Raleigh Bicycle Company the mid-1960s, TI–Raleigh owned Brooks (one of the oldest saddle makers in the world), Sturmey-Archer (pioneer of 3-speed hubs), and Reynolds (maker of 531 tubing). Carlton, which had been unable to make inroads in the USA market after a failed rebranding deal with Huffy, found success in the late 1960s by recasting itself as "Raleigh-Carlton", a Raleigh-logo'd bike with some Carlton badging, and using the US dealer network to import and distribute bikes. The Raleigh Chopper was designed by Nottingham native Alan Oakley, though this has been disputed by Cambridge designer Tom Karen. The Chopper was patented in the UK
Chopper bicycle to make their own. Arguably, a bought 'chopper' is not a 'chopper' at all, because no chopping was done—only a commercial transaction. There are various cycling groups and clubs around the world that feature chopper bicycle riders, such as the Choppercabras, Chopaderos, DHC Den Haag Cruisin', Freakbike Militia, Cranksters, SCUL, and C.h.u.n.k. 666. Such groups encourage all chopper bicycle riders to join them on rides celebrating different events and holidays. Because the frame of a chopper bicycle and a chopper motorcycle can be strikingly similar, and of a high enough quality/durability, it is relatively common to have an empty space,