I've climbed some pretty steep hills and never had a major problem. I've also raced in 2 24 hour races with it and it's held up great. Smashed rear dereilluir on a rock though. GREAT BIKE FOR THE MONEY!!!!!!
I love the bike and it will be even better once i'm done with it. Its not the best but it gets the job done. It is a good bike for beginners, it was my first bike and its good for the trails and the road. It may not be able to match a Gary Fisher or Cannondale but it can handle the technical trails al the way.
Favorite Trail: Nothshore Trail at Grapevine Texas
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At: cycle spectrum
Similar Products Used: GT Saddleback 1999 Giant Iguana 1999
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Doug
a Cross Country Rider
from Long Island, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: August 30, 2001
Strengths: Sturdy, virtually unbreakable frame, pulls lightly for a heavy bike, low maintenance (translation: not too harsh on the lazy folk)
Weaknesses: Old design (96 is the same, different color, better parts), heavy: at 32 lbs, weighs the same as my GT 6.0 with full suspension
Bottom Line:
Great bike to start with. As a slightly heavier hardtail, it trades weight for improved stability, especially at high speeds. Solid downhill and cross country, extra weight a plus for snow riding. It was an excellent bike for the price and worked fine until slate riding popped a tire and rolled us down the mountain. Doing such a thing will probably break the handlebar bracket and bend a rim or two (must be a weakness in the design - j/k) Have to echo sentiments of other reviews: this is a beginner bike, though an excellent bargain, expect to ride it very hard then upgrade later. Solid steel frame takes every conceivable upgrade in stride and is not a disappointment.
Favorite Trail: Rocky Point, Suffolk County, LI, NY
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$125.00
Purchased At: Fell off the back of a truck...
Similar Products Used: '96 Raleigh M50, 2001 GT 6.0
Bike Setup: Shimano Alivio Parallax hubs (MC10 drivetrain), Shimano hyperglide cassette, Alesa rim/Cheng Shin tire rear; Weinmann Fusion rim/Cyclepro tire front, Shimano Alivio deraileurs and V-brakes, bar ends, Suntour fork (60mm), race pedals w/toe clips, hybrid gel saddle
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Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from Suisun, Ca USA
Date Reviewed: May 26, 2001
Strengths: great frame made in USA
Weaknesses: components are out of date- 7speed cog set w/ a 28 as the lowest gear?! Fork wears out in 6 months, needs serious attension
Bottom Line:
This bike is an ok bike. It does the job for me, but I just bent the rim, and while I'm replacing that, I might as well upgrade to an 8 or a 9 speed cog set, and while I'd doing that, I'll have to upgrade my shifter, and that's a one unit piece w/ my brake lever, so I have to replace that. Not to mentiont rims are cheaper in pairs, so I might as well get a front one, and as long as I'm at it, I'll get one w/ disc mounts so when I get a new fork, I can have disc front brakes...
It was a good start and fun while it lasted, but this bike is about to cost a lot more money. I'd suggest going a bit higher if the funds are available to you.
This is a good bike for the money!!!You get the frame of the more expensive bikes and the gears and shifters do it justice.Tires and saddle are more suitted for the road and light terrian.The only major complaint I have is being so low on the handle bars.Either 2" riser bar will help or a better stem.I have raced 2 beginner races with this bike and it handles real nice.If your new to the Mountain bike scene ,this is the bike for you.Don't buy it if you are a serious racer or 100 mile a day user.
Bike Setup: 2" riser bar handlebars,IRC Mythos tires,Avenir Command Air seat,Icon pedals
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Jason F
a Cross Country Rider
from Fairbanks, AK
Date Reviewed: December 4, 2000
Strengths: Cheap bike
Weaknesses: components are not for serious trail riding.
Bottom Line:
I use this bike to get around Fairbanks on road and trail. I have cracked the plastic pedals from trail riding. It is just fine for transportation and sure as hell beats walking. Grab the super clothes and set off into the winter sunset at 2:00pm.
This is the best damn bike i've ever had i go biking every were with my friends i bike 12 miles in a day (thats good cause i'm 11 years old)since i got it i'm faster than anyone i know the bike is the best if u don't have it ur screwed if u do ur gonna the best time of ur life get it get it get it the BEST BEST BEST DAMN BIKE say to ur self screw the damn price i'm getting it
Submitted by
Urban Dynamo
a Downhiller
from Layton UT USA
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2000
Strengths: +The Chromoly frame.
Weaknesses: -EVERYTHING ELSE!!!
Bottom Line:
I know Raleigh makes some good bikes, but come on, this bike they came up with is !%@#*& up!!! This design is very old (lets say 1994 old) with the threaded headset, the lowest end Shimano Easy Fire shifters, horrible horrible fork with a very old design that's just as complex as a department store bike fork, the "road type" ass numbing comfort seat, etc. I would only buy this bike if you're up to serios upgrading before leaving the shop with the bike. Replace everything: The RST 260 fork, the seat, the threaded headset, the shifters, the brakes, EVERYTHING!!!
>>>
:] Ideal Buyer- Someone who needs to upgrade from a Huffy.
My first mountain bike (the key word being first, that means there will be a second!). For the money, a great bike for a novice. You only remain a beginner for so long however... time to upgrade or buy a new bike after three months!!! I broke the stock seat at first crash. Everything else held up great. The weight and the suspension are definitely negatives. I have a blast on the beast though, so that is all that matters... I haven't been stranded yet. If I had read the MTB Review first I may not have been stiffed $369 in 2000 on a 1999 $300 bike (I must have been paying for free tune ups)! Still for that price I could find nothing comparable. Buy it if you don't have more $$$!!!
Submitted by
Chuck
a Weekend Warrior
from MAssachussets
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2000
Strengths: Good Price. Reliable.
Weaknesses: Fork doesnt like closly-spaced bumps.
Bottom Line:
Good bike, bought it 1 yr ago, rode mostly on the road till recently. Just started trail riding it in the past few months. Havent taken good care of this bike but its always worked for me. Wish I had put a little effort into maintaining it. Good bike for a beginner, good price. If you want to try this mountain bike thing out without plunking down 1000$ this is the bike for you.
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from San Luis Obispo
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2000
Strengths: Price, shifters
Weaknesses: tires, shocks, seat, frame, weight
Bottom Line:
I thought this bike was great the first time I used it but since then it hasn't been doing much for me. The front suspension is too soft for my tastes. The bike doesn't handle well. I can't stand those plush seats...they aren't as comfortable as they seem. It also doesn't fit me that well, but I probably have too big of a bike (18"). The tires kinda suck and the handlebars are too low. I paid $285 for it. Also, I started having problems with the gear shifting...sometimes it just won't go in gear. I think the Univega is a better bike. It's got better components, aluminum frame, higher handle bars, better handling, shifts smooth, and is German engineered. I just sold my M50 and am planning on stepping up to a Haro Escape 7.1 that I saw for $300.
Submitted by
Rob
a Weekend Warrior
from Raleigh NC
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2000
Strengths: Takes a beating well. Good value for the money.
Weaknesses: gears do not always shift smoothely, esp. from the middle to large chain ring.
Bottom Line:
A great value for the money and a good beginning bike. If you're new to mountain biking and want a good bike but don't want to spend much, I'd highly recommend this bike.
Submitted by
Barry Jones
a Weekend Warrior
from Baltimore
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2000
Strengths: Price, farme, seat, price
Weaknesses: foont derailer
Bottom Line:
This bike is my first true MTB. I like it!! The gearing makes my slighyly out of ahape a-- feel like I could ride for days. For the money buy it. Not top of the line but a good buy for $350.00
Submitted by
Goose
a Weekend Warrior
from Northern Michigan
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2000
Strengths: Great bike for the money. VERY strong frame.
Weaknesses: Heavy weight. Pretty crappy components.
Bottom Line:
I'm a big guy... 6'4, 230#, so I don't like anything other than steel. As someone else said in their write-up, buy this bike, ride the hell out of it, then upgrade it. The frame fits me very well, handles the stress of an extra-large rider excellent, and is a lot of fun to ride. I've even done a few races with it, with XT group on it. MUCH better.
If you are a big guy (or gal) and want to have some fun, buy this bike.
