I see you haven't got a reply yet. Without much knowledge of either bike, I would say buy the Cannondale. The Raleigh originally retails for $550-$800, and the Cannondale was probably close to $2000-plus. With that kind of price difference you get a better frame and better parts with the Cannondale. I'm not sure of either price range, but the Cannondale should be by far the more expensive bike.