A Gem for the taking
Written by Robbie Powell | 8th June, 2010
With all the top end bikes I have been able to ride and test I have become accustomed to the good stuff. With this in mind I decided to test the well priced Raleigh Namib FS and Canyon FS frame and how it stood up to what I had come to expect from a full suspension bike!
Jan Begamann first spotted the frame in one of our factories in 2009 and has since offered it in the 2010 model year and will again offer this frame in our 2011 model line up. With this in mind, Jan and I have been working on some details on the frame which include the custom valving of the rear shock. The frame has sealed bearings at all the pivot points, great welding and a really stiff rear triangle.
Having received our first new sample it was time I built up the bike to get an idea of how it rode.
Setting the X fusion shock was really easy and being an air shock I set it with 5mm sag. With the forks set at 100mm travel the bike felt well balanced and surprisingly nimble. If I had thought that I would be disappointed in the ride I was about to be proved really wrong. The Raleigh showed great handling with a predictable feel. I found that I could wheelie the bike with ease, just pop the front wheel up and ride… Off- road was a blast, the bike has a 70/73 deg head and seat angle and reacted really quickly to any input from the rider, this bike was made for single track. Not forgetting that I was testing the frame and rear shock I put the bike through its paces. Jumps and drops were handled well with no issues; the X fusion shock has a lockout and works well on the tar. I did find the top tube to be a little cramped for me but possibly I should have ridden a large not a medium.
My initial finding is that this bike is a gem at the 2 price points Raleigh offers. Check out your local Raleigh dealer for these fantastic bikes.
