2015 has seen many new markets take shape in the cycle industry with the likes of 27.5″ becoming more dominant and the introduction of Boost seeing a new discipline being introduced.
One market that has been around for a while in many forms is the utility bike. It has many names, Adventure, All Road, Gravel and even Graventure.
After the introduction of the Raleigh Maverick range of utilitarian bikes we realised that it was time for us to take control of this market and expand our range and give it a clear and specific name. For 2016 the Gravel Road range was born….
The whole range is designed to be used on a multitude of terrains and give cyclists a bike that has one pure purpose, to enjoy cycling. The Gravel Road range is happy on loose surfaces, mud or tarmac, it can be fitted with mudguards, a rack and wider tyres making it completely adaptable. Our range is designed specifically to suit British conditions.
Models range from the alloy Mustang range up to the full carbon Roker range with the Maverick steel range sitting in the middle of the two. Our range will suit the beginner to the enthusiast, giving them a bike that is ready for the short trip to the shop right up to the weekend sportive or cycling holiday with the family.
The Cycling Weekly team recently came to visit us to take a look round the new range of Gravel Road bikes that are coming soon. Here is what they had to say.
Nine new carbon framed Roker and aluminium framed Mustang bikes greatly extend Raleigh’s adventure road bike options
For 2016 Raleigh has launched a new carbon adventure road bike range and extended its aluminium offerings. Named the Roker, the new carbon bike has a bang up to date spec. This includes SRAM’s 1x drivetrain with post mount hydraulic disc brakes on many models, thru axles front and rear and space for 35mm plus tyres. All cables and hoses are routed internally and the frame is equipped with bottle cage mounts.
The top spec Roker Race costs £2500 and comes with a SRAM Force 1x drivechain with SRAM Force Hydro disc brakes. Wheels are American Classic Hurricane tubeless ready disc wheels. These follow the trend for wider rims with an internal width of 18mm and are 24mm deep. With 32 spokes laced three-cross front and rear, American Classic quote a weight of 1646g for the pair. They come shod with Schwalbe G-One gravel tyres, a brand new design from Schwalbe which uses its Tubeless Easy technology and has a small knobbed tread.
The Roker Race comes with a carbon seatpost and a Fizik Aliante saddle, which is well-padded to adsorb some of the jolts off-road.
Below the Roker range sits the Mustang range which has aluminium frames and carbon forks. The top spec Mustang Comp model costs £1000 and comes with SRAM Rival 1x drivechain with Rival hydraulic disc brakes. The range extends down to a Shimano Claris equipped 16-speed bike priced at £650.
Raleigh will continue to offer its existing steel framed Maveric range, which extends up to the £1150 Elite equipped with SRAM Rival drivetrain, TRP HyRD hybrid mechanical-hydraulic disc brakes and 35mm tyres.
The bikes are due to be launched soon so keep a look out for them on the Raleigh website.
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