Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Cleveland, Ohio
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2004
Strengths: Quality components for the money.
Weaknesses: Cheap shock & pedals.
Bottom Line:
Great ride for those seeking a good quality bike without breaking the bank. This bike was recommended to me by a competitive rider and it was the best MT bike advice I ever received. Likewise, I have convinced other friends to invest in the Raleigh M80. With some minor tweaks, it will be a versatile, durable, and economical stump jumper.
Strengths: Unbelievably durable - I have done everything short run it over with a truck and it just keeps going; stock front wheel has held up incredibly; the perfect first bike; despite appearances, you can win races on it, which upsets competitors to no end.
Weaknesses: twitchy back end, oversized Al tubing loosens your fillings, cheap elastomer shock, cheap brakes, useless shock seatpost. Wicked lame paint job
Bottom Line:
For an entry level bike that allows you room to grow this bike can not be beat. I basically learned how to ride on the M-80 and I won medals on it both at Novice EFTA races and off-road tri's, beating plenty of Blurs, Truths, etc. (best finishing moment - guy crosses a minute behind me, looks down and swears "I promised myself I would not get beat by the guy with reflectors!")
The ride is all about the frame, and for somebody just getting into the mountain biking the components will wear out before you know the difference. The biggest investments I made were replacing the fork, which was because the elastomer was useless riding in the winter, the rear wheel because it never stayed true, and upgrading the brakes and shifters which really had a remarkable impact on my riding.
After 3 loyal years of service, sliding off rock faces at Lynn, crashing into trees at Trail of Tears, falling off the occasional bridge in Belmont, and generally being abused in the Fells I have finally decided to "replace" my trusty ride. However, I will keep riding and maybe occassionally racing this bike until the components all wear out. Since it refuses to die, and remains a fast and fun ride, it will most likely be resurrected as a single speed by way of a Singleator or one of those new Eccentric hubs.
That said, bikeshop.com and Derby cycle have gone the way of the dodo, but the bike was assembled and delivered by the Boston area ski chain masquerading as a bike shop. They never did anything to impress and I have become a passionate customer of Tyler at Paramount Bicycle Repair, where I just bought a shiny new Hollowpoint Expert RL.
Similar Products Used: GF Tassahara and Hookeekoo, Treks, K2s, some other stuff in the price range
Bike Setup: stock f deraileur, handlebar, headset, and front wheel; xt drivetrain, lx shifters, avid 7s (best investment I ever made) sun hub laced to a cr17 rim in back, thomson post, eggbeaters, stubby profile design stem, and a low-end manitou oil shock I got used off ebay
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Submitted by
doug cline
a Cross Country Rider
from hill city, va usa
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2002
Strengths: frame is disc ready, good mix of components
Weaknesses: seat post is sloppy, stem sits you too upright, back tire, seat
Bottom Line:
This is the bike that proves that is not all about the bike, I ride with guys with way better bikes than mine, and I lead. This is a great hardtail to upgrade and do anything with.
Weaknesses: components, but I paid $575 so I was not asking for much
Bottom Line:
Here's the deal I'v been upgrading this bike since the begining if 2002 when I started racing.. yes I know I should have bought a whole new bike but I love the frame! I've already dumped almost $3,000 into this bike including the purchase price, helmet, and shoes. This bike dose the job...since this 2000 model all the Raleigh's seem to be getting worse this bike was pritty much their trophy. I highly recommend the sus..seatpost I keeps ypu planted for large inclines. If you can put a couple grand in this bike and still be as happy as those shumks w/ their OLCV Carbon bikes I think it deserved 5 Flamin Cat Turds All Around. Plus is funny to beat them in a Raleigh
Bike Setup: XTR:Shifter/Break Combo,Breaks,(RR/Rear)(Front)Derailers,Cassette,Chain...Mavic CrossMax w/Hutch Pythons...Ritchey WCS:Bar,Bar Ends,Stem,Pro Clipless...2002 RockShox SID SL...Selle Itila Trans Am Flight seat...I may get a Ritchey WSC seat post and XTR Crank to seal the deal but after all that an $2,000 later I'm broke
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Submitted by
Clifford Hidalgo
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago, IL, USA
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2001
Strengths: -lighter than other bikes in price range -good to upgrade -strong frame -nice geometry -nice look -great bike for price
Weaknesses: -rr derailleur has problems -brakes could be better
Bottom Line:
great bike for price. it seems lighter than other bikes in its price range. the frame is strong. i didnt like the fork or rear derailleur though. i also changed the pedals for better riding. i changed the wheels so i could get disc brakes. the brakes suck by the way. the seatpost could be better, but hey, at least it has a suspension seatpost. other than that i have no problems with the frame itself. it is a great bike to upgrade.
bottom line is great bike for the price... nothing more... nothing less
Similar Products Used: specialized rockhopper a1fs, gary fisher tassajara, trek 4300, schwinn mesa gs
Bike Setup: xtr rr deraileur, shimano pd-m324 pedals, kore lite stem, answer hyperlight handle bar, topo bar ends, marazocchi z.5 100 air, avid mechanical disc brake, mavic ust crossroc disc rear wheel, grimeca tri-spoke disc front, trek gel seat
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Submitted by
J. G.
a Weekend Warrior
from Minnesota
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2001
Strengths: Great value, rigid frame, and quality components. A great bike to upgrade.
Weaknesses: Suspension seatpost develops "slop" within a month. Rock Shox Jett XC developed a leak.
Bottom Line:
When I was shopping for bikes, the M80 was a clear winner, with its 7005 series aluminum frame, a decent component group, and especially its low price. With certain upgrades, and even without them, this bike is ready for any condition.
Bike Setup: Manitou SX, XT Brakes, XT r. derailleur, Sun CR-18 rims, KORE G.A.S.S. pedals.
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Submitted by
Wojtek Waszkiewicz
a Weekend Warrior
from Woodhaven, Mi U.S
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2001
Strengths: The bike is a great buy for a beginner. Has all around good components.
Weaknesses: The seat is really tough on you during long trips. The seat post bottoms out a lot.
Bottom Line:
This bike is great, I have had it for less than a year and I have already got my moneys worth. I have just a bit over 600 miles on it. So I do use it and I do beat it up. Sometimes I need to adjust and tighten some bolts but thats expected when you ride it hard. At first I was recluctant to buy this , I didn't want to spend that much money on a bike but now I am very glad that I have. It has held up just fine and I see nothing wrong with it, the only thing that I will upgrade is the seat and seat post. Other than that its a great buy!!!
Bike Setup: All stock but new handle grips and odometer
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Submitted by
Mikko
a Weekend Warrior
from Helsinki
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2001
Strengths: Gooooood "electric-blue" aluminium frame, killer IRC MythosXC 2.1" tires, black stem, powerful Tektro linear-pull breaks (my face hurts!) and Deore shifting!
Weaknesses: Pedals are s¤&t! I changed them to DGG or BBG-"flats", the saddle is terrible, my friend doesn't like the suspension seatpost and the rims are total ¤/##%!
Bottom Line:
The bike is damn good, Shimano Deore parts and a 7005-aluminium frame, RockShox Jett XC...and it was _cheap_ (hey I live in Finland!) gotta love the bike, I'll probably have to buy a pair of DH rings.. ;)A really good XC-bike :)
Similar Products Used: "Borrowed" my friends Marin downhill bike for 15 minutes. My bike before Raleigh was an Diamonback Outlook '98 with #&#&%& I mean Shimano Altus parts....
Bike Setup: stock with nu pedals (killer yeah baby!) also no more "barends"....maybe change the tires to Nokian Boazobeanas (killer tires!)
GOT THIS BIKE FOR MY SON. 13 GOING ON 14 . NEEDED A GOOD BIKE TO PUT MY COMPONANTS OF MY JEKYL 700 AFTR REPLACING WITH XTR ACROSS THE BOARD. HIS BIKE IS ALLMOST AS IMPRESSIVE AS MINE FOR A 20% THE COST BEFORE I UP GRADED. STILL WOULD RATHER HAVE MY JEKYLL BUT WHAT A BIKE FOR A 13 YEAR OLD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Strengths: Light and heavy duty with double welded frame. oversize aluminum, first real bike I have owned...great purchase
Weaknesses: None so far, I don't know enough at this point to be disappointed. I know I am beating the heck out of the bike and it has held up great!
Bottom Line:
For the price...yes I know I am expecting alot for only $500 but I can't complain. I just couldn't swing the four figure sums other bikes demanded. For my level (2nd year of mtn biking) it is perfect. I think the Raliegh line is a phenomenol value for the $.
Strengths: Light and heavy duty with double welded frame. oversize aluminum, first real bike I have owned...great purchase
Weaknesses: None so far, I don't know enough at this point to be disappointed. I know I am beating the heck out of the bike and it has held up great!
Bottom Line:
For the price...yes I know I am expecting alot for only $500 but I can't complain. I just couldn't swing the four figure sums other bikes demanded. For my level (2nd year of mtn biking) it is perfect. I think the Raliegh line is a phenomenol value for the $.
Bike Setup: I think all stock. Jett fork, Deore everything else. The seat has been fine.
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Submitted by
Dennis Miller
a Weekend Warrior
from Winter Springs
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2001
Strengths: Awesome bike, good for the price, handle grips are great, basically for the money, you cannot get any better.
Weaknesses: The stock seat is extremely bad, you might as well sit on the pole and the ride downhill. I also recieved a flat in one hour of riding due to the valve detaching itself from the inner tube.
Submitted by
Eric B.
a Weekend Warrior
from Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2001
Strengths: Good value, frame, shifting components
Weaknesses: Stock seat
Bottom Line:
Great bike. It is the first mtn bike that I have owned. It does shift smoother than the other bikes that I test rode. The dealer changed the seat out for the softas padded seat for free. The seat post does seem to help. I noticed that when I started riding with some friends who were beginners as well that I was not as stiff due to the softer seat and the flexible seat post. I did not have the problem with the seat moving once I made sure that the post was tightened as much as possible.
I did have a problem with the middle front gear warping twice when trail riding. The shop sent it to manufacturer, and they sent a new one made of a harder component. No problems since then.
It is a really good bike for the money. I don't ride on technically difficult trails, but the bike has been great for easy-intermediate riding in Asheville, West Virginia ect.
I also took the clips off. I felt more secure when riding on new trails without worrying about getting out of toe clips.
Similar Products Used: Giant Iguana, Specialized Rock Hopper, Fuji(500 mtn bike)
Bike Setup: stock except for softas rx seat, quick release seat post mechanism.
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Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Berea,OH, U.S. of A.
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2001
Strengths: came with some nice juicy components for a nice dry price
Weaknesses: wasn't a big fan of the seat or the suspension seatpost
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is that i love to touch my bike. It's great for newbies like my, pick your llamas. Seriously besides flats I haven't had any problems. The 3 inches of travel from the jett fork are enough to start out with but i'll eventually upgrade. I'll also change the seatpost. This bike kicks it all night long. It makes me sing dream weaver in my head.
I bought a used bike from a friend of mine which has a Z3 M80. I'm having problems accessing the marzocchi technical manual and can't figure out if this fork can be adjusted. Doe Read More »
