How much did a Raleigh Chopper cost in the 1970s?

People have asked how much a Raleigh Chopper bike cost in the 1970s. These are the prices that Halfords sold the Chopper for.

YearPriceIn today's money
1970£34 19s (*) £385
1971£33.50 £348
1971 - with extra high backrest£35.50 £370
1972 - Mk1£33.82 (reduced from £35.99)£318
1972 - Mk2£35.99 £340
1973 - Chopper Sprint£25.95 £225
1973 - Mk2£33.75 (RRP £37.50)£290
1975£37.95£230
1976 - Mk2£62.95 (reduced from £67.95) £330
1976 - Five Speed in pink£66.95£350
1977£67.95£310
1978£69.95 £295
2003 - Mk3£199.99£280

(*) 'Toys for a traditional Christmas' Moira Keenan, published in The Times 11 November 1970. Other prices are from Halfords advertisments in various national newspapers.

Raleigh Chopper Mk2

At the beginning of the 1970s the Raleigh Chopper sold for a premium over a more conventional children's bike. In 1971, Halfords sold their own brand 'Halfords Pathfinder' with an 18" frame and 24" wheels for £22.10 (or £225 in today's money).

The Chopper Sprint was not popular. It was a bargain in the 1970s. Today it is a rarity.

As the 1970s went on, the real terms value of the Chopper went down. In 1976 Raleigh lauched a new model for the same age group, the Grifter. The Grifter had a more 'off road' look to it. Although it came ahead of the 1980s BMX craze.

In 1980 Halfords did not include the Chopper in their adverts. They pushed the Raleigh Grifter instead.

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M Swithenbank

My perants got me a m1in yellow loved it one of the best bikes I ever owned it was easy to pull wheels on them

Keith
I really enjoyed all what I read about choppers history, I have fond memories as my parents bought me the red one in 1973. Thank you
Retrowow - vintage, retro and social history

Mid Century ★ Facts & Figures ★ Collectibles

Retrowow - vintage, retro and social history

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