Classic question - which bike (Giant or Raleigh)?

[blagger]

I had my heart set on a new Giant FCR2 but my local bike shop say they can't get one 'til May/June.

They have offered me a Raleigh SF2.0 in it's place. They say the frame is made by Giant and the bike is just as good.

Am in a quandry - should I pick up the Raleigh or wait for the Giant? OR, are there any other bike similarly priced that would be good alternatives?

Cheers.

 

[John the Monkey]

FCR2.0 looks to have a carbon fork if I'm reading the spec right, which is a significant upgrade over the Raleigh's aluminium fork (will dampen the road vibration you feel a fair bit).

Edit: The Raleigh spec includes disc brakes though, which will lessen rim wear and be a bit more reliable in the wet.

May be worth riding the Raleigh and seeing what you think - if you like it, it might be worth going for it (a bike in the hand, etc...)

 

[MacB]

I bought a Giant CRs Alliance and my LBS, which mainly do Raleigh, are highly impressed with quality of frame at the price

 

[blagger]

FCR2.0 looks to have a carbon fork if I'm reading the spec right, which is a significant upgrade over the Raleigh's aluminium fork (will dampen the road vibration you feel a fair bit).

Edit: The Raleigh spec includes disc brakes though, which will lessen rim wear and be a bit more reliable in the wet.

May be worth riding the Raleigh and seeing what you think - if you like it, it might be worth going for it (a bike in the hand, etc...)

The Raleigh in an AIRLite SF2.0 which has Tektro caliper brakes and Carbon road fork. Would that be significant over the Giant?

 

[John the Monkey]

The Raleigh in an AIRLite SF2.0 which has Tektro caliper brakes and Carbon road fork. Would that be significant over the Giant?

Um, no that's the same as the Giant. The Raleigh model no. in your first post came up as this;

http://www.mailorderbikes.com/products.php?plid=m1b0s20p1523

Which has an aluminium fork with steel steerer.

It might be easier if you provide a link to the bikes, as we may be talking at cross purposes here.

 

[blagger]

Sorry for any confusion.

Ok, the Giant FCR2 is here and the Raleigh AIRLite SF2.0 is here

Could anyone recommend any others in the 'just under £600' price bracket?

Cheers.

 

[John the Monkey]

Ah, that's clearer.

Giant has more gears (27 to 18)

Raleigh can take full mudguards (useful if you're riding in the wet).

I'm fairly sure one of the Specialized Sirrus models comes in around your budget - they're well reviewed bikes, by and large, and their owners seem to like them.

 

[blagger]

Ok thanks, will have a little look at them.

 

[blagger]

Actually, the Specialized Sirrus Elite 2009 looks a good bike for a little cheaper.

For me the Raleigh is now looking like third place.

Giant or Specialized?

 

[youngoldbloke]

Bothers me that in the specs of the Raleigh SF2.0 weight is quoted as 'not applicable' (!!!)

 

[Ivan Ardon]

Around that price, the Specialized Allez 27 is worth consideration.

 

[blagger]

Thank you so far.

Any more opinons?

 

[Cranky]

My teenage daughter has an FCR2, 2007 model. It's a great bike for the price and does take full mudguards. She did a 110k Audax on it yesterday with no problems. I'd have one myself if they made a frame big enough.

 

[blagger]

I'm 6'3" with 35" inside leg and was advised that the XL would be fine for me.

 

[Alembicbassman]

I am 6 ft 1in with a 32 inside leg, a 58cm (large) is big enough for me. My body is long in proportion to my legs.

If you have a short body then watch the top tube length. It'll make for uncomfortable riding if you're over stretching.

You can adjust a seatpost, you cannot adjust a top tube. You need to get the best fit.