Raleigh Marathon or Technium?
 

Hi all, am looking at 2 Raleigh's I found on CL and wanted some opinions. One is a Marathon made of steel and one a Technium made of Aluminum. Both are the same price $125 and look to be the same age. They are both about 40 minutes away so trying to get a feel before I go. I realize fit is the most important aspect also. If you have a chance to look here are the links. Thanks for any advice.

http://dayton.craigslist.org/bik/1492938142.html

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/bik/1492077389.html

The Marathon was a entry/mid level bike while the Technium was a mid/high level bike. The Technium has better components and is lighter. On the other hand, it is aluminum.

E pretty much summed it up. I think the Technium is aluminumum tubes bonded into lugs and that maybe the rear stays are steel bonded into the lugs. As a mechanical engineer I don't trust bonding, but that is more of a superstitious impression than anything I can defend with evidence.

I have a Marathon and it's a good bike but it is a little heavy- entry level heavy.

This is pretty much an entry level bike for myself. I have a hybrid and want to move up to a road bike but cannot fork over the big money for a new one right now. Is weight that big of an issue between steel and aluminum? The Marathon looks like a very nice bike. Thanks again for the input.

Your use may be entry level, but when you can get a better bike for the same money, why wouldn't you? Mid grade goes beyond weight, it has to do with the quality of the various parts on the bike.

When you can get a mid grade bike for the same price as a bottom end bike it is a no brainer. Yes, weight matters, and it is a good indicator of the quality of parts and components. It costs the manufacturers money to lighten parts. As far as the overall weight of the bike, its not the difference between steel and aluminum, its the difference between bottom end steel and aluminum. I have a couple of steel bikes that weigh less than my modern aluminum Trek road bike. But they are higher end steel bikes. Unfortunately, you rarely find high end steel at this price-point, and if you do, they last about a nanosecond on Craigs List.


And if you are on a really tight budget, start hitting the yard sales and thrift shops. That's where you can find mid level bikes for $25.

Really, the harder you look, the better the deal you will find. But good to great deals do not last long.

Thanks for the input all. I ended up buying a 1985 Motobecane Le Velo for $60. I know it's not of the same quality as the others but the frame size is perfect and it was hardly used at all. Still had the original tires with all of the tread and is in fantastic shape. Some new tires, tubes, pedals with straps and seat and I should be good to go.

I need to move to Ohio.

What E said. I prefer the Technium, having had one. If you go steel in Raleigh, there are better models than the Marathon.
$125 wouldn't last long here, either one.

$60 for the "bacon?" 'tis a heist.

Yeah, $60 for a Moto in pristine condition, sounds like you scored very nicely. Much better than the Raleigh Marathon.

I have owned both these bikes and the Technium is a better bike in respect to weight and componets but the Marathon was a really good riding bike that would be well worth $125 if it was in good shape. Like others have said the Technium is a mid-level while the Marathon is an entry level. I just wanted to chime in to add my like for the Marathon despite it's lower position in the marketplace. If you get a chance to pick either of these bikes up, I would say go for it.

I agree with those who support the Technium. I sold mine recently and miss her badly. 23 lbs. and fast as all get out. The steel forks and stays soften the road noise and the ride is every bit as comfortable as my vintage steel bikes.

Pics??