Any thoughts on the Raleigh Pioneer

Achasanai

In the market for a fairly basic bike (400-500 euro, but would prefer not to go over 400). I was in a bike shop last week, and they suggested the Raleigh Pioneer 1. Reviews are mixed online, so I thought I'd ask here. Is it worth the money? Link: http://www.raleigh.co.uk/ProductType/ProductRange/Product/Default.aspx?pc=1&pt=266&pg=17714

I'm looking for a bike that would suit for a fairly short commute to work, with the idea that I could build up fitness with the aim of going for longer journeys on the weekend (scenic cycles up and around the Dublin mountains). If the above bike isn't worth it, could any of you recommend something better, preferably for the same or less.

fat bloke

Would be a fine yoke for commuting or rocking around town but you'd fairly be up against it trying to pedal that up the Dublin mountains!

magicbastarder

indeed - the weight of the pioneer 2 (bike in the OP is pioneer 1) is listed at 19KG in this review, which also gives it a bit of a thumbs down:

https://www.goodhousekeeping.co.uk/institute/product-reviews/hybrid-bikes/raleigh-pioneer-2-hybrid-bike

uck51js9zml2yt

I had a pioneer and got rid of it after a few months. Was heavy!

CramCycle

It would be fine for commuting, but if you plan to do anything like a weekend spins up the hills, or a few hours, not really the one for ya.

tomasrojo

I owned a Raleigh Pioneer, but it was in about 2000, so presumably substantially different from these ones. I found it tolerabe overall for cycling about 160km around Dublin per week, but after about a year or so the chainstay snapped and that was the end of that. Someone else I knew had the exact same thing happen to their Pioneer.

That might be coincidence, or maybe a production fault that was fixed years ago. My main problem with Raleigh bikes at the lower end of the price scale is that the components are pretty cheap, and the bikes, I found required quite a bit of maintenance. (I got a discount on a replacement after the chain stay snapped and got another Raleigh, a Sport 50 hybrid. I found that required a fair bit of maintenance as well, compared to the somewhat better bikes I've had since. The frame cracked on the Sport 50 after about six years.)

eeeee

Got a full sized Pioneer for my 10th birthday (I was a giant of a kid, only grew a couple of inches since!), I called her Daisy and I had her till I was 25. She was one of the last to be made in Nottingham, and strong as a tank (we got hit but a car and she was fine). Gears never worked, stuck in the highest one for about 12 years, did 14 miles a day commuting on her when we came up to Dublin.
She's retired now down home, but I love that bike!

Apologies for useless post, couldn't tell you what they're like now, nostalgia time.

She did/does weigh a tonne though (I replaced her with an equally heavy machine I still have and commute on, and hate the weight of it, although I do love him!).

jamesbil

The Pioneer is a great looking bike, I would have loved it but couldn't afford it so I ordered its cheaper cousin the Circa 2 only to be told it was out of stock till end of May.
So I ended up buying a Vercelli Oakland, budget I know, but a great bike, and it cost me less! Weighs in at only 15.6kg. Really easy bike to ride. I love it.

Sorry for the lack of info on the bike you want op, but my point is there are other options out there that may cost less and be equal or better.

Achasanai

Thanks for all the replies, I appreciate them. They kinda say what I was worried about the bike (absolutely grand for commuting, might be more problematic once I build up my fitness and take it for a spin on the weekends). Just to clarify, the cycling up the mountains wouldn't be anything excessive (primarily as I wouldn't be able for anything particularly exhausting).

Any recommendations for something similar? A bike that's great for commuting but light enough and able to go that extra mile? I'm pretty clueless about cycling but would like to get into it.

Even recommendations about a shop where I could get advice that I could trust. After looking at the shop that recommended the Pioneer, I see he specialises in Raleigh bikes, so not sure about his impartiality.

Actually, just saw the post about the Vercelli Oakland. Jamesbill, can I ask what you use your bike for? Sounds perfect for my budget and it looks like a nice bike.

tomasrojo

I think a light hybrid with full mudguards and rear carrier would do you. Good general-purpose bike.

Something like this?
http://besthybridbikeguide.net/schwinn-womens-community-700c-hybrid-bicycle-light-blue-16-inch-frame-review/

EDIT: Not that maybe. Lots of comments about it being heavy. Also has suspension on the fork and seat post. You don't need them. They're just extra weight for no real advantage.

This might be good:
http://besthybridbikeguide.net/diamondback-bicycles-2014-clarity-1-womens-performance-hybrid-bike-700c-wheels-review/

I'd recommend getting the shop to fit mudguards and a carrier (best not to carry stuff on your back for commuting).

jamesbil

Achasanai wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies, I appreciate them. They kinda say what I was worried about the bike (absolutely grand for commuting, might be more problematic once I build up my fitness and take it for a spin on the weekends). Just to clarify, the cycling up the mountains wouldn't be anything excessive (primarily as I wouldn't be able for anything particularly exhausting).

Any recommendations for something similar? A bike that's great for commuting but light enough and able to go that extra mile? I'm pretty clueless about cycling but would like to get into it.

Even recommendations about a shop where I could get advice that I could trust. After looking at the shop that recommended the Pioneer, I see he specialises in Raleigh bikes, so not sure about his impartiality.

Actually, just saw the post about the Vercelli Oakland. Jamesbill, can I ask what you use your bike for? Sounds perfect for my budget and it looks like a nice bike.

I just use mine for leisure cycling, hop on for a few quick k. Over here in North mayo where I am there no flat roads, it's all hills. The 21 gears make pretty short work of them. I'm very happy with the quality of the bike so far.
I had been looking at the BTWIN 520 from Decathlon but it's a heavy bike. Also there is a lot to be said for going to your local guy, it's in his interest to look after you, and you get to sit on the bike and have him adjust it correctly.
The hybrids offer a lovely comfortable riding position if you like to be a little more upright to look around.. The big 700c wheels are great for covering distance.

My last bike was a 25 yr old steel frame mtb on 26 inch wheels, so this is luxury!

Achasanai

tomasrojo wrote: »

Something like this? ...

This might be good:

They look good for what I'm after, but I might try and see if there are equivalent bikes for guys. Thanks!

jamesbil wrote: »

I just use mine for leisure cycling, hop on for a few quick k. Over here in North mayo where I am there no flat roads, it's all hills. The 21 gears make pretty short work of them. I'm very happy with the quality of the bike so far.
I had been looking at the BTWIN 520 from Decathlon but it's a heavy bike. Also there is a lot to be said for going to your local guy, it's in his interest to look after you, and you get to sit on the bike and have him adjust it correctly.
The hybrids offer a lovely comfortable riding position if you like to be a little more upright to look around.. The big 700c wheels are great for covering distance.

My last bike was a 25 yr old steel frame mtb on 26 inch wheels, so this is luxury!

Thanks for that, very helpful, particularly as I'm so clueless. There's a shop near me, but it seems like a shop for the very, very experienced cyclist and didn't seem to be too bothered when I was in looking around. I might give them another go, as they do repairs and the like, so would be handy to get to know them.

magicbastarder

where are you based?

Achasanai

magicbastarder wrote: »

where are you based?

Dundrum/Churchtown/Rathfarnham area.

tomasrojo

Achasanai wrote: »

They look good for what I'm after, but I might try and see if there are equivalent bikes for guys. Thanks!

Ah right. I assumed from the first post that you were looking a step-through frame. If you're looking for a man's bike, you have more choice.

Where you live, there are plenty of good bike shops, I think. But I've never bought a bike in that part of Dublin, so I'll let others who know thereof speak thereon.

smacl

tomasrojo wrote: »

This might be good:
http://besthybridbikeguide.net/diamondback-bicycles-2014-clarity-1-womens-performance-hybrid-bike-700c-wheels-review/

If you look at the comparison chart, all the bikes are either Diamondback or Schwinn, which would make me a bit nervous of bias. For decent mid-range hybrids, I'd be looking at the big names like Giant or Trek. Personally, I've also had good experience of Kellys, similar spec to the previous two slightly cheaper. We've a Giant and a Kellys hybrid on the go here for the last seven years and both have proven reliable.

CramCycle

Something like this:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/charge-grater-1-2016/

or

https://www.evanscycles.com/charge-grater-mixte-1-2016-hybrid-bike-EV240655

CramCycle

Also:

https://www.evanscycles.com/jamis-coda-2017-hybrid-bike-EV275183
https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-lithium-1-2017-hybrid-bike-EV275571
https://www.evanscycles.com/gt-traffic-1-0-2016-hybrid-bike-EV240495
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/wiggle-hybrid-bike/

smacl

For a commuter, a light single chain ring with wide cassette at the back makes a lot of sense. The Pinnacle Lithium 1 above weighing in at 10.7kg seems ideal, though I'd add racks, mudguards and pannier, and maybe a set of Marathons as a city commuter.