Touring - Raleigh Sojourn?

I have just heard about this Bike which seemingly is intended for serious touring. Is anyone familiar with it?...Has anyone see the bike yet?....Does anyone know how much it weighs?

thanks for any information that you might have

Steve

I assume that you have looked at the specs here: http://www.raleighusa.com/page/items.itemid.427

Doesn't say what the weight is but then most mfgs. don't advertise that spec.

I don't know, but it seems to be a nice bike. I'm not a fan of disc brakes and that "Joytech" hub spec doesn't thrill me, but overall—a touring bike. A little pricey for the specs right about now (exchange rate, I'm assuming). If it were around eight bills, I'd like it a lot better. Good looking touring bike though.

There was a thread about this bike. The hardcore tourists didn't like the disk brakes, fenders and gearing was low enough. However, it looks better than the LHT and if someone would give me one for free, I'd pass out right away!!!

I been interested in this one when it comes out too, need to see it in person to get a sense of the weight though. The Jamis Coda is a nice one (also avail with disc or cantis) you could look for used, more of a compact frame design maybe not so ultra touring. The LHT seems good if you don't mind building up your own custom setup.

I know I'm not able to see the forest for the trees here, but stock with a B17 and matching handlebar tape? HOT!

It's agonizingly close to being a nice bike. I'm a bit agnostic on the disk brake thing, but why in heaven's name did they go for 32 spoke wheels on a touring bike? Would 8 more spokes make the bike that much more expensive?

32 spoked wheels? No thanks.
Discs?
Did they actually talk with real word cyclists? How could they have.

--

I have to agree on the 32 spoke wheels -why not do it properly with 36 spokes? It's hard to fathom out why. Call me a real world cyclist, but I can't agree with you on the discs as I use them on my touring bike and prefer them (you should try them!).

Thanks to everyone for your input...I am debating between something like the sojourn, or rebuilding my early/mid 80s Univega Gran Tourismo with up dated componants...I am not sure there would be much savings though

steve

I love my Gran Turismo. It's old. It doesn't have enough braze-ons. It's heavy. And I'm not sure I will ever tour on it. And it will never be a classic, in the way that some old touring bikes are. As I upgrade various bits, will I even get a return on my investment? If I love riding it as much as I do now, then hell yes.

I too, love the Raleigh Sojourn, and of course, the LHT. And I hope to add one of them to my stable one day. But right now, I've got an old bike that needs some attention, and she's the priority. So I hope the Sojourn and the LHT continue to sell well in the meantime so they're still available. My girlfriend/room mate would freak if I brought home yet another bike right now, anyway.

HEre is a Raliegh Sojourn review I came across form Feb. 1st

http://www.dirtragmag.com/blogarific/new-test-bike-2008-raleigh-sojourn/

I went to my LBS the other day to check the Sojourn out. I'm not really interested in the bike, but I am the handlebars. I just think it is an ugly bike. Maybe it is because I am colorblind, but that color looks awful to me and the forks just look so bmxish. I don't know how much they weigh, but I picked one up and it seemed quite heavy.

I mentioned it to the LBS guy and he said something like, "Yeah, it is a bit heavy, to keep the price down they compromised with some heavier parts, like the hubs."

Nice rack!

One link (don't have it off-hand) indicated around 30lb. That may have been a "it feels like 30lb" or it may have been a bathroom scale. It is a steel frame with fenders--no weight weenies need apply.

I like the disk brakes, they work when wet. Some may not like them but when your on a long descent in the rain on a loaded bike you immediately want nothing else. 32 spokes, Like others I would have rather have 36 but considering they used bullet proof Joy-Tech Cr-MO hubs and double wall rims I could easily live with that choice. As there using Joy-Tech hubs they could provide a Novatech dynamo Hub as an option. This would be nice as we could obtain resonably priced Novatech hubs in the USA as there is no Joy-tech distributer here. You can purchase Novatech dynamo hubs via European dealers but then the cost is about the same as a quality Shimano dynamo hub here so no point in doing that. If this bike does cost over $900 which would get you a ready to ride LHT that would pretty much kill this bike for me. The LHT is a known quality bike, this one is not. Ask me in a year or two after ride reports are in abundance. I hate to say this but it looks similar to a Schwinn hybrid I saw in a local Dicks sporting goods store for $300.

I had my Fuji World down at the shop today and swapped out the 105 brifters for bar-ends (105 brifters are going on the new road bike frame). They had a new Sojourn built...when I picked it up it felt like a tank! We weighed the Fuji as is, with fenders, rack, brooks saddle, etc...it weighed in at 28lbs. The Raleigh weighed in at 34.8.

What size was the Sojourn, and was it stock?

What size was the Sojourn, and was it stock?

Stock, didn't note the size, looked like about a 56...my Fuji is a 58.

I ordered a Sojourn. It can be better. I noticed that the front derailleur clip is in-between the seat tube water bottle mounts... not fatal but not well thought out. You'd have to use spacers I guess. The front dropouts do not appear to have eyelets which would be used in conjunction with the front fork bolt holes to mount a front rack. Clips can be used on the front fork but again, not well thought out. It's rear rack appears to be a Tubus Cargo rack which isn't cheap, so kudos there. It would be better with a 110 BCD crankset for more choice in chainring selection.

Got a call from the local Raleigh shop (a mile down the street from where I work) this morning, they got their first Sojurn in. Went down to take a look, and I have to admit that it's the first time I've even entertained a thought of buying a complete, ready to roll, bicycle from a shop in something like 38 years. I could definitely put in a few good trips on it this year, just add a front rack and a couple of minor bits.

By the way, the one I looked at was a 57cm and didn't seem nearly as heavy as I was expecting - it's definitely a bit lighter than either my Magneet or the Bianchi Nyala.


Only problem is price: $1000.00 at the shop. I'm so used to rolling my own from old parts that I'm completely out of touch with what a good bicycle costs nowdays. What I've currently got into my Magneet is so low that my plans of replacing the Blumel's with beaten Hondo mudguards will easily add 1/3rd to my total cost of building the bike.

I went to my LBS the other day to check the Sojourn out. I'm not really interested in the bike, but I am the handlebars.
Just to let people know, I was confused about the handlebars and bar end shifters, since WTB's web site says that those bars won't work with bar ends. So, I emailed WTB and questioned why they work on the SoJourn. WTB replied saying that Raleigh had a special order made. Good enough for me, won't be buying the WTB's version. I wonder if I can order some from Raleigh?

I should think so. Any manufacturer worth his salt offers replacement parts to rebuild the bike to factory spec in the event of an accident. No guarantees what the parts will cost, however. I work at a Honda motorcycle shop in the parts department, and people are always horrified as to what replacement bits cost.

Only problem is price: $1000.00 at the shop.
That price kills it for me!:eek: A built LHT is $900 with quality components, no X-mart bike parts used such as Joy-Tech hubs.

Are Joy-Tech hubs X-mart? I should research it myself.

I am just very happy that Raleigh has re-entered the touring market. There will be plenty of shops where this will be the only touring bike on the racks, whereas before there were none. Compared to most bikes, something has to be said about the all around functionality of this one, even if it isn't perfect. It makes me happy to think that the person who buys a Sojourn is buying a long lasting great all around bike, if not necessarily the greatest touring bike available.

I like the bike a lot- the disc brakes are a great idea- I can´t understand why anyone would not see them as a positive feature- why didn´t they finish the bike properly though and include a hub dynamo (at least as an option) and make the bike really practical? Maybe they think that people are touring only near battery shops or chargers.

An option for a dynamo would be nice, but maybe since this is the first year, they just want to test the market. It might be possible in the future.

As for disc brakes, all choices have pros and cons, that is why there are choices. Disc brake wheels are inherently weaker than rim brake wheels. With that said, I don't have any bikes with disc wheels, but I would like to get one at some point.

The disc brakes are the reason I'd consider buying one rather than building my own equivalent: I've got absolutely no experience in the technology.

Guess it's about time I started to learn.

That price kills it for me!:eek: A built LHT is $900 with quality components, no X-mart bike parts used such as Joy-Tech hubs.

Sojourn comes with disc brakes and a brooks seat stock. The seat with matching handlebar tape is worth the difference. In my mind the disc brakes are a plus while others would disagree, so call it a wash. Also, I see that Sojourn comes with stock fenders - yet another plus!

So, here's the kicker, if you don't fit the 56cm or larger LHT you're stuck with 26'' wheels, which would be a deal-killer for me just because I prefer the feel of 700c wheels.

Just to let people know, I was confused about the handlebars and bar end shifters, since WTB's web site says that those bars won't work with bar ends. So, I emailed WTB and questioned why they work on the SoJourn. WTB replied saying that Raleigh had a special order made. Good enough for me, won't be buying the WTB's version. I wonder if I can order some from Raleigh?

Here's another bike using them. I'm sure they weren't custom for them. I think they'll probably work fine with bar end shifters.

http://www.clockworkbikes.com/Cross.html

So, here's the kicker, if you don't fit the 56cm or larger LHT you're stuck with 26'' wheels, which would be a deal-killer for me just because I prefer the feel of 700c wheels.
I would rather have 26" wheels myself. My road bike is 56cm and I could use that same size with an LHT but I've already decided to go the next size down in order to get 26" wheels. Tires and tubes are available everywhere. 700c can sometimes be a problem especially if your touring in a third world country. As for size making any difference in speed there are test results showing even 20" wheels can roll just as well as a 28" wheel. I currently have two touring bikes. One with 700c wheels and the other with 26" wheels. I use the touring bike with 700c wheels in the USA and use the bike with 26" wheels every where else. The only reason I still use the 700c wheeled bike is due to the fact it's 10 lbs lighter than the 26" wheeled bike.

Here's another bike using them. I'm sure they weren't custom for them. I think they'll probably work fine with bar end shifters.

http://www.clockworkbikes.com/Cross.htmlI have no idea, I am just saying what WTB emailed me. WTB could be wrong about their bars.

I like the bike. I like, or can deal with everything about it except one thing. The posture I would have while riding this thing. I don't want my handlebars that low. It's more of a racing position. And that kills me on a century. A tour? forget it.

Does anyone working at a shop know if these bikes come set up like that? Or is the steering tube uncut like the LHT? This would be a total deal breaker for me.

Question about wheels- posting here since I'm planning on buying the Sojourn....

How different are the load capabilities from 32 to 36 spoked wheels? While I'm not intending to do a fully loaded tour any time soon (I might experiment with camping sometime over the summer... maybe), I do sometimes carry 30-40 lbs. grocery-ing or tools to work, and frequently carry 20lbs. +. What happens when the disc brakes are added to the mix? I've seen that opinions are pretty low for 32 spoke wheels.

Having not tested the bike for fit yet, could the wheels be a deal killer? I am imagining that the things I consider necessary (rack capable, strong frame, disc brakes and fenders) are going to increase the price significantly on a frame that must be built-up.

Question about wheels- posting here since I'm planning on buying the Sojourn....

How different are the load capabilities from 32 to 36 spoked wheels?

I think that would vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.

While it's under warranty why don't you load it up and put it under some rigorous stress testing and see how she does? Then take it the shop where you bought it to retension the spokes.

Besides, 36-spoked 700c disc wheels can be bought for around $200 and it's always good to have a touring and a road set, right? ;-)

I fit bar end shifters into my WTB bars, but it took quite a bit of work, there is no wat they would fit out of the box. You have to hog out almost 1mm of wall thickness and it is still a tight fit. went slowish with a dremmel and a bore hone to smooth it out. Took more then a couple of hours but the finished product is somthing I am proud of and not afraid to use. WTB was useless as for help. I had read articles that they would help and possily even bore them out. I called them twice, both times the played dumb like they did not even know this could be a problem. I love the finished bars on my MTB, used it as a commuter with slicks for 5 months as well.

...... However, it looks better than the LHT and if someone would give me one for free, I'd pass out right away!!!

What would you do if the price was increased by 50%??? :-)

It is good to see Raleigh in the touring bike market again. The bike is pretty but not my cup of tea. I am not a fan of disks, bar ends, WTB dirt drops, or brooks saddles; I am sure all of those are selling points for lots of folks though. I would not have spec'ed the 32 spoke wheels (what were they thinking?), and a crank that accepted smaller rings would have been nice. Since others have different preferences than I do I am sure it will have a market and hopefully be a success.

The other day I saw this thread and first discovered this bike for myself. I think it looks fantastic, though I approach this from a commuter standpoint since I have not yet done any touring. It reminds me of the Trek Portland, but more usable and less expensive.

The disc brakes, Brooks saddle (I wish it were a Champion Flyer though), rack, and fenders would all make a commute easier and comparable bikes more expensive. My current bike has 32-spoke wheels, and I don't have a problem with them so far, even being over 200 pounds and carrying 15-20 pounds of stuff in panniers. Obviously fully-loaded touring is much more demanding, but buying a new rear wheel should not be a big deal. The ability to fit 35mm tires would be great (my bike can't take anything over 25-28mm and fit through the brakes, depending on how inflated they are).

When I buy one of these, I could see it being my only bike for a while. I'd probably give my Trek 1000 to my older brother for something to ride. I could even start doing a little short-range touring, like a week on the Katy Trail I've been dreaming about.

Bought the first out of a small shipment of Sojourn's from Recycled Cycles here in Seattle last week. I've been eyeing this bike for a while, and had a chance to check it out at the Seattle Bike Expo. The friction shifters and disk brakes were appealing to me, and the inclusion of of not only a nice rear rack, but fenders and Brooks saddle (and tape) gave the contender, a Surly LHT, a serious challenge.



I'm using it for commuting and preparation for a three month tour in Norway and Italy this summer. It's a bit on the heavy side (as can be expected, considering the steel frame and beefy fork), but feels very stable with a decent load (approximately 20lb) even on fast descents. I haven't weighed it yet, but I'll update with an accurate "real world" measurement soon.



I don't have much experience with touring yet, so what appealed to me with this bike is that it is essentially ready to hit the road right out of the box. I was able to test ride the thing with rack and fenders installed. I don't have the practical experience yet to know what qualities will suit me best for my riding and touring style, so building a bike up didn't seem like a good option.



There are a few things I'll be taking note of (drawn partly from the concerns of other people in this thread):

(1)Trouble with 32 spoke wheels

(2)Bar geometry and lever configurations

(3)Drivetrain performance (Deore?)

(4)Frame geometry



I've got about 60 miles worth of urban commuting with three textbooks onboard under my belt and I am extremely pleased with this bike.



Let me know if you have any specific questions about the bike, I might be able to answer!

I purchased one last week. So far I'm pretty happy with it- this is my first ever new bike, and seemed to cover a great many of my needs and desires without having to piece and build it up.

This Brooks saddle was not my first choice. I think it's over stiff- I've been riding a B-72 for three or four years. I've unlaced the saddle and it is significantly better. I thought the lacing wasn't done until the saddle was way past broken in? I fall into the camp that thinks "pre-aged" is silly- I'm a leather-worker by trade, which probably says it all. In the end though, it's still a nice Brooks saddle.

I was fully expecting to need a new stem, so it's not a problem yet- an adjustable stem arrives tomorrow. If I can't find a good position with this, I might think differently, but I'm already getting used to (but not happy with) the current riding position.

I think it will be a while before I carry any really significant load, so I'm not worried about the spoke count. I'm considering this as an opportunity in the future to learn to build a wheel.

Never had disc brakes, and so far I'm very pleased with them. I've been giving this some thought after reading others opinions and conversations. After putting in some significant miles, I might look into replacing the fork with one that has both disc mounts and cantilever mounts (?), so I have a back up if I'm in a real jam, though this is really wishful thinking as it's unlikely I'll ever get that rural.

Shifting... I like bar end shifters... a lot.

I don't know enough about dérailleurs to know if I'm missing out.

Only one thing really irks me. The spare spoke holder is welded right where my Greenfield kickstand would mount. My mechanic is grinding off the corner of the clamp- we'll see if that will do the job. I've been looking around the web for different stand options, but the mounting methods are really unclear from the pictures, and there are no instructions (that I've found). If anyone knows of a good, or at least functional alternative besides grinding my Greenfield, it would be greatly appreciated.

Riotgeer:
One option is the "Clickstand". Doesn't mount to the bike, but they are pretty slick. They can be found at http://www.click-stand.com/

I've been thinking about buying this bicycle largely because it has disc brakes. As cyclists who live in the Pacific Northwest will tell you, disc brakes are very useful when it rains. If you want to ride year-round, and in rainy weather, rim brakes will not always do the job. Rim brakes are fine in the Summer, but I'm glad to have a bike with disc brakes when the rainy season begins.

That price kills it for me!:eek: A built LHT is $900 with quality components, no X-mart bike parts used such as Joy-Tech hubs.

Where are (complete) LHTs only $900? Would LOVE to know! Special order only at MSRP around here.

if you looked at the date of the post where the LHT is $900, it was 19 months ago prices of LHT could have been in that ballpark then.

Duh! <sheepish grin>

I just bought a Sojourn myself. Haven't ridden it enough to give much of a report, and haven't ridden other road bikes to compare.

One thing I found with the LHT is availability. To actually see one built up, I would have had to drive to Austin. If you live in an area that sells quite a few, you're in good shape, otherwise you're buying site unseen. Here, REI had the Sojourn, but only in 55 and 57 cm sizes, even on the internet. But the local bike shop was able to order a 59, and had a great price on it, too.

I hope people keep these reports coming in. Can't seem to have enough positive Raleigh Sojourn posts! ;-)

2010's specs are better, I like this bike a lot!