Raleigh bikes

MikeB18

Hey guys,
I am new to this forum and new to cycling. I have a cheap apollo bike at the moment which I use now and again but I want to get into road cycling. Seeing as I know nothing about road bikes I need help choosing one. I only want to spend £300 - 400 and I only want a beginner one, not a fancy £2000 carbon fibre one. I have been browsing on ebay and found this raleigh bike.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RALEIGH-100-ROAD- ... 588wt_1159

I am just wondering, are raleigh bikes any good? and are there any bikes you could recommend for my price range?

Mike

night_porter

For the price that you are looking at that Raleigh bike looks very good.

Compared to most Apollo bikes Raleigh bikes will be lighter, better built, more reliable and generally much better.

Other bikes you could consider in this price range are Carerra TDF or Virtuoso but the specs will be very similar so choose which one you like the look of the most.

I would normally tell you to ride some and see which you like the ride of the most but to be honest they all should ride better than the Apollo.

Also you have said you know nothing about road bikes so it may be very hard to decide which feels right or wrong.

Buy the one you like the look of and get some miles under your belt and learn how great riding a roadie is and what suits you best then upgrade once you have the bug.

Anonymous

That won't be much of an upgrade to be honest...

night_porter

Given that the Airlight 100 (RRP £499) has the same shimano components as most entry level road bikes e.g. Specialized Allez, Giant Defy 4, Trek 1.1, etc.

Also it has the same frame and carbon forks as the Tiagra equipped Airlight 400 (RRP £700) probably made in the same factories as the others too.

I would assume that it is an acceptable starter bike with a great discount and will be a massive improvement over a "cheap Appollo" that only gets used "now and again".

I see nothing wrong with people learning to enjoy the sport on starter equipment, isn't that why manufacturers make it?

Super Domestique

I'd seen the airlite 100 for just over £350 online and thought that was a good deal compared to the rrp of £500. However at that price it looks very good indeed. The other often mention £300 bike is the Carrera TdF and that lacks the carbon fork of the Raleigh.