Why not Diamondback?

[snh628]

Part of may be is that RalieghUSA(DiamondBack's owner) uses DiamondBack as thier "Big Box" (i.e Sports Chalet, ****'s Sports, et al) brand and it may get overlooked by people used to going to a Local Bike Shop.

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Thanks! I have fond memories of Raleigh because my first "big girl" bike was my mom's old Raleigh 3-speed from the 70s and then I had a Raleigh 10 speed as a girl....

[Nanci]

Just ride all the bikes in your price range, and pick the one that feels the best! I don't know how much difference there is in componetry at that level, but the bike shops can advise you about that. Look for nice smooth shifting and braking. If you still can't decide, consider which bike shop has the best follow-up, like free adjustments, etc. Or which bike shop is the most helpful, for later when you need them. When all else fails, pick the prettiest one :-)

Nanci

[mimitabby]

You can still buy Raleigh bikes. I was looking at a fine looking roadbike of theirs just the other day for less than $500. they have a full range of models and prices, so maybe check to see where they are sold near you if you love Raleigh.

Hey, I have one for sale myself!

[Tater]

I have a Raleigh mtb that I got new for $400 last year. I just put Armadillos on her and a pair of Crank Brothers Egg Beaters pedals. Now she has become my commuting machine. (Yes, she is a she! Her name is Tonya. )

[Deanna]

I have one of the "new" Raleigh road bikes. The 2005 Competition. I love it! I bought it to replace my Trek 2200, which was stolen. While I wish I could have sold the Trek to get this, I'm glad I got to replace it with a bike I like better.

[snh628]

Thanks guys! I'm such a newbie that I don't really know what Tater is saying, but I guess she customized her Raleigh??? LOL

[Geonz]

Let's see, mtb - mountain bike, Armadillos - I b'lieve industrial strength tires, egg beaters - pedals to clip your fancy shoes into (tho' they're called clipless).

[Tater]

Thanks guys! I'm such a newbie that I don't really know what Tater is saying, but I guess she customized her Raleigh??? LOL

Yes, I just swapped out the knobby tires that came with the bike originally and put Armadillo tires on it. Those tires are a thicker rubber and are more resistant to punctures. As for the Egg Bearters, those are four sided clipless pedals. I don't have to hunt for the correct side to clip into after stopping at a signal, just roll the pedal under the ball of my foot and it clips in. Hope that helps!

[snh628]

Thanks! It's good to get an idea of what is to come for me! I'm probably going to go pretty basic with this bike (I want to keep it under $400 total) but who knows, maybe I'll be like "oh yeah, that was my starter bike!"