First Impression: Raleigh Talus Sport 29
Originally posted on January 3, 2011 at 13:32 pm
By Adam Newman
Why do we ride?
Fitness? Transportation? Socialization?
I call BS. If you ride a bike and you’re reading this, I’d put money on the fact that you ride just because it’s fun.
And the Raleigh Talus Sport 29 I’ve been riding for the past few weeks is just that: fun.
Sure, it’s not the fanciest bike around (9-speed Shimano Alvino components). It’s certainly not the lightest (34 pounds, oof). It’s not the most expensive ($699 street price) and it’s hardly cutting edge. It’s a straightforward aluminum hardtail with an 80mm SunTour fork and 29-inch wheels.
But I’ve had a blast tearing through the Western Pennsylvania snow knowing that I wouldn’t be having any more fun on a bike that cost three or four times as much.
Looking for your first taste of the 29er Kool-Aid? Or looking for a second (or third, or seventh) bike? Take a look at the Raleigh and keep an eye out in a future Dirt Rag issue for the full review.