Raleigh Bicycles have been around a very long time, originally founded in 1885 in Raleigh Street, Nottingham, England. Since that time, a lot has changed about the company; major ownership changes along with developments in bicycle design, materials, production and manufacturing methods.
Raleigh has been active in the genre of gravel cycling and cyclocross over the past few years, and that trend continues with several bikes in their 2016 line-up. Their range features three frame materials – carbon, steel and alumin(i)um.
Raleigh’s Roker is “everything the Tamland started wrapped in a lightweight carbon chassis with thru-axles. The Roker comes in three models, all of which are based on the same carbon frame and fork. All Rokers allow for tire (tyre) clearance of 40mm, but as touted by Raleigh, “clearance for tires bigger than 40mm”. We’ve yet to confirm how much clearance this equates to.
Each Roker frame features direct connect carbon post-mount disc brakes, 142mm x 12mm thru axle, tapered head tube, internaliz(s)ed mechanical or electronic shifting, fender mounts and third bottle mount. The Roker’s fork is all carbon construction, tapered steerer tube with post mount disc, 15mm thru-axle and fender mounts.
Gearing on each of the Rokers is well spec’d with 46 / 36 (LTD model) or 46 / 34 (Comp and Sport models) chainrings. In our opinion, the 46 tooth big chainring is the near perfect size for gravel cycling, especially combined with a nice spread of gears on the rear cassette.
Raleigh Roker Sport:
- Shimano Tiagra 10-speed mechanical drivetrain, TRP Spyre mechanical brakes, Novatec disc brake wheelset, Clement X’Plor MSO 60 Tpi, 700c x 40mm tires and Raleigh finishing kit.
- Priced at $US 2,499.99.
Raleigh Roker Comp:
- Shimano 105 11-speed mechanical drivetrain with the all-new Shimano 105 hydraulic shifters / brakes, Novatec disc brake wheelset, Clement X’Plor MSO 60 Tpi, 700c x 40mm tires and Raleigh finishing kit.
- Priced at $US 3,299.99.
Raleigh Roker LTD:
- Shimano Ultega Di2 11-speed electronic drivetrain, hydraulic brakes, American Classic Argent disc brake wheelset, Clement X’Plor MSO 60 Tpi, 700c x 40mm tires and Raleigh finishing kit.
- Priced at $US 5,299.99.
Raleigh’s Tamland is “the original Alternative to Pavement bike that defies any surface and weather report”. The Tamland comes in two models, both are built with Raleigh’s 631 butted tubeset. The Tamland’s fork is 4130 chromoly steel with disc brake tabs, 1 1/8″ steerer tube. Both Tamlands allow for tire clearance of 40mm.
Raleigh Tamland 2:
- Shimano Ultega 11-speed mechanical drivetrain, TRP Spyre mechanical brakes, Joytec disc brake wheelset, Clement X’Plor MSO 60 Tpi, 700c x 40mm tires and Raleigh finishing kit.
- Priced at $US 2,399.99.
Raleigh Tamland 1:
- Shimano 105 11-speed mechanical drivetrain, TRP Spyre mechanical brakes, Formula disc brake wheelset, Clement X’Plor MSO 60 Tpi, 700c x 40mm tires and Raleigh finishing kit.
- Priced at $US 1,749.99.
Raleigh’s Willard is their “lightweight, Any Surface road bike with Tamland inspired geometry”. The Willard comes in two models, both of which feature an alumin(i)um 6061 frameset, thru-axle, disc brake tabs and tapered headtube. The Willard’s fork is carbon / alloy construction with thru-axle and disc brake post mount. Both Willards allow for tire clearance of 40mm.
Raleigh Willard 2:
- Shimano 105 11-speed mechanical drivetrain, TRP Spyre mechanical brakes, Formula disc brake wheelset, Clement X’Plor MSO 60 Tpi, 700c x 40mm tires and Raleigh finishing kit.
- Priced at $US 1,749.99.
Raleigh Willard 1:
- Shimano Sora 9-speed mechanical drivetrain, TRP Spyre mechanical brakes, Joytec / Formula disc brake wheelset, Clement X’Plor MSO 60 Tpi, 700c x 40mm tires and Raleigh finishing kit.
- Priced at $US 1,399.99.
Raleigh’s Merit range of bikes weren’t designed for gravel use, rather they are the “lightweight evolution of the traditional road bike”. Fitted with Clement’s Strada LGG 700c x 32mm tire, the Merit is a bike that could handle hardpack dirt roads, and some of the less gnarlier gravel roads out there. There are three models available in the Merit range.
Of interest is the anti-shock seatpost and stem spec’d on every Merit bicycle. While we have no close-up photos of the seatpost, see the photo below of the all-new TranzX anti-shock suspension stem. It seems 2015 / 2016 is the year of re-inventing the suspension stem! Check our review of StaFast’s take on the suspension stem.
