Raleigh airlite 400 2012 model

[Tonyp2012]

Hi all, just about to buy a raleigh airlite 400, all seems good however can not find any reviews on it from owners. Any opinions?

I'm upgrading the wheels th aksium racelites and possibly upgrading the brakes too, any other suggestions?

[bfergie]

Forme Longcliffe 1...no need to upgrade anything. It's a nicer bike to ride, nicer frame, nicer finish, better guarantee, proper guard clearance, the raleigh is far too tight ... we sell both makes and I'd not look at the Raleigh in comparison!

[BeSpoke]

Boardman Team aluminium.... Gets great reviews and comes with Aksiums as standard, so no need to upgrade. Also currently reduced to £900 http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...one=PLPz1**tab1

[Tonyp2012]

wow just had a look at the forme, looks brilliant! I already have the aksiums from my existing bike so not spending the extra, and have got a fanastic deal on the raleigh, was just wondering if (other than the clearance for guards) there were any negatives? build quality ec?

[allezhopper]

My Spec. Allez Sport has no clearance for mudguards (no eyelets/mount-points either) but I can still fit Crud Roadracer Mk2 guards - actually just put them back on last night what with all this glorious weather we're having.

[bfergie]

Build quality is good on the Raleigh as in the welding and materials, where they are let down is the finish, quite often there is paint flaking off the rear dropouts due yo far too much paint being applied or not cured properly and often under painted around the bottom bracket/chainstay area. It's a shame but quality control is where they are still getting let down. I've had some with badly marked frames, one said "aleigh"..the R was missing yet it was still sent out.
I've not had a Forme delivered that has had a single flaw, not one! One big plus is if there ever is a problem or you have a query you can actually email the big boss directly and he rides and races too. They are distributed by a huge company but the brand themselves have brilliant communication which speaking as a retailer is great but speaking as a customer is brilliant...You already have the Aksiums but the Mavic Open Pro that come with the Longcliffe give you a £200+ wheelset ideal for winter and training, in fact you will find them a better wheel than the Aksiums you have.

[allezhopper]

&**8230; one said "aleigh"..the R was missing yet it was still sent out.

Sure it wasn't a custom paint job for someone called Leigh? Obviously not 'the' Leigh, just one of the many since it was 'a' Leigh. Maybe the recent Raleigh takeover will add the QC that you say is lacking at the moment.

[Tonyp2012]

I'd heard a lot of similar stories which is what initially put me off, have test ridden it and I must say the ride was really good, BUT as you say I've heard a few horror stories, could always send it back if it's in poor condition :-) thanks for the help

T