Raleigh Ram XT 3500 XC Full Suspension

4.64/5 (11 Reviews)
MSRP : $2800.00


Product Description



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Reviews 1 - 11 (11 Reviews Total)

User Reviews

Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:5
Submitted by Motoxguy95 a Weekend Warrior from Andrewnelson83@aol.com

Date Reviewed: May 29, 2009

Strengths:    1.5 steer tube makes this bike suoer stiff even with a single crown, nice welds, beefy rear end (I have the 05 model), pivot bearings through-out & pretty light weight.

Weaknesses:    Paint scratches easy do to no clearcoat on the paint. The 04 models have a cheap and flimsy r

Bottom Line:   
I bought this bike from a guy on craigslist who built it up and barely rode it. It is an 05 but looked almost brand new when I bought it. I feel like I got a deal of a lifetime on this complete bike for $490! If you can find an 05 frame I highly recommend it for all mountain, light free ride and even DH. It truly is a Do it all bike that inspires confidence. Don't buy this bike However if you want alot of attention from other riders as most riders will look at the name on the down tube and immediately look down upon it..Suit themselves because I like this bike as much as I liked my Banshee Chaparall and I loooved that bike!

Expand full review >>

Favorite Trail:   Anything at Black Rock

Duration Product Used:   3 months

Price Paid:    $500.00

Purchased At:   Craigslist

Similar Products Used:   Diamondback XTS, Banshee Chaparall, DK Charger & Ironhorse Sachem 4.0

Bike Setup:   Manitou Travis Fork, Manitou Swinger 6-way shock, Atomlab wheel-set, Atomlab Pedals, Pro taper bars, Big Earl Stem, Truvative Hussefelt cranks SRAM X0 Rear/XT Front deraileur & Kenda Nevegal tires.

Overall Rating:4
Value Rating:4
Submitted by nath69 a Weekend Warrior from Sydney Australia

Date Reviewed: November 24, 2008

Strengths:    Strong Frame, nice welds, Good rear shock, full bearing pivots. 1.5 head. Plush ride

Weaknesses:    A bit heavy - but so am I.

Bottom Line:   
Great value for money. I purchased the frame only with rear shock on Ebay and fitted much of my old frame components.
Very plush and forgiving rear end (all jokes aside) gives a lot of confidence.
Excellent ride for the budget minded weekend warrior.

Expand full review >>

Favorite Trail:   Bobs Trail, Nth Beaches

Duration Product Used:   3 months

Price Paid:    $600.00

Purchased At:   Ebay

Similar Products Used:   Raceline Extreme. Giant Reign

Bike Setup:   Manitou Stance 20mm hub fork - 150mm travel.
Hayes hydro's with 8" rotors. Dice rims Maxxis tyres. Truvative stuff.

Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:5
Submitted by Aaron a Cross Country Rider from Simi Valley CA

Date Reviewed: September 25, 2007

Strengths:    The rear shock is a tough one. Strong frame.

Weaknesses:    Rear shock is hard to get dialed in.

Bottom Line:   
This bike feels like it will take anything. I built it up from the frame with all great componets and it feel great so far.

Expand full review >>

Favorite Trail:   One with good people

Duration Product Used:   Less than 1 month

Price Paid:    $350.00

Purchased At:   ebay

Similar Products Used:   first first full suspension

Bike Setup:   custom Raliegh xt 3500 and motobecane 500ht

Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:5
Submitted by Cesar a Weekend Warrior from Miami, FL

Date Reviewed: October 7, 2006

Strengths:    Pretty much everything in this bike is close to high end components so you know its gotta be good.
This is my first dual suspension bike so to me it sucks up bumps and flat landings like a star.


Weaknesses:    The crank got loose one time, kind of heavy compared to my hardtails.

Bottom Line:   
I love it!! it is an awesome bike! I took it on a 12 stairs to flat like nothing. I think I got a good deal on it and I love it in everyway! Sweet!!!

Expand full review >>

Favorite Trail:   Urban, Oleta, Markham.

Duration Product Used:   3 months

Price Paid:    $850.00

Purchased At:   Ebay

Similar Products Used:   None this is my first dually, tons of hardtails though.

Bike Setup:   Stock, except for a head lock, kona platform pedals, and X7 Sram drivetrain instead of the X0.

Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:5
Submitted by Rick a from Plano Texas USA

Date Reviewed: September 29, 2006

Strengths:    Super tough frame! Manitou 6-way takes some time to set up, but it WORKS! Nice welds, really stellar quality for the price.

Weaknesses:    A little on the porky side, but you ain't breakin it!

Bottom Line:   
Super strong, a great alround trail ride. You can't go wrong. I got the frame on Ebay, deep discounts, easily the best value out there for this type of bike. Build one for yourself, or have LBS build it for you, you will be very happy!

Expand full review >>

Favorite Trail:   The next one

Duration Product Used:   3 months

Price Paid:    $300.00

Purchased At:   Ebay

Similar Products Used:   This is my first full suspension bike, plenty of hardtails, Cannondale, Fisher, GT

Bike Setup:   Trail Pimp Wheels, Manitou Sherman Breakout+, Manitou 6-way on the rear, all XT drivetrain, shifters and hydro brakes, all built from Ebay

Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:5
Submitted by Iain Shovelin a Weekend Warrior from Phoenix AZ USA

Date Reviewed: July 10, 2006

Strengths:    Good Quality (05 and newer) Burly

Weaknesses:    None yet

Bottom Line:   
Awesome set-up for 38 yr old ex-BMX bandit to tear-up fast and rocky trails with occasional drop-offs and technical descents. Bike expertly put together at Cactus Bike in AZ. Heavy but strong ride for someone that likes downhilling but still wants to be able to ride to the top. Make sure you get 05 or newer with better forged drop-outs than 04 model.

Expand full review >>

Favorite Trail:   National-South Mountain

Duration Product Used:   Less than 1 month

Price Paid:    $560.00

Purchased At:   E-bay seller-Frame & Forks

Similar Products Used:   Santa Cruz, Specialized

Bike Setup:   17" sml frame Mavic DeeTraks 8" Hayes-Old parts from old hardtail

Overall Rating:4
Value Rating:4
Submitted by Derrick Bilodeau a Downhiller from shoreham vt usa

Date Reviewed: January 1, 2005

Strengths:    rides to rough stuff fast. super plush. warrenty was super quick.

Weaknesses:    went through like 2 pairs of rocker arms because they bend. broke the bolts in the replaceable drop out a couple times but if they stay tight there fine.

Bottom Line:   
if its your first full and your not a xtreme freerider or dh racer thats hucking 10 feet to flat or doing 40 foot hucks. other than that its awesome for all day trail riding or if your getting into dh

Expand full review >>

Favorite Trail:   mutton hill

Duration Product Used:   6 months

Purchased At:   given to me from raleigh

Similar Products Used:   big hit. xts moto

Bike Setup:   ram with 4 way, camo sherman(junk) avid brakes, azonic bars. profile cranks with mrp device, then some hussefelts cause i got a deal on them and didnt really like bmx cranks for dh.

Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:5
Submitted by Paul Land a Downhiller from Durango

Date Reviewed: September 11, 2004

Strengths:    Strong, Manitou Shock seems good but I think i blew the shock it feels like sh*t. My set up is sweet. Internal headset looks burl

Weaknesses:    replaceable drop outs came super loose and i found out too late.... Right before my race run. I had to find new chainring bolts and i got it done but its not good to get all nervous before your run. My frame has this weird crack noise whenever it goes into the stroke so it may be the shock

Bottom Line:   
This thing is sick! The dropouts are a shame since they chipped my paint but oh well. The bike handles like it has 9 inches back there and feels like it. My build is super sweet. High dolla but well worth it. i'm calling raleigh on monday to see wats up with the hoopty bolts but the bottom line is

G E T T H I S B I K E! ! ! ! it is super sick


note* the cost of the frame is way low cause my sponsors are a Raleigh dealer

Expand full review >>

Favorite Trail:   National Dh or Star Wars

Duration Product Used:   Less than 1 month

Purchased At:   450

Similar Products Used:   Alpine Starrs Dh-old but sick

Bike Setup:   Full xt/xtr boxxer e.thirteen hope bulb hubs with 321 rims hope m4 brakes thompson selle italia salsa ring 105 cassette maxxis-minion and high roller slow rezayy compound for race run

Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:5
Submitted by Justin a Weekend Warrior from Utah

Date Reviewed: June 18, 2004

Strengths:    This is an amazing bike. The manitou 4 way rear shock is super impressive. Bulletproof design and replaceable dropout are great. Other guy must have just received a bad set. Perfect geometry mix to provide a true "all mountain" bike feel.

Weaknesses:    Not carried by almost every LBS. (they only carry the el cheapo Raleigh mountain bikes which gives Raleigh a bad name)

Bottom Line:   
If you are looking for an amazing ride at an even better price pick one of these up. Raleigh is not a hyped up name brand product so you get MORE for your money. I researched just about every so called "all mountain" bike out there and this one was the best by far for overall value. Look at the geometry specs to compare with other brands and you'll see that Raleigh really thought this bike through in order to get the perfect all around mix for the ultimate do everything machine. Super plush ride with 6" of rear travel. BUY ONE AS SOON AS YOU CAN.

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   Less than 1 month

Similar Products Used:   Kona Coiler, Jamis XLT, Gary Fisher Cake, Trek Liquid

Bike Setup:   Full XT components, swapped out front fork for Dirt Jumper

Overall Rating:3
Value Rating:5
Submitted by Boone a Downhiller from Gilroy, California

Date Reviewed: February 12, 2004

Strengths:    This bike comes stocked with such good parts that I havn't swapped a single thing yet. The frame is burly.

Weaknesses:    Replacable dropouts are a fu**ing joke. I have had nothing but trouble with this lousy ass design. If you grab a handfull of brake and rock back and forth while sitting on the bike, you can watch the replacable droupout move around the chinchi ass chainring bolts that hold them on. Nothing can solve this problem, so Raleigh is sending a new rear end. Better solve the problem or their going to have one angry guy on their hands.

Bottom Line:   
This bike has some seriouse potential. It rides like a gem and sucks up everything. The manitou fork is sweet! SPV valving works flawlessly and you CAN'T bottom the fork because of the valving. The ONLY problem with this bike is the pourly thought through replacable dropout design. It just sucks, but hopefully that problem will get solved soon. I'll post another review when I get the new rear end.

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   3 months

Price Paid:    $1100.00

Purchased At:   South Valley Bikes

Similar Products Used:   Rocky mountain RM6

Bike Setup:   Stock: full atom lab wheel set, holtzfeller all the way around, manitou sliders plus etc.

Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:5
Submitted by chrizpee uglu a from boise, idaho

Date Reviewed: January 31, 2004

Strengths:    this bike is awsome. it is a great climber, and its a monster for big drops and jumps

Weaknesses:    havent found one yet. (except it comes with Hayes brakes VS.the all time best Shimono

Bottom Line:   
this thing is a beast!!!!!!!! GO BUY ONE NOW!!!!!! you really should buy this thing weather freerider, downhiller, or dirt jumper. it rides butifully and smoothly, and the atomic labs trail pimp wheel really top it off. so far everything ive put it through its taken it with ease. this bike is great. people may have not liked raleighs before, but now they should take another look.

Expand full review >>

Favorite Trail:   userey street

Duration Product Used:   Less than 1 month

Price Paid:    $1000.00

Purchased At:   reed cycle

Similar Products Used:   kona stinky delux

Bike Setup:   all factory parts but i put a marzocchi super t fork on because i dont like manitou, i put a mrp world cup chain guide and put on shimono saint hubs, brakes, and rear derailer

Reviews 1 - 11 (11 Reviews Total)

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