Raleigh Cyclocross advice
 

What do you think of the Raleigh cyclocross here? How does it compare to others available from Trek, Cannondale etc?

http://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?...temid=240&va=0
'Team Cyclocross Frame '05
Color Showing Raleigh Red
he 2005 Team Cross is a combination of classic Euro Cyclocross geometry and high technology manufacturing. Kinesium butted tubes mated to carbon fiber seatstays and a carbon cross fork produce a lightweight frame that delivers an efficient yet comfortable ride. Rack and fender mounts provide flexibility for use as a commuter or touring bike. Frameset includes carbon fiber fork with alloy steerer. Available in 50cm, 52cm, 54cm, 56cm, and 58cm sizes in Raleigh Red Gloss finish.'


New to cyclocross, I'm also unsure about frame size. I normally ride a 61cm road bike, will the Raleigh 58cm be too big/just right?
Thanks.

Seems nice, don't know much about the Raleigh since all previous cross models were more for touring than for racing. For the same price you can probably get a better(more known) cross frame.

Both my race bikes are very similar to this frame, built by Kinesis w/ the same carbon seat stay. I have a little different geometry & a flat oval top tube but I'm sure the ride itself is very close. The addition of the carbon stay (I also have the exact same frame in the full alum version) makes a HUGE difference in the comfort department, especially on bumpy, grassy type courses like Star Cross (UCI race near Seattle). Of course tubulars help a lot too but this feels much more absorbing than the full alum. ride. Its also stiff enough for me & I'm 5'10 165.

The guy who designed it used to work for Redline (Tim Rutledge) & has been around cross forever. He is a multi national champion so I would trust it. If you can score one of these for a good price, I'd go for it. good luck!!

DP

'If you can score one of these for a good price...'

the price I was quoted for it is $795. Worth it?
Also what about frame size - I ride a 61cm road bike?

Thanks.

I just bought one and am in the process of putting it together. I have two other cyclocross bikes so I can compare it without having ridden it yet.

This is an absolutely first class frame and fork. In another week or so I'll have the rest of the parts and have put it together and ridden it.

Several things:

The seat post REALLY is 27.2 even though it rattles around in the seat tube. It measured 28 mm on me and that worried me since that is a standard C-40 seatpost size that NO ONE makes except Colnago.

They are measured a little funny like all cyclocross bikes. I THOUGHT that I ordered a 58 cm but perhaps they changed the largest size this year. Anyway it measures 59 cm c-t of toptube. Standing it next to my 60 cm Poprad it seems the same size which is good since the LeMond fits me well (I ride a road 62 cm and have a standover of, I think, 37"). But somewhere or other in the paperwork it was called a "63 cm" since that is the distance from the middle of the BB to the top of the seat tube. When ordering be aware that you have to make certain everyone is on the same page for size.

The frame is REALLY well finished. The carbon seat stays are molded in so carefully that you can't tell where the aluminum ends and the carbon begins. All of the threads are perfect and don't need any chasing. Same with the headset lands. You can assemble everything without any special tools except for the tool that pushes in the doo-dad nut that is used to use the top on theadless stem. I've bought a lot of bikes and seldom seen one this well finished from the factory.

The big question is whether this bike has "the ride". While the Atala did have the ride it was too heavy for a modern bike but a good touring conversion. The Poprad was a good bike but it doesn't have "the ride".

Now that I'm an experienced rider with cash to spend that's what I'm looking for. The Raleigh LOOKS right but whether or not it feels right will be determined in the future.