identified as \u201ca real growth area for the business\u201d.<\/p> But, despite pivoting towards this growing market, Raleigh has had a difficult year.\u00a0<\/p> In November 2023, Raleigh\u2019s parent company, Accell, told ITV<\/a> that formal consultations for restructuring and redundancies were under way.\u00a0<\/p> Raleigh then confirmed redundancies had been made in January.<\/p>Five years in the making\u00a0<\/h2>
\u2018A very difficult decision\u2019<\/h2>