bautieri

Hi all!

I tried using the search function but came up empty handed, however I'm curious to know if anyone has any opinions on the Raleigh RX 1.0? Good, bad, ugly, indifferent?

I'm looking for a good all-round bike to replace my road and my b@stardised mountain bike turned commuter. After much debate between a touring bike or a cyclocross bike, I think the cyclocross would be the best fit for me given the riding I do, and the riding I would like to do. I really want to give CX racing a shot. Would there be any other recommended cyclocross bikes around the price point of the RX?

Kind of a stupid question but would there be any qualms about pulling a trailer with it?

Thanks for any thoughts you may have to offer


Bau

Andy_K 

It looks like a really nice bike, just based on the specs.

I wasn't able to find a definitive price for it, so I'm not sure what the price range is. It looked like the 2009 model may be around the price of the Kona Jake the Snake. With the JTS you'd lose the snazzy new BB30 bottom bracket, but you'd gain a full 105 drivetrain.

The Fuji Cross Comp is another possibility, available for $1160 at Performance Bike, which would get you an Ultegra rear derailleur. And, of course, if I don't suggest the Fantom Cross Pro from Bikes Direct ($1000 for full Ultegra) someone else will.

The Raleigh probably has the nicest fork of the bunch.

I don't think any of these would have problems pulling a trailer.

Rejuvenator

Looking for the all-around bike that can tow the kids too?! If you ave ridden the Raleigh and liked it, buy it. The all-carbon fork saves some weight, and you can get some nicer wheels someday. The GEO is not as all-around as some. Don't worry about the tiagra-105 diff. I think you can get this for @$1150? IF you need to go much higher, also try the Kona Jake the Snake. They have more sizes and a pretty slick all-around bike, with a crappier fork.

AndrewP

For pulling kids in a trailer, you should look at bikes with a triple front derailler, such as the Specialized Tricross. If the trailer attaches to the left seat and chainstays, you must avoid bikes with carbon stays.

bautieri

The Raleigh dealer that I frequent doesn't stock them though they would be happy to order one in. I went through the catalog with the owner of the shop and we discovered that it is a very interesting bike no doubt. However, upon further investigation into the components on the bike it is very clear where they skimped to save cost. The wheels. Joytech hubs and Freedom RLX rims (the same wheelset they use on the Grand Sport, the entry level road bike), also there seems to be a huge price discrepancy between Raleigh’s website and the shops price. The website indicates it should top out at 1100 and the shop said it would retail for 1350.

While I was there we started talking about the bikes they did have on the floor and the Surly Cross Check caught my eye. I'm not sure why but it felt right between my legs. I was unable to test ride it due to the severe thunderstorm going on outside but I intend to go back for a test ride on Friday. I like the looks and feel of it, the shop even offered to convert it to a triple for next to nothing but I do have one bit of hesitation on it. The bar end shifters. Seeing how I have the idea rattling around in my head to try and race it, how detrimental would bar ends be? It would seem to me that taking your hands off the bars and away from your brakes could be a rather bad thing. The shop did mention they could put a set of Tiagra STI levers on for an additional $150.

I know Surly's are quite well thought of to almost hipster level but I don't want to buy into the hype as I am strongly anti anti-establishment. Is the cross check a decent all rounder with prospect to be CX racer, or should I opt for something like the Bianchi Axis which the other shop carries but would have to order in.

Sorry for the multiple questions and general noobness.

Thanks

Andy_K 

A bike you can test ride is worth two that you can't.

I would go for the STI shifters, but it's mostly a matter of personal preference. Some people love bar ends. You should ride it with the bar ends and see what you think.

I've never ridden a Cross Check, but I have seen a few at 'cross races, so it's definitely a raceable bike. The guys on the commuter forum rave about it, so I'm sure it's great as an all-arounder.

At around the same cost as the Cross Check (less if you add the cost of a triple and STI shifters), you can get a Kona Jake which comes standard with STI and triple chaingrings. This bike I can personally vouch for, as it's what I ride every day. I use it for commuting, centuries, cross racing and whatever else I might want to do, and I love it.

crushkilldstroy

FWIW, I've raced bar-cons plenty of times. They're also great on beataround bikes because they don't ever break. Ever.

It's probably worth mentioning that I'm an extremely biased Cross Check owner and borderline retrogrouch.

bmw5nkj

that's what she said. sorry i couldn't resist.

but to answer your question: yes, the surly cross check is the best all-rounder in my opinion. road, 'cross, tour, haul, it can do it all. i don't have one (yet) but from what i've seen, it is the ultimate workhorse. i want a surly cross check!!

p/s: bar end shifters are fun.

robcr125

Hello,
Cross-Check owner here, I can vouch for this bike. I have ridden every thing from single track to pump track to ascents up/down mountains on mixed surface roads and 60 plus mile road rides all with a change of tires. I would also recommend a triple in front for towing the stroller. It is truly a do it all bike.

I looked into the rx1-good bike and in my opinions excellent components if you can find it around $1100 or less. One of the lbs in northern Colorado (Loveland Cycle) has an 08, size 54 for less than that. I went with the stronger frame and more versatile bike.

Oh yeah, it can race cross just fine-not too heavy and the bar end shifters take getting used to but are fun and indestructible. Disclaimer-I also really like frame shifters for just cruising around but my cross check was custom built with sti shifters 105s, stronger wheels, etc.

Grimace 2/9

I JUST (like half an hour ago) put the 500th mile on my Cross-Check after about a month of commuting. I really do like the frame but I have to say if I was to do the whole thing over again, I'd probably shell out the extra money for a 105 drivetrain. Just me, and maybe I'm being a snob, but the stock equipment just -oesn't feel right to me. The cheap wheels on the other hand, appear to be almost bomb-proof with my fat ***** bumping all over the place. Go figure.

Hida Yanra

Bump- Cross season is coming up and our team deal is for a Raleigh RX 1.0

Does/Has anyone here actually raced this thing? It looks like the TT is a bit triangular, errrr, is shouldering the bike a painful proposition? Plenty of bikes in this price range are all perfectly raceable, but if the TT is pointy on the bottom I'll probably look elsewhere.

amorrow

The TT is only pointy near the head tube. I think to make the junction stronger. It's just as comfortable as anything else where you shoulder it. Mine's been a good bike.

RacerJRP

I just got the 2010 catalog today..I work in a shop..the 2010 RX 1.0 is looking like the deal of the season if the figures I saw were correct. 09 rival w/ FSA BB30 crank...FSA compact bars..Easton EC70 fork..decent brakes decent wheels..junk stem n seatpost...AWESOME black and green panit job! msrp $1450

amorrow

Speaking of the new model, if anyone's interested in my rx1, PM me. I think I'm moving on to the 2010.

meanwhile

The bike I was about to suggest when I read "trailer pulling". Surly's are tough, versatile and forgiving. You might look at the Surly Karate Monkey 29er too.

marco_e

I bought a cross check last year with the intent of trying out some cross races. I raced it in about 10 races pretty much stock - I replaced the tires and handlebars. I did just fine and had a blast. The barcon shifters weren't really an issue. The wheels were pretty much trashed after the season ended but that's to be expected of cheap rims/hubs. Sure it's not the lightest bike out there but if your goal is to get out and have some fun and race cross - yeah, the cross check will do that too, along with what others have said...commuting, light touring, singletrack, anything.

The only downside is if you find you really love racing cross you'll probably end up buying a race specific bike the next season.

3MTA3

i have one & love it. can't be beat for the price.

stephenrheard

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...id=38871239346

that's a photo album of this bike from the raleigh facebook page.

I was planning on getting a Kona Major One... but if this bike is really 1450, with bb30 and rival, man that is one hard deal to pass up.