Raleigh Mountain Bikes

[scottalanphoto]

I'm getting back into riding... I used to ride almost every day but I have not been on a bike in at least 5 years... I have a raleigh m50 mountain bike that I only rode a few times... It's still in good shape except it needs a tune up... I was looking thru some magazines and I noticed that I have not really been able to find raleigh bikes being advertised that much... Is raleigh not that good of a bike? If I remember correctly I paid over 500 dollars for it brand new...

I'm wanting to get back into riding pretty seriously and hardcore.... any tips or advice on going about that, gear, etc... would be greatly appreciated...

thanks,
scott

[rockyrider]

Well, it is an entry level bike, but perfectly adequate until your riding starts to push the limits of the bike. Wear it out and then buy a better bike.

http://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?deptid=11&itemid=63

[LeeMcGough]

I second Rocky's opinion here. If you are riding a lot, start saving for a replacement bike. Avoid upgrading an old bike, it costs too much money. Better off running your old bike into the ground and having the cash on hand to replace it when it dies. You will get much more bang for your buck buying a complete bike, especially where your fork is concerned. They practically give them away on complete bikes, but purchased separately, forks and a decent wheelset will set you back a fair chunk of change.

[scottalanphoto]

thanks for the feedback.. it's greatly appreciated... any more suggestions and comments are welcome:)

[davkatreb]

I'd be all over a Rush Hour if I were looking at a new Raleigh. But I suspect that's a whole 'nother forum.

[davkatreb]

Well, it is an entry level bike, but perfectly adequate until your riding starts to push the limits of the bike. Wear it out and then buy a better bike.

http://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?deptid=11&itemid=63
Shit, rocky, there ain't nothin' wrong with that bike that a Singleator and a rigid fork wouldn't cure.

[K-Man]

I was looking thru some magazines and I noticed that I have not really been able to find raleigh bikes being advertised that much... Is raleigh not that good of a bike?


Nothing wrong with a Raleigh. Sound like they made a mistake and scaled back their advertising, which ended up giving folks (like you) the false impression that Raleighs are not good.


I'm wanting to get back into riding pretty seriously and hardcore.... any tips or advice on going about that, gear, etc... would be greatly appreciated...

thanks,
scott

I second the good advice already give by other posters.

Mountain bike technology has been evolving rapidly, so saving up for a current model makes more sense than trying to upgrade an old steed.

[scottalanphoto]

again thanks for all the info... just for future refference... what bike(s) would ya'll recommend? I'm I'm mostly going to be riding with my g/f on pavement and some dirt trails... Every once in a while I'll go off roading pretty hardcore... would ya'll suggest I go with a hardtail or dual susspension? Trek? GT? what brand? etc???

[rockyrider]

For the riding that you're describing your best bet is to wander into the local bike shops and just see what they have to offer. In a medium price point bike all the parts spec will be similar and overall bike quality will be similar.

I'd stay away from a full suspension bike until you have a budget up into the $1500-$1800 range for a new bike (or that would be $1200-$1300 for last year's clearance bikes).

At this point in your MTB'ing experience it will be more important to have good support from your shop, and have a reliable bike that won't leave you walking back from a 20 mile ride with broken things hanging off the bike.

When the time comes spend the most you can afford to get a lightweight high quality frame so that you have a bike that can be upgraded if you like it.

[50 Mission Cap]

I'm getting back into riding... I used to ride almost every day but I have not been on a bike in at least 5 years... I have a raleigh m50 mountain bike that I only rode a few times... It's still in good shape except it needs a tune up... I was looking thru some magazines and I noticed that I have not really been able to find raleigh bikes being advertised that much... Is raleigh not that good of a bike? If I remember correctly I paid over 500 dollars for it brand new...

I'm wanting to get back into riding pretty seriously and hardcore.... any tips or advice on going about that, gear, etc... would be greatly appreciated...

thanks,
scott

I'm sure it's a great bike. If you like it and how it rides, who cares what anyone else thinks? I'll never part w/ my entry level trek 4500.

[RacerK]

In addition to the good advice given here, the next issue will have some good advice for you, scottalanphoto...:cool:

Once you beat up your old bike and have saved for a new one, be sure to save a bit more to convert that old one into a singlespeed! Then you'll have a quiver of bikes for different conditions and moods.

[davkatreb]

In addition to the good advice given here, the next issue will have some good advice for you, scottalanphoto...:cool:

Once you beat up your old bike and have saved for a new one, be sure to save a bit more to convert that old one into a singlespeed! Then you'll have a quiver of bikes for different conditions and moods.
It has been my experience that once you have acquired the one-upper, the quiver becomes redundant.

[scottalanphoto]

why would i want a single speed? just wondering!!!

[rusty68]

I'm dying to see how many replies you get to that question... Try posting that question in the singlespeed forum. You'll get hundreds of reasons. :D

[scottalanphoto]

ok... i will :D

[WxMan]

Oh I want to respond. Yes turn the old ride into a singlespeed. Why. Singlespeeding will improve your technical riding ability, improve your endurance and they are simple and clean. No messy cables and derailleur hanging off the bike. Lower cost and more time in the saddle and less time spent on tune-ups and cleaning.

From one who found MTB riding later in life I can say the SS is the bomb.

[scottalanphoto]

thanks for the reply... :)

[rusty68]

I am currently in the process of converting my old Rocky Mountain hardtail into a singlespeed. I even put some Surly rigid forks on it to make it really no nonsense. My Misfit Psycle Fubar handlebars are the crowning touch.

http://www.psyclestore.com/index.php?cPath=48&osCsid=0c21e6e23a9737ca517ef6c1646a73bf

It's my first singlespeed (other than my childhood bikes that is), although I do have a Surly fixed gear road bike that I bought at least partly because of davkatreb.

[davkatreb]

why would i want a single speed? just wondering!!!
Because you will feel like a kid again.

Because it will teach you flow.

Because shifty bits are irrelevant.

Because passing gearies on a climb and waiting for them at the top of the hill can be quite entertaining.

Because singlespeed is the gateway drug to fixed gear.

Because KoolAid is yummy.

hopethishelps

[davkatreb]

Oh I want to respond. Yes turn the old ride into a singlespeed. Why. Singlespeeding will improve your technical riding ability, improve your endurance and they are simple and clean. No messy cables and derailleur hanging off the bike. Lower cost and more time in the saddle and less time spent on tune-ups and cleaning.

From one who found MTB riding later in life I can say the SS is the bomb.
Cleaning?:confused:

[WxMan]

Yes I'm guilty of that too davkatreb.