I'm thinking about getting a new bicycle to ride for exercise and health?

Question

Is Raleigh a good company becuase i really like sme of their bikes
And also when i'm riding up a hill or just a little bit of a high up road i get tired very quickly, is Raleigh a good bicycle to stop this? do Raleigh bikes cycle easily?

Thx for help, very appreciated!

Answer 1

There's a reaon why my yahoo ID has the numbers 531 in it. Reynolds 531 was the steel tubing used on my first racing bicycle, which was a Raleigh naturally. Yes, Raleigh is a good brand. But just as others have stated it largely depends on which model and components the bicycle has on it.

My recommendation is to go to a couple of good bike shops and tell them what kind of riding you're planning to do and let them guide you to the best bike. Test ride a few different makes and models and judge for yourself. Above all else make sure you get a bicycle that fits you properly and is comfortable to ride. If your bike doesn't fit and it's a pain to ride, then it doesn't matter how good the brand is.

Answer 2

Usually I would say that it would depend upon what you want to do with the bike. Since you only want to commute, Raleigh are fine.

As a brand they tend to mas produce machines for the masses. They are not fantastic, so if you are looking for an uber light race god, sorry Raleigh won't do it for you. But if you want a relatively honest, a to b machine, this is a good company.

About those hills. Firstly, cycles are all about power to weight. Much of the bike set up concerns ensuring that you are providing the maximum power for the least imput from the rider.

Alluminium frames and a good gear set up (Dura Ace) will help. But before that, there are a few things you can do. Using clip in peddles will help with hills. Normally, you can only apply power to the downstroke. Clipping in allows you to use a push me, pull you system. Also, use the lower part of the bar if on a race machine, or lower your straight bars. This will push your weight over the wheel, making hills easier. You might also look at ensuring your saddle height is corect (See previous posts). When you climb a hill, do not use too large a gear. Smooth and frantic is easier than standing up in the pegs.

However, nothing will work as well as simply getting out on your bike for a couple of hours or commuting to work every day.

Luck

Answer 3

Raleigh, like many manufactures make good and not so good bikes (there are exceptions - before someone reams me for that generalization!)

My favorite bike I owned until much later was my Raleigh Road Ace - sweet! Anyhoo, yes they have some very nice bikes.

If your riding a single speed a multi-speed bike will help a great deal on hills. If ya got gears now, you simply need to get in shape. Your legs take you up hills not the bike.

Answer 4

My first "good" bike I bought was a Raleigh. I rode it 7 miles a day for 3 years. It worked very well.
Any bike can be good or bad it all depends on the components that make it up. Look at a more expensive brand like Giant, Gary Fisher, Trek, etc and find out what components that they have one them (example: shimano deore or equivalent.) Then, go to the Raleigh retailer and ask them which model has similar components. Also, feel free to ask about upgrading certain components. When I purchased mine, I upgraded from center pull brakes to "v" brakes. and upgraded from, twist grip shifters to rapid fire. They only charged me $30.

The key to less fatigue when riding is keeping your legs rotating at the same RPM regardless of speed. This is why there are so many gears. Down shift when you are going up hill and upshift when you are going down.

Answer 5

Raleigh makes some good bikes, but be suspicious if the bike you are looking at is significantly cheaper than the competition. It's very like to be a lesser value due to more inexpensive frame materials, workmanship, and components. The bicycle business is very competitive. Any two bikes at the same price point are very likely to be equivalent values.

HTH

Answer 6

get bike with more gears.
you are geting tired because your fitness level is low.
practice makes you fitter.