Conference noted::bicycle

2335.0. "Got a Raleigh Mtn bike" by TOOPHE::FIKE () Fri Jun 26 1992 12:25

	Well I bought a bike. Yup- I'm putting the Murray 12 speed up in the
yard sale 'cause I got one I really like now. I tried out a few Treks 820, 830
and 930 at the local bike shop; like the 930 a lot, but it was a bit more than
I hoped to spend. Then while I was down at L.L. Bean's getting some odds and
ends, I decided to check out their bike shop. They had the Bean bikes, Terrys,
Nishikis, Raleighs, Marin, Fat Chance...quite a selection. I know most of the
advice in here says only buy at a bike shop, but Beans isn't exactly a
department store either. Their bike repair mechanics are on duty 24 hours a day
and they'll alway take anything back for a full refund any time no questions
asked, so I figured I can't go wrong. 
	So after looking a bunch over (I couldn't take a test ride because it 
was pouring rain out that day) I decided that the Raleigh Crest fit my needs 
and budget best. It's a 17" mountain bike with a Brooks Gel seat, Quick 
release wheels and seatpost, Weinmann alloy wheels, 21 speed, Shimano 500LX 
derailleur, Bio-pace chainrings, rapid-fire index shifting,
Hyperglide-ultraglide (electra-glide?! naw-that's Harley ;-) )shimano 200gs 
cantilever brakes, 4130(?) Cro-moly frame, shimano hubs, brazed on bottle 
brackets, rack and fender bracket and feels, looks and shifts really nice.
	It's a tan color with BRIGHT ORANGE letters (useful during fall I hope) 
and what appears to be a clearcoat overpaint. I've had it for about 2 weeks 
now and am loving riding it. 
	Actually it's the 2nd bike I got there..I originally bought one with
a smaller frame that felt pretty good in the store (remember-couldn't test
ride it that day-raining), but when I rode it around the next day I found that 
it felt too cramped...I made some adjustments, but my left heal kept barely
hitting the rear brake arm, so I took it back and the gave me the larger
framed one. The bigger frames (19-21) felt too big, so I settled on the 17"
and it feels good and I can control it fairly well in the rough stuff.
I got it for $380.00 which was about $130 less than the Trek I liked. I wasn't
too sure about Raleighs, but the notes in here didn't have anything bad to
say about them and the mechanic at Beans (who it turns out lives a few miles 
up the road from me and we have some mutual friends) says that all the Bean
frames (which used to be built by Cannondale) are now being subcontracted to
Raleigh, so I figured that Bean's wouldn't use them if they weren't high
enough quality, so I took it.
      They throw in a 30 day tune-up, so I'll be bringing it back in a few
weeks to have them check it out. I've since ordered a Performance helmet
(taking it EASY in the meantime), and picked up a pair of Odyessy curved bar 
ends, a Mt. Zefal mini-pump, small under-the-seat tool bag, water bottle, 
chain lube, patch kit, Chain-stay protector, some odd tools (father's day
presents- and my birthday's next month-let's see; back rack, another water
bottle, wireless computor...etc..hmm)
	I've got miles of dirt trails, power lines, tote roads where I live,
so there's no shortage of place to ride. Been putting 6-8 miles/day of fairly
rough riding on it and it still works perfectly. One nice trail comes out
to a spring-fed abandoned quarry; nice end of the ride cool down.
	I am finding that my motorcycle isn't getting as much milage on it 
lately (except when I take the kids [I have a sidecar rig] out for ice cream
after a ride...ah nice).
      				Having fun and getting sore,	
						Mike

    Mike,

    Sounds great!  Looks like you'll be getting a lot of use out of your
    bike this summer...  Ice cream always tastes best after a ride. %^)

    I'd say you're right about Bean's not being your typical department
    store. I'm sure if you have any problems they'll really take care of
    you.

    Have fun!
    Sue