The bike of a small but iconic team that took part of it's name from a cyclists favourite fruit

The Raleigh Banana Team’s distinctive time trial bike from the late 1980s stands out as a rare and fascinating piece of cycling history. Built in 1988 specifically for prologues during the 1989 season, this bike features a striking banana-shaped sloping top tube, a design choice that gave the team its memorable name. Only two complete team bikes were made, and the surviving example is now owned by Dave Marsh of the Universal Cycle Centre in Rotherham, making it an exceptionally rare artefact from that era. The bike’s construction reflects the cutting-edge technology of its time, combining Reynolds 753 tubing bonded into alloy lugs, a technique reportedly overseen by legendary Raleigh builder Gerald O’Donovan. The frame’s unique shape was likely more a marketing statement than a purely aerodynamic innovation, although it did align with the period’s focus on lowering the rider’s profile. Other features include Campagnolo C-Record groupset components, Campagnolo Delta brakes, and a saddle from Selle Italia, complemented by ITM handlebars wrapped in yellow Benotto tape. Marsh recounts how the team managed the logistics of using two bikes tailored to riders’ sizes, with mechanics on hand to swiftly adjust equipment between runs. The original racing wheels would have included a 700c disc wheel at the rear and a deep-section 650c at the front, though the current wheels on the bike are training models. This glimpse into the past highlights how professional cycling technology and race-day operations have evolved significantly since the late 1980s. The story of this bike not only preserves a unique chapter in the history of Raleigh and British cycling but also underscores the blend of innovation, style, and practicality that characterised the sport’s development during that period. As a rare surviving example, it offers enthusiasts and historians alike a tangible connection to a time when aerodynamic experimentation was just beginning to shape the future of competitive cycling.