Raleigh USA Bicycle Company R700D

Price Paid:  $800.00 at Friend/bike tech

Favorite Ride:
Racing amish buggies in Central PA

Bike Setup:
Ultegra, Dura-Ace derailleurs, Mavic CXP-22(not my cup of tea, but descent)

Summary:
I beleive I got a killer deal on this thing. I bought this off a bike tech who recieved it as a gift from the company, hence the 800$. Mine says "Team Issue" where the R700 should be, yup, wow. Anyway, It is my first bike. The Ultegra is definantly a deal. The bike seems good n light to me. Very smooth and responsive, and I emphasize. great feel. If I had more money it would still be my baby.

Strengths:
Value, Ultegra, smooth, responsive

Weaknesses:
dull asthetics, no bragging rights (raleigh)

Price Paid:  $995.00

Favorite Ride:
only a couple so far

Bike Setup:
stock, full ultegra with koobi saddle

Summary:
this was my first road bike purchase. i'm primarily a mountain biker who wanted a bike for training and for the winter when the trails around the bay area get too muddy to ride (i know i'm a weeny!!).

i bought the bike because the price was great for the components and due to other reviews. i've only been on the bike a couple of times but am very pleased so far. the bike is very smooth, comfortable (for me anyway, 5'9", 32 inseam, 56cm frame) and fast. all i've done is to change the saddle. not to overplay it but the bike is also great to look at. over all i'm very happy so far, especially for the price.

Strengths:
smoothness, components, appearance, value

Weaknesses:
none so far

Similar Products Used:
mountain bikes...santa cruz, gt and specialized

Price Paid:  $0.00

Favorite Ride:
Raleigh R700

Bike Setup:
1999 Raleigh R 700 with 2001 Dura-Ace/1999 Ultegra mix. Profile design elite pro carbon cranks. Cali

Summary:
The bike begins as a rec ride however after a couple of ride you se the balls the machine is produced with. You bought the bike for the components leaving you the trade off with a heavier frame. Considering you are buying the bike for pretty cheap compared to others with the same componentry either spend a little more on the Raleigh or buy a Cannondale which would give you a more comfortable ride.

Strengths:
After upgrades its a race bike.

Weaknesses:
Stiff Ride abd a tad heavy. Had to change many parts to fit me. 1" fork too small

Similar Products Used:
Cannondale R 2000si

Price Paid:  $1099.00 at Ebay

Favorite Ride:
W&OD - Flat

Bike Setup:
100% stock with Look pedals

Summary:
This bike is a beauty. It looks much better in person then in pictures. The quality of bike is very good. Compared to my prior ride (Specialized M2) which as also aluminum, R700 appears much smoother. I got the 53CM and my inseam is 29” and it’s a perfect fit.

Weaknesses:
NONE

Similar Products Used:
Specialized M2 - Full Ultegra

Price Paid:  $399.00 at Hawley's Bicycle Wor

Favorite Ride:
hills

Bike Setup:
purchased as frameset, built with full ultegra, ITM bar/stem, WTB Rocket V saddle, Velocity Spartacu

Summary:
Purchased as a frame/fork and built. I am a shop employee and we stripped the bike for the parts to build a Wilier frame for a customer. The 59CM R700 frame is quite nice, fully butted 7005 tubes with a Kinesis bulit carbon fork. I don't know the frame weight, but it didn't feel to bad stripped. It is a great ride, not harsh, but stiff enough for sprints. The Velocity wheels are quite nice, although I have only had the set for about 300 miles. I don't understand why people are hesitant to buy a Raleigh, our shop has been around for a couple of decades as a Raleigh dealer without any problems. Much stiffer frame than my last Fuji Easton tubed framesets that I cracked, and smoother than my Cannondale. Top tube seems a bit short compared to other 59cm frames which fits me fine with a 135mm stem. Not twitchy at all. I am quite impressed and happy. On stock bikes, the only complaint I have heard from customers is the R535 wheels; I believe the aerodynamics of those wheels and others (like my Velocitys) outweigh any weight penalty. I went from a custom lightweight set to my Velocitys 300 miles ago with zero penalty on the hills. Buy this bike and save money over all the marketing hype out there.

Strengths:
Surprisingly comfortable for an aluminum frame while maintaining stiffness for sprints and climbs. Integrated headset, welds.

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
Cannondale, Fuji, Diamonback, Bianchi