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Submitted by
Will Bynum
a Cross Country Rider
from Norco, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 11, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Noble Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Strengths: | Incredible value, durability | | Weaknesses: | Weight | | Similar Products Used: | many | | Bike Setup: | factory | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow up review, more than 4 years after my first review. Scroll to the bottom of the page to see my previous review... and everything still holds true. I have beaten this bike up over the past 4 years and it still performs wonderfully. I've read many of the other reviews with people have durability issues and other probs. I have had none, and I ride this thing constantly. I'm still surprised at how well this has held up, and it truly performs as well as many bikes I've had at 2-3 times the price. Well worth the purchase. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gerald Badoz
a Weekend Warrior
from Orlando, FL, USA
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Jones Trail | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Orange Cycle | | Strengths: | Great bang for your buck!! Great beginner bike. Good looks!! | | Weaknesses: | Lower grade components, but they work fine if tuned properly; reliable. Heavy setup!!! Not for an experienced MTBer with $$$$ to spend. | | Similar Products Used: | Department store bikes (never again). | | Bike Setup: | Factory setup is full Deore equipment, Tektro mechanical disks, Judy TT 100mm fork, spring shock, MAVIC wheels with generic hubs.
After a few years of owning it I've decided to upgrade all the components on it. XTR derailleurs, shifters, crank, BB, cassette, chain, Avid Carbon Juicys brakes, Truvativ Team Carbon handlebar, Cane Creek SOLOS headsset, Thomson X4 stem and seat post, SID rear shock, Judy TT fork, and V Race saddle. Need to upgrade wheels and hubs. | | Bottom Line: | Its a great beginners bike. Learn how to ride and decide whether MT biking is for you. Good value. Mine can stock with full Deore equipment; very decent. Once you grow out of it, get yourself a light-weight higher echelon bike.
It is a little heavy compared to other bikes... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DAvid
a Racer
from Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Skyline | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Whitier Cyclery | | Strengths: | Rims could take a beating | | Weaknesses: | Frame and unfortuantly everything for me Broke the rear fork. Exploded Rear shock. Got lots of chain suck in the frame, the front shock is wimpy and gets lots of sag. | | Similar Products Used: | Ram 3.0 Giant Trance Giant anthem | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | FOr a beginner its great but for someone like me it was horrible, i think i got a lemon because the frame pulled to the side when i peddaled and the frame snaped due to fatigue. raliegh sent me a brand new 3.0 and i would sugest that over this bike. Great value though | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony
a Weekend Warrior
from WI/NY/WA/AZ
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Utica,NY | | Strengths: | Affordable Price. Color is nice too. | | Weaknesses: | Poor engineering. Many weaknesses appearing after 500 miles | | Similar Products Used: | First MtB | | Bike Setup: | Factory Stock | | Bottom Line: | This was a nice tight bike in the beginning. Hit many tough trails with expected failures, however during maintenance, noted many engineering flaws. Basically, this bike is not made to last. Then again, what in this world is? Watch out for the rear shock attach points loosening causing wear in the swing arm and frame mount bores. Rear shock is leaking. noting some play in the fork to frame bearing. I better stay on the sidewalk! Too weak to modify, but what can you get for $450 bucks? Good beginner bike. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Quinn
a Weekend Warrior
from Dallas, TX USA
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Exchange | | Strengths: | Good rims, rear shock is good for being a no-name, sturdy frame | | Weaknesses: | Front forks get spongey pretty quick, front disc brakes get a little out of sync on a reg. basis. | | Similar Products Used: | Mongoose FX 3000, Gary Fisher Opie | | Bike Setup: | (All stock)
WTB components, shimano olivio derailuers, truativ forks, | | Bottom Line: | A great bike for the price! Good components, decent ride. The rear shock is no-name but operates really well on anything from the road to steep downhills. The front forks pretty much suck after the first 6 months or so; they're adjustable, but mine are pretty much the same at any setting now. I traded out the pedals and put some Crank Bros. Candy-C's on it, but otherwise left it stock. I would seriously suggest upgrading the tires as well; they're kinda wimpy. I would definitely recommed this to anyone interested in getting a good bike for not a lot of money. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wil
a Weekend Warrior
from Knoxville, TN, US
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | ride up/down stair, stair drop, small DH course | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Earth Traverse Outfitters | | Strengths: | Price? Brakes have been pretty decent, although they rub | | Weaknesses: | handlebars, cable routing, rear shock, rims, crank | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except for new handlebars | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike beginning of last summer. Rode at home around the woods and the only problem I had was a few flats from thorns. When I went back to school that fall, that’s when stuff started breaking. First the handlebars bent like a paper clip after I landed front heavy off a set of stairs. The rear shock busted after a few weeks of riding on campus. The rear derailleur cable gets caught on the seat post clamp when the rear shock is compressed and pulls it out of position. I get pinch flats almost every time I ride. Recently, I got a flat spot on the rear rim around the seam. Basically this bike sucks. Don't buy. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CHRIS
a Cross Country Rider
from MA
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Weaknesses: | REAR SHOCK TO SOFT LOT OF SAG | | Bottom Line: | AFTER RIDING THE BIKE FOR A YEAR, I HAVE REPLACED THE RIMS REAR SHOCK AND NOW THE FRAM. THE REAR SWING ARM COULD NOT HANDLE HAND THE ABUSE. NOTE THEY LONGER MAKE THE RAM 1.0 AND REAR SWING ARM. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
will
a Weekend Warrior
from pelham,N.Y., United States
Date Reviewed: December 4, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | any thing with a big drop | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$530.00 | | Purchased At: | metro bicycles | | Strengths: | evrything. this is a great bike. it is not expensive at all either. you get alot mor ethen what you pay. it has full suspention,disk brakes, 24 speed. | | Weaknesses: | NONE | | Bottom Line: | great bike for some one getting into mountain biking or even an advanced mountain biker. it is great!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
marvin bliesath
a Downhiller
from reading,pa.,usa
Date Reviewed: November 25, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | twin peaks,jim thorpe | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | j b mtbs reading pa | | Strengths: | frame and suspension | | Weaknesses: | none for all those retarts out there who think there experts you should try a fox floatR MarzocchiBomberMX Pro04 | | Bike Setup: | fox floatR MarzocchiBomberMX Pro 04 LX SHIFTERS XT rear de. avid fr brake levers, easton bars and neck ,Vbrakes sun rims and lizard skin to protect the frame and panaracer fireXCpro tires | | Bottom Line: | CHANGE A FEW THINGS ON THE BIKE AND YOU WILL GET BIG BANG FOR YOUR BUCKS | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
whatever
a Weekend Warrior
from USA
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Strengths: | its a bike? | | Weaknesses: | lots | | Similar Products Used: | specialized,gt | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | i hate listing this, in the 6 months i've had it i've had both deriaullers screw up completely, rear is bent, both wheels needed extreme truing, spokes loosened up,pedals loosen after a week, crank gets loose after a month, pivot points loose after a couple weeks, disc brakes are pathetic, rear shock has horrible tracking performance, fork also has bad small bump sensitivity but has some adjustability, i have also blown up 3 tubes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marcos GB
a Weekend Warrior
from Green Bay, WI USA
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Winter Park, Kewaunee | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Strengths: | Great intermediate/beginner bike. What an awesome transition from my hard frame. Over the last six months I've ridden intense trails from Madison to Kewaunee, and had a blast. Given the low price, I think you can't beat this bike. In Blue Mounds (Madison) I hit the boulders hard with no issues. At Kewaunee I climb >40 degree winding slopes, and at Baird's Creek (GB) I cross ladders (bridges) and jump trees. This bike does it all. | | Weaknesses: | It's the least expensive full suspension bike available (for adults). Yes, the gears are not XT's, and the brakes tend to grind (tip for the front tire: when you put it one, tighten from the right end first to center the disc). I got the gears working well now, and the brakes also. Yes, it's heavy, but then pay a little more for better materials. Besides, weight is OK when you're out to get a workout and have fun. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is a great value and can take a beating. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Will Bynum
a
from Norco
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Santa Ana River Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$525.00 | | Strengths: | Everything | | Weaknesses: | A little heavy | | Similar Products Used: | many | | Bike Setup: | factory | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow up review. I posted last year, and I've recently read some very negative reviews. I thought it was worthy to update from my glowingly positive post from last year. I still feel the same way, and I am even more convinced of the quality of this bike. I compare it to several of my $$$ bikes, and this is an amazing value. I continue to ride difficult trails, and ride them hard, and I have had to put in very little maintenance on this bike at all. I'm sorry that some have had issues with this bike, but it has been nothing but incredible for me... and I have bikes with price tags around $5000. Best value I've ever seen, and great performance- even compared with "high priced" bikes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian Hughes
a Cross Country Rider
from Albuquerque, NM, USA
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Sandia Mountain Trails | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$390.00 | | Purchased At: | NorthWest Cyclery | | Strengths: | Tough bike frame--I've banged this bike around hard and it still keeps going. Inexpensive (especially if on sale like mine was). You get a lot of bike for the price. Adjustable back shock provide 3" or 4" travel, plus you can adjust the spring to the appropriate preload setting. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy--the spec sheets says 34.5 lbs, but mine weighs 38.5 lbs including pedals as configured with tire liners and slime. The brakes weren't great at first, but they got better once broken in and properly adjusted. Components are heavy and lower grade--as to be expected at this price. So although the components were functional, I had to do quite a bit of tweaking on the brakes and derailleurs to get everything working smoothly and how I liked it. Note, I'm probably more fussy than most and I like to do my own wrenching, so I'll tweak on anything that's not perfect. Manitou Six fork is too soft and springy for my taste. No lockout (but what bike would at this price?) | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale, Motobecane Fantom Elite is my current other full suspension bike--it's a lot lighter and upgaded with expensive components so I save it for racing and use the Raleigh for beating around, training, and exploring new trails. | | Bike Setup: | Mostly Stock. Slime and liners in tires, installed SPD pedals as soon as I got it home (I think the plastic platform pedals that come with the bike are just there for test rides at the store--not to ever try to ride on the trail). Also replaced the back wheel with a WTB wheel after I did something stupid and ruined the rim (not the bike's fault--it was mine). | | Bottom Line: | For the money, it's a great bike. I don't think there is a better value out there. The quality was better than I expected at this price. Once adjusted, it rides as well as bikes many times more expensive. I'm fortunate to live where there are world class mountain singletracks and their trailheads just a few feet from my house, so I've done a lot of hard riding which includes plenty of drops and hard hits. Never a problem with the Raleigh RAM. Unlike other reviews, I found this bike to be tougher and sturdier than other full suspension bikes that are many time more expensive. In my experience sometimes the real lightweight and expensive bikes don't hold up as well as heavier bikes on XC trails.
This bike is not a XC racing bike--it's just too heavy. But you can even use that to your advantage and train with it by riding uphills. Then when you grab other bike (your lightweight racing bike) it feels as light as a feather. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marco
a Weekend Warrior
from Massachusetts
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | A.V.I.S | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$530.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheels n reels | | Strengths: | the color, the handlebars | | Weaknesses: | ok lets seeee....rims,dropouts,fork,wheels slide on anything,gears are screwy, BACK SHOCK SUCKS MAJOR SH*!,the saddle hurts after maybe 5 minutes of sitting on it and $@*! i go on 2 hours rides,the pedals suck, the crank sucks, the "disc" brakes are weaker than my old department store bike and are MUCH weaker than my dads frigin comfort bike...so u get the picture....everything sucks! | | Similar Products Used: | trek,specialized,mongoose | | Bike Setup: | stock from raleigh, which=COMPLETE CRAP! | | Bottom Line: | This is my second review. I'm so disappointed in this bike i think i'm gonna throw it off a F*CKING mountain. Nobody buy this bike. maybe for some 8 year olds who like bikes that have two shocks (ooo!) but then again the shocks completely suck. the back shock is so damn tight and absorbs almost nothing. the manitou six fork isn't smooth at all...has no small bump sensitivity,i dont think its really considered a shock, it just has 3 points throughout the shock which it can stay...its so screwed! it doesn't move smoothly throughout it...it just moves a half inch at a time...SO SCREWED.......i am extremely disappointed with this "bike" and think raleigh should give me my money back so i can get a mongoose Tyax Super........I HATE RALEIGH THIS IS A FREE COUNTRY THANK GOD I CAN SAY I HATE RALEIGH YOUR BIKES ARE HORRIBLE......I WILL NEVER BUY FROM YOU AGAIN AS LONG AS I LIVE | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marco
a Cross Country Rider
from andover,massachusetts,USA
Date Reviewed: June 7, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Avis Railroad Pond | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$530.00 | | Purchased At: | wheels n reels | | Strengths: | fork adjustability,cool looks,tires have good grip | | Weaknesses: | back shock is really tight,disc brakes are weak,crank and spokes loosen up easily,gears mess up in about 3 days after gettin fixed,chain keeps slapping against the frame | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Y26,Mongoose Tyax,Trek 3900, | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I guess its ok if you just go on smooth trails and town riding. But if this thing feels unsteady on a wheelie landing then i guess its not for me. It breaks pretty easily and i surely expected more from a raleigh. DO NOT go off even small jumps with this, everythin loosens up and will break on you. The chain is also annoying, over bumps and off curbs it smacks the frame and is scratching the crap out of th eframe | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a
from Colorado
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | For the price it rides 'ok' when something isn't broken | | Weaknesses: | This is a weak bike, in the 3 months ive had it i have buckled both rims multiple times, had the front hub break, the pivot point come loose (where the chainstays join the rest of the frame) and finally the chainstay got a hairline crack after approx 3 months. I was replaced under warranty but i didnt have a bike for 3 weeks. | | Bottom Line: | Don't buy this bike unless you are only going to be doing light cross country with no drops or jumps. If you are going to be doing anything more and want a bike that will last, either spend twice as much and get a quality full suspension bike or get a hardtail and you will have far less problems. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a
from Australia
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Weaknesses: | very weak bike | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow-up to my previous review and since then the chainstay has cracked so i have revised my score | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
farider
a Downhiller
from arcata
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$529.00 | | Purchased At: | hidden valley bike shop (escondido) | | Strengths: | Fairly good components for the money. Haven't completely destroyed it yet, surprising because of what i do with it. | | Weaknesses: | does need to be tuned up after a month and get the drive train looked at. Wheels aren't the best either. Cracked the petals after about a week, so getting metal ones would be the best. The balance also seems to be off center since i got it. | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | If you're poor like me, it's the best deal out there. But you shouldn't buy a full suspension for less than $1000, because as soon as you get it you will want something with more travel and beefier. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a Cross Country Rider
from Tasmania
Date Reviewed: January 9, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | A lot for the money. Disk brakes, Full suspension, Decent forks. | | Weaknesses: | Front Hub broke after a bad landing (admitedly it was probably my fault) Rubber thing that stops dirt from getting in the fork became detatched and wouldn;t stay where it was meant to. | | Similar Products Used: | norco trail fluid 3 | | Bottom Line: | I probably wouldn't buy this bike again. If its your first bike, but you think you will ride a lot I would definately spend a few more hundred dollars and get something a bit better from a bigger brand. I didn't think i could justify spending more than i did on a bike but since i got it i have used it so much more that i wish i had got something a bit better quality. I just don't think this bike is going to last more than a few months. I have only had small problems with it so far but it's not a good indication of things to come. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Patrick
a Downhiller
from Newark, Delaware
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$525.00 | | Purchased At: | Wooden Wheels | | Strengths: | Very solid bike for the money. | | Weaknesses: | None that I can see as of yet | | Bottom Line: | This is my first mountain bike so my opinion probally does not mean much, but this bike I feel offers everything a beginer rider like myself needs. I wanted a bike that offered alot for the money and the 1.0 is what I found. I totally dig the full suspention ride and the disc breaks, and the overall ride is excellent. I use it mainly for trail riding which takes quite a beating, however it takes everything I throw at it. I never rode a 4 figured Mtb before, but besides for the weight of the bike (which has not been an issue)I feel this is a great bike that could stack up to any full suspention bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ray
a Weekend Warrior
from Ventura, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Heartattack Hill | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$575.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle World | | Strengths: | This bike is fantastic! It is a great value overall for the money. | | Weaknesses: | A tad heavy, no biggy though | | Bike Setup: | Ais is from Raleigh | | Bottom Line: | Bottom line is if you are a new to mountain biking or have been around for awhile, this is a must have bike for over all preformance needs on and off road. What a great value...Enjoy | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Will Bynum
a Cross Country Rider
from Norco, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$525.00 | | Strengths: | EVERYTHING! Seriously, this bike does ANYTHING that you ask of it. | | Weaknesses: | A little heavy- but not too much to annoy even an expert rider. | | Bike Setup: | Straight from Raleigh. Only thing added is a kickstand. | | Bottom Line: | I am a hard core rider, and for the last 10 years I've tried bikes ranging between $1200 and $6000. I bought this bike basically as an experiment to test something that some friends of mine and I have been suspecting for years. Honestly, this bike compares with any of those high priced bikes. I think some of us take ourselves too seriosly and think that we have to have "the best" components- and that the total has to add up to at least 4 digits or it's not quality. Bull. This bike isn't the lightest (just under 35 pounds), but everything is BEYOND functional to the point of being as solid as anything you could ever need- regardless of your skill level. BEST VALUE I'VE EVER SEEN! If you were to put a pro blindly on this bike and then on a $3000 bike- then ask him to compare, I'm sure he'd come up with a list discussing components and the superiority of the $3k bike. Then ask to tell the difference in PERFORMANCE, and there would be so little difference it would amaze you. And isn't bike performance what it's all about?!?!?!? Not the name of the frame, the brakes, the fork, etc. But performance. And this bike performs for $500!!!!!!!! To any of those who see yourselves as an expert, try this bike, and use the money that you save to take your wife out to dinner, pay off your credit card, take your kids to a baseball game, and then some! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brandon Mcdougal
a Weekend Warrior
from Ventura, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Most trails in mtns behind Santa Barbara, CA | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$575.00 | | Strengths: | This bike is awsome for this price i would recomend this bike for any beginner to intermediate rider, For the beginner it is great to learn on and for the intermediate rider it is a great rider because as you improve in riding you can make modifications to the bike. | | Weaknesses: | So far on the bike i have made two modifications, I addaed clips to the peddals and a new suspension to the front with more travel | | Similar Products Used: | N/A | | Bike Setup: | SEE ABOVE | | Bottom Line: | This bike is SWEET!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charles K
a Weekend Warrior
from USA
Date Reviewed: February 16, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$575.00 | | Strengths: | Value, forks, disk brakes on a full suspension at $575, | | Weaknesses: | Only one waterbottle mount. Front derailler. A touch heavy. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Warp, Schwinn Rocket | | Bottom Line: | Bottom line is this bike is a great value for the casual mountain biker who wants a nice ride for not a lot of cash. For $575 you get a 100mm fork, rear shock, and disk brakes. Average components...but again...this bike is for the casual biker...not a racer. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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