Raleigh USA Bicycle Company Grand Prix

Price Paid:  $1050.00 at The Bike Shop, Centr

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
W&OD in Northern Virginia

Bike Setup:
Stock with Shimano SPD Pedals.

Summary:
I purchased the 2007 Grand Prix as an upgrade to my 2006 Grand Sport. I ride for exercise and recreation and find the Grand Prix rock-solid and a lot of bike for the money. I looked at other brands but given quality features such as Atomic 13 SL butted aluminum frame, Easton EC 70 carbon fork, Shimano 105/Ultegra drivetrain, Truvative Elita compact crankset and Shimano R500 wheel set - - nothing else appealed to me in this price range.

Strengths:
Well-sorted frame and good handling. The Easton EC 70 Fork absorbs the harshness of typical road conditions well. The bike is fast and components are excellent, especially the Ultegra rear derailer and Shimano wheel set and 105 flight deck.

Weaknesses:
N/A for this price range. Its not a Ducati Corse Bianchi but then again it doesn't cost $8K either.

Similar Products Used:
Raleigh Grand Sport

Price Paid:  $0.00 at LBS

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
Mt Baldy road

Bike Setup:
added some look pedals and aero bars for the sprint tri

Summary:
Bought this bike because a friend of mine sells Raleighs. Couldnt have been happier as a first road bike.didnt have any idea about anything other than not wanting to ride my MTB on the roads anymore. The drive train is better than i expected and the price way way right for what you get.

Strengths:
Decent parts and carbon forks and seat post.

Weaknesses:
a little heavy but nothing a little more riding cant take care of

Similar Products Used:
test rode a lot of bikes, but last roadie i owned was a 1985 K-mart special 10 speed

Price Paid:  $650.00 at LBS

Model Year:
2004

Favorite Ride:
The parts on the way to work that are newly paved.

Bike Setup:
2004 Raleigh Grand Prix
SRAM PC991 chain
Thudbuster ST seatpost
Mavic Cosmos rear wheel

Summary:
I bought the 2004 model to replace my car as my primary transportation. It has been a nice entry point back into road biking, but it has had some problems through its first 1000 miles. This is not a featherweight racer, but it has been a mostly reliable commuter bike that can keep up with the 25MPH downtown traffic I ride in.

The front deraileur needed multiple adjustments as it settled in, and I pulled the rear brake line free in a panic stop. Pretty normal stuff, and nothing to complain about in braking or shifting performance. The addition of a SRAM hollow-pin chain has greatly improved shifting smoothness, and a Thudbuster ST seatpost tamed the harsh AL frame kick over potholes.

My only major problem has been with the rear wheel. I weigh about 200 pounds, and the Alex R450 rim could not take it. I broke my first spoke after just 400 miles while riding over pretty smooth pavement. I have had 2 more spokes break in the same area over the last 600 miles and am eagerly awaiting a new Mavic Cosmos rear.

I'm not sure if I would have had as many problems if I'd spent a few hundred dollars more up front, but I will definitely do it next time I buy a bike.

Strengths:
Value.

Tiagra components, carbon fork, and a stiff frame can handle a torquey heavyweight like me. Sora brakes are an odd downgrade, but they work well enough.

Weaknesses:
Weak rims, no-name hubs, and SPD pedals.

Similar Products Used:
1990 Schwinn Fastback
Multiple mountain bikes before I saw the light and converted to skinny tires.

Price Paid:  $850.00 at Bicycle One

Favorite Ride:
Hills of South-East Ohio

Bike Setup:
stock configuration, just bought some Look 357 pedals for it.

Summary:
There are lots of bikes in this price range and I looked at quite a few: Bianchi, Trek, Giant. But this bike seemed to have about the nicest feature set for the price.

I've put about 400 miles on it and have nothing major to criticize. The ride is stiff and responsive. The front derail came out of adjustment rather quickly but just needs a re-tuning. Pedals aren't that nice. Decent saddle with moderate comfort. No flats (yet!) over some pretty rough pavement. The triple was nice to have starting out, but now I wonder about its usefulness.

Strengths:
Price/components. Stiff. Sharp handling.

Weaknesses:
MTB spd pedals??? Sora brakes. Stiff ride (both good and bad).

Similar Products Used:
Trek 560

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
Just got this bike and so far have been very impressed. I have logged about 60 miles on it so far. The fram is nice and stiff and the components compliment each other nicely. The only problem was that the front deraillure needed to be adjusted slightly. I will eventually replace the crankset because I'll never use the small third chainring. Otherwise, so far, so good!

Weaknesses:
Could be lighter