Raleigh C40

Remember the classic British 3speeds from Raleigh? Here's the modern equivalent bike with nice comfy high handlebars for good vision and visibility on traffic, medium-width tires about the same width as the older Sports model and Raleigh's new shock seatpost with a modern scoop-center gel seat.

Of course there's current 8-speed rear shifting and a wide range triple front with Shimano's comfortable twist shifter but there's more. There's a full selection of sizes from 15 inches to 23 (riders from just under 5 feet to about 6'3") and two sizes of "open" or ladies' frames too. Colors right now are this steel grey or a sedate deep blue.

Did you own a "sport ten speed" in the '70s? Here's the wider tire and higher handlebar you didn't get then and positive two-finger braking. The saddle is also completely unlike the skinny hard things we had then.

Some designers have made "comfort bikes" this year by modifying a mountain bike with fat smooth tires. That works, I guess, but touring size wheels are much lighter, they roll faster and the bike handles more lightly. I'd rather climb a hill with these than a fat mountain bike tire any day.

Since the C40 works so well for around-town trips and riding to work, rear carrier mounts are built in.

Raleigh welds a kickstand mount so if you like 'em we'll add it in a minute. My favorite new feature the past few years is

the rubber insert in the pedal so I can ride to the bank to get change in leather shoes.

From Raleigh's Seattle design team, it's an aluminum frame with tough Aluminum rims and still just $399. We sell more Raleigh C40 bikes than any other model. You should come ride one even if you aren't looking for a new bike right now. Maybe your neighbor wants one and you could borrow it. These bikes are just fun! Click here to buy one now!

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Update for 2003: