Is Raleigh still a good brand? Do they make good bikes? These are merely a few of the questions that may be running through your head. Usually, combing through several Raleigh bikes reviews online should make things clear for you.
Raleigh is a reliable brand and always has been for a very long time. Ever since their first bike came out, the company’s top goal has been to help people enjoy the simplicity of bike riding.
Unlike most brands, they solely concentrate on making top-quality, affordable bikes. With as little as $150, you could get yourself a fantastic Raleigh ride. This, however, cannot be said of brands like Giant, Specialized, and Trek that make high-end bikes.
History of Raleigh Bikes
Raleigh is as old as a fossil. It dates way back to 1885-yeah, it’s that far back. The then co-founder Frank Bowden had a very simple idea; help people be happy in the simplest way possible. He made that possible through the establishment of Raleigh bicycles.
Frank owned a small shop on Raleigh Street, Nottingham in England. Together with his team, they named the company Raleigh. The same shop bulged in size to become one of the biggest distributors of bikes throughout the four corners of the world.
Raleigh produced many bikes, a couple of cars and motorbikes during its early years. A few of those include Raleighette (a three-wheel motorcycle), the Chopper, Grand Prix, Moulton, Raleigh RSW and 1970’s Raleigh sports. The Chopper was the first to have featured multiple gears and bore the symbol of coolness.
Lately, the company makes road, recreation, mountain, electric, and urban bikes. They come in a wide variety of styles for men, women, and kids.
Fun fact: in 1887, Raleigh used to produce three bikes a week. Now the numbers are incredibly high. Enough of the past for now. Let’s move forward to the best stuff.
This article comprehensively covers everything you need to know about the best Raleigh bikes. We will also review a few offers, so you have a good place to start. Most of the suggestions discussed are affordable, sturdy, and heavily equipped with the best gear. Get ready to roll at top speeds.
Too short on time? No problem. Take a quick look at our top recommendation: Raleigh Bicycles Detour 2 Comfort Hybrid Bike. This is a do-everything and go-anywhere bike that gives you a bit of all other bike types.
Raleigh Bikes Reviews
Bike Name | Speed | Frame Material | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Raleigh Bicycles Detour 2 Comfort Hybrid Bike | 24 | Aluminum | |
Raleigh Bikes Cadent 3 Urban Fitness Bike | 21 | Aluminum | |
Raleigh Bikes Merit 3 Endurance Road Bike | 22 | Aluminum | |
Raleigh Bikes Women's Superbe City Bike | 21 | Steel | |
RALEIGH Bikes Circa 1 Comfort Bike | 21 | Aluminum | |
RALEIGH Talus 1 Recreational Mountain Bike | 21 | Steel | |
Raleigh Bikes Tamland 1 All Road Bike | 11 | Steel |
Are you out and about looking for the most durable and comfortable Raleigh bikes that will not break your bank? Look no more. Here are the top offers from Raleigh that will satisfy your expectations:
1. Raleigh Detour 2 Comfort Hybrid Bike
Sometimes shoving out $500+ on a bike can be quite a hurdle for most people. If you belong to that category, you don’t have to worry about finding a reliable ride. One of the few better options worth giving a try is Raleigh Detour 2 Comfort Hybrid Bike.
This is a mid-level offer with everything you need for your commuter rides. And by everything we mean 21 multiple gears, an adjustable saddle, linear-pull brakes, and durable Shimano gear components.
Imagine what you can accomplish with all those many gears. You could visit a friend for chitchat, ride to work without dripping sweat, or go for an aimless ride around the neighborhoods. As a do-it-all bike, Raleigh Detour 2 combines the unique aspects of touring, mountain and road bike to bring you the ultimate machine.
The frame comes fender and rack-ready. Unfortunately, there are a few things that might discourage pro-riders. First, it doesn’t have any suspensions. Secondly, the linear brakes that it comes with are not as effective as mechanical varieties. Nevertheless, most of us grew up (and still are) using those types of brakes. So it isn’t too much of an issue.
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Raleigh Detour 2 Comfort Hybrid Bike is an ideal machine for those who don’t want to spend more than $500 on a bike. It’s got everything you need from multiple gears with quality components to a multi-purpose design that supports many activities.
2. Raleigh Bikes Cadent 3 Urban Fitness Bike
Are you an urban rider who likes to ride often? Do you do it for fitness purposes? If you answered yes to both questions, then Raleigh Cadent 3 sports should be on your list. It’s a hybrid bike that sports a sturdy geometry for burning some calories.
As a fitness bike, Cadent 3 bears a thin structure with only the essentials to keep the weight to a minimum. This gives the rider plenty of room for making quick turns and stunts. With a total of 16 gears, you don’t need to burn your energy. Simply switch to the lower versions and pedal with ease.
Cadent 3 has reliable gear components. This makes a huge difference because a bike can have so many gears, but if the parts are crappy, then you have nothing. However, this fitness beast sports Shimano derailleur that is bonded to Shimano Claris shifters for swift, trouble-free shifting.
You also get the best quality hydraulic disc brakes for all-season riding. No friction and no failure. For convenience, the seat post features a quick-adjust lock point. The few things that could be a bit of a setback include the narrow seat and the relatively higher price tag. But hey, the best things don’t come cheap, you know.
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Raleigh Cadent 3 Urban Fitness Bike is a high-quality, stress-free bicycle. It has many features that favor both seasoned fitness riders and everyday commuters. If you are ready to spend a bit more for a ride that promises 80%+ efficiency, then do not miss out on this one.
3. Raleigh Merit 3 Endurance Road Bike
If you are a seasonal rider, then you must be very picky about your needs. The one bike that you can rely on for both casual and competition riding is Raleigh Merit 3 Endurance Road Bike. This product is such a big hit because of one reason: it gives you all, so you leave nothing to chance.
Its engineering includes a lightweight aluminum frame that ends with a high-tensile carbon fork. This gives you both light and sturdy design for easy controlling. The seat post and stem bear an advanced mechanism that helps to absorb shock. This is an exemplary feature given that most road bikes have narrow tires and no suspensions for impact absorption.
Raleigh Merit 3’s gear components are high-end. Everything from the crank, drivetrain, to derailleur, is from Shimano. Is there anything you can’t do with a 22-speed bike? Nothing at all. The unique handlebar design promotes any riding posture you can think off.
Like most road bikes, Merit 3 features a rather narrow saddle, and that can get uncomfortable with longer rides. The good thing is you can get a replacement easily. Secondly, its tires are well suited to well-paved roads.
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A bike goes for around $1000 is no joke. That’s why Raleigh Merit 3 Endurance is well-suited for extreme riders who want something nearly perfect. It’s a hybrid bike and therefore quiet versatile except for rough terrains. If you are an athlete who does a lot of urban riding, this should be your go-to ride.
4. Raleigh Women’s Superbe City Bike
Do you appreciate the finer things in life? If you do, Raleigh has something good for you- Raleigh Women’s Superbe City Bike. Incredibly bright-colored with a vintage appeal.
However, this isn’t just about the looks. It comes along with rear and front fenders to keep your favorite clothes dirt-free. The chain too hides behind a guard that prevents your trousers from being smeared with oil or getting nabbed.
As a typical women bike, the frame is a step-through to help you get on and off with ease. The handlebars sit higher than the saddle to keep you comfy so you can focus on the trail. The frame and fork are made from steel, and this is one of the reasons the bike is affordable.
Oh and the basket! What a marvelous addition. You could stash in some extra sandals, your lunch, bike water bottle-anything you want. Unfortunately, the company seems to lack extra when customers as for another.
Speed-wise, Raleigh Women’s Superbe City Bike can’t take part in racing. This is a simple bike for casual rides with your better half within the city. By the way, it’s got super wide 700x35c tires that do well in sandy beaches.
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There are many reliable bikes for women like Sixthreezero Ride in the Park and Critical Cycles Beaumont-7. However, Raleigh Women’s Superbe City Bike outshines them in price even though they share similar structural components.
5. Raleigh Bike Circa 1 Comfort Bike
If you want a trail bike that isn’t afraid of tackling the most adventurous trails, get yourself Raleigh Bike Circa 1 Comfort Bike. Extremely affordable-you don’t even need to wait for those days when there is a price drop on Amazon.
The most admirable parts of this bike include the frame, saddle, and tires. The saddle is plush with memory foam padding, so your butt doesn’t take too much heat from long hours of riding. The frame and tires too are well-equipped to absorb bumps.
Circa 1 has been stripped down to leave only the essentials. For serial urban and championship riders, such a lightweight geometry gives them the freedom to accomplish any stunts and maneuvers. However, it’s still got joints for attaching the rear rack and fenders if you need to.
Is it a speed freak? No, it’s not. With a total of 7 gears, you can only get enough to flatten mountains. Nothing fancy. For those with toughened muscles, this shouldn’t be a problem. However, if you need more gears, take a look at other Raleigh mountain bike reviews.
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