Raleigh has six gravel bikes in its 2016 range, which is topped by the Roker Pro and Roker Race models. As you’d hope from a bike this expensive, the Pro is instantly likeable. It’s not the lightest, and only gets SRAM’s Apex-level alloy crankset rather than Rival or Force, but it has an immediately fresh and clean feel.
Slack geometry but sharp reactions
The head angle is quite slack, which should slow the steering down. But the solidity of the 142x12mm front thru-axle helps to keep the handling sharp, and it still feels quick and responsive through the bar.
Its chunky chainstays and 142x12mm rear thru-axle transfer your power well, but the curved top-tube and flat wishbone seatstays mean that drive doesn’t mean discomfort, even over rough forest roads. It wasn’t knocked off its stride by rutted and rubble-‘repaired’ farm tracks, either.
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The Raleigh’s bottom bracket shell is chunky and super-smooth
A lot of the credit for the Roker’s impressive ride quality has to go to the American Classic tubeless-ready wheelset and Schwalbe G-One tyres, which BikeRadar's Josh Evans singled out for praise when he took a Roker Race out on a 200km gravel race. The latter are listed as 35mm but thanks to the wider rim blow up to 39mm.
Simple one-by pleasures
You can read more at BikeRadar.com
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