INTERBIKE 2009 – Raleigh showed off two new 2010 models that really caught our eye:  The Team carbon road bike, which comes in at just a hair over 14lbs as shown, and the freakin’ sweet lugged steel Record Ace, built to look retro classic but with modern race geometry.
The Team is the top of the line model in their carbon road bike series.  It’s available as a frame only for $1,550 or completely built with SRAM Red, FSA stem, bar and post, Mavic Ksyrium SL wheels, Vittoria tires and Selle Italia SLR Kit Carbonio saddle for $5,500.
It’s a high modulus carbon monocoque frame with carbon dropouts and a BB30 bottom bracket and tapered (1.125″ to 1.5″) headtube.  Hit ‘more’ for additional photos and specs on the Team carbon and new Steel Ace, and a surprise!
14lbs 5oz on the Park scale.
The tapered head tube doesn’t flare noticeably like some tapered setups.
The down- and top tubes are nicely shaped, giving the bike a nice smooth, fast appearance.  From the front and the side, the fork really “fits” nicely with the head tube.
The rear stays are bowed just slightly, matching the arc of the top tube.  Overall, the shapes give the bike a great presence.
Nicely integrated front derailleur mount allows for a more shapely seat tube that flares at the base.
Even the cable bosses appear molded in.
You can also get the Prestige (left) trim level with SRAM Force for $3,250 or the Comp (right) with Shimano 105/FSA Gossamer cranks for $2,600.  Both models use Mavic Aksium Race wheels and the same HM carbon frame, giving those on a budget the opportunity to upgrade as their allowance permits.
2010 Raleigh Record Ace
The Record Ace is a nice lugged steel bike built with Reynolds 520 butted Cromoly, a flat-crowned lugged Cromoly fork, Shimano Ultegra and Brooks saddle for $1,900.
Steel is real.  Real cool, real good to ride and really not that light (comparatively).  The Record Ace weighs in at 21lbs 5oz, but then again if you’re rockin’ this ride, lightweight probably isn’t your bag.
Everything’s Better with Bacon!
And now for your surprise!  We brought a set of this back with us, but haven’t installed it yet.  You can imagine what it looks like.  Too bad it’s not scratch-n-sniff!
