Wow, somebody at Raleigh is doing something right. These two models, the Sojourn and the single-speed One Way, are some of the most impressive off-the-shelf rides I’ve seen from a major bike company.
Seriously, who makes bikes like these nowadays? I don’t really follow the industry at all, but pretty much all major bike companies only care about putting out either mountain bikes or racing road bikes. Comfortable, solid, all-around steel touring and utility bikes haven’t been en vogue since the ’70s and early ’80s. Even just a year ago, it was pretty difficult to find something like the Sojourn. I know; I was looking and ended up getting a 1993 Bridgestone RB-2 off of craigslist and even that needed some work to get it just the way I like it. The Sojourn is pretty much exactly what I wanted… and in cream! (Or khaki, I guess is what they’re calling it.) The One Way is also a pretty beautiful machine. Swap out the drops for some mustache bars and I’d almost be willing to trade my fixed townie for it, if only to get that sweet British Racing green. Sure they’re not lugged and they’ve got sloping top tubes, but I can live with that.
At a reported MSRP of $999, the Sojourn is a hell of a deal. The Surly Long Haul Trucker complete bike is about the nearest competition, with a similar price and slightly better components, but the LHT doesn’t come already equipped with fenders, rack, disc brakes, and Brooks saddle and bar tape (and I love me some Brooks). I don’t know how much the One Way is going to go for, but I imagine less than the Sojourn.
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Yeah, who would have thought Brooks saddles and tape would be standard issue on a new bike again. The Sojourn is a great deal, though I wish it had more traditional touring geometry instead of that sloping top tube and a cheaper version with cantis or V-brakes. The discs seem great for wet weather but they might be thief magnets too and maybe unnecessary in L.A.
Raleigh USA is in Kent, Wash. so all that nice Cascadian bike mojo is rubbing off them. They seem pretty young and Internet-savvy too, maybe they read the BOB list and Sheldon Brown.
Whatever it is, kudos to them and all the other manufacturers who have realized that practical cycling is a great way to get more people into cycling!
John added these pithy words on
Oct 12 07 at
6:47 pm
