Raleigh rc6000 vs Focus Donna Framesets

[NordicElf]

I am in an unexpected situation. I have 2 really small carbon frames to choose from. I'm super short and need the smallest frame I can find.

I have the option of a 2012 Focus Donna 44cm or a 2011 Raleigh 44cm both carbon. 

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/152055-ladies-raleigh-rc6000-size-44-x-small-full-carbon/

 

 

The focus hasn't been ridden and is going for R10 000 (without the seat post) 500mm top tube

The Raleigh has hardly been ridden (I'm going to look at it today) for R6500. 495mmm (if i found the right specs on the internet)

 

How do I choose? I'm liking the price of the Raleigh, how does one evaluate a carbon frame? Will the focus be that much better?

 

[Cat2forLife]

The Focus is a MUCH better frame.

[Wannabe]

Nothing intrinsicly wrong with the Raleigh, but a lot of people look down on it (not as "fancy") and it is the older design.

Focus is really good frames, newer design, etc.

 

I would go for the Focus. BUT... Go and have a look at both, handle them, and then take the one that "speaks" to you. That is the one you would want to ride and be seen on.

[NordicElf]

Ok thanks for the responses. What makes the focus better, is it only design or is it also material quality?

 

I liked the pick it up and feel it advice, which I will follow but curious why you both think the focus is better

[alleyne]

Small (er) market for small size frames, as a buyer I would think you should be able to bargain both of those down.

 

Or, at the end of the day if you choose the Raleigh at least offer R6500 for the Focus, you never know.

[Wannabe]

Focus is a newer design, incorporating the later trends and materials, i.e slightly better.

 

The Raleigh frame is basicaly a rebranded Dedacciai frame (or so I was led to believe when they were released, reason why most of components on the Team and Ltd frames was Dedacciai) This in itself is not a bad thing, NOTHING wrong with those frames.

 

Why I said Focus, it is because of it's relative "exclusivity" as there is not that many of them around, and if you are a brand snob, you do not want to be seen on a Raleigh, the other snobs is going to look down on you.  

[NordicElf]

Hmmm is that worth R3.5k though? I know, I'm the only one to work that out. Thanks for the explanation. 

 

The Focus is pretty...

[Eugene]

There is nothing wrong with Raleigh as a brand. They are good products. I would choose the Raleigh over the Focus.

 

However there are a few things about the one in the ad.

 

Firstly that is not a 2011 frame. It is a 2008 model. Secondly R6 500 is too much. Newer models than that are selling on the second hand market for R4 000 or so. I wouldn't pay more than R3 500 for it. Do some searches on the Hub to get an idea what carbon Raleighs are going for. I advertised my 2007 model for R3 500 and the best offer I got was R2 400.

[Starvin' Marvin]

There is nothing wrong with Raleigh as a brand. They are good products. I would choose the Raleigh over the Focus.

 

However there are a few things about the one in the ad.

 

Firstly that is not a 2011 frame. It is a 2008 model. Secondly R6 500 is too much. Newer models than that are selling on the second hand market for R4 000 or so. I wouldn't pay more than R3 500 for it. Do some searches on the Hub to get an idea what carbon Raleighs are going for. I advertised my 2007 model for R3 500 and the best offer I got was R2 400.

What Eugene said is spot on. There is a small 2010/11 RC7000C being advertised with full Ultegra R9500. I have the RC8000C with Force and I will not sell my bike, ever. Have a look at the RC7000C, looks damn good.

 

Don't let people knock Raleigh.