Raleigh USA Bicycle Company Grand Prix

Price Paid:  $470.00 at Ski Market (Nashua,

Favorite Ride:
Raleigh Grand Prix (2006)

Summary:
After taking up cycling as a way to get back into shape, I quickly noticed that my mountain bike (Haro) was good, but I needed something that would allow me to go for longer distances. That's when I started to test bikes and came back several times to Raleigh as the best value.

Strengths:
Components: Shimano Tiagra shifters, Shimano 105 front & rear.

Weaknesses:
None

Price Paid:  $800.00 at Bike America

Favorite Ride:
Any day I can get out

Bike Setup:
Factory set up, except the seat.

Summary:
Bought this bike August 2003 and have been very happy with it. If you want to get into cycling but don't want to spend a lot of money this bike will fit your need.

Strengths:
For the money it has been a great bike. I plan on up grading the tires,rims and carbon seat post at a later date.

Weaknesses:
none

Price Paid:  $675.00 at Ebay

Favorite Ride:
Any ride with the wind at my back

Bike Setup:
I put a Yellow Selle Itialia ProLink Saddle on it and it really looks fantastic on the bike.
Also a Cateye OS1.1 Computer.

Summary:
I have been extremely pleased with my Grand Prix.
It's ride is very responsive ans crisp.
The componants are very high quality and the bike is well put together.

It is a joy to ride and I've got over 2500 miles on it so far.

I searched far and wide and demo'd just about everything in the price range and I could not be happier with my Raleigh.

Strengths:
Great Looks, Solid Quality Componants, Carbon Fork, Lightweight.

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Too Numerous to List

Price Paid:  $599.00 at Golden Spoke @ Peori

Favorite Ride:
Carefree Hills, Az

Bike Setup:
Stock but added Profile Aerobars

Summary:
After several weeks of research, shopping and testing diff bikes. The Grand Prix was a very good value. The components are more than adequate as is the handling and acceleration up hills or down them.

Strengths:
Price, truative crankset, carbon fork, 105 derailleur, tiagra shifters

Weaknesses:
Shim M505 clipless pedals need a good adjustment to release its grip.

Similar Products Used:
Specialized, Fuji, Motobecane

Price Paid:  $700.00 at Cycle Logic, Raleigh

Favorite Ride:
Northern Wake County, North Carolina

Bike Setup:
See above.

Summary:
This Raleigh Grand Prix compares to other brands selling for $100 to $150 more. The Specialized Allez Sport I purchased for my daughter has nearly identical components and cost $720.00 on sale. The Raleigh was $700.00 but came with Shimano SPD clipless pedals, an extra on the others we tested. I thought it was an excellent value, which was important given that I was buying two bikes.

Strengths:
Tiagra/105 drivetrain has 27 speeds.

Weaknesses:
None detected so far (one ride!).

Similar Products Used:
Demo'd bikes at similar price point by
Trek, Giant, Specialized, Novaro and Marin.