Raleigh Strika

The Raleigh Strika was another bike that was made to look like a motorbike along with bikes like the Raleigh Chopper or the Huffy Thunder Road.

The Strika was extremely heavy and chunky though and actually felt like a motorbike. The front forks had immitation suspension and the foam saddle was huge making it really look the part as well.

Despite its ungainly appearance and handling qualities the Raleigh Strika remains one of my favourite bikes ever because when you rode this bike you knew that whatever (or whoever) got in your way you would be flattened. Kinda like the monster truck of bicycles really.

Comments




I had the silver Strika. Really loved that bike.
rusty111111-Sep-2012, 12:05:33 PM

Hi,

I had a Strika when I was kid - until now I thought mine was the only one that made that cranking noise!
This was probably one of the coolest bikes I ever had and I absolutely loved it until I outgrew it!
dcm337203-Oct-2010, 05:45:31 AM

Had a Black Strika (looked better than the silver one) used to ride round the block with my mate pretending we were the fella from CHiPs. Always wanted the sound effects box that were around those days for bikes, mum wouldn't buy one, so just made siren noises by mouth. Looking back no wonder the old ladies with trollys round our way used to shout at us to get off the pavement!
Malik16-Mar-2010, 12:50:39 AM

I had a silver strika, after about 3 years of owning it the right pedel came off and would not reatach as I think I may off cross threaded it.
Anyhow even though my Dad worked in an engineers workshop he would not take the bike into work to be retapped so I was left with a bike with one pedal, didn't stop me riding it though even though it was a bit awkward.
broxy27-Nov-2009, 10:38:24 PM

The Strika was virtually the same as a Raleigh Boxer, but in green with a back pedal brake!! What technology!!
DYR27-Sep-2009, 09:16:54 AM

Had a silver Strika and rode it to death (well, as much as you can with a Strika). Remember it being the absolute 'perfect bike' - right weight, size, balance, looks, the lot! Also remember frequently coasting with my feet up on the bar.
Sadly, also a very popular bike to steal (mine wasn't, btw, but my brother's green one was).
PC01-Jun-2009, 11:38:52 PM

Hanz 1968 is selling the NON-prizmatic Decals on EBAY. I have bought some. Good quality.
I have just started www.raleighstrika.com/forum Please have a look.

BB24-Dec-2008, 01:11:45 PM

i think the clanking was worn cotter pins in the crank making the arms clonk about although i could be wrong.. if anyone has a good condition strika for sale or some good condition wheels and raleigh super grip tyres to fit a strika/ boxer contact me 07830 363282,also some strika decals wanted or pictures and measurements/ colours of some.. appreciate it simon.. cheers..
tubeworm13-Sep-2008, 07:33:21 PM

this site is freaky. my past biking life is all here from the Raleigh Budgy, Strika and Bomber - great! I had a black strika and yes it clanked on every pedal stroke - i can hear it now. THey were murder going up hills as you chased pals on their new BMx with long cranks. As i've just mentioned on the bomber page, i have unearthed my old strika from the basement and its in really good condition - i had it for the last 25 years and i got it second hand. I'm off to read the raleigh budgy page now...
tystie03-Apr-2008, 01:59:43 PM

I was the proud owner of a blue and yellow Strika XL which i immediatly removed the metal mudguards from and learned how to do wheelies,bunny hops and all manner of dangerous tricks including jumping off ramps which would have had Evel Kneivel soiling his pants. How i didn't kill myself on that bike is still a mystery to me considering the last couple of years i had it with no brakes! It also developed a clank on the pedal which i never did anything about.Did anyone ever colour in the lettering on their tyres with chalk?
Matthew16-Jan-2008, 12:14:23 PM

oh yeah, mine was the Silver one, which i thank my lucky stars for, because my mate had the green one and the pedal back brake meant that he had to put his feet up when 'free wheeling' down hill and risk a massive tumble every time he tried to get his feet back on the pedals at the bottom. You'll know what i mean if you had one of them! Happy dayzzzz
prestodigitator01-Oct-2007, 02:03:06 PM

I had one of these fellas..It was, as previously mentioned, totally indestructible. My mates and i used to set up ramps with some bricks and plywood and jump over each other on our bikes. Bl**dy crazy looking back! I was about 7 years old, jumping over 3 or 4 people lying down on the TAMAC PAVEMENT on my Strika!
Yes, we used to come off a lot but that was part of growing up. Kids today, they don't know they're born etc etc.
prestodigitator01-Oct-2007, 02:00:35 PM

I use to love my strika a memeroble x-mas present all those years ago.It was silver, heavy and had a peddle back brake which i loved putting on at top speed the back tyre would make a loud screeching noise leaving a long black line along the pavement grrrreat...
peter the terrible11-Apr-2007, 07:02:57 PM

hi all , i am usually found banging on about the grifter but i have just gone out and bought two strikas , a red one and a black one , they are great little bikes , and as everyone says , they are bomb proof , if you can get one for your kids , its worth it , as it will out last them
steve edwards06-Feb-2007, 09:31:10 PM

Yes, there was a similar bike called a Boxer. I had a yellow one, and I think they also came in blue. The rear mud-guard was raised, giving it the appearance of a scrambler.
Kevin14-Jun-2006, 11:14:34 AM

Hi me again. By the way, I'm from edinburgh.sheldon if that woz ur fluro green strika, i stole it. Sorry - but it rocked!
Welto29-Dec-2005, 11:46:41 PM

I took a green strika a few months ago from outside someones house in the rain waiting for the garbagemen to pick it up. i resprayed it as it was rusty but the bike was great fun and looked class. It got stolen by a chav and i miss it loads. Im currently looking for one on Ebay.
Welto29-Dec-2005, 11:44:48 PM

Just read the note about the noise the Strika made... Yes it made a cranking noise on every turn of the pedals !!! Mine was a silver one and I used to ride it up and down my road singing "Silver Dream Racer" by David Essex - I guess the film must have been out around the same time. I'm now 32 and have a little boy of 2. I'd love to get him a silver Strika in time for him to learn how to ride. Anyone know of one I could buy?? Cheers, Mark
Mark Wright16-Dec-2005, 11:02:23 PM

I had a fluro green Strika when I was a kid and have fond memories pulling ?pedal back? skids in the lane by my house. This bike was testament to Raleigh?s engineering as I used to try and skid as close to my neighbour?s Reliant Robin as possible but ended up on its bonnet. The Robin came of worst for wear but the little Strika had no damage. Sorry Roy (neighbour at that time) it was me!
sheldon16-Dec-2005, 10:33:44 AM

My parents bought me a black Strika one summer and it was bad ass!! Completley idoit, mud, tarmac, bully proof. This should have been the A-Team bike! But I still remember the pain of slipping off the pedal and the chunky plastic pedal ripping all the skin off your shin!
Scotty15-Dec-2005, 04:24:33 PM

Was is just my Strika that made that clanking sound with every single pedal?
TerryF14-Dec-2005, 03:13:26 PM

I too had a strika they where indestructable. Was there not a similar type of bike to this and the grifter that was called a boxer? I vaguely remember someone in my street having a yellow one
scotia30-Aug-2005, 11:40:46 AM

My first bike was a black strika.absolutley bomb proof,still av it today,twenty years on!I own 2 others,red 1 and an early green with block pedals and a pedal back rear brake.
Brian porteous30-Jan-2005, 11:44:08 AM

Buy our new 80s book!

Tag this memory

  • (Multiple tags can be added using [space] to seperate words)