Any comments on Raleigh bicycles?

[flot]

Hey guys -

About a month ago my bike got stolen and asked on here for suggestions.. well turns out what I'm really looking for is a "hybrid" mountain/cruising bike in the $250-500 range. I've looked around in person and online, and so far one of the more promising ones appears to be the Raleigh SC200. Looks like it runs about $400 and appears to have most of the features I'm looking for.

Anyone have any experience with Raleigh bikes in general?? Any hardcore folks have opinions on the quality of components in this particular bike?

Thanks!

 

[flot]

Wow.. nobody?

 

[ugh]

I had a Raleigh BMX bike like 10 years ago. Umm... All I can say that it's built tough

 

[radioouman]

I have a 1995 Raleigh M60 that has been a great bike. I replaced the saddle as soon as I bought it, but I've only ever broken 2 spokes. That's it! (nothing else has ever broken!) I don't do a lot of hardcore offroad riding, but I do a lot of on road riding and light off road riding.

Raleigh M60

 

[klod]

I have a 2000 Raleigh M80, and the lady friend has a 2001 M45. We've been very happy with them. You can read some reviews on Raleigh bikes at MTB Review.com

 

[sohcrates]

my dad got a $400 raleigh last year about this time (2001 model i think). can't remember model, but it has to be close to what you're looking at

he uses it a lot and loves it. it's certainly not a performance bike or real mountain bike, but it's a nice hybrid ride and the shock works pretty well up front, he doesn't have any complaints

 

[CraigRT]

I used to own 2 Raleighs
they are only running on their old reputation of being the best bikes.. they certainly are not.. but they work.. they are heavy (sign that the bike really isn't so hot) other than the frame, all raleigh does is add whatever components they need to after that. frame weight and construction practically decides if the company makes good bikes or not..
i had a concorde team comp. right after my Raleigh Serengetti and the frame cracked after less than a year by the bottom bracket
then i got a Gary Fisher Supercaliber made of 6061 Easton aluminum.. it's still mint, and it's 23.5 lbs complete.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I own a 2001 Raleigh M80. I paid $600 for it and got it at the first of the year. They had just switched to the manatou shocks on it when I got it. The bike has held up nicely for what I've put it through. I've racked up about 500 off-road miles and about 250 citified miles on it so far and haven't had to do anything except replace the brakes. However, I've managed to bend the front chain-rings...my legs are too strong.

 

[JupiterJones]

Never had a Raleigh, but a friend use a Portage for touring and a Team for racing. He is a big fan. The frame on the Portage did break after about 5,000 miles. He had it repaired and still loves the bike.

 

[flot]

Thanks guys, will see what else I can dig up... I think this one was listed @ 28 lbs, I'm really not sure if that's good or bad... (I don't know offhand how much my last bike weighed...)

 

[Atrail]

Never heard of them...

 

[MongGrel]

Never heard of them...

They have been around a long time, I know in the 70's even they were top of the line, buddy of mine had one.

His was not an off road, they have been around a long time.

Still have an old Fuji Palisade road bike I haven't used in ages.

Similar to that but teal, with 25" thin rims, rat traps etc.

I used to own 2 Raleighs
they are only running on their old reputation of being the best bikes.. they certainly are not.. but they work.. they are heavy (sign that the bike really isn't so hot) other than the frame, all raleigh does is add whatever components they need to after that. frame weight and construction practically decides if the company makes good bikes or not..
i had a concorde team comp. right after my Raleigh Serengetti and the frame cracked after less than a year by the bottom bracket
then i got a Gary Fisher Supercaliber made of 6061 Easton aluminum.. it's still mint, and it's 23.5 lbs complete.

Apparently, they may have changed over time.

I'd imagine they are still a long way from a low end bike.

 

[Phoenix86]

I don't do a lot of serious offroad driving, but I do a lot of on street driving and mild off street driving.

13 year old bump. Impressive.

 

[MongGrel]

13 year old bump. Impressive.

Yeah I should look at that more often.

I still should restore that old Fuji though, if nothing else to sell it. Was a pretty serious racing bike in it's day.