Mr. Skinny Posted June 26, 2008 Share Hi Firstly let me say I have been living in London for 8 years now and something I have been noticing since joining this forum is that Raleigh in South Africa seems to be like Trek over here. I have seen some threads on The Hub stating that in SA it's not 'cool' or what have you to ride a Trek but one thing that is the complete opposite is that Raleigh in the UK as far as my experience goes appeals only to the kids and grannies and novices who want to ride twice a month in the park. Any half serious cyclist goes for the likes of Klein, Trek, Specialized, Cannondale, Gary Fisher, Giant, Scott, Yeti... I'm interested to see what peoples' opinions of Raleigh are. Obviously they're highly rated bikes in SA which as I say is the opposite to England. Here Trek is really big and as I said, no half serious cyclist - mountain biker or roadie would be seen dead on a Raleigh. Is Raleigh in England the Same company as it is in SA? It must be I think but the SA Raleigh bikes obviously seem so much better. Maybe it's just the whole demand and supply thing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baaisikilist Posted June 26, 2008 Share They're just as *** here, but dirt cheap for the component spec u get them with in comparison to other brands with the same/similar spec level... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Skinny Posted June 26, 2008 Share They're just as *** here' date='[/quote'] Don't get me wrong - I'm not knocking Raleigh or anything like that - merely curious 'cause they look like much better bikes the ones produced in SA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Skinny Posted June 26, 2008 Share ... or as you say, do they appeal to so many people because of the high spec components that come with the bikes... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisH Posted June 26, 2008 Share They're just as *** here' date=' but dirt cheap for the component spec u get them with in comparison to other brands with the same/similar spec level...[/quote'] Ah, a classic non sequitur. If as you say, Raleigh bikes are less expensive than other makes for the SAME spec level then why do you say they are ***? Your argument states that a South African assembled Raleigh has the same/similar spec level (drive train, fork, rear shock and wheel set) to a more expensive make. Take a Santa Cruz for example. Where does the difference lie? It can't be the frame because they share the design. The only difference is the brand/sticker. Cycling is expensive because brand whores push the prices of cycling stuff up. I own four South African Raleigh bikes and not one has ever let me down. Ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtbreath Posted June 27, 2008 Share It's like driving a Toyota versus driving a BMW. OK maybe a Tata. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndreZA Posted June 27, 2008 Share The Raleighs we have here is no relation to the ones over there. The UK and US ones looks much better then ours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Zone Posted June 27, 2008 Share Frame made in Taiwan, same factory as many other "high end" bikes, painted and badged, plastered with decent components, and sold at a reasonable price. Probably responsible for the most number of wins in SA over the last 3 years. The perception is of an inferior brand, which is due to Raleigh, many years ago selling rubbish bikes in supermarkets. Today that perception of inferiour bikes still remains. Its all about image Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnarly Posted June 27, 2008 Share They're just as *** here' date=' but dirt cheap for the component spec u get them with in comparison to other brands with the same/similar spec level...[/quote'] Raleigh?s South African Road Championship Record2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008GOLD Under-23 Men Road RaceDaryl ImpeyUnder-23 Men Ind. Time TrialDaryl ImpeyUnder-23 Men Ind. Time TrialDaryl ImpeyElite Women Ind. Time TrialAnke ErlankElite Women Ind.Time TrialAnke ErlankElite Men Road RaceJacques FullardJunior Men Road RaceJonathan KinnearElite Men Road RaceMalcolm LangeElite Women Ind. Time TrialMarissa van der MerweUnder-23 Men Ind. Time TrialJay ThomsonElite Women Road RaceCherise TaylorElite Men Road RaceIan McLeodSILVER Under-23 Men Road RaceDaryl ImpeyElite Men Ind. Time TrialNicholas WhiteUnder-23 Men Ind. TimeTrialDaryl ImpeyElite Women Ind. Time TrialCashandra SlingerlandElite Men Ind. Time TrialNicholas WhiteElite Men Road RaceWaylon WoolcockBRONZE Elite Men Road RaceMorne BesterElite Men Road RaceNeil MacDonaldElite Men Ind. Time TrialNicholas WhiteElite Men Ind. Time TrialKevin EvansElite Men Road RaceDavid George Must be K@k hey? How many Raleighs have you ridden? I ride them cause they are affrodable and the warranty. And by the way my marathon eight (large) is lighter that my Dad's Yeti (medium). Gnarly2008-06-27 01:28:03 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speed Devil Posted June 27, 2008 Share The perception is of an inferior brand' date=' which is due to Raleigh, many years ago selling rubbish bikes in supermarkets. Today that perception of inferiour bikes still remains. Its all about image[/quote'] Riding as bike is like driving a car.... you don't get bad bikes, just bad drivers. If you look after your equipment and use it in the manner for which it is dedigned then it should never let you down. I understand that there will always be a bad apple in the bunch and it cant be avoided and it is unfortunately those bad ones that give the entire bunch a bad name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bateleur1 Posted June 27, 2008 Share I will hang on to my Raleigh comments till next week. I have had my Raleigh for 5 years now. Am experiencing a problem at the moment. All lies in the sales service. Currently I am a pit ticked off about that. Will see if things pan out next week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carbon Freak Posted June 27, 2008 Share With reference to line up of previous National champions, would the same riders win the same races if they rode a trek, colnago, cervelo? most probably. Would it make a difference if everyone rode the same bike, No the smartest, fastest, strongest rider would invariably win, top machines vary little..... but lots made of this little because a little can be a lot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myra Posted June 27, 2008 Share I wouldn't be seen dead on a Raleigh. But then I wouldn't be seen dead on a Scott, GT or Schwinn either. It's just personal preference! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Twin Posted June 27, 2008 Share I also thought my Raleigh was rubish after first Argus 4h36 something then this year a 3h40 something then I realised it was my legs that were rubish the year before and next year want to do a 3h15 hope the bike is good enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Twin Posted June 27, 2008 Share I just luv passing dudes on their expensive bikes good on you Raleigh Dirty Twin2008-06-27 06:58:18 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slowbee Posted June 27, 2008 Share I just luv passing dudes on their expensive bikes good on you Raliegh heck expensive bike or not .. I just like passing people instead of being passed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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