Recreational & Family - I'll be the first guy in town...

I was goofing off searching the internet from work this afternoon and i came across a bike that was my definition of perfect. It had everything i wanted in my next bike, and i mean EVERYTHING. the correct geometry, wheels, brakes, gearing, it even came with the add-ons i wanted like a rack and some fenders! I went down to the LBS after work- 'just to talk' but as soon as i got there and the guy said the bike was under $1,000, i put down a $100 deposit so fast it would make your head spin.

The LBS guy said as soon as Raleigh starts shipping them, i'll be the first guy in Knoxville to get his.
(probably end of August or beginning of September?)

see what i'm getting- http://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?deptid=7&itemid=383

I'm ordering some new pedals with SPD clipless on one side and platforms on the other (see: http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=2275&subcategory_ID=10045 ) and maybe some bar ends, but otherwise- this bike is everything i wanted.

Let me know what you think...

I wish they would post how much it weighs. Even with all the extras on it (fenders, racks, lights), I would think you could get be under 30lbs.

It looks to be a decent bike. As long as you like the ride of it you should be fine.

The parts are mostly decent. The only exception is the crank. It "looks" to be cheaper. I could not find any info on it. I don't think it is shoddy, but I think there are better cranks out there.

I hope you like how it rides!

cranks are pretty easy to replace if i break them.

I decided that even though everything wasn't 'top-of-the-line' it had everything i wanted, and almost all the parts will wear out eventually anyway so as i break things or as they wear out i'll upgrade them.

no idea on the weight? i weigh about 260lbs so the difference between a 30 and a 35lb bike is negligible for me.

My dad just got a Giant hybrid, i was riding my Felt Q720 on the bike paths with him but those knobby tires were loud and i hated adjusting my tire pressures every other ride for dirt or pavement. with this new bike i'll be able to keep the mountain bike for getting dirty and have a street/MUP bike for grocery getting and fun rides.

It looks damned good. I didn't even know Raleigh was still a presence over here. I thought bike shops only sold Trek nowadays, hehehe.

I would only change a couple things about it.

- Bars would be pull-back, but your bar-ends will solve that.
- Shaft drive i/o chain. (this will catch on eventually)
- Hub gears instead of external; maybe one of those slick 8 speed deals.

It looks like the newest take on the three speeds from the 70s and the bikes they're still riding in Holland now. Very nice; congratulations.

I even like the brown color, which might keep thieves away a bit more than something more trendy like bright red.

I like the Raleigh 2008 Coasting too, all it needs is a hub gearset, fenders, and a rear rack. Maybe a front brake too.

Very snazzy looking bike. Too bad more dealers don't offer the Raleighs. They look like such good bikes for commuting or having fun.

I was goofing off searching the internet from work this afternoon and i came across a bike that was my definition of perfect. It had everything i wanted in my next bike, and i mean EVERYTHING. the correct geometry, wheels, brakes, gearing, it even came with the add-ons i wanted like a rack and some fenders! I went down to the LBS after work- 'just to talk' but as soon as i got there and the guy said the bike was under $1,000, i put down a $100 deposit so fast it would make your head spin.

The LBS guy said as soon as Raleigh starts shipping them, i'll be the first guy in Knoxville to get his.
(probably end of August or beginning of September?)

see what i'm getting- http://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?deptid=7&itemid=383

I'm ordering some new pedals with SPD clipless on one side and platforms on the other (see: http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=2275&subcategory_ID=10045 ) and maybe some bar ends, but otherwise- this bike is everything i wanted.

Let me know what you think...


But does it come in Volunteer Orange? ;) Nice bike, reminds me of a Bianchi Bergamo.

Let me know what you think...

I think that bike is IDEAL! :D

Just like what I would build out of customers "road" bikes back at my first shop in the late 80's.
Switch the drop bars for upwrongs, change to triple cranks, and if clearance allowed, Specialized Tri-Cross tires! remember those?
So it's comfortable like a MTB, but fast like a road bike. In otherwords...ideal! :p

Name of my shop??? . . . . Ideal Bicycles, of course. ;)

Oh, sorry. Almost forgot to add my cents of flaming...

Everything looks awesome...except those CRANKS!!!:eek:
My word, they look like part of a cast iron STOVE!
And the weird white graphics? Looks like the victim of a drive-by paintball shooting. :p

My drivel aside, I think you're going to be very happy with that bike! :D

I think it's ugly. Ugly enough to (hopefully) get overlooked by bike theives. :)

my Felt Q720 is ugly too, i had to ask the guy at the LBS what brand it was when he was showing it to me becasue i couldn't even make out the word 'FELT' on the logo.

i ♥ ugly bikes i guess.