Winter Cycling - Raleigh

Did I read right that Raleigh is one of those licensing their name to USA shipping only knock-offs that aren't the real Raleigh? If it's new on ebay and not from a bike shop then it's probably a knock-off? what if it's all shimano 105/decent components - is it still a no go or could it still be a decent bike for the money. Or should I just not be supporting this kind of thing? I'd still feel like it's not a real raleigh, or is there such a thing anymore?

Thanks, (i'm not a shill)

sorry, i moved this to the general discussion area.

Raleigh is Raleigh.

There is Raleigh USA and there is Raleigh UK. They've been separate (but the same) for years.

Thanks for the reply. here's the bike, just want to know if this is a real raleigh or some form of bikesdirect, bottecchia, etc., as I expect. all shimano 105, i'm still looking for clues, but I don't think I'm finding it as a legitimate raleigh model.

http://cgi.ebay.com/RALEIGH-ROAD-SIX...QQcmdZViewItem (http://cgi.ebay.com/RALEIGH-ROAD-SIX-HUNDRED-COMP-56-CM-SHIMANO-105-FRE-SH_W0QQitemZ330324219778QQihZ014QQcategoryZ98084QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

There's no such thing as a bikesdirect Raleigh. That said, that price is WAY too high. That bike is almost 10 years old. It only sold for about $800 new...back in 1999 or 2000.

The fork has been replaced with one from Performance. Ditto the handlebar. The brifters are installed WAY too high on the handlebar, and it looks like the brakes were adjusted with the caliper quick releases open (ie: can't open the brakes to remove wheel, because they're already open). Not only is it too expensive, but I would be suspect about the overall quality of assembly.

The bike is actually worth about $300.

wow, thank you sir, exactly what i was looking for. heading to LBS Fuji dealer, they're having a clearance and I can get all shimano 105 for almost the same price as this raleigh, thanks very much for the help, I just didn't want to miss a good deal if it was one.