Bike Buying Guide
There are many options available and selecting the correct type of bike is important. First you must decide what your requirements are and the type of riding you will be doing. This will determine which type of bike is right for you. There are many types of bike available for every day use, recreational leisure or specific disciplines.
Specific frame geometries and components will affect the riding position and adjustment however you should be able to sit on a bike with a comfortable reach and your feet being able to touch the ground on both sides.
This covers many products but generally, you choose between hard tails and full suspension. Hard tail bikes have rigid frames and a suspension front fork whereas a full suspension bike incorporates rear suspension. Mountain bikes are versatile and can handle off road conditions from rough rocky conditions to less challenging towpaths and bridleways. Hard tails are more responsive with the front suspension forks helping absorb the bumps with all the power pushed through the pedals transferring into momentum. Full suspension bikes are designed to handle more aggressive downhill conditions by adsorbing impacts whilst maintaining traction but on the flat some of your power will be lost due to the rear suspension.
Not all mountain bikes are designed for serious off road riding. You need to look at the component specification in detail to ensure the function and quality are right for your requirements, especially the gear set and shifters, brakes, saddle, grips and tyre tread pattern. Riding position is important – the more upright the less impact will be placed on your lower back plus your vision will be improved.
CHILDREN’S BIKES
We’ve been creating great children’s bikes for years. As a parent, it’s the name you know and can trust, with our design and technical expertise your child couldn’t be in better hands. Every bike has built-in safety and lots of play value, it’s our care and attention to these details that makes our bikes stand out from the crowd.
Adult bike sizes are normally measured from the top of the seat tube (where the seat post fits into the frame) down to the centre of the bottom bracket axle (the axle which carries the pedal cranks).
With the correct frame size you should be able to sit on the saddle with your feet on tip-toes touching the ground on either side, and you must be able to reach the handlebars comfortably.
It is sometimes worth considering a smaller frame with the saddle raised slightly in order to obtain a more comfortable reach.
The sizing chart below gives a guide to frame sizes against inside leg measurements. The correct way to measure your inside leg is from your crotch to the floor making sure that your feet are flat on the ground. You must be sure what size bicycle you require before purchasing.
This is only a guideline, and we recommend that you visit your local Raleigh dealer to try the bike for size.
If assembling a bike yourself, for your safety please ensure you read all the assembly instructions carefully and carry out a final check before riding your bike i.e. check all nuts and bolts are tight + add on’s such as stunt pegs etc are fully tightened and the brakes are adjusted.
RALEIGH INSTRUCTION MANUAL – ADULT BIKES
RALEIGH INSTRUCTION MANUAL – KIDS