BMX and Mountain Bikes
The Grifter was one of a series of new bicycles that were aimed at the youth market, building on the success of the Chopper. Its sturdy construction and thick tyres were well suited to off-road riding. Launched in 1976, it was initially designed as an alternative to the BMX and sold almost 750,000 models.
During 1982, the new BMX range was launched, epitomising the more adventurous style of cycling that had become popular, and rapidly sold over a million units. The BMX bikes were developed in association with a whole range of accessories, including helmets and gloves which accentuated the element of excitement that was part of a world that had become more about sport and stunts than traditional cycling.
Stunt riding was one of the appeals of the BMX craze, together with some serious off-road riding. Within the archive there is an article which tells the reader how to build their own BMX track, with features such as berms (corners), double berms and killer whoops.
Mountain (or 'All-Terrain') bikes were introduced in the late 1980s to replace the BMX. The BMX had been aimed at a fairly specific market - it was essentially a bike designed for young children, but ridden by 7-17 year olds; there was clearly a gap in the market which needed to be filled. 
The Maverick, launched in 1985, was Raleigh's first tentative step into the new sport of mountain biking. Although a popular pursuit in America, interest in the UK would remain relatively small until the 1990s, so early sales of the Maverick were disappointing.
The mountain bike (initially termed 'Dad's BMX'), had a much broader appeal and its success was such that they almost replaced the conventional bicycle. Marketing was clearly aimed to show off the rugged nature of these bikes, and how they could be ridden across any terrain. Raleigh was once again using the durability of their machines as a selling point - much as they had a century before.
