2016 Raleigh Bikes

Has anyone checked out the new site, bikes and colors?

I'm not impressed with the website, seems cheaply done and cant find geometry for bikes. Looks like the Sojourn is not there this year. I kinda like the Willard.

I was really excited when I first read about the Roker, with its f/r thru-axles, tire clearance, fender mounts and threaded bb, but I'm kind of disappointed after seeing the final builds.  $3300 for the 105 equipped Roker Comp seems kind of high to me.  I still really like the look of it though.

RoverAl wrote:I'm not impressed with the website, seems cheaply done and cant find geometry for bikes. Looks like the Sojourn is not there this year. I kinda like the Willard.

I have a Willard 2, and it has been a good bike. They've made a change that I made within a month of buying the 2015, and that's the bars. I can't speak for the new bars they chose, but anything would be better than the ones they put on last year's

The shimano 11 speed has been a joy; it shifts sharply, quickly, smoothly, and some other -ly words I am sure.

The TRP Spyre's are OK brakes. They have about the same stopping power of dry rim brakes, but I'd say their strongest point is the nice even modulation you can achieve with them. The pads seem to have good durability too.

Feel free to ask if you have any questions!

There's a little pull-down thing on the Raleigh page that allows you to see the geometry (I think they call it "sizing"). But I agree the price seems too high. I've been looking at the GT Grade carbon 105 and the Jamis carbon Renegade ((along with a few steel frame bikes), and all seem to offer similar specs at a more reasonable price.

RoverAl wrote:I'm not impressed with the website, seems cheaply done and cant find geometry for bikes. Looks like the Sojourn is not there this year. I kinda like the Willard.

They have the geometry up now. The website is still in development, and they've changed what their bikes are for a lot. Notice there's no Militis anymore? (Their carbon crit racer)

And the new Merit has huge tire clearance and lax geometry. It could handle dirt roads just fine with the right tire!

They're actually taking a new approach on their whole lineup for all their bikes to be about 95% of riders. Riding for fun and/or a destination instead of a race. They're a part of Accell now and leaving the racing side of things for Lapierre. But they are for Accell's racing cyclocross still. (Take a look at the RX series )

Merit 3 looks like a very good price if you're a cheapskate like me. Where do you see tire clearance on the Merit?

AlanEsh wrote:Merit 3 looks like a very good price if you're a cheapskate like me. Where do you see tire clearance on the Merit?

Take a look at the specs and the picture from a front-side angle. The aluminum Merit has 28c tires, and the carbon Merit has 32c. They both show more clearance with the tires on them in the gallery!
  Put some more treaded touring tires on it and you can go wherever a jeep can.

I think the Carbon one in black/green is real appealing!

The Roker Comp is a sweet looking bike! I am definitely interested. For some reason, the stack and reach values have not been added to the Roker geometry charts. These are the most important numbers on the chart for me. Since the rest of the numbers are similar to the Tamland, except the head tube is longer, I would assume the stack would be similarly higher. That would be good if true.

 

I bet the HT length difference is because of the external headset cups if all the other geometry is exactly the same. I'd treat the geometry's reach/stack as effectively the same.

Well, looking at the Willard, which is even closer in design to the Roker than the Tamland is, the stack is slightly greater. 603 vs 599 on the 58, which would be my size. Wish it was more like 615 (like the Salsa Warbird), but it is workable with the right stem. All the other dimensions are straight from my wish list.

BluesDawg, you've got your dream bike..  No more adding to the coral!!  

What kind of silly talk is that? I just sold my Crux and my Roubaix. There is a distinct imbalance in my fleet. Heck, I don;t even own a carbon bike!

Would you guys consider the merit 3 a good gravel rider or no? What do you spec is the tire clearance? 

I spoke to a sales rep about a month ago. I think he said it'll fit 32's.

The biggest differences between the Willard 2 and the Merit 3 are $350 and tire clearance. There is a slight difference in head angle, a significant difference in chainstay length and the Willard has some anti vibration features in the stem and seatpost. The Willard 1 costs the same as the Merit 3, but you step down from 105 to Sora.

I think it comes down to what you really want. If what you want is a paved road bike that can handle smooth, solid dirt roads well and has some gravel capability, then the Merit looks like a good deal. But if you have in mind doing more gravel road riding and want the extra comfort and rough road handling that comes from wider tires and slacker geometry, the Willard is a better fit and that price difference would be quickly forgotten.

For a one bike solution with my money, the Willard or Tamland would work on paved roads better than the Merit would work on gravel.