Raleigh Comfort or Cross. What's the diff?
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Raleigh Comfort or Cross. What's the diff?
Hi, my name is David. I live in the Texas Gulf Coast area.
I am about to buy my first bike in many years, (I had a Schwinn Continental 25 years ago), & haven't ridden in a long time, and i'm waiting for a local bike shop not to far away to get a Raleigh SC30 05 comfort bike in in my size. It's the one they recommended after asking my interest's, and my pocket book. First a chat friend suggested the class to me. The LBS also discussed the Raleigh Cross to me, but recommended the comfort, since I'm not planning on doing any off roading.
However i'm still on the fence about the difference between the Raleigh Comfort, and Cross, since the man said the bikes tires could be swapped and used on either class, and that was about what made them different. On the Raleigh web site, there was no mention of off roading about the cross. They seem to be pretty much the same bike, except for a change of tires, and sometimes gears. But I see these alterations within the styles as well, and am really confused as the difference between the two classes.
What's the basic difference, and what are they both designed for? I'm going to be 99.9% of the time on the local Asphalt roads of my small town. But am curious which one would be better suited for the long haul, if I decide to go a long ways. Also I might mention there are no hills around here, and the land is pretty flat.
I am about to buy my first bike in many years, (I had a Schwinn Continental 25 years ago), & haven't ridden in a long time, and i'm waiting for a local bike shop not to far away to get a Raleigh SC30 05 comfort bike in in my size. It's the one they recommended after asking my interest's, and my pocket book. First a chat friend suggested the class to me. The LBS also discussed the Raleigh Cross to me, but recommended the comfort, since I'm not planning on doing any off roading.
However i'm still on the fence about the difference between the Raleigh Comfort, and Cross, since the man said the bikes tires could be swapped and used on either class, and that was about what made them different. On the Raleigh web site, there was no mention of off roading about the cross. They seem to be pretty much the same bike, except for a change of tires, and sometimes gears. But I see these alterations within the styles as well, and am really confused as the difference between the two classes.
What's the basic difference, and what are they both designed for? I'm going to be 99.9% of the time on the local Asphalt roads of my small town. But am curious which one would be better suited for the long haul, if I decide to go a long ways. Also I might mention there are no hills around here, and the land is pretty flat.
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Hey Dave! From one Newbie to another, welcome!
There are lots of friendly people from all over the world here with lots of good advice and interesting stories, so come often.
I just recently bought a bike for the first time in, oh I guess 20 years or so. I got a Diamondback Outlook. (I shied away from more expensive bike because I wasn't sure whether I'd really take to biking or not.) I ride about 90% of the time on asphalt, but do go on easy walking trails, fire roads, and gravel bike paths too. Here's just a couple personal realizations that might help you out.
- Knobby tires and front fork suspension REALLY slow you down compared to a road bike, but I don't care because I want a workout from riding anyway, so I enjoy the added resistance.
- Knobby tires and front suspension (even the crappy suspension I have) help a LOT riding on rough trails or even through fields. I can't go fast like a road bike, but I love the ability to take off across a field or down a trail through the woods on a whim.
-I ride much longer and furhter than I had expected, even with the knobby tires and suspension. It's no problem - unless your into speed and man/machine efficiency. There's at least one guy here that rides 100 miles on his mountainbike.
- I'm glad I didn't get a Comfort Bike, because I think the added seat suspension would have driven me nuts on longer rides. As it is, sometimes the bouncing of the front suspesnion is annoying.
- It seems like, whatever you buy, later on you can always change those parts of the bike which you don't like.
There are lots of friendly people from all over the world here with lots of good advice and interesting stories, so come often.
I just recently bought a bike for the first time in, oh I guess 20 years or so. I got a Diamondback Outlook. (I shied away from more expensive bike because I wasn't sure whether I'd really take to biking or not.) I ride about 90% of the time on asphalt, but do go on easy walking trails, fire roads, and gravel bike paths too. Here's just a couple personal realizations that might help you out.
- Knobby tires and front fork suspension REALLY slow you down compared to a road bike, but I don't care because I want a workout from riding anyway, so I enjoy the added resistance.
- Knobby tires and front suspension (even the crappy suspension I have) help a LOT riding on rough trails or even through fields. I can't go fast like a road bike, but I love the ability to take off across a field or down a trail through the woods on a whim.
-I ride much longer and furhter than I had expected, even with the knobby tires and suspension. It's no problem - unless your into speed and man/machine efficiency. There's at least one guy here that rides 100 miles on his mountainbike.
- I'm glad I didn't get a Comfort Bike, because I think the added seat suspension would have driven me nuts on longer rides. As it is, sometimes the bouncing of the front suspesnion is annoying.
- It seems like, whatever you buy, later on you can always change those parts of the bike which you don't like.
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hi David, I just bought 3 bikes, 2 hybrids and one comfort. My wife and I ride the hybrids and my daughter rides the comfort. I took a quick ride on the comfort bike last week, wow, compared to the hybrids the comfort bike with the fat tires is a ***** to pedal, a world of difference. The hybrids glide along effortlessly. Make it easier on yourself.
I bought two Treks and one Giant, all great bikes.
So if you are going to stay on the pavement, DO NOT GET A COMFORT BIKE, you'll be sorry, get a hybrid and you can still go in the dirt or gravel once in a while if need be. JMO
Good luck Tony
I bought two Treks and one Giant, all great bikes.
So if you are going to stay on the pavement, DO NOT GET A COMFORT BIKE, you'll be sorry, get a hybrid and you can still go in the dirt or gravel once in a while if need be. JMO
Good luck Tony
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Hi, I have a Raleigh C30 (2003), which is the "Cross". I'm assuming the "Cross" is a cross between a road bike and a mountain bike (hybrid bike). I think the main difference is the cross has 700 size wheels(almost 27") and the Comfort has 26". I think the cross is meant to be faster and maybe not quite as comfortable as the Comfort bike. I like my C30, it rides well and is a nice looking bike (good price too). Ric
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Hey I went to order the bike today and decided on the Cross. I told him about my confusion between the web site and his earlier explanation, (I think now I was the one that was confused), and that I was re considering, & wanted the best one for the road, and he agreed it was the Cross. He basically said the same thing yall have. Now reading your messages, I feel I've made the right decicion. I also am happier about the color of the Cross, (red isn't me). But I have to wait for it to come in now
Thanks much for the help guys.
David.
Thanks much for the help guys.
David.
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I know when I started riding a bike again (after about 30 years) that I started out on a mountain bike because my husband thought I wouldn't be able to handle a more narrow tire. Finally I graduated to a SpecializedCrossroads bike. (I was so pround of myself) I loved that bike and still have it. I had put over 5,000 miles on it when I finally retired it and got a custom made bike that was very similar. I rode that bike everywhere I could, even took it to work with me so I could ride it on my lunch hours. I'm sure you will really love a cross bike. Keep us posted as to your rides, and if you can, post some pictures of you and your new bike.
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Hey i got my bike a couple of days ago! While it's true ya don't forget how to ride, my muscles aparently had gorgotten lol.
I rode about 12 miles today in my town, and noticed the difference when i got off. I'd like to find someone to ride with, and am going to check out some semi local bike clubs. So far it's addicting, just hope I want to ride as bad when the newness wears off, (but then i been walking for a few weeks and allways loved getting out so i think i will).
fiannor
I rode about 12 miles today in my town, and noticed the difference when i got off. I'd like to find someone to ride with, and am going to check out some semi local bike clubs. So far it's addicting, just hope I want to ride as bad when the newness wears off, (but then i been walking for a few weeks and allways loved getting out so i think i will).
fiannor