Raleigh dealers around Cleveland?
 

Hey folks. I want to buy a Raleigh Sojourn, but never having ridden a bike & dropping $1000 on it worries me! Nevermind what the return (exchange) policy may be for a minute, I can't even find a dealer around Cleveland to order me one. Well, I did find one but they told me to go to another shop and have them fit me, then come back to him to buy the bike? I don't think I'll be spending extra $$$ at a second shop that will charge me for a fitting when I'm spending that kind of money at the dealer's shop, right? I guess they're a small dealer not used to fitting. I wish it were as simple as sitting on it, riding it around the block and buying it but nobody stocks it. Anybody know of a good LBS that can order the Sojourn for me around the Cleveland area? I've called around and believe it or not the few Raleigh dealers I found didn't seem too interested in selling a $1000 bike, just because they didn't stock it. I may just have to wing it and order what I think will fit me. I'm 5'9" with a 29" inseam, does a 55 cm sound about right? Like I said, this worries me! Thanks for any help

5'9" with a 29 inch inseam? You may want to re-measure that... and remember that your pant inseam size is not the same as your bike inseam. I'm 5'6", with a 31" bike inseam, and my 53cm Sojourn fits me perfectly.

- Rich

Have you tried Century Cycles in Rocky River? Great shop and great guys.

http://centurycycles.com/brands/raleigh-pg794.htm

Wheel and Wrench in Cuyahoga Falls sells Raleigh bikes as well. Very nice small shop. They don't list the Sojourn on their website though. If you go out to Raleigh's website it looks like the Sojourn was dropped for 2011.

Here's a link to Wheel and Wrench: http://wheelandwrench.com/

Thanks guys. Rich I probably am off on the inseam! I thought it was the pants inseam : P I'll have to recheck that! If you're 5'6" and the 53 fits you great, I was thinking of the getting the 55 cm, it should work out.

Louis I was planning on calling Century after work today. I'll just ask them what they can do on the price and if I can exchange it for a different size if it doesn't fit. I should be alright with a 55 cm though.

Don't forget that Century also has shops in Medina and Peninsula.
Not sure if any of them still have any Sojourns though.

Yep, just stand against a wall, push a hardback book into your crotch like a saddle, and then have someone measure the floor-to-top-of-book height.

As a side note, I REALLY like my Sojourn. It's an extremely ( and I mean extremely ) comfortable bike for loaded touring on anything from pavement to trails. The two downsides are that it's pretty heavy ( mine is 33 pounds, but that's including the heavy racks already included, etc. ), and the gearing is slightly too high for loaded touring. I swapped the cranks on mine for a 22-32-44 crankset, which is much more appropriate for significant hills. If you decide to get a front rack, the Tubus Tara fits around the disc brakes without any problems.

The Medina store has a lot of Ralieghs on display. Their mechanics are great. The last time my wife and I were they had one on display in the back by the parts/service counter. Call them and ask if it's still there. They do discount last years models. Good luck

Century has a Clubman on sale from last year.
http://centurycycles.com/product/09-...an-50850-1.htm

thanks, I DID forget that Century is in Medina and Peninsula. Maybe I'll luck out and one of them will have a Sojourn I can run around the block, I'll call tomorrow. If not, thanks to all the good advice here I'm ordering a 55 cm from the RR store (if that tax return ever gets here!).

I bought my LHT at the Peninsula store (which is closer to me). Although they didn't have one there, they sent one over from Medina ASAP for me to check out. I'm sure they'll work with you in that regard.