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Submitted by
vertwerks
a Cross Country Rider
from Greenville SC
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Too many to call | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Sunrift | | Strengths: | Inexpensive, great ride, Eccentric BB, Value | | Weaknesses: | Not luvin the hubs or headset | | Bike Setup: | FSA Carbon bar and post, Hope minis, Ergons | | Bottom Line: | Love the bike, thought of upgrading the frame but couldn't talk myself into it. The carbon bits add to the sweet feeling that the double butted chromo brings to the table. If your on the fence about a rigid 29 buy this bike on this dare. Crazy fun. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CameronG63
a Weekend Warrior
from San Marcos, Texas
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | dakota and prospect | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | A Blast to ride! Low maintenance, quality parts. Great gearing for the hills around here | | Weaknesses: | raleigh grips, just upgrade to OURY Lock-on and you'll be set.
the paint is very soft... | | Similar Products Used: | first 29er | | Bike Setup: | stock except for OURY grips. | | Bottom Line: | great bike, rigid is fine, the steel frame absorbs vibrations well, and the 2.3 tires provide plenty of cushion on the trails. 29er's are a blast to ride, you can take corners faster, and roll over much more... The bike handles like a monster truck.
great for wheelies! larger tires provide a wider balance point.
I absolutely love this bike, and recommend everyone tries it.
unfortunately the paint is very soft, so it doesn't take much to chip it.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gearsroverrated
a Cross Country Rider
from Sacramento
Date Reviewed: September 4, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Frame. Purpose built for ss (zero add'l braze-ons, very clean looking) and rigid fork (short crown to axle). | | Weaknesses: | Heavy tires, seatpost too short (2006 version) | | Similar Products Used: | 1st 29er, dozens of rigid + hardtails since early 80's | | Bike Setup: | 5'11" w/32" inseam M is perfect. Upgraded almost everything including custom DT Swiss wheels. WTB Nanoraptor 2.1 rear/Weirwolf LT 2.55 front. 19t rear cog. | | Bottom Line: | Looking at this simple bike gives you little idea of how trail worthy it really is. The frame, while heavy, handles like a dream and is very sturdy. Cornering ability is off the charts. For trails go fat up front, dial in the tire pressure and you won't believe what can be done on this bike.
FYI - the new version uses suspension corrected geometry. If you plan on keeping it rigid, the prior version's shorter fork offers pinpoint control and keeps the front end low which can be difficult on some 29ers.
Thank you Raleigh! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
broken spoke
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicagoland, IL
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Palos | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Bikeline | | Strengths: | Really solid ride, low maintenance, great value, good tires, comfortable seat, comes with disk brakes, no hassle just ride it bike. | | Weaknesses: |
Grips are not the best for a rigid bike. Seat post is a little short. I'm at the max height adjustment which just barely works for me. Bike gets a bit squirrely on high-speed rock sections, although you have to expect that with a rigid bike once again.
| | Similar Products Used: | Niner | | Bike Setup: | Replaced grips with Oury, added crankbros candy pedals, changed the rear gearing to 18T | | Bottom Line: | I was initially sold on the low maintenance aspect of the bike. Chain tension adjustments are a snap, just loosen the set screws underneath the bottom bracket, turn the dial and re-tighten.
This was my first time owning either a single speed or 29er and the first time I had owned a fully rigid since the 90's. I decided to go for the single speed because with the flat trails around here I found myself in the middle of the drive train most of the time, and I figured drop the gears and save some hassle with maintenance. What I wasn't expected was how much more enjoyable not shifting gears can be. I no longer even think about shift and devote all my time to pedaling and navigating the trail.
I also found this bike compliments my style of riding. I like to carry momentum and crank hard on up hills. If you the type of rider who likes to get out of the saddle and crank it, you’re going to adjust just fine to this bike.
I had some concerns about the rigid frame going into it. I opted out of a suspension bike or hard tail even mainly because I didn't want to dump a bunch of money into a completely different type of bike than what I had ridden before. So far I have to say the rigid setup is fine. The big wheels and fat tires soften up the ride enough to where I can ride as fast as I want while still stay in control (most of the time). The only thing I can say negative about the rigid setup is that the bike tends to bounce around on high-speed rocky sections.
One thing about this bike I have really fell in love with is it's ability to climb over obstacles, the big wheels really shine here as well as the added ground clearance of a smaller crank gear with a bash guard.
The grips needed to be changed, but that's an extremely minor change. After about 100 miles I decided to change the gearing. The area around here is flat and the climb friendly gearing was a drag on the flat stuff. The new gearing is an improvement, but I'll probably change it again to 2/1 when I need to replace the drive train. Not urgent, but will be nice to have. I will also consider changing the mechanical disc brakes to hydraulics sometime in the future as well. The rigid fork is fine with me, but if you think that it would be a tough pill to swallow than I would recommend getting a bike with a fork.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
klu
a Weekend Warrior
from Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Brown County, IN | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | This is a comfortable, durable ride which is very low maintenance. I can adjust/clean everything within 20 to 30 minutes. It goes where you put it and it climbs like you would not believe. | | Weaknesses: | none that I can think of. | | Similar Products Used: | no previous 29er. I have a 1994 stumpjumper with Mag 21 (dinosaur) that still rides strong. | | Bike Setup: | Note: none of the upgrades where necessary (stock is fine), I just get bored. Easton EA70 monkeybar, Thomson elite x4 stem, Thomson elite 330mm seatpost, WTB rocket V saddle, carbon headset spacers, Wellgo MG-1 platform pedals, Kenda small block 8 rear tire, cateye wireless comptuter, ergon grips (these might be necessary) | | Bottom Line: | I got back into biking 1 year ago. Upgrading old stumpy would have cost more than this bike. I wanted to try the single speed 29er thing. I believe in "steel to feel." I looked at this bike because it was nominated for mountain bike of the year in 2007. Raleigh got the geometry right for me. I ride a medium. I am 5'8 and 150 lbs. I was a BMXer as a kiddo, and this thing is perfect for the riding that I do (mostly singletrack in the Midwest). It is simple and straightforward. It makes you a better rider-if you want to go faster, pedal harder. If you need to climb, stand up and lean forward-climb with upper and lower body. It is a good workout that improves fitness. I have not had a need to change the gearing (33/20). I have done some regional races for kicks, and have placed. I looked at bikes 2-3 times the cost that were not as comfortable to me. Raleigh got this one right. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BunE
a Cross Country Rider
from Kansas City, Mo USA
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Landwahl! | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Waldo Bikes | | Strengths: | VERSATILE. I run it as a SS; 1x9, rigid and sprung front, fat or skinny, mud, street, whatever. I heart it.
| | Weaknesses: | Seatpost,rims are heavy | | Similar Products Used: | Rig; Monocog29er; that stupid Look 29er; | | Bike Setup: | What ever I feels like...Though I have been slowy replacing parts as needed with carbon. X.9 shifter... | | Bottom Line: | OUT
FREAKING
STANDING | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dhw
a Weekend Warrior
from Arroyo Grande Ca
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | ridge trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Ira's bike shop in A | | Strengths: | Light and strong handles well, it is my first experience with the 29er thing and what a blast! Wheels have held up great and I am big (6'3" 260 +) Have ridden the Hell out of this bike and have had to do very little! | | Weaknesses: | hard tail things come loose like cranks and head set need to be re-tightened alot no big deal when you know what you are experiencing. | | Similar Products Used: | every body got one now! | | Bike Setup: | Longer seat post and clipless peddles al he rest is stock I messed with the gearing but came back to the stock set up best for climbing. | | Bottom Line: | This bike has proven to be a great value!!!! It is strong and has been a blast to ride! I have lent it to friends and they have been won over to the 29er game.
I need to wrench on it regularly because I am tuff on stuff. Have 1 set of brakes and I am due for a new tire and I have ridden the crap out of this thing! The Raleigh has been a great value, people ( myself included) have been leery of this brand but it has been great. The only thing I could ask for would be gears and a fork which might just be my next bike, I am very happy with this bike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
matt
a Weekend Warrior
from wellington, NZ
Date Reviewed: May 26, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | rotorua | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | on yer bike | | Strengths: | cheap, stupidly simple, great to ride. Tyres are great - heavy, but grippy and roll fast. | | Weaknesses: | stopping when going real fast - fixed with a bigger rotor. | | Similar Products Used: | my old supermax bmx when i was a kid | | Bike Setup: | 210 rotor on front, wtb shorter stem, wider bars, candys, 20t and 18t on hub at same time. Sram SS chain. New grips. | | Bottom Line: | I was gonna buy a 5inch full sus trail bike but took this for a ride - love at first ride. I had been riding a 6 inch fully tank - this is sooo much more fun. You cant explain it, you need to ride it. I am running 2 cogs at the back - just loosen the bottom bracket to change between them depending on terrain. I may turn it into a 3speed or a 1x9, cos I'm using this bike for everything - even commuting over 30kms return to work. Or maybe I'll leave this one as is and get another 1 with gears! I havent ridden my other bikes since i got this. Its good. (also saved myself approx $2500 by not buying the new 5inch full suspension bike :) ) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marc
a Cross Country Rider
from Texas
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Madrone Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Nice frame and fork, Exiwolf tires, I like the frame geometry, no toe overlap. | | Weaknesses: | none yet | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 9.8, Specialized Rockhopper | | Bike Setup: | Converted to 1x9 with SRAM x-7 shifter pod and rear derailleur,Ergon grips, Chris King headset, Koobi Enduro PRS saddle, Time Atac pedals, Niner Y.A.W.Y.D.
top cap, and to add that modern high-tech space-age Trekish touch to this simple old school bike...CARBON FIBRE STEERING TUBE SPACERS!
| | Bottom Line: | I love this bike! I had sold my last mountain bike and was left with just my roadie. I could not drop another four grand on a mountain bike, so my LBS suggested this bike and I ordered it never having seen one. One year later, I can say that it was a great buy! I converted it to 1x9 andIreally like that setup. It is stable and fast,climbs great, good on the technical bits too, and the ride is not harsh. I do not miss suspension at all, I would rather have the precise handling and simplicity of a fully rigid bike(must be a 29'er). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a
from Roswell, GA, USA
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Big Creek, Chicopee, Fort Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$520.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | great set up -- 29er, SS, disk brakes, rigid frame. Everything works. | | Weaknesses: | none seen yet | | Similar Products Used: | 26-inch hardtail bikes for 10 years | | Bike Setup: | Large frame. stock except for SPD pedals. I will change the grips to Oury, but I'm not really bothered by the stock grips. | | Bottom Line: | Add this 50 yr old to the growing pile of reviews that love this bike. I was nervous at first, especially because of SS, but the 33/20 gearing seems to be fine for the moderately strenuous and technical trails that I ride. With no suspension, I have been able to follow much more precise lines, and since I am not an airborne daredevil, turns out that I don't really need the front shock as much as a supple set of shoulders and arms. With no shock, it's much easier to pull the front wheel up and over logs and rocks. Of course, I am now more adept at maintaining my momentum and getting a jump on the hill. I love chewing up the space between me and the guys who are cranking up the hills in their granny gears, and the 29er wheels cover more ground on the downs without really trying. My fitness has improved tremendously, and I am really enjoying riding. Try a 29er, any model, although I'm certainly partial to the value of this one. I'll never go back to a 26, although I do wind up riding friends' so they can try my XXIX -- at 6 feet and 210, I now feel like the little bikes are too small and unstable. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sirhc S
a Cross Country Rider
from Southeast PA
Date Reviewed: March 20, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | SEPA NWDE | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | SEPA | | Strengths: | Very affordable way to get into 29er ss | | Weaknesses: | Seatpost too short. Seattube collar way to thin. | | Similar Products Used: | mountain bikes, road bikes, etc | | Bike Setup: | stock- swaped seatpost for longer post laying around | | Bottom Line: | Good bike for the dollar. It's like a BMX bike for adults!! Very fun. Spend an extra twenty dollars to get a better seattube clamp. The stock version is thin and very weak. I took a ride down a rails trails to ride some single track and the seat started moving. When I went to tighten it, it was clamped around the seatpost, but not the seattube!! When I got home I immediately ordered a new clamp and now have to wait 7 to 10 business days to get the new ride out for the next trip. More durable "real" parts would make this a great, affordable purchase. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kaitlin
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Wasatch Crest, Slickrock, Gooseberry Mesa, Alpine Loop, Bobsled, Deer Valley NMBS | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$560.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | FUN, great specs for the price, saddle is comfortable, tires hook up | | Weaknesses: | Seat post too short, grips could have more cushion | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Stock except egg beater pedals, longer seat post so that my husband can ride it too, and some generic grips with a little more rubber to them. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is FUN! I feel like a little kid again, with a bike that requires no maintenance, tuning, and can have the crap kicked out of it on a routine basis and still come back for more. It is also a great training and teaching tool--I used to be the rider that would plop it into granny gear and spin up a hill, but this bike has taught me to conserve momentum, and stand up and mash on the pedals (I don't really have a choice :-)! The main thing is that it's just plain, good old fun! For the price, I know I got a great bike--solid, great specs, awesome ride between the steel frame and huge hoops. I get on a 26" bike and I feel like I've got no tire in front of me now! This bike will take your tired old trail and make you fall in love all over again. It just deserves more than 5 flamin' chilis! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
William
a Cross Country Rider
from Connecticut
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Case Mtn | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$425.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Simplicity, rides like a dream, handles great, looks real cool with big wheels | | Weaknesses: | Seat post too short, brakes under powered | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | stock except added ATAC pedals, and a Specialized "wedge" seat | | Bottom Line: | I bought this as a commuter as the roads prevent me from using a true road bike comfortable, ( roads suck), and riding a full suspension to work is just not practical. The steel frame coupled with the big wheels does end up with a great riding bike. It is true what they say that 29ers ride great, this thing rolls over everything. I cannot wait to try it off road just to see how it rides.
Brakes seem way underpowered, but other than that, so far the bike has been great. I am truly sold on the 29er concept, and will consider my next full suspension to also be a 29er.
Highly recommended bike for someone who wants to get into it without taking out a loan, and /or someone who wants a bike to just beat around with. It is simple and quiet and is a blast to ride . I ride in a very urban envoronment, so this bike fit the bill perfectly as an urban commuter. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Stackhouse
a Cross Country Rider
from Sanford, Maine, USA
Date Reviewed: December 12, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Mt Agamenticus | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Gorham Bike & Fitness | | Strengths: | Big Wheels, Comfortable Frame, Simple and Fun | | Weaknesses: | Replace the seatpost because guaranteed it is too short. A bit heavy, don't buy it if you're looking for a weany weight single speed. | | Similar Products Used: | None similar. I went from Rocky Mtn Instinct dual suspension and Blizzard hardtail to this and not looking back. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for salsa 400 seatpost and salsa clamp-on grips. Stan's tubless system in the tires so I can run 21psi (this is my only suspension). | | Bottom Line: | Fun, Fun, Fun. This bike was a complete surprise. I really haven't ridden my dual suspension since the first ride. The bike really shines on twisty technical singletrack similar to Bradbury State Park in Pownal Maine or Massabessic Watershed in Candia NH. Big wheels climb over logs, roots, and rock walls almost like they don't exist. Surprisingly stable at low speeds, track stands, technical sections. Stand or sit, no need to think about anything else. I quickly learned to move my weight around a lot on the bike and lean it to throw it into tight turns. I don't miss derailer chain slap or crunching gears one bit. I found the transition to standing climbs was easy and can ride just about any steepness that I could on my geared bikes (except I go faster up the hills). Not sure I would use this bike for a 24hour race as it seems like I put out more effort in the climbs and of course easily spin out on the flats.
Personally I think Raleigh also nailed it with the dirty red and the graphics and don't understand the other negative comments. I added a bottle cage and pump, + battery for night riding, all which pretty much cover up the Raleigh on the downtube. Paint seems as durable as any and yes I have chips on all my bikes. We're mountain biking aren't we? Why do we care about chips and scratches on our paint?
I have also found the exiwolf tires to roll nice and provide good control. Similar tread and roll to a Hutchinson Python.
Had to adjust the eccentric bb after initial ride but not since that. Found it easy to adjust.
This bike is the most bike anyone can buy for cheap money and never outgrow. However, if you are 5'-10" or taller you WILL need to buy a longer seatpost. The 350 is simply specked wrong. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter Chapanov
a
from Washington DC
Date Reviewed: November 14, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | not so picky | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | CL | | Strengths: | Bought this one used, but like new, unbelivably smooth ride, great frame job. The color is brick. Props to the external bb, I guess to compensate for the adjusteble shell flex/almost none/. tires are awesome, good brakes for the bike and for the buck, good clearance and nice bearings on the wheels! can be geared! | | Weaknesses: | I noticed that someone else has mentioned it, but the paint does seem a little on the britle side... gear ratio is kind of ridiculous when offroad, but necessary for climbing and the occasional click in the BB is inevitable/not to complain/. chain is ho'hum quality, seems to loosen up...not good for air, although not really intended for anyway, so that's fine... | | Similar Products Used: | no other mtb at 29, but the trek multitrack 830 with fat tires/45c/ is basically the same thing... | | Bike Setup: | Weirdest s#!t is that you can actually convert the thing into a three speed without changing the rear hub... just pick three of your favorite 8 speed cogs and buy the hanger for the XXIX Multy speed/yes, I have it and they are the same/, space the cogs right with smalest being no less than 12, and lock it up with ya're good'ole filed down lockring...awesome!!! mine is 17 15 12 with a 105 ss derailleur...I commute on it, and I run Conti Sport Contact tires. Mtb ing is kind of better on my good ole 26, for better air control... | | Bottom Line: | One of the best bikes of that type, by many standards. The frame set is great, and the coponents are quite on level. It is abslolutely worthed purchasing and keeping!!! Not too happy with the single speed ratio, but that is something that is more of a personal preference. Good stuff! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brahma
a
from Davis, Ca
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Ken's Bike and Ski | | Strengths: | When compared to everything else available, this bike has a very decent component group for the price paid. And the simplicity of the bike makes it very unlikely to have a mechanical failure.
I also really like the tires. I've never tried the Exiwolf's and I'm getting really good grip with them.
Good seat too. | | Weaknesses: | The front brake is underpowered. If where you ride is lacking in fast descents you will find the front brake a little weak. If you do have some quick downhills, you'll end up changing the brake.
They also didn't put on a qiick release seat collar, which I think is being a little too frugal.
The pedals are total garbage but really, they probably expect you are going to change them out to some clipless as soon as you take the bike home. I don't ride clipless but I still immediately put on my platform pedals from my previous bike. | | Similar Products Used: | It's my first SS 29er. I've ridden old rigid mtb's before but this definitely has those 1990's piles beat. | | Bike Setup: | I switched the front brake to an Avid BB7 with a 203mm rotor, and I put on some good platform pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Comparatively, it's totally worth the money but when I saw it on sale for $599 I still thought "Jesus Christ, $600 for a bicycle?!"
I was riding a big squishy when I decided to get the rigid SS 29er. It was a total 180 from what I was used too. I was worried about it being rigid, and I was worried about it only having one gear. Well, it's worth it and it's not what you think.
Rigid SS is totally different. It takes the same trails you've been killing and getting a little bored with and it makes them fun and challenging again. I can't bomb a DH like I could on the big squish, but I can still bomb a DH pretty decently. It just rattles the hell out of me. Actually, I get a little arm pump on long DH baby head trails.
The SS part I really like. I'm clearing some trail sections I could never get through before. Not thinking about what gear you are in keeps you focused on maintaining your momentum.
Climbs aren't as bad as I thought either. When I ride by myself I feel like I'm climbing incredibly slow, but when with a group I leave most behind me. At the beginning of a climb everyone with gears slows way down and starts spinning up the hill. Is that fun? No. I just stand up and hammer.
The bike is infinitely more fun than I imagined it would be. I like that it's too simple to break, and I love standing up and pedaling. Riding the bike feels like being a kid again, hammering around town on the old bmx or schwinn.
Overall it's 5 chili's, but even though it's a comparatively good price I think the entire market is inflated so I give it a 4 on value | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charlie
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston, Texas
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Huntsville State Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$695.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle World & Fitness | | Strengths: | Clean welds. Tough as nails. Smooth ride for a full rigid bike. | | Weaknesses: | The paint job. It chips like a Frito Lay factory. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary "Fissure" Cobia 29er. This Raleigh is my first single speed. | | Bike Setup: | Thomson set back seat post (longest one they sell), Monkey Lite carbon bars, Salsa skewers, race face stem, Surly 18 tooth sprocket. Everything else stock. | | Bottom Line: | This is an update to previous review. I'm 6'0" and weigh about 170. Frame size is a large. I've riden this bike for a while now and am even more pleased with it than when I first bought it. I recent raced this bike (Huntsville Classic) and honestly I beat the living snot out of it. No problems other than shaking the front quick release loose. The most recent upgrade was to replace the stock 20 tooth rear sprocket with an 18 tooth Surly. The 20 tooth was just too low for the mostly flat areas I ride. I can't quite get over how smoothly the bike rides without any suspension. Guess it is true what they say about steel frames. Also, the fat tires don't hurt any either. As far as the paint job goes, it does chip pretty easily. But as a personal preference, I can't stand the dirty red/orange color so right now I'm in the process of stripping it down to bare metal for a re-paint in a less objectionable color. I know I probably just voided the frame warranty, but if I haven't snapped that frame by now after what I've done to it, that thing will never break. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joe
a Cross Country Rider
from sheboygan, wisconsin, USA
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | 480.00 | | Strengths: | Well-designed frame, extremely clean welds, fantastic ride quality, good price. | | Weaknesses: | 1) I have a size Medium frame. At 5'9" with a 31.5" inseam, I have to slam my saddle all the way back and run the seatpost a couple millimeters above the minimum insertion line. It's been said before here - these bikes need to ship with a longer seatpost.
2) The paint job chips easily. Mine was used, with several small chips already. After just a few rides, even more chips appeared. The paint job itself looks fine - no imperfections. It just doesn't want to stay on the frame.
3) I think this should come with a 180mm crankarms. | | Similar Products Used: | This is my first 29er and my first single speed. Stable includes a vintage Yo Eddy, a road bike and an old Bianchi Project 7 hybrid. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Oury grips, Speedplay Frogs, a Dedaccai stem and a Flite gel saddle. | | Bottom Line: | For over a year, I had become increasingly intrigued by 29" singlespeeds and also shocked by the prices. The reviews of this bike here and a great deal on ebay got me to take the plunge.
Bottom line: This bike rules! The bigger wheels and longer wheelbase really make a difference rolling over tree roots and dips. Although the bike feels kind of heavy when you pick it up, it doesn't feel heavy at all when riding. (No big hills where I ride.) I don't find it sluggish at all - stand up and womp on the pedals and it takes off right away.
Since I bought this on ebay, and had never even seen one of these bikes in person, I was leery about what sort of workmanship I'd see on a frame built in China. I usually avoid buying anything made there, but the pocketbook prevailed over politics with this bike. I was really impressed by the build quality. The welds are super clean, and the alignment was excellent. I love that they put a gusset under the down tube/head tube intersection. This bike looks great just standing there - it just says "I"m one bad@$$ blast of a ride, get off your butt and let's roll."
I went with the Raleigh over other bikes because 1) It's steel. 2) It has a slightly slacker geometry than most of the other frames out there. 3) I actually wanted a rigid fork for simplicity. 4) The price. Couldn't be happier with this package.
For what I paid for it, and the totally off the chart fun factor, I'm giving this five red hot flaming chilis. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Racer
from Oleta, Florida, USA
Date Reviewed: September 12, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Oleta River State Park / or CB | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | crappy LBS | | Bottom Line: | I have a 07 Medium Raleigh XXIX which I've been riding (hard) for over 4 months now. In short, here is my take on the bicycle (rigid, ss version). By the way, I am 5-9 and 150lbs, and I ride the bike on flat twisty dirt trails which are usually dry.
1) It is sturdy, real sturdy.
2) The OEM grips are garbage - get Oury
3) The OEM BB(Ecc) needs tightening/adjustment, lock her down
4) The brakes are ok for flats, not hydro, might be bad for wicked descents
5) The OEM saddle is great actually - a bit wide but cush (I wear very lightly padded shorts)
6) The bike is a very good value for the $
7) The comments about it feeling a bit sluggish (wheelbase, rake) are true, on tight single track the rear ends trails a bit, but for flat out straight XC speed it is sweet.
8) no creaks or other nuisance sounds
9) It is heavy, but sturdy
10) I have ridden the cr@p out of this thing, hard, and the wheels are bomb proof so far.
11) The 29'r wheels roll over anything/everything and the tires suspension qualities are trippy (32psi is $$$)
Conclusion 1 - great bike for people who don't want to spend a fortune getting into the sport, not sure why anyone runs 26r's or geared bikes, this is so simple and low maintenance.
Conclusion 2 - this bicycle has made me a better cyclist. I am even now riding my daily course trying to see how little I can use the brakes (fun)
Most of all, it is just plain FUN. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charlie
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston, TX
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Bluff Creek Ranch (Warda) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle World & Fitness | | Strengths: | Price, steel frame, tires. | | Weaknesses: | Paint quality, graphics, color. (The 2008 version addresses the last two issues). | | Similar Products Used: | GF Cobia | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Thompson 410 setback seat post. WHY do the manufactures keep selling large or XL bikes with seat posts too short? | | Bottom Line: | Pros: This bike is amazingly smooth riding for a rigid fork (no suspension). It rides just as smooth as my aluminum framed 29er which has front suspension. The price was right and components are pretty decent. The gearing 32x20 is just right for trails. Climbs great. All the welds on the frame are perfect and smooth. The geometry seems to put my weight a little more forward than my GF but it works. I adjusted the chain tension after riding it a few times and it was a breeze with the eccentric bottom bracket.
Cons: Large frame bike came with a 350 length seat post. COME ON!!! The color (Dirty Orange) is pretty nasty and the gigantic RALEIGH running down the down tube is hideous. (For 2008 I see they went with a nice blue color and toned down the graphics.)
The paint job had several flaws (bubbling, peeling of clear coat). If I didn't plan on repainting it to a decent color in a year or two, that would bother me. The Raleigh emblem on steering tube was kind of ugly but it peeled off easily. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Don Krause
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, California, USA
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Anderson Truck Trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | South Bay Bicycles | | Strengths: | The Raleigh XXIX is a blast to ride. Other riders will make fun of the single speed bike with no suspension, but they'll soon stop and ask, "How can you keep up with only one speed?" | | Weaknesses: | Rear Brake cable across the top tube. I keep catching it on my shoe when I throw my leg over to get on the bike. | | Bike Setup: | Stock setup - Added Shimano clip less pedals. | | Bottom Line: | This bike performs very well. I haven't been dropped on any of my regular group rides. The only real trouble I have is keeping up going downhill with a full suspension Blur. For single track riding the XXIX is absolutely perfect. I'm not going to give up my Cannondale Super V3000 for the XXIX. I think if someone is looking for a different ride that's not going to cost you too much money the Raleigh XXIX is it.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gerry
a Weekend Warrior
from saratoga springs,ny
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | which ever one I'm riding at the time | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | klarsfeld schwinn | | Strengths: | simplicity and just great to ride | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | All I added was a pair of crank brothers mallet C's | | Bottom Line: | I liked the whole Idea of single speeding. I found this bike while ordering a redline mononcog. The best time I've had on a bike in years. rolls over anything and stops on a dime. I'm 6' with 32 " insaeam, large frame fit me perfect. i told the missus , that i'm never riding a geared bike again. Like one of the previous post said ".momentum is your friend" If you can find one....Get it . ou won't be sorry | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Nardelli
a Cross Country Rider
from York, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Rocky Ridge | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | |
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