Price Paid:
$900.00
at Recycled Cycles Seat Model Year:
2007 Favorite Ride:
Seattle Cyclocross Series -- Evergreen Bike Setup:
All original (unfortunately) except for road tires, fenders, a rack, and a new seatpost clamp. Summary:
Most cyclocross bikes make for an interesting Swiss Army knife approach to cycling, and the RX 1.0 is no exception. It's almost adequate out-of-the box to race your local cyclocross series, it makes a dandy commuter, and it could be the perfect one-bike for the new road rider who's not sure where or how she or he will ride. Weak components keep the bike affordable, but can cause frustration.
I bought the bike as a rain bike (we need these in Seattle) with fenders for group rides and a rack for my short commute. I swapped the knobbies for road tires and have a nice set up. I almost look forward to rainy days now!
The aluminum frame is solid, the beefy carbon fork from Easton (EC90X) inspires confidence.
The only drawbacks I've found are with the component set, which in almost every regard are cheaper and weaker than I'd have chosen on my own, and they've let me down repeatedly.
First, the wheel set is weak. Mine went out of true twice in the first few months. Second, the rear skewer has insufficient holding strength. Starting under power from a stoplight is enough to tug the rear axle skewer out of position, causing the tire to rub the brake or frame and the rider's forward motion comes to an immediate halt. This is dangerous if it happens in a crosswalk with cars turning into one's path, or on a group ride when those behind you pile into you during your unexpected sudden stop. A friend with an RX 1.0 had the same complaint about the skewer and also shared my criticism of another issues: the seat post clamp. Slowly but surely our seats slipped down, down, down, and required frequent mid-ride adjustments. My seatpost clamp failed entirely (stripped and broke at the clamp end) and required replacement. Finally, I'm not impressed with the Tiagra components. The 105 rear derailleur doesn't make up for a weak gruppo. It's often out of adjustment and I can't count on clean shifts. I'm afraid to ride in group hammerfests for all of these flaws.
It's a bit disappointing that Raleigh doesn't sell this as a frame-only to allow a build out to match the buyer's intentions. Cyclocross racers would undoubtedly upgrade the gruppo and brakes; commuters might prefer better wheels and would trade for road tires. Everyone needs different skewers and seat posts.
Strengths:
Nice Frame -- it should be sold as a frameset only to allow the buyer to customize for the buyer's preferred use of the bike.
Customizable -- eyelets on frame and fork make it easy to install fenders and a rack. This makes a great first road bike for someone who may commute, may ride dirt or pavement surfaces, and has Walter Mitty fantasies about cyclocross racing.
One good component -- The handlebars. I really like the Easton handlebars; they offer nice hand positions and feel solid. Weaknesses:
Virtually all the components. I highly recommend immediately replacing the following (in order of most important to least important):
-Rear skewers
-Seatpost clamp
-Wheelset
-Tiagra gruppo
-Brakes
-Seat
-Crank
-Heck, just have your shop strip the thing and give you credit for the original components that you can put toward stuff you like. Similar Products Used:
Independent Fabrications Planet Cross (I race this one)
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