What brand is better, Columbia or Raleigh?

Question

Hi there, I am just a recreational biker. I am between a Columbia bike (shimano components, disk brakes) and a Raleigh (shimano components, V-brakes), both are double suspension.

Answer 1

i would pick the Raleigh, they are known more in the biking world than Columbia; Columbia is something you would only find at REI, whereas Raleigh is more common (and they are a specific biking company). I think double suspension is more fun if you want to s***w around while your on your path, and you get more of a workout. But I would choose a hardtail as well since you are only doing rec riding.  

Answer 2

Do you really need the double suspension ?  Just wondering because you said that you were a recreational biker.  I found out that a dual suspension bike really eats up energy, the more force you apply to the pedals the more the bike absorbs it in the shocks.  I would stay with a hard tail bike, I think you would be much happier.  As far as brakes go the V brakes are fine, I found that I can send myself over the front of the bike if I grab my brakes hard enough.  I hope I have helped, the dual sup bikes are more for down hill racers and those are very expensive.

Answer 3

The Raleigh is better by far.

Unless you plan on riding offroad on pretty severe trails I would forget full suspension... keep in mind that it is for keeping the wheels on the ground for better handling, not for comfort. In fact, every time you pedal the suspension flexes making the bike LESS comfortable to ride and much less efficient so your energy is wasted. Also, almost all full suspension bikes whether you pay $200 or $2000 are set up for riders of 140 to 170 pounds. The more expensive bikes can be resprung for heavier riders, but the less expensive ones- like the Columbia (and probably the Raleigh you are looking at) can't.

Also. the rest of the parts on the bike should be matched to the job at hand. Until you get to the $800+ range with full suspension bikes they don't.

Answer 4

The older Raleigh's were alot better than the new ones, so i would say the Columbia.  Also i agree with the answer above, dual suspension really eats your energy unless you get a high end race bike.