Strengths: Great frame, decent components, decent wheels, and has been able to keep up with me as my riding improves. Same frame as the M80
Weaknesses: Man the stock front shcok has to be the worst on the market.
Bottom Line:
This bike is a great beginers bike with good components. The frame will handel all you can throw at it an more. Must throw that pos shcok out the window asap. If your lookingto get in the market buy this bike you wont be unhappy.
Bike Setup: Only thing that is origianal is the frame. xtr hubs, rear derailer, chain shifters, xt front derailer, rear cog, ryno light rims, 100mm judy sl, raceface stem, seat post, and truvativ hassinfelt crank.
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Submitted by
Eric Jordan
a Weekend Warrior
from Beaverton, Oregon USA
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2001
Strengths: Overall, a reliable bike, well-built frame, easy-to-use shifters and brakes, many places for potions-water bottle holders, rear rack, mudguards, etc., easy to make adjustments and repairs...
Weaknesses: They could do a little better job on the tow clips; the screws to keep the clips on the pedals can go loose every once in a while, and they are a pain in the neck to tighten.
Bottom Line:
I've had 4 bikes since 1989-every one of them gets better. I got my raleigh M60 for my 14th birthday in 1999 and I love it! It's strong, reliable, and full of nice little features. anyone who spends his/her time both on road and off road should consider this bike a possibility. It's about $500.00 loaded, but you get what you pay for. they seem to last longer, too...I took my Mongoose Stormer to the shop at least 4 times, and I only took this bike to the shop ONCE for a minor replacement part: the plastic piece for the rear wheel gears. Overall, this bike is solid, dependable, and a good value- you don't have to pay $1,000 for a decent bike.
Purchased At: Bridgetown Bicycles (out of business now)
Similar Products Used: 1996 Mongoose Stormer (formerly owned bike)
Bike Setup: RST Front shocks, quick release wheel hubs and seat post, 24-speed shimano quick shift gears with Shimano IG chain, extended handlebars, Toe clip pedals, water bottle holders, rear rack, front APEX mudguard, front and rear rim brakes, and aftermarket Cycle computer and front cateye light.
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Submitted by
doobwob
a Cross Country Rider
from spring, texas
Date Reviewed: August 7, 2001
Strengths: Great bike, lightweight, fast shifting and breaking, comfortable. Its a great bikefor beginners and maybe some intermediate riders. Any better should definetely go higher$$$.
Weaknesses: nothing that couldnt be fixed. Seat that was provided was uncomfortable.
Strengths: It has fast shifting and good brakes. A great set up for the price. A much better fork than last year. Has a strong frame. Probably the best bike for the price range.
Weaknesses: The fork is still not the best raliegh can put on it. They should upgrade it to at least a judy.
Bottom Line:
Raleigh makes great strong bike for a good price, but they should upgrade all the shocks for all of them.
Bike Setup: i added a great difference to mine which is rock shox psylos xc. They help a lot more. The rest is the same.
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Submitted by
vinny h
a Weekend Warrior
from chicago, IL
Date Reviewed: December 11, 2000
Strengths: sturdy, solid frame, good value, mediocre parts,
Weaknesses: terrible shock, mediocre parts,
Bottom Line:
This is a pretty solid bike and in response to John D from Austin and in support of William in Dallas,(assuming that John has a '99 M80,) there shouldn't be a difference in the feel or quality of the bike. You have the exact same frames, just different component spec. John, you are ignorant to even say that your bike is so much better than your friends. Even if u have the '00 M80, the performance coming from your frames shouldn't be much noticed. And anyway, stop knocking your friend for riding on the M60, just as long as u both go out and ride. Believe me, I ride a '00 M60 and perform just as well or usually better than any bike I've ever ridden. An M80? PLEASE!!! I could whip you on any trail on any day on my M60 frame!!! Do you know why? BECAUSE IT'S NOT ABOUT THE BIKE - IT'S ABOUT THE RIDER!! Now stop raggin' on the M60 and go RIDE!!!
Bike Setup: '00 Raleigh M60 w/RS Judy Race, DeoreLX/Acera mix drivetrain, on a Sun Ditch Witch wheelset paired to Michellin Wildgripper DH 2.2 Soft tires
Strengths: Nice soild bike for a smooth solid ride
Weaknesses: HORRIBLE stock Shocks Rst 260s... HORRIBLE... if you want to replace something. Thats the first thing that must go.
Bottom Line:
I think it a a Sweet midrange bike that is durable, quick responce, and soild for under 500 dollars. I been ridin it for about a year and it has brought me nothing but smooth, nice and solid rides. I ride this bike EVERYWHERE! I bring it all over the place. I been on many trails with it and I been nothing but pleased. It gives me such quick responce with the Shimano XT rapidfire shifters and such a smooth landing off of jumps. It is a PERFECT mountain bike for someone looking for a midrange price bike with many upgrades for it. SWEET BIKE!
Bike Setup: Manitou Sx R's, Kore aheadlite stem, Easton Ea70 bar, Bontrager rims,Shimano XT shifters/ levers with xt deraliuer (front/back)
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Submitted by
sulli
a Weekend Warrior
from East Lansing, MI
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2000
Strengths: light, cheap, does what you would want any mountain bike to do!
Weaknesses: rst 260 shock, very bad shock, may as well not even have a front suspension. more for looks, could find a better suspension at walmart! replace it right away!
Bottom Line:
Love it! Light aluminum fork, STX-RC rear derailler shifts flawlessly every time all the time. Comes with decent treko brakes. I like grip shift so, that's cool! Alivio front derailler can't complain.
I ride very aggresively with this bike and it has held up to everything I have put it through! I plan to race it yet this year!
Only paid $400 for this bike! If it were any other bike it would cost $600 or more, I know cause I'm helping my brother look for a new mtb!
Bike Setup: Raleigh 1999 m60, 747 clipless pedals, and a marzocchi DH3 on the way!
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff Mannion
a Weekend Warrior
from Hudson, NH
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2000
Strengths: Super value. Quality components - certainly not the manufacturers top end stuff, but top brands none the less. I've read many of the other reviews, and the big gripe was the fork. Raleigh has changed to a Rock Shox Jett, which is quite a bit better than what came on the '99 model. The new colors for '00 are really nice as well. I bought the yellow fade to black, and it looks really sharp.
Weaknesses: The pedals are still terrible, so that was the first upgrade, but I don't really plan any more except maybe a suspension seatpost.
Bottom Line:
Super value, new forks on the '00. Hot new colors. Why spend $650 if you can get an M60 for $430? Perfect for the rider looking to get into the sport, and plans on being somewhat serious, but doesn't have tons of cash lying around.
I RIDE AN M80. THIS IS A RESPONSE TO THE SORE BOOTIED, HIGH-ON-THE-M60 BUDDY OF MINE WILLIAM FROM "BIG D". NICE REVIEW YOU HAD THEIR BUD, BUT YOU DIDN'T STATE THAT YOU HAD TO GO OUT AND BUY THE SUSPENSION SEAT ADD-ON FOR $100. YOU MIGHT AS WELL OF BOUGHT AN M80. ONCE I WORKED THE KINKS OUT, I HAVEN'T HAD A PROBLEM ONE. MY ADVICE, GO OUT AND BUY THE M80...ITS WORTH IT!
Strengths: Quality of parts Price Lightweight frame
Weaknesses: Grip Shifters can sometimes lag getting into gear. 86'd the seat right off the bat and put a Selle Gel on. Pedals are bad, and don't even think about getting them wet.
Bottom Line:
My friend bought an M80 and brags how much better it is than the M60, but I have not seen ANY performance evidence to support this claim. I love this bike, and can't believe I waited 16 years to start riding again. If you are looking for form and function this is the bike for you.
Submitted by
dave rono
a Weekend Warrior
from las vegas,nv
Date Reviewed: December 10, 1999
Strengths: looks,paint and components
Weaknesses: saddle,good only for short ride,one hour.
Bottom Line:
i am a first time buyer of bike,when i first saw this bike at the bike store,i really fell in love with this bike because of the looks and paint.the only complaint i have on this bike is the saddle,thats ok,i'll just upgrade it with selle italia, i love this bike.
Weaknesses: Suspension needs a lot of help. I recommend asking for a better tire, even if it means a few more bucks.
Bottom Line:
If you want a $700 to $800 bike for less than $500 even with a few upgrades the M60 is it. I have yet to find a bike that offers you all these options at a price a po'folk can afford. Buy it if your ready to experience an affordable, fun and easy ride.
Similar Products Used: Trek 8000, Kona(several Types)I'm the only guy to admit this but yes, I even once rode a Huffy.
Bike Setup: Stock
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jack
a Weekend Warrior
from South Windsor, CT
Date Reviewed: October 27, 1999
Strengths: Value (Bang for your bucks) Decent components Quality assembly Ride feel
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
Raleigh's marketing folks did a great job finding a market segment for folks who are not ready/willing to spend over $300 for their first bike. The components (wheelset, cogset, brakes, etc.) are well selected and matched with each other. In fact, it was my pleasant surprise to find Shimano catridge in the bottom bracket. Frame is made of 7000 aluminium (reinforced at headset and down tube. Light weight (for both riding and putting on/of bike carrier). Bought the bike during our vacation in New Hamshire in the summer and has been actively riding since. Highly recommended.
