Raleigh Detour 3.0 Review

With the rising price ($$$) of gasoline, I needed an alternate mode of transport for those short trips around town; a bicycle!  I also needed a bike that would be gentle on my worn out back.  Years ago I owned a "Made in the USA" Huffy mountain bike with an aluminum frame.  It was a great bike, but sadly got stolen.  Huffys is no longer made in the USA...they are mostly made in China and Mexico.  Most, if not all of what you'll find at places like K-Mart and Target are made from steal frames. (Much heavier than aluminum.)

This is the ironic part...I spent a lot of time & gas researching what I needed.  I didn't intend to drop $320 just for a bicycle.  But, like everything else now-a-days, quality has its price.  What they are selling at the discount stores is a sin.  I believe it was Wal-Mart that had one aluminum framed Schwinn bike.  The tires were flat, it didn't shift properly, and just looking at the seat made my butt hurt.  So, off I went to the true bicycle shops in St. Louis. 

One name that kept popping up was Raleigh.  It too is made in China. (Is anything made in the USA anymore?) But unlike the bikes at the discount stores, this one had an aluminum frame, front fork suspension and suspension seatpost...not to mention the seat itself.  CUMFY!  This is not a mountain bike, but rather a comfort bike strictly for the streets.  For us old, out of shape fat people, it also has a super low first gear for uphill climbs.  Now...which bike store to buy it from?  Two lost words came into play..."Customer Service".  The salesman at Big Shark Bicycle made the sale as soon as he said, "Free adjustments for LIFE!"  If it doesn't shift properly due to stretched out cables...bring it back.  It something by chance becomes loose...bring it back.  If it's been sitting in the basement during the Winter and you just want a Spring check-up...bring it back.  No appointment needed.  Most times, the work can be done in a matter of minutes.  SOLD!

With the mass transit system in St. Louis (Metro Bus and Metro Link light rail) even going across town is a breeze.  The buses have fold down racks on the front that lock your bike in place.  And bikes are permitted in the rear of a Metro Link rail car.  To wrap up; screw Exxon, Shell and Mobil; Save your gas money, get some exercise and get on your bicycle!