Raleigh Airlite 100 - good first commuting bike?

[the_engineer]

Evenin' all,

Just wondering if anyone could advise whether the following is:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RALEIGH-100-ROAD-RACING-BIKE...

(a) a good bike
(b) at a good price

For a 26 mile commute (total mileage both ways).

And perhaps offer alternative suggestions if the above is not so good.

Thanks in advance from a relative begginer.

[shalmaneser]

£300 bike being sold as a £500 bike.

It's no good, and certainly not something that will do you any favors on a commute that long.

You're just going to have to spend a little more cash I'm afraid.

[the_engineer]

could you elaborate any further? what should I be looking for that dictates a good bike? Any specific reccommendations?

[VeeFour]

Back when I was 16-18 years old, I used to ride that kind of distance to college. About the same each way.

I did it on a £250 GT mountain bike.

Don't see any reason to spend silly money on something for those distances.

[the_engineer]

So do you reckon it would be ok? The route is fairly flat with the odd hill and slope. It's rated at 10.2kg which I don't think should bother me considering I weigh about ~100kgs myself so a couple of kgs here or there wouldn't mean squat as far as I can see?

The components look fairly ok and I've been comparing it with the basic carrera tdf that halfords do at the same price (although that can be had for less right now).

I've considered second hand but there is always the risk that its nicked or been damaged which puts me off!!

And the nearest Specialized is double the price...

Decisions decisions..?

[The Walrus]

How much do you want to spend, is it £300 or more ?

If £300 second hand will be a better option, do you need a full on road bike or will a single speed meet your needs as that opens up other options.

[shalmaneser]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SPECIALIZED-LANGSTER-ROAD-BI...

would be a much better option - much nicer frame, much much lighter, perfect for a commute.

[The Walrus]

shalmaneser said:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SPECIALIZED-LANGSTER-ROAD-BI...

would be a much better option - much nicer frame, much much lighter, perfect for a commute.

Beat me to it I was going to recommend just that !

[VeeFour]

shalmaneser said:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SPECIALIZED-LANGSTER-ROAD-BI...

would be a much better option - much nicer frame, much much lighter, perfect for a commute.

Single speed, for commuting 13 miles each way?

I know cyclists can be a bit unhinged, but that's insane.

[the_engineer]

The Walrus said:

shalmaneser said:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SPECIALIZED-LANGSTER-ROAD-BI...

would be a much better option - much nicer frame, much much lighter, perfect for a commute.

Beat me to it I was going to recommend just that !

Thanks for the replies. I'm not limited to £300 - lets say £450..(ish)
As for second hand, again, I don't mind but am just worried about the potential that:

Gumtree: I reckon 90% are stolen
Bike Forums: Can't seem to find anything in my price range that was built/manufactured this decade and again the risk of them being nicked.
Ebay: Prices seem to be on the high side IMO, close to new in some cases and as above.

I already have a single speed fixie which I purchased last year. I absolutely love it but find myself running low on steam several miles into the ^^ journey - a reflection of my poor fitness rather than the bike, which is why I want some mechanical assistance (gears).

I would prefer drop bars ( I fitted these to my SS and find them very comfortable), but realise that they do attract a premium so wouldn't say no to a flat bar, which I could then convert myself as I have bits lying about.

I have been looking at the Allez and Defy but the cheaper ones seem to only have XXL frames left in stock (I'm 6ft btw and have been looking at frames between 56-59cm).

Any other suggestions/pointers?

Also, I'm guessing the next round of cycle sales will be towards the start of 2012 now?

[the_engineer]

VeeFour said:

Single speed, for commuting 13 miles each way?

I know cyclists can be a bit unhinged, but that's insane.

This.
I'm not quite that 'fit' just yet. I've done 13 miles on the fixie Single Speed, but I think I would struggle on the return journey at the end of the day...

[The Walrus]

the_engineer said:

This.
I'm not quite that 'fit' just yet. I've done 13 miles on the fixie Single Speed, but I think I would struggle on the return journey at the end of the day...

No worries I commute a distance not much less than that and although I have gears I only use two with only two teeth difference between them and on a heavy MTB so dont think it is unachievable.

Anyway try your local LBS and see if they are selling a staff members bike for instance of keep an eye on the deals as they are only a few months away believe it or not.

[The Walrus]

I forgot to say if you desperate for a new bike you can also try the Decathlong range either the Triban 3 £299.99 or if you stretch £50 you can get the Triban 5 with carbon forks.

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/road-sport-bikes-396...

[walm]

MTFU and stick to the SS.


I do 10 miles each way most days on a SS and it's fine. In fact, I WISH it were 13 miles each way.
Although I admit that a. it is pretty flat and b. I used to weigh 100kgs and now weigh 85kgs.

On no account buy that Langster though - my hairy swingers it's just been serviced unless "being serviced" means leaving the chain so dangerously slack you will take out pedestrians as well as yourself.

[the_engineer]

walm said:

MTFU and stick to the SS.


I do 10 miles each way most days on a SS and it's fine. In fact, I WISH it were 13 miles each way.
Although I admit that a. it is pretty flat and b. I used to weigh 100kgs and now weigh 85kgs.

On no account buy that Langster though - my hairy swingers it's just been serviced unless "being serviced" means leaving the chain so dangerously slack you will take out pedestrians as well as yourself.

Haha..I knew that was coming sooner or later.

Will give the route another try this weekend on the SS...see if I can do it all.

I suspect I may just try and do this until the sales start.

BTW - if ya don't mind me asking, was the 100 --> 85 kgs as a result of just riding the SS??

Also, what is the FUJI brand/bikes like anyone? any good? They don't 'seem' to attract as much attention on ebay as the Specz/Giants do, which is good for me as a buyer

[anonymous-user]

the_engineer said:

Haha..I knew that was coming sooner or later.

Will give the route another try this weekend on the SS...see if I can do it all.

I suspect I may just try and do this until the sales start.

BTW - if ya don't mind me asking, was the 100 --> 85 kgs as a result of just riding the SS??

Also, what is the FUJI brand/bikes like anyone? any good? They don't 'seem' to attract as much attention on ebay as the Specz/Giants do, which is good for me as a buyer

fuji are fine, been around for years, many great bikes dont market themselves like specitrekiant do so you tend not to get them as easily but stuff like Lapierre, Merida, Orbea and Fuji are cracking bikes....and they are all from the far east unless you are into big money so the frames are hugely alike.

[the_engineer]

cheers will take a look at those as well

[shalmaneser]

VeeFour said:

Single speed, for commuting 13 miles each way?

I know cyclists can be a bit unhinged, but that's insane.

That's utter bks, I'm not that fit and regularly do 40 mile loops on my Langster.

13 miles is nothing. And the OP said it was flat anyway!

[walm]

the_engineer said:

BTW - if ya don't mind me asking, was the 100 --> 85 kgs as a result of just riding the SS??

Yeah - pretty much. Still eat like a horse - probably more if anything.
But having done almost no exercise for a decade and then starting to do 20 miles a day 5x a week will do that...

[the_engineer]

ah so theres hope for me yet!!