Raleigh USA Bicycle Company 2000 R800

Price Paid:  $2050.00 at Blue Ridge Cycle Wor

Favorite Ride:
Blue Ridge Mountains - Skyline Drive

Bike Setup:
Have the wheels upgraded to Shimano Aeros, Trek comfort racing seat, water bottle, Spare tube and tool kit, Zefal air pump, Cat Eye road computer, Cat Eye rear blinker light.

Summary:
Excellent bike for the money. Happened to get this one in exchange for providing my local bike dealer with a complete website. I do a lot of hill climbing up the mountains where I live and this bike is geared very nicely for this. A lot of other road bikes only have a double chain ring but for what I do the triple is almost mandatory. Flying down the mountain passes at speeds of 45 mph the bike is very stable through the turns and predictable. No shudders or shakes, very smooth.

Strengths:
Very light bike with a strong but compliant frame. The carbon fork helps smooth out road roughness nicely. Good components (except wheels and seat) make this bike an excellent value.

Weaknesses:
I was not crazy about the Mavic CXP-21 wheels and the seat wasn't the greatest. I replaced the wheels with a pair of Shimano Aero rims and am now getting another 2 mph or so on top end with no additional effort. I prefer a more comfortable seat and got a Trek comfort racing seat, not sure of the model number but it is way nicer than what came on the bike.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 1000 Alpha Series
Older Raleigh road bike with Reynolds 531 tubing.

Price Paid:  $1100.00 at Play It Again Sports

Favorite Ride:
Preson-Fall City

Bike Setup:
Ultegra; Cinelli bars; Profile stem; Thomson post; Shimano 535 wheelset

Summary:
Great bike for the money. Light, fast and responsive, especially on climbs. Like a rocket on sprints. Can be a little harsh on long rides on bumpy roads.

Strengths:
Ultegra; stiffness; looks

Weaknesses:
Right Ultegra shifter from 2000 is defective and can't be repaired

Similar Products Used:
Zunow steel

Price Paid:  $1600.00 at Jack Johnston Cycles

Favorite Ride:
White Rock Lake

Bike Setup:
Stock, from brochure. Changed to heavier Continental's due to recurrent flats from road trash.

Summary:
After riding heavy steel, my first ride showed me the quickness of an out of saddle jump. Easier to climb with and the Ultegra set allows for smooth gearing. 18 gears and the STI keep the hands where I need them.

The bike tracks well from tops or prone.

Been on the bike over a year and love it. Great support from the bike shop makes the experience that much more enjoyable.

Somehow the expert cyclists think I am one of them at times, now I get a lot of wheelsucking, oh well.

Strengths:
Weight, Ultegra for starters. Stock setup works great. Worked my way up from a steel Diamondback, so pleased with the quickness and responsiveness.

Weaknesses:
A little skittish on rough pavement, chatters due to the front fork.

Similar Products Used:
Not had the pleasure

Price Paid:  $1100.00

Bike Setup:
ultegra stock added sigma BC1400 computer and nashbar pedals

Summary:
A nice ride, good fork and wheels. Bike shop did not set up front/rear shifters properly so always do a thorough ride before leaving the shop.

Over all a decent ride

Strengths:
Stiff yet compliant frame, nice tubeset

Weaknesses:
Can be skittish cornering

Similar Products Used:
Fuji Team

Favorite Ride:
the triangle brutal ride on sundays

Bike Setup:
Dura ace 9speed,vector pro wheels,TTT zeep stem ,prima199 bars,cane creek headset,terry flight saddle,conti 3000 tires
dura ace SPDR pedals

Summary:
Great bike ,great value,get it if you serius about cycling and want a bike that will help you ride faster,without spending a lot of money

Strengths:
Lightweight,stiff,comfortable,great paint job really an eye catcher,i bought the frameand fork not the complete bike.this bike rides sweet on long rides and races as well as crits it corners real well .i'm very satisfied.

Weaknesses:
i guess they could've done a better job on the welds and some very little bubleson the paint.but that's pure cosmetics,the fact is this bike races right out of the box and for the money it's damn worth it,you'll have to pay over a grand for altec 2 plus from the italian companies.

Similar Products Used:
Trek5500,bianchi Titanium,colnago master,giant tcr once,Jad JR5,look carbon,bianchi steel