Raleigh Bikes

[Shiny calves]

Hi Guys

 

I know that I'm new to the cycling world, but I've picked up that most guys aren't 2 keen on Raleigh road bikes as opposed to other brands. Why is it like that?

I dont know but i like their bikes and they seem 2 have some good groupsets as to other bikes in that same range.

Shiny calves2009-05-13 02:26:33

[Sammajoor]

They are not all cracked up to be what the ad says.  It is like kissing your sister, feels like nothing.

[Ferrari]

I think its more a price issue. They had a big mark up. In December 2008 you could buy a Raleigh full carbon with Dura ace groupset and wheels from Cajees for R28000. Comes January 2009 that same machine was priced @ R40 000.00, doesnt make sence. They have very good bikes except for the little problem they had in 2008 with the carbon frames that had a "cracking" problem

[Jan Begemann]

It's because we are the local guys and not as cool as the Americans. Our frames can be as light and stiff and good looking as a Trek, specced with better groupsets and sold at half the price. All this doesn't count if you want to ride the same bike as Lance Armstrong.

 

And if you are one of the guys who just wanted the same bike as Lance, you need to justify this without saying the only reason was Lance.

[Jan Begemann]

I think its more a price issue. They had a big mark up. In December 2008 you could buy a Raleigh full carbon with Dura ace groupset and wheels from Cajees for R28000. Comes January 2009 that same machine was priced @ R40 000.00' date=' doesnt make sence. They have very good bikes except for the little problem they had in 2008 with the carbon frames that had a "cracking" problem[/quote']

 

 

 

That was in 2006/2007.

[Thug]

 

In my opinion there is nothing wrong with Raleighs. People are just snobs and prefer riding "imported" brands.

 

 

edit: Then again, my opinion in the greater scheme of things doesn't count for much.

 

 

 

The Thug2009-05-13 02:56:34

[jdvisagie]

I'm using the 2008 7000C at the moment. Same frame as the team model made by an Italian company, Dedacciai. They make frames and forks for many other "Known" brands like Cube, Dolan and Ribble. They also make some top end components under Deda branding.

 

The frames (carbon & alloy) are generally well respected overseas, but here in SA guys do tend to frown on them. Mainly because they do tend to crack more then other brands, but partly also because they're common as grass. Complete bike often retails for the same price as "big name" frame only prices.

 

I've only had mine for a while now with no problem sofar, but will have to see what happens. I built it with DA, Ritchey WCS and Easton Orion 2 wheels, so when the time comes I can get a frame maybe a bit more special... Got to go with what fits your pocket. Good value for money, but doesn't come with bragging rights!

 

Having said that, does anyone have a 2009 Raleigh team bike? Road or MTB? Looks like Raleigh moved away from Dedacciai, who makes their frames now? Are they lighter or stonger? Would be nice to get some feedback on those....

 

[Iwan Kemp]

My account:

 

1. They had major issues with their carbon frames in 07/08. Raleigh said it was only one batch. What they won't tell you is that that batch was their full consignment for the year. Brandon Els was on The Hub offering reasons and explanations, but I think the damage was done. Die koei was deur die kerk. Raleigh lands 08 frames mid 07 to replace broken frames.

News came in of broken mtb frames, a friend told me that between him and his two Epic training partners they went through 9 frames in less than a year. They contested the Epic on GT's. Brandon said problem was only with ONE BATCH CARBON ROAD BIKE FRAMES.

 

2. 09  Price increases were astronimical. Again people from Probike was kind enough to explain the situation on The Hub. Dollar & Raw materials were to blame. Sure, was a world wide problem, but that didn't explain the increase in mark-up over 08. Probike guys predicted evrybody will have to up their prices to the same extend and that it will not influence their sales.

 

3. Global economy crash

 

4. Raleigh announces massive price cuts. Great stuff for guys shopping now. Bad news for anyone who already owns a Raleigh and bad news for shops with old stock on their floors.

 

5. Probike goes quiet on The Hub.

[ChrisH]

I have a Raleigh road bike, tri bike and 2 x dual suss mountain bikes (RDS and Marathon).

 

Not one of them has ever let me down or broken and I always have a great time when riding any of them.  I don't ask for more than that from a bike.

 

For some reason people tend to be snobs about bike brands, (call them brand whores if you like) and they have a public forum here to spout their rubbish.

 

These are the same people who support Hallmark holidays like Mothers day. Marketers love them because they are easy to sell stuff to.

 

Have at it.

[Iwan Kemp]

Honest question: how is Raleigh a "local" brand?

[rock]

Honest question: how is Raleigh a "local" brand?

 

they choose the colours in PE

[Iwan Kemp]

Aaahhh...

[Jan Begemann]

Honest question: how is Raleigh a "local" brand?

 

Raleigh is as much a local brand as Trek, Specialized and Cannondale are American brands.

 

The company is registered and based in South Africa, R&D and product management is done in South Africa. Nearly all people employed by Probike are working and living in South Africa, and the entry level bikes you can buy from Game are assembled in Port Elizabeth. OK, you can say now that I as the product manager am not South African, but the guy who designed the new Specialized Epic wasn't American either. And of course our frames are made in Taiwan and China. And so are (nearly) all other frames as well. But does that make us a Chinese brand?

 

 

[AndreZA]

I know what you are saying Jan, but Raleigh was originally an English brand and in the other parts of the world you still get them aswell, totally different to the SA models.

[Iwan Kemp]

So how does your deal work with Raleigh UK? Was Raleigh SA the first or do you have licence to use the name or licence to market the bikes here?

 

I do consider Cannondale a US company just as much as I consider VW German even though their cars are made in Brazil/Belgium/SA/Germany and who knows where else.

 

Is Raleigh as much South African as Silverback for example?

The Crow2009-05-13 03:18:27

[Jan Begemann]

The story of Raleigh as a brand name is a bit complicated, and I am not sure if what I write here is 100% correct, but I'll try my best.

 

The original Raleigh company based in UK had a branch in South Africa since I can't remember (long time) producing bikes for the local market. More than 10 years ago the whole Raleigh group got sold, and the new owner cut Raleigh International into many little pieces and sold them. As far as I know he only kept Raleigh UK, Raleigh US and obviously the rights on the brand name. So everyone using the Raleigh brand name is paying licence fees for his area now to Raleigh International. Right now you will find Raleigh licencees all over the world, and most of them do their own bike ranges, that suit the best to the local market. We for example have the license for Africa and India, Derby Cycle Germany for Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Shepherd's in New Zealand for NZ and Australia, and so on.

 

Probike on the other hand was founded by Peter Miller (don't know if the company's name actually was Probike at that stage) more than 30 years ago (in PE). I don't know the full story, but his business was quite successful, somehow he got involved with the Raleigh guys in SA, sold his business to them about 15 years ago and started managing Raleigh SA. By the time Raleigh International got split into pieces he and Brandon bought the company back.

 

Over all the years Raleigh/Probike made Raleigh bikes for the SA market, but only the cheaper models. The mid level and high end bikes only started when Brandon got into the business.

 

I agree with you that "Raleigh" is originally a British brand name, but at the same time Probike/Raleigh has a very long South African history and is as much (or even more) a South African brand as Silverback.

 

Raleigh is part of this company's history, and the UK is their roots. But noone ever thought about changing the brand name. Maybe you should see it in similar way as you see people's history. I don't know your name, but I'm sure it would still give me an idea about where your family comes from and you could tell an interesting story starting many years ago somewhere in Europe and ending in SA. And no matter if your surname is du Plessis, Chesterton or Retief, and no matter where your family originally comes from, I'm sure you see yourself as a South African.