Founded in 1887, Raleigh is one of the oldest and best-known bicycle brands in the world. Part of its popularity has to do with the fact that the UK company has set up shop in multiple markets across Europe, America, Japan, Australia and Africa, none quite like the other. And then there is the quality aspect, of course, although this will depend on which consumers you ask.
The UK factory has been accused of mostly churning out cheap junk, just like its Australian counterpart. Dutch riders still enjoy the classic rod-brake Raleigh, and the German factory is, unsurprisingly (and not in a stereotypical sort of way), famed for its good-looking bicycles. Same case with the USA and Japan factories, the latter an illustrious high-quality road-bike corporation.
All in all, you got to give it up for Raleigh for its overall quality productions. One facet that sticks out from their bikes is that they have stuck to steel construction (to a large part), even in a world littered with aluminum bikes.
The Nottingham-based company also has a penchant to keep things enjoyable, devoid of all the commodification we have grown accustomed to. Many love the manufacturer because it has managed to stay true to character, the innovation notwithstanding.And so it is with the Raleigh Bikes Talus 2 Mountain Bike, bar the frame.
- Made for fun riding on pavement and light dirt trails
- Sizing: xs=5'-5'3", s=5'3"-5'6", m=5'6"-5'9", l=5'9"-6', xl=6'-6'4"
- Designed with a lightweight aluminum frame and upright geometry for a comfortable riding position that's easy on the neck and lower back
- Features Big 27.5" wheels with wide 2" tires to roll fast, smooth and confidently on varied terrain
- Includes 21 speeds to assist you in getting up (and down) hills
A Perfect Blend
The Talus 2 is one of the latest editions in what has been a moderately long line of cool mountain bikes by Raleigh. It is a line of bicycles built to feel at home on both paved surfaces and light dirt trails, each an improvement over the former. More designed with the entry-level rider in mind, the Talus 2 mountain bike is a great buy for anyone who craves stability and fancies the look and upright feel of a mountain bike, with a taste for the trail every once in a while.That essentially makes it an in-town bike – which it is – but it will keep your adventure going for when you need to hit the dirt and gravel over the weekends.
• Alloy Frame
The Raleigh Bikes Talus 2 Mountain Bike features an aluminum frame as opposed to those classic steel frames synonymous with high-end Raleigh models. That is both a blessing and a curse. Steel frames are the sturdier of the two, and they can withstand anything that gets thrown at them. On the downside, they tend to sacrifice weight for durability.
Considering this is not a mountain bike designed for the roughest of trails, it can be argued that a steel frame counts for naught. Its aluminum alloy frame is lighter and better suited for paved paths.
In addition to the aluminum construction, the bike’s upright geometry means the neck and lower back fatigue problems common with some rides will be a non-issue, while also ensuring you can easily spot any potential obstacles on your path.
• SunTour Suspension Fork
A mountain bike is as good as its suspension fork. The fork is often the first line of defense against obstacles and also holds sway over the overall ride and handling of your bike.
It is also a costly upgrade, which loosely translated means it should be good enough to last several years, or probably the bike’s lifetime if you don’t venture into rough terrain frequently.
The Talus 2 is kitted out with a SunTour suspension fork which is an excellent choice for a bike especially designed for paved paths and streets. It can easily withstand bumps and potholes that get in your way.
• Gear Shifter and V-Brakes
The Raleigh Talus 2 is fitted with Shimano EZ Fire shifters which offer 21 different gears, allowing you to seamlessly shift without taking your hands off the grips.
This is a bike that will get you up the hill in seconds, and the Promax Alloy V-brakes provide maximum stopping power. V-brakes are not all-purpose as the super powerful disc brakes which work perfectly in all weather conditions, but again, this is not a mountain bike designed for extreme sport.
However, the upside to having these brakes is that they are simple and light, they are easy to maintain and they tend to work very well.
They are more ideal for a bike intended for commuting and general use, and disc brakes would be a bit of an overkill on a bike such as this.
• 27.5-inch Wheels
The Raleigh Bikes Talus 2 Mountain Bike is equipped with burly 27.5-inch wheels and two-inch tyres that are a perfect fit for varied terrain.
The large wheels means the bike can roll over bumps and potholes with minimal ease while providing great stability at the same time.
• Variant Sizes
When you are shopping for you ideal mountain bike, you need to make sure you invest in a bike that fits your build and frame.
Talus 2 does not come in a one-size-fits-all offering but rather, four different sizes to suit every Tom, Dick and Harry. Whether tall or short, you are sure to find a size that goes well with your frame.
There is a readily available sizing chart which should serve as a good guide to help you settle for a size right for you.
What we Love
• Sturdy yet lightweight mountain bike
• Evenly at home on paved roads and light dirt trails
• Reliable brakes
• Smooth gears
What we don’t
• Upright geometry can be awkward
• No water bottle holder
- Made for fun riding on pavement and light dirt trails
- Sizing: xs=5'-5'3", s=5'3"-5'6", m=5'6"-5'9", l=5'9"-6', xl=6'-6'4"
- Designed with a lightweight aluminum frame and upright geometry for a comfortable riding position that's easy on the neck and lower back
- Features Big 27.5" wheels with wide 2" tires to roll fast, smooth and confidently on varied terrain
- Includes 21 speeds to assist you in getting up (and down) hills
Final Thoughts
The Raleigh Talus 2 Mountain Bike may not be the best bike to take out deep into rough terrain, but that was not what it was built for. If you are looking for a mountain bike engineered for the extremes, too bad, this is not the bike for you.
The Talus 2 is a two-wheeler best suited for in-town riding, and it will comfortably handle light dirt trails as well. It is a proven performer on these two types of surfaces, and it won’t disappoint if that is where you intend to use it.
Its two-inch tyres coupled with a bump-busting 75mm travel front fork and 21 speeds also means there is little that can stand in your way.
If you are not the most experienced of riders, you can take comfort in the fact that the Raleigh Bikes Talus 2 Mountain Bike is a responsive machine that won’t give you that whippy handling most greenhorns find unsettling. And while the frame geometry may be awkward to some, it does fit its intended surface quite nicely.
Overall, a great bike well worth the money.