Cycling UK Forum

Hi,

I a considering buying this on wiggle:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/raleigh-airlite ... agra-2012/

There are very few reviews around on the Internet and as a first time road bike buyer, I wondered if anyone could offer me some advice - either to go for it or not?!

Thanks,

Toby

Well it looks excellent value and I have read only good things about them BUT, if it is your first road bike please try one for size first. Modern road bikes tend to have quite aggressive riding positions which don't suit everyone and are not easy to modify. Try before you buy.

Nice bike, excellent spec for the money. I see it's only available in two sizes so you may struggle to get a good fit

Toby....
How tall are you, how old are you, what do you ride now, how far in front of the saddle nose are the grips, and are the grips higher or lower than the saddle?
If you are young, strong, flexible and say 5'8" or taller you should be OK.
Any bike shop, as well as this forum, has a continual stream of people who have bought a road bike, and find the gears too high and the bars too low and too much of a stretch.

Hi

I tried one of these but didn't buy. They size up big and the 55cm fitted me (just) even though I am 6foot. The 59cm felt way too big...

Good price, if I was looking for this type of bike it would be high on the short list.

hexhome wrote: Try before you buy.

is good advice. I wouldn't buy a bike like this without riding it first. If it suits you, it looks like good value for money.

I asked Wiggle a question last week about a particular component. Still haven't heard back...

(unlike CRC who replied to a Sat morning question on Sat afternoon).

Tiagra changers. Can't beat that for the price.
22 lb without pedals. Not bad.
34 x 28 will be low enough.

Check the geometry chart. The size quoted seems to be the seat tube length. Its a bit confusing.

My Spesh size is 54cm. My Raleigh size would be the 51cm. This is confirmed by the stated crank length of 170mm.

Thanks for all the replies. I definitely appreciate the try before you buy comments, however I can't find a stockist for this bike for the life in me. Anyone know how to size myself up against the geometry? Any decent websites for this?

I'm 6ft with a 32 inside leg, and if they size up big it is probably ok for me BUT can't decide if it worth the risk, given wiggle don't offer their 30-day test ride due to the huge discount!

Thanks

Hi again

Unless you have gorilla arms the 560mm effective top tube should be fine for you. Also the head tube is quite tall which means that you won't have a ridiculous drop to the bars even if you have plenty of seatpost showing.

I can only reiterate that I found the 55cm fitted well and my inside leg is 34 inches and my newest bike is a 60cm framed touring bike, whereas the 59cm Raleigh airlite was too big, too long and had standover issues for me. Based on this I would suggest that you will be fine...

By the way, go outdoors stock these models sometimes. Is there a go outdoors near you?

Bw, ant

Actually, the model I tried was not the 2012 model, so frame geo might have been different. It migHt be the same, I just don't know for certain...

So probably back to suggesting finding a stockist, sorry.

Although the 59cm is the biggest in the range, and the range has 4 cm jumps between. Logic says the biggest must be suitable for really big dudes, so you will probably be ok!!! What is the worst case scenario? As an online seller wiggle must surely accept an unbuilt return. You might have to pay out a small shipping charge...

Ant, I'm with your post of 8.23 on this, ie the size sounds about right.....I'm 5' 10", with a 32" trouser, and not very flexible, being 65 years old.
However, I can handle a top tube about that length, and the head tube is very long, which means you shouldn't need my "old man's stem"....ie high rise.
I,m pretty sure the distance selling regulations give you 7 days to return something bought mail order.

It says it has mudguard clearance, but does not seem enough to me. What sort of road riding are you looking to do on it, this bike looks good for speed on tarmac, light and aerodynamic but unforgiving on rough lanes. Looks a good spec, can't find any reviews on Ryde Flyer wheels but they look ok.

I find my racing bike good for riding smooth roads in dry weather, but that is a small percentage of my cycling. My default road bike has deep drop brakes and clearance for full mudguards and 28mm tyres.

See also:

Youtube: Raleigh Airlite 300 Road Bike Review

http://waterfordbikes.com/w/tech-corner/tech-brake-dancing/

shack843425 wrote:Thanks for all the replies. I definitely appreciate the try before you buy comments, however I can't find a stockist for this bike for the life in me. Anyone know how to size myself up against the geometry? Any decent websites for this?

I'm 6ft with a 32 inside leg, and if they size up big it is probably ok for me BUT can't decide if it worth the risk, given wiggle don't offer their 30-day test ride due to the huge discount!

Thanks

On the webpage you linked, there are only two sizes available in this sale. 51cm and 55cm. I'm 5' 9" with a 31" inside leg. The 51cm would be my size.

Shack , i dont know where you live ! but if you happen to live anywhere near Bristol , Gardener Haskins would almost certainly have one ,. Or could get you one .