Raleigh USA Bicycle Company 1999 R300

Price Paid:  $449.00 at Competitive Edge Ski

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere near the Quabbin Reservoir in MA

Bike Setup:
Stock wheels, brakes, shifters, deraileurs, stem, seatpost, crankset. Added: Ritchey BioMax Pro bars, SPD pedals, Shimano XT bottom bracket, Continental Top Touring 2000 tires, Terry Men's Liberator saddle (they work!)

Summary:
Of the numerous road bikes I was testing at the time, the R300 was the only one that immediately fit me as soon as I climbed on the saddle. Great geometry. I've since ridden the bike about 2,700 miles, though I've only done a couple actual tours of any length. Though when I did tour, I found that the frame easily handled a 35 lb. load without flexing or complaining one bit. The Cro-Moly fork helps the mid-sized bumps a lot too, while remaining nimble and responsive. Nice.

This is the first bike I'd ever purchased with STI shifters and I must say I'm impressed, though I occasionally have trouble dropping to the smallest chainring. The RSX crankset is stiff enough to inspire confidence, which says a lot since I'm 6'1, 195 lbs and prone to breaking lesser components. Why Shimano discontinued the STI gruppo is beyond me.

I've heard some people complain about the stock ZAC 19 wheelset, but I've been using them since day one without complaint. My R300 came with Conti Super Sport tires, but I traded for 37c Top Touring 2000s for the sand and rain performance. Also, the larger air volume of a 37c tire takes the edge off the otherwise promenent high-frequency vibrations typical in a burly frame such as the R300's.

The fact that you're on a touring-specific bike is especially evident in the stock gear setup which is really too low for any sort of fast riding. I traded up to a 50-38-28 triple combo on the crank and an 12-28 rear which encompasses and exceeds the gear range of the stock 46-36-26 front and 11-26 rear.

Despite my whining, this is an excellent bike. Every ride on it is a joy. It just FITS, darnit! The bike and I have written a couple years of stories together, which is about the best compliment I can give to anything.

Strengths:
Superb frame geometry on an absolutely bomb-proof frame. Great component group for the price. Decent wheelset. Stock handlebars were decent as well, I just have exceedingly large hands and they didn't fit. Stock Selle Stratos saddle that also seems to work with everybody but me (I sold it to a friend who loves it). Three water bottle mounts. And nice shiny green paint.

Weaknesses:
The stock pedals literally fell apart on my first long tour (I've since gone clipless). The bottom bracket started making crunching noises after a couple years of steady use. The stem looks like it should be stiff, but isn't. The stock gear configuration tops out too easily.

Price Paid:  $20.00 at citgo

Favorite Ride:
Your Momma

Bike Setup:
this r-300 has definitly gone under some mutations over the years

Summary:
this, and i am talking about the 1997 Raleigh R-300, bike has survived almost six years of daily riding, numerous 300+ rides, and a couple run ins with cars. maybe i got lucky and got the good one, but i still say raleigh should keep this frame in it's arsenal.

Strengths:
Durable frame, bomb proof bottom bracket

Weaknesses:
the stock wheels, couldn't handle a week's load, and even though i'm too cheap to buy an upgrade, the stem is lame. e-mail if you care for my reasoning to that remark

Similar Products Used:
noene really, rode mountain bikes before i bought this bike

Price Paid:  $500.00 at Blue Ridge cycle wor

Favorite Ride:
Raleigh r-300

Summary:
The bike is a good bike for teens and adults to start at the entery level. It was my first serious bike. When I do upgrade I will still use it for road hill climing practice.

Strengths:
durability, gears, brakes

Weaknesses:
IT can be pricey. I got mine second hand the person before me paid $650.00 for it.

Similar Products Used:
Trek series 1000

Price Paid:  $400.00 at eBay

Favorite Ride:
Any

Bike Setup:
Stock 1997 except for Nitto Technomic stem and aero pedals

Summary:
Used to ride Raleighs as a kid, so bought a NOS 1997 R-300 for my wife, but ended up riding it myself as it was too big for her, (got her a 2001 R-300 instead). This is a great entry level tour/road bike, and is surprisingly fast for the price. I've put about 4,000Km. on it so far and it still feels solid.

Strengths:
RSX components, especially the shifters (much better than Sora) Slightly sloped top tube frame looks a lot better than later R-300's. Paint is good.

Weaknesses:
The Alivio cantilever brakes are noisy and could be more effective. Cheap Taiwan stock stem and pedals.

Similar Products Used:
'80's vintage CBT frame w/mix of Record and Stronglight components, Mavic wheels. Ishiwata 022 frame with 105/RX-100 STI components, Rigida wheels

Favorite Ride:
probably this one. Other bikes include a 12-speed Bianchi and some mountain bikes

Bike Setup:
Totally stock (1999) except the tires: I chose Conti Top Touring (Those stock Michelins just seemed too brittle). I also discard those rubber tire liners and use Velox cloth in all my bikes.

Summary:
Excellent all-around bike: trail-riding, road-riding, comfortable enough for commuting but quite up to the all-day ride. Very strong, solid feel.

Yes, there are lighter/ stronger/ better (etc) wheels -- but these ZAC 19's have held up well (maybe it's cuz I only weigh 140). Yes, Ultegra shifters are smoother; I'll upgrade when these stop working (if that ever happens). I do wish the gearing was just a little lower -- when you're lugging 60 pounds of gear up a hill, those little cogs won't help.

I loved the Stratos Expert saddle -- most satisfactory I've ridden for this kind of riding.

I tried the 1997 Raleigh R300, which had canti brakes, and I agree with the earlier reviewer -- these V-brakes are at least better than that. I suspect higher quality cantilever brakes could be an improvement.

Final word: plenty good *as is* for commuting and short touring; upgrade whatever wears out.

**I myself have yet to go on a heavy-load cross-country tour; if you have, you might have more exacting standards than me.

Strengths:
good price; comfortable ride; tough & solid

Weaknesses:
V-brakes don't match well with road levers -- must be adjusted *just so*

Similar Products Used:
Cannondale T700