Submitted by
ZTSRacer
a Weekend Warrior
from Savannah, GA Date Reviewed: October 23, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Tom Triplett Park Trail
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
Received as a gift
Strengths:
Frame, Handlebars, Shifters, Derailers
Weaknesses:
Tires, Front Fork
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
I have owned this bike since 1998 when it was first released. It is a great bike, there are many people out there that hate on Raleigh and Diamondback, but, those are the people who just buy a bike to ride and expect to not have to upkeep there bike ever in there life.
This bike has been everywhere with me since I was a sophomore in highschool. I use it still to this day here in Savannah after I moved from Michigan in 2004. I would like to switch out to a front fork suspension for those wooded trail rides to give some relief to my arms.
If I ever upgrade to a new bike it would be Raleigh unless I put out a lot of money and get a nice cannondale.
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Submitted by
Borat Langyeo
a Downhiller
from Kazikstan Date Reviewed: May 28, 2007
Favorite Trail:
My yard
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Side of the road
Strengths:
Very Strong!!
Weaknesses:
rims.. not so much
Similar Products Used:
BMX Always it very nice
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
VERY NICE! VERY NICE! I LIKE! I LIKE! VERY NICE! VERY NICE! I LIKE! I LIKE! L AL ALALALALALAL LA LA LA LA LAL AL ALA ALALALAL LAL LAL AL LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA ALA ALA ALA L ALLALALALALA LALALAL LAL LAL LAM BOARAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Submitted by
Andrew
a Downhiller
from Manlius, NY Date Reviewed: November 3, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Skytop
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
Very strong, shifts well
Weaknesses:
none other than the 1 inch head tube (review for the 1998 model)
Bike Setup:
Stock frame fork, rhyno lite rims, acera 8 speed drivetrain off GT XCR-5000, avid mag brakes, syncros stem, power tools bar, sdg satellite seat, maxxis high roller tires
Bottom Line:
cheap bike for the winter of for just screwing around trials style
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Submitted by
hmmmm not sure
a Cross Country Rider
from wait a sec Date Reviewed: August 14, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Somewhere near home
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
a shop
Strengths:
Strong, Good shifting, lasts long
Weaknesses:
Weight. Hubs became loose and moved from side to side and this helped untrue the wheels.
Bottom Line:
Good Bike and lasts ages. To fix the hub I took the wheel off and tightened the bolts - but don't tighten them too much or else the hub won't turn. After I did that I had to realighn the breaks and now they squeek. This bike is good for thrashing around and is good for most types of biking.
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Submitted by
tony
a Cross Country Rider
from boston,ma,usa Date Reviewed: March 13, 2001
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
frame, seat, brakes, color, tires, strength and durability.
Weaknesses:
the rims.... i have warped the front rim, and drivin the spokes throught the back rim so after couple of rides i would have a flat.
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
shimano header, primo pedals, weinman rims. i have used this bike for over three years with out any suspension, but i resently have equiped it with a rockshox judy xc long travel.
Bottom Line:
this is an amazingly strong bike. i ride this bike in the city as well as on the trails and on either the dirt or the street it rides great. i go down flights of stairs, jump of smaller flights of stairs and get air off of boulders. the bike could take everything all the punishment that i gave it. the only problem was the weak rims.
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Submitted by
david benninga
a Cross Country Rider
from jerusalem, israel Date Reviewed: January 1, 2001
Favorite Trail:
judean mts, negev dessert
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$290.00
Purchased At:
nitzan bikes, j'lem, israel
Strengths:
strong frame, nice colour, strong stem, everyone here thinks is costs twice as much
Weaknesses:
a little heavy which can be felt on steep climbs, gears need some maintenence
Similar Products Used:
trek and giant
Bike Setup:
21 gears, hand grip, shimano sis
Bottom Line:
best deal for the price, very strong frame, anything similar is much more expensive, keeping the chain greased avoids problems, strong frame and good looks, did two races with it and placed in one, have been offer the same price I paid for it, my 23 year old son has one too and we're really happy. for racing I'd like a lighter bike with better setup.
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Submitted by
Oliver Tan
a Cross Country Rider
from Anahiem Hills, CA, USA Date Reviewed: December 12, 2000
Favorite Trail:
anything in my neighborhood
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
Sport Chalet
Strengths:
Cheap, excellent value for a first bike w/o suspension, chushy saddle
Weaknesses:
heavy, flimsy rims
Similar Products Used:
low end Mongoose's
Bike Setup:
2001 Trek 6700 (stock, not for long)
Bottom Line:
I love to do crazy stunts on this bike (16") every since I got my new Trek. I used to do some trail riding, but got a bit heavy. Now I use it to jump off of my wicked ramp creations, and roving around the (exterior) house.
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Submitted by
chad
a Downhiller
from virginia Date Reviewed: November 28, 1999
Duration Product Used:
more than 3 years
Strengths:
price, durability, seat
Weaknesses:
gear system, pedals, i've bent many wheels on jumps
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
for the price, this is a great bike for a beginner or someone who rides only on rare occasions, but i've been wanting a new bike for a while. the m30 is great for thrashing because things don't break too often. it's great for just riding in that sloppy mud and getting totally covered with dirt because there aren't any shocks to clean or anything like that. it's not worth the extra money for the step up from the m20.
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Submitted by
boby
a Downhiller
from williamsburg Date Reviewed: October 16, 1999
Favorite Trail:
my big 1/4 acer back yard
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
nice light bike i tear it up on the trais and it dose not suck up the trai,or somthing
Weaknesses:
chain sucks hard it broke falls off all the time
Similar Products Used:
all of that crap and all the trecs and all the cannondales and all the speacilized.
Bike Setup:
super ravin cannindale,raleigh m8000,raleigh m7000,raleighm800,m600,m80,m55,m50,m45,m40 finnaly my favorite the best bike i the world the big old dirty hard tail full suspention bommers on it the m30
Bottom Line:
im the best biker in the world my next trip is on the top of mt everest!have u herd of me my name is boby buchey the biker boy huhuhuhuhuhohehahumdum buy the way ive won45 thousand terniments!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark McCarty
a Cross-Country Rider
from Howell, NJ Date Reviewed: August 18, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Still exploring them...
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Solid construction, chromoly tubing, components, controls, and all terrain tires that come with the bike; it's a great value for the money!Plus, it's made in America, so you help your fellow Americans when you purchase the M-30. That made me feel good about purchasing this bike over comparable models, most of which are made in Taiwan.
Weaknesses:
The exposed control cables mounted at the apex of the top tube; if you're not careful while mounting/dismounting, you can catch the cables with your legs. I know that most mountain bikes have their control cables mounted on the top tube, but Raleigh could cover up theirs.I had problems with the seat post. Paul replaced it free of charge, and I have had no problems with it since then.The only other problem I had with the bike is that the handlebar stem was loose. When I braked hard, it would move out of its detent. It didn't pose a safety problem; it was more nerve wracking than anything. I took it to Paul, and he had it tightened & fixed in five minutes.The problems I had with the bike were minor; they were easily and quickly fixed.
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
The bike was stock, but Paul Kerns, owner of Glendola Bikes, threw in bar-ends, MTB pedals with toe clips, and two water bottle cages WITH bottles! Other than that, it's a stock bike. It has a rigid frame and the Kenda all-terrain tires that came with the bike.
Bottom Line:
If you're looking for a great first mountain bike, or you're looking for a spare one, get the M-30. This bike was a great buy for $300! That INCLUDED the goodies Paul threw in with it too. Oh, I got my bike in May, which is right in the middle of the season, when bikes cost the most. Even if one were to pay full price for all the items I got with it, this bike would STILL be a great value for the money.I ride this bike on both pavement and off. The tires have a unique knobby design. There are knobbies all over the tire, but, in the center of the tire, the knobbies have a staggered design. The knobby on the right side of the tire does not line up with the one on the left side of the tire. This reduces the flex of the knobbies that come into contact with the surface, thus reducing rolling resistance on pavement. However, if you go off-road with this puppy, there are enough knobbies to provide good traction on all but the softest mud or sand. I've ridden this sucker on and off road, so I know what the tires will do.I purchased this bike for the following reasons: 1) to have spare bike to ride when my road bike is in the shop; 2) to explore the Delaware Canal trails, which have hard packed sand; 3) explore the construction sites near my house; and ride the fire roads in the Pine Barrens. With these 'mission requirements' in mind, the M-30 was the PERFECT bike for me. It's done what I wanted it to do, and it's done it well.Is this the ultimate mountain bike? No, it is not. But, it doesn't have the ultimate price, either. For most of us, the bottom line matters, amen?But, if you're looking for the ultimate mountain bike VALUE, the M-30 is it! You will not get as much bike for the money anywhere. Neither are the comparable rigid frame mountain bikes likely to do as much as the M-30 does, let alone do them as well. I LOVE THIS MACHINE!!!In closing, if you're looking for a mountain bike that gives you bang for the buck, the M-30 is it. If you're looking for a well built mountain bike, the M-30 is it. If you're looking for a mountain bike that does many things well, the Raleigh M-30 is DEFINITELY it! The only bugaboo is the exposed control cables; I give this bike four (4) stars. If you buy an M-30, you will be happy... :)Oh, one more thing-if you're in NJ, buy one from Glendola Bikes; you'll be happier still! Paul, the owner, and Pete, his assistant, know their stuff; they can help you buy the bike or accessory that's right for YOU. They also treat you right; if you have problems, they will fix them for you, and do so cheerfully. If you're in NJ, get your M-30 from Glendola Bikes! They're on Belmar Blvd., by Colfax Plaza, in Wall Twp. Their number is (732) 681-5264. Happy riding, folks!
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Submitted by
chris guerrtte
a Weekend Warrior
from fall river ma Date Reviewed: July 24, 1999
Favorite Trail:
freetown forest
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
price,frame,seat
Weaknesses:
rims,cables
Similar Products Used:
gt outpost
Bike Setup:
showroom bike
Bottom Line:
i tried many bikes in this range and a little more pricey.The m30 ate them up.Strong agile,quick.sharp it did it all.I beat it badly like it was a suspendtion bike and all i did was warp the rear rim.M30 came back for more and more.I do some street riding its great for that to,but if you want a strong give me a beaten bike for under three bills look no further the m30 boys and girls.
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Submitted by
Jerud
a Weekend Warrior
from Burnsville, MN Date Reviewed: July 4, 1999
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Weaknesses:
Front derailer continually upsets me. Drops chain despite professional adjustment. Chains wraps-around ruins the frame at least once a week.
Bottom Line:
An excellent all around bike. Works excellent on the local off-road trails. Grips even muddy and soft terrain well. Takes tree roots and rocks without blinking. Does great on pebbled roads and pavement. Appears slow on sidewalks - no explanation here.I end up going on-road more often than not and may be switching to street tires later this year. Also considering seat suspension. Wondering if a larger front sprocket might help alleviate the problem I have with the chain flying up behind the sprocket and cutting into the frame.Overall, an excellent bike for the dollar. First rented one up at Lake Itasca and fell in love.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark McCarty
a Cross-Country Rider
from Howell, NJ Date Reviewed: May 19, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Still exploring them... :)
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Price, construction, materials, components, all terrain tires, saddle, color, versatility, adjustable cable tension, and features
Weaknesses:
Cable placement and design, with the brake and shifter cables running along the apex of the top tube.
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
I used a stock M30 off the showroom floor; it was the bike I purchased. This is a basice bike without suspension.
Bottom Line:
The Raleigh M30 is a solid, basic bike that is good on the road and off. It offers good, all-round performance, quality, good looks, all at a price that will make you smile! In short, this bike offers V-A-L-U-E.Soon as I brought it home, I took it out to a construction site near my house. It had rained recently, and some of the ground was like hard oatmeal. My M30 just ate it up! It had no problem negotiating the soggy construction site, especially when I put the chain on the small crank.The M30 is also good on the road. Its staggered, center ridge knobby tires provide a good ride on pavement! The rolling resistance one would find with conventional knobby tires is not there; you're not pushing 'snow tires'. These tires are not for the hardcore off-road rider. They are meant for all types of terrain, and they will do this reasonably well.Still, the off-road performance of the tires is good. They're more than adequate for anyone but the most serious off-road riders. This bike, because of its all terrain tires, is good on both pavement and trails. It's no slouch off-road, though! The bike felt just as much at home at the construction site as it does on pavement. Versatility is one of the strengths of the M30.This is not a top of the line bike. It is a good, solid bike providing value. However, it is much nicer than the mountain bikes that were available back in 1986, when I purchased my last bike, a Marukin 12 speed road bike. Technology has truly come a long way! This bike would have been the best of the best back in 1986! It's still quite good now...The only gripe I have with this bike is the cables. They're laid out on the top tube, and they're exposed. It would seem to me that they could have, and should have been covered.In conclusion, if you're looking for your first mountain bike, or you're looking for a spare one, you're a fool if you don't look at the M30. This bike provides a lot for the money! If you're looking for a solid, basic, go anywhere machine without paying a fortune, this is the bike! Whether you're going off-road or on, whether you're taking a pleasure trip or commute, the M30 is up to the task. Happy riding!
$ 259.99
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