Raleigh USA Bicycle Company 2001 C 40

Price Paid:  $350.00 at Spokes Etc.; Alexand

Favorite Ride:
W & OD, Shirlington to Custis, Custis trail to Rosslyn, Mt Vernon to 4 mi run; 4-mi to Shirlington

Bike Setup:
The day I bought it, I put a rear LED light and cateye head light on it. Later I added toe clip peda

Summary:
This was my first bike as an adult. I'm 5'11" and I weight 220 lbs and I had a Medium size frame which was slightly to small. I wasn't aware that I had a bike that was slightly small until I had ridden a while. So this might have placed some extra stress on the bike. For the most part I am satisfied with the bike for what it is, a low end hybrid bike.

I started riding to work on it soon after I got it. That's about 8 miles round trip per day. I've done several 30 mile and a few 40 mile weekend rides and I never had any significant comfort problems. I haven't ridden many other bikes so I don't have much to compare with, however, I can say that riding this bike has hooked gotten me hooked to cycling and I had firm plans to buy a better bike. Unfortunately, those plans were quickly moved up when this bike was stolen. So now I already have another bike.

I didn't have my first flat until I had the bike for 6 months. I broke a couple of spokes within the last 3 months of owning the bike. However, as I mentioned I am somewhat of a big guy and both times that I broke spokes, I was starting out in a higher gear than normal and standing up and placing a lot of pressure on the drive train. I broke a pedal jumping off a curve sometime within the first 4 or 5 months. Again, it was a high stress situation for the bike and this is a low end bike. I proceeded to replace the plastic stock pedals with toe clip pedals. I had no problems with those for the rest of the time I used this bike. I took the bike back for one more tune up before the warranty ran out and the guys in the repair shop rebuilt the bottom bracket..
Overall, I think the bike is fairly comfortable and a nice bike for someone who's never done any serious biking or someone who wants cheap bike for a short commute to work. After riding this bike for a year, I'm ready for something better. I've bought a Specialized Sirrus al for my longer recreational/exercising rides. Only one 15 mile ride so far, but I enjoyed it and can appreciate some of the better features. I'll probably buy another bike in the same price/value range as the C-40 for my short commuting rides

Strengths:
It's comfortable and has a nice price for an entry-level bike.

Weaknesses:
The rear derailer seemed to slip out of adjustment easily. Of course these are components on a 350 dollar bike.
However, whenever I took the bike to the shop for a tune-up, they would adjust the derailers. And the rear derailer seemed to be out of adjustment within a week. The indexed Perhaps adjusting the derailers is a skill I should learn. It would not shift at one position between positions 2 and 4 and if I got up to position 6 or 7 it would skip a gear there. And of course when it missed shifting a gear, there is a lot of noise. You could shift back down and work with it to get it in the gear you want, but it can be a hassle

Similar Products Used:
None seriously. I've test rode a Giant Crossroads.

Price Paid:  $310.00 at Bike Zone, Greece, N

Favorite Ride:
bike trails

Bike Setup:
I added a Sigma computer.

Summary:
I absolutely love this bike. I bought it to replace a 15 year old Schwinn that I hated from the day I bought it.

I have the 2002 model c40, and rode it 10 miles the first day I had it. The gears shift great, the standard Avenir seat is very comfortable, and I love the seat post and front fork shocks.

Strengths:
Price, for one. Lots of value and quality for the dollar. Looks cool. Rides great.

Weaknesses:
haven't found any yet. I'd probably upgrade the pedals to something a little better, but that's a minor gripe.

Similar Products Used:
Fully intended to buy a Giant. This bike blew it away.

Price Paid:  $330.00 at Bean''s Bikes - Paol

Bike Setup:
I added a Cateye Enduro 2 computer and a saddle bag; nothing else required!

Summary:
I purchased this bike about a year ago, and I like it more and more each day. Compared to similar models from Trek, Giant, and Marin, Raleigh definitely gives more *bang for the buck*. Aluminum frame and fork, decent Shimano components, very nice build quality, smooth shifting. Have fun watching your friends pop the chains off their Diamondbacks and Gary Fishers.

Strengths:
Immense value for the money

Weaknesses:
Maybe a little too lightweight to take off-road

Price Paid:  $329.00 at Annarelli's Bicyles

Favorite Ride:
Downhill

Bike Setup:
shimano clipless pedals cyclometer everything else stock

Summary:
I bought this bike because it wasn't gimmicky and it was clean and rode smoothly. I would love to put up against my brother's Bianchi. For the money it packs a wallop and compared to the $188.00 dollars I spent on my Schwinn Continental II in 1979, it wasn't that much more for a bike that I would have killed for back then!

Strengths:
Nice Components, Smooth ride, Lightweight and fast, Shifts smoothly, well built, and doesn't look cheap.

Weaknesses:
In 23rd and 24th gear I hear that grinding noise in the front DR. Other than that nothing to mention

Similar Products Used:
Trek, GT

Price Paid:  $309.00 at Cycle Sport & Fitness

Bike Setup:
Cateye Enduro 2 computer, Avocet FastGrip Dura 20 (700x32)
slick tires, Serfas Hybrid RX saddle, Raleigh MTB toe
clips added to the stock pedals.

Summary:
Am very happy with this bike. It weighed in at 31.5 pounds
(now down to 30lbs by switching to Avocet slick tires)
and actually weighs less! than the more expensive
Raleigh "C" models with shocks. Its very comfortable even
without (the added weight of )shocks. I ride mostly paved
roads and for those who do, I recommended those
Avocet slick tires. I have had NO problems with this
bike, it shifts smoothly, handles superbly, stops quickly
and is sturdy like a tank. Ths stock Selle Stratos seat is very good but I prefer the Serfas RX. The bike looks cool with a really nice paint job & decals. I suggest anyone interested in one purchase it soon as I heard they will be soon be assembled in China, rather than the USA. The bike is fast (for its weight) and have had it close to 30mph. In short, its a great value and lots of fun to ride.

Strengths:
Made in USA, quality parts, ride is comfortable
and smooth, very sturdy, looks great.

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
Looked at similar bikes by Schwinn and Trek along
with Raleigh C200 & C500
with ho