Raleigh Airlite 400

Steve_b77
Steve_b77 Posts: 1,680
edited July 2009 in Road buying advice
I'm looking for a road bike to commute to work on and use during the evenings/weekends for rides out & about.

I've got a budget of upto £600 and I've come across the Raleigh airlite 400, I've seen it has Shimano Tiagra gears & shifters on a Raleigh U6 alloy frame, the one I've seen is well within budget, available in the size I ride (56cm - I had a Spec' Allez last year in this size) and looks rather nice.

What are the general opinions on these bikes?

Also what other bike within the similar price range would be recommended.

Comments

  • Steve_b77
    Steve_b77 Posts: 1,680
    Any opinions will be greatfully recieved :)

    If not suggest me something else in the same price range
  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
    think I read a review on this , albeit a while back - and it got a really write up. The specification seems ok for the price. The biggest drawback, would be thats its a raleigh - that may or may not bother you.

    Think Cube do a really nice bike for around £600 - and you might want to visit the ribble web site - put an Alu frame in the bikebuilder - and see what that throws up. Specialized seem to do some good bikes at this price point - but have never owned or ridden one - but you might want to look them up.
  • Steve_b77
    Steve_b77 Posts: 1,680
    kingrollo wrote:
    think I read a review on this , albeit a while back - and it got a really write up. The specification seems ok for the price. The biggest drawback, would be thats its a raleigh - that may or may not bother you.

    Think Cube do a really nice bike for around £600 - and you might want to visit the ribble web site - put an Alu frame in the bikebuilder - and see what that throws up. Specialized seem to do some good bikes at this price point - but have never owned or ridden one - but you might want to look them up.

    Doesn't bother me in the slightest about the bike being a Raleigh, I used to only have Raleighs when i was a kid.

    I'll have a gander on Ribble and see what they come up with
  • Boxster
    Boxster Posts: 14
    There's a lot of bike snobbery about. I saw somebody describe a Raleigh as not an aspirational brand.

    I bought an Airlite 400 and am thrilled with it. Admittedly it's my first road bike (after many years on a Cannondale MTB). The Tiagra gears are really very good and the general standard of both bike and kit is very reasonable in my opinion.

    Try it! Good luck with whatever you choose.
  • fnegroni
    fnegroni Posts: 794
    Correct me if I am wrong, but it seems to be using Easton's Ultralight tubed frame, which is regarded as a top-grade frame material.

    I would not snob it at all.
    http://wokinghamcyclist.blogspot.com
  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
    only in limited sizes ....but worth a trawl of the web ?

    http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... _Bike_2008
  • Steve_b77
    Steve_b77 Posts: 1,680
    kingrollo wrote:
    only in limited sizes ....but worth a trawl of the web ?

    http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... _Bike_2008

    Bit out of my budget there, nice bike though
  • Steve_b77
    Steve_b77 Posts: 1,680
    Dammit, the airlight I'd orderd @ £464 was all set to be mine when the shop contacted me saying that when they got the bike out of the box to build it up the frame was dented.

    Can't find another one @ that price, and as my budget is now sub £500 (incoming bill last night) I'm on the search for summit else.

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