NEW Raleigh Shopper!!

[easy racer]

Hi Everybody,

I just went into my Local Bike Shop, and they went out of their way to show me a New Raleigh Shopper (http://www.raleigh.co.uk/bikedetails.aspx?ID=1857).

It looked good, but my Twenty is still the best...?:rolleyes:
Though for only £169 (in the UK) it certainly is a bargain, and maybe a good bike to use as a blank canvas, for your 'modding' tendencies?;)

[norfolk bolt]

Hi Everybody,

I just went into my Local Bike Shop, and they went out of their way to show me a New Raleigh Shopper (http://www.raleigh.co.uk/bikedetails.aspx?ID=1857).

It looked good, but my Twenty is still the best...?:rolleyes:
Though for only £169 (in the UK) it certainly is a bargain, and maybe a good bike to use as a blank canvas, for your 'modding' tendencies?;)

yep saw that last week on the raleigh web pages...frame looks exactly the same, what is is it made of?

[teejayeff]

Steel.

[DaFriMon]

Interesting, although it's the non-folding version. I wonder if they have any plans to re-introduce the folding one, and if so, whether they would use the old folding mechanism.

[LittlePixel]

That's fabulous news... It's got rear v-brakes like mine!
Did it seem as heavy? What were the welds like?

I wonder if the bb is metric?
Mmm Project bike... I wonder if they'll sell well?

(You can get them for a bit less than RRP here (http://www.discountbicycles.co.uk/biz/product.php?xProd=4228&xSec=4428&jssCart=c7e6ede99ffff3dcfdf2f60f6df21b38))

[LittlePixel]

Ok so I couldn't resist firing up the ole' Photoshop and making my own new Shopper in recognition of this great day.
This would rock. They should build it...

Doing this I've also worked out that photoshopping bikes is
a) fun!
b) far cheaper than doing it for real! ;)

http://www.littlepixel.info/twenty/blog/uploaded_images/shopper_07.jpg

[James H Haury]

Must fight Austin Powers personality ,taking over .I Must resist urge to say,Yeah Baby Yeah!Groovy! I would love to get my hands on a non folding version .It would be much cheaper than a custom frame.

[norfolk bolt]

Thats a nicely styled bike Mr Pixel...maybe you should consult for Raleigh?

[easy racer]

That's fabulous news... It's got rear v-brakes like mine!
Did it seem as heavy? What were the welds like?

I wonder if the bb is metric?
Mmm Project bike... I wonder if they'll sell well?

(You can get them for a bit less than RRP here (http://www.discountbicycles.co.uk/biz/product.php?xProd=4228&xSec=4428&jssCart=c7e6ede99ffff3dcfdf2f60f6df21b38))

I only had chance just to lift it, alongside mine, to gauge it's weight. It did seem a little heavier.
I guess it was a combination of bigger heavier looking wheels, steel mudguards, a very long quill stem, steel front basket, and I think, but I'm not sure, a one piece bottom bracket? I think I'll have to have another look tomorrow.
I really liked the look of the frame, especially the single oval-esque down tube rather than the twin tube on the original.
I cannot remember seeing the welds on the bike, which I hope is an indication of how indiscreet they are?

P.S. Please note: I have a new picture of my twenty in my Signature. Now it sports heavy hub brakes and a rack and rack top bag, to give an idea of the weight of my bike.

[LittlePixel]

Thats a nicely styled bike Mr Pixel...maybe you should consult for Raleigh?

Thanks. The puppy is an optional extra ;)
That would be a dream job I have to say. *Is anyone from Raleigh on the board? Can i come work for you?*

Very tempted to get one and do this. I could become the Steve Parry of Shoppers lol.
Anyone know where I could get a nice curved stem like that?

[spambait11]

Very smooooth LP. But you always seem to defy the concept of "beater bike." Now you have to design a built-in frame lock. Or give Toto longer fangs.

[LittlePixel]

I really liked the look of the frame, especially the single oval-esque down tube rather than the twin tube on the original.
Yeah - that's a nice update - I've always liked oval tube and it's apt here I think.

I have a new picture of my twenty in my Signature
Looking good! I like the unfussy look the hub-brakes give...

you always seem to defy the concept of "beater bike."
Needs some of Mauna-kea's track-bed paint on it. But yeah. Can't help but try and make nice ones.

Or give Toto longer fangs.
Toto is well versed in jujitsu and ninja mind tricks that strike fear into even the most dedicated of voleurs...

[folder fanatic]

Dark Silver
Raleigh Shopper steel frame
3 Speed Sturmey Archer gears with rotational shifters i.e. Sturmey Archer AW3 rear and alloy front
Comfort riser bar with dual density comfort grips
Detachable front basket, rear storage bag and elastomer comfort saddle
Alloy rims and alloy front hub with 20"x1.75" city tyres
Lightweight alloy V-brakes
Steel
Single 18t
Alloy cranks with 40t steel chainring
Front quick release basket and rear bag

Forgive me, but I am a bit envious. We sure don't have anything resembling the spirit of this list over here. Except the new Mini Cooper. I had to do a major modification to one bike, and lucky purchase the other two as close as above's list. I guess every bike maker assumes that North Americans automatically go for derailleurs and plenty of frills with no real use intended for it-just show.

[spambait11]

I guess every [folding?] bike maker assumes that North Americans automatically go for derailleurs and plenty of frills with no real use intended for it-just show.
Like Dahon?

:D

[ilovebicycling]

Oh my. This is very good news indeed. I wonder if it will be available in America.

Just yesterday, I tinkered with my personal R20 (A very unique one from what I can tell. Made in New Zealand. Pictures will soon follow.)

With all the "non-standard" stuff on the old R20's, maybe this modern incarnation will be more receptive to upgrades. I hope Raleigh is not continuing to use high carbon steel for the frame. Chromoly please! As they say...STEEL IS REAL.

LittlePixel: I WANT that mock up bike. When can I place an order? :)

[LittlePixel]

Thinking about it; I reckon one should leave the SA 3 on it.

I work out it would cost £275 GBP to upgrade to something like that without any changes to the drivetrain or stem (curved stems are hard to find unless you're pulling apart an old RSW16).

Keep the rims; just face off the braking area. Total cost would be £445 GBP inc bike. It's annoying - at 'trade' costs with no 17.5% VAT I reckon they could set them up and sell it for profit at about £350 or even less (taking into account the things you're leaving off like mudguards, chain-cover, rack and wire-basket).

Simple Alloy seatpost £15
Brooks Honey B17 £45
Leather grips £17
Nitto Moustache Bar £35
Continental Grand Prix Brownwalls 406 x2 £40
Dia Compe 188 Reverse Action brake levers £30
Brooks Challenge Saddlebag £38
Sanding sidewalls to a mirror finish FREE
Klickfix Handlebar Carrier fixing £17
Klickfix Front wicker basket £38

Optional Extras:
Upgrade to SA 5
Pantour front susp hub
Respray fork to look Titanium
New Authentic Retro 'Eurostile' font decals
Toto™ Security System £TBC

[easy racer]

I wonder if the bb is metric?

Yep! A totally standard bottom bracket, also a 'standard' 1" threaded headset, and 100mm front hub, unlike the weird 65mm hub on my original!

Overall I really like it! It's just not 'mine'.

[James H Haury]

Toto security system= the dog in the basket?: :D

[LittlePixel]

Yep! A totally standard bottom bracket, also a 'standard' 1" threaded headset, and 100mm front hub, unlike the weird 65mm hub on my original!

Overall I really like it! It's just not 'mine'.

It's not 'mine' either but it's kinda cool. I do wonder who they are aiming to market it to though. It's a bit too cool of school for the 'shopper' customer of old and younger potential owners are mainly into their MTB or Hybrids; I'm keeping my eye open for some press advertising - I think it'll be interesting to see what their angle is...

[DaFriMon]

One thing that would have to be changed is the gearing. It comes with a 40t chainring and 18t rear cog. Assuming 19 inches for the wheels, that gives 32/42/56 for the gears, which is pretty low. A 13 or 14t cog would solve that.

If they say the frame is just "steel", I assume that means it isn't chromoly. No indication of what grade of steel it is, but I wonder if it will be as durable as the old bikes.

[Donkey Hodie]

Interesting bike. Does anyone know of any other non-folding "mini-bikes" that use 16 or 20 inch wheels? I think Dahon might make something like that.

[LittlePixel]

Yup they do make some - the Hammerhead, and derivatives as well as the groove I think?
Kuwahara in japan also - the griffon and goblin.

[easy racer]

Just a quick update.

The quill stem is in fact a 1 1/8", and the whole bike weights just over 35lbs.
Though that does include the front basket, and the rear rack with the rear bag too.

Though my Twenty by comparison is only 30lbs, with a similar rear rack bag, containing a small cable lock, a pump, and a multitool, so the new one's a bit portly to say the least!

[mattbike]

Just bumping this thread up as i'm considering getting one of these as a cheap winter commuter. I know it's not a folding bike but it should be small enough to lift into the house and at that price, i wouldn't feel too bad about leaving it in the rain outside work!

Can anybody give a long-term review? Would i be better off with an old Raleigh Twenty?

Any other thoughts on the bike?

Cheers, Matt

[Lalato]

Hmmm... The original link doesn't work. Was this an experiment that failed?

--sam

[LittlePixel]

Yes it looks that way. Maybe if they'd actually bothered to market it they might have fired a bit of 30something nostalgia and sold a few!

This *could* mean there are some bargains to be had if you dig around the UK Raleigh dealerships though...

[LittlePixel]

A quick 'Froogle' search deposits this at £139:
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.RALEIGH-Shopper-2008-Hybrid-Classic-Bike_14548.htm

[mattbike]

Oh... i hadn't realized that Raleigh had pulled it from their lineup.

It must have happened not that long ago as i'm sure i saw it on their website quite recently - and selling on eBay for just over £100 which seemed like a bargain price at the time.

Cheers, Matt