DarKris

*Ok, so I had this bike for a little over a day. Onto the thread.

So I bought the Raleigh Redux 1 2017 from my local bike shop and in the 4 years since I started commuting by bike my mom bought me a used rigid MTB from the same shop, and since then I replaced that bike with a hardtail 29er, then hybrid, then gravel bike which I currently still (technically) have. I loved my gravel bike when I was out at college and for when I do long/extended rides, but now being back in the city I'm not as motivated to go on longer rides but instead just cruising around town with some added street riding.

Now to the bike: I like basically everything about the bike, save for the flat bars. I'm 5'-11" and after trying the L and XL I went with the XL as the large surprisingly felt too short in reach. I like how both the frame and fork are aluminum, considering I was using a steel fork on my gravel bike this fork feels as responsive as a carbon fork without the worry of using a carbon fork for street riding. Mechanical discs, 1x8 groupset, 27.5 wheelset, and Raleigh's gel saddle all work exceptionally well for me, and for the $500 + tax that I payed for this bike I've had so much fun test riding it and riding it back home from the shop.

The only thing that I'm not 100% on are the flat bars. I've been riding drop bars for almost 2 years, and while I prefer flats for control I found my hands/palms getting sore even on the short 10 min. ride home from the shop. I'
m wondering if an ergo grip of some kind might help but that's my only real complaint. Other than that the ride quality and the tire clearance with a 27.5x2.0 tire is really nice and I can't wait to put the bike through this upcoming winter & beyond.

raleigh-alysa-1-womens-copy-240672-11.jpg

I'll post some better pictures tomorrow.

Photo Nov 17, 17 43 51.jpg

Took the wheels from this bike & put my own 27.5 wheels + Panaracer Comet 2.0 tires. The wheels from this bike are now on my gravel bike.

52telecaster

it looks very capable!

Viich

Butterfly bars?

DarKris

Tried those before I went to drop bars. Did not like them.

acidfast7

Get some proper bar ends ... to give you a ton of hand positions

Produkte ? ERGON BIKE

DarKris

I actually got some Ergon grips but w/o the bar ends.

acidfast7

Cool. Just make sure you're using them correctly. The bar ends gives you nearly unlimited positions. Your wrists will build strength after a while.

DarKris

Here's a better pic + one with both my gravel bike and this:

2017-11-19 13.44.10.jpg

2017-11-19 13.43.27.jpg

kizale

I have the same one and use it for commuting, errands, pulling the tag-a-long. The 650b wheels and balloon tires are a blast.

RubeRad

lol, you're a fan of the all-black look, aren't you? I am too, both bikes look good. Ride 'em like you stole 'em!

As for flat vs drop bars, that's a pretty fundamental 1st question for deciding on a bike, once you go one way or another, a lot is involved to switch.

If flat and butterfly bars (I assume that also means 'touring/trekking' bars) don't do it for you, consider also Jones H Loop, or similar.

Beanboy

Did you try removing the handlebar spacers and/or flipping the stem? What I did to mine to get the handlebars lower and more street friendly.

DarKris

Yeah, I actually like the matte finish more. My other bike used to have red accented parts but it was supper annoying try to keep that up.

Also the Jones Bars look really nice. I think my Ergon grips helped out immensely for comfort.

Lol no I don't need to be that low. My gravel bike is set up with a ton of stack and low reach so it's not a huge deal.

RidingMatthew

tires are flat on that van .. the bikes look nice though. I like the matte look as well. I would like to have a hard tail mountain bike for riding with my son and knocking around on.


what brand is the gravel bike? and what is the tool kit on the downtube? I think it looks really simple and clean

Kedosto

Considering that stack of spacers under the bars on your gravel bike, you might wanna raise the bars a bit on the flat bar bike. It doesn't look like you can add any spacers under the stem, but you can get a stem with a steeper rise. Just remember to add length if you increase the stem angle otherwise you'll shorten the reach over all.

Go here to play around with stem length and angles: Stem Comparison Tool | yojimg.net

-Kedosto

DarKris

Frame was from Nasbar - their alloy cyclocross frame - though they don't sell it anymore. Fork is from a Gravity Liberty CXD Frameset, though they sell the fork on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Carbon-Fiber-...yclocross+fork

If by downtube you mean seat tube, that's actually a folding bike lock.

The bar height on my Redux is actually perfect. My drop bar bike even with all the spacers and stem is still slightly lower and more stretched out. I also have the seat slightly higher on the drop bar and lowered it on the Redux.

mkharrison

You could try installing bar ends, but inward of the grips, as seen here: www.bikeforums.net/19329246-post12.html. If your handlebars are wide enough, the bar ends will be approximately as far apart as the hoods on a drop bar. I use that setup on a singlespeed and like it quite a bit.

RidingMatthew

ahh sorry I meant seat tube not downtube. This is what happens with the lack of effective cold medicine. Is it one of the abus folding locks?

acidfast7

I used an ABUS bordo in the middle of Frankfurt for three years and really liked it. Didn't have any issues with security.

DarKris

It is not. Ordered it on Amazon but I forgot the brand. It works so no complaints

RidingMatthew

I like the concept of a folding lock for that reason. you can fold it and store it easier on the bike frame. I find an U lock awkward to carry for trips around town.

DarKris

Yeah I got it specifically because of the form factor and how un-obtrusive it is. Plus my bike hasn't been stolen so it's working (knock on wood).