Roker Comp Review

128 replies · 4,104 views

Zurichman
1,526 posts
#41Jan 20, 2018, 9:00 AMedited
Bikeventure wrote:What is this corporate account I keep reading so much about?

bikeadventure if you use jjbnum3 link or call RaleighUsa direct they will also help you set up your Raleigh Corporate account.

like jjbnum3 and others have said seems Raleigh wants to sell bikes direct to customer's cheaper than you can buy them from the LBS

Examples

This spring bought a 2016 Raleigh Tamland 1

$799 + $49 tax

LBS wanted to sell it to me for $1300 MSRP was $1799

just bought a Raleigh Roker

MSRP I think is $2799

mine
$1659 no tax

You can even use save 5 after you set your account up to save tax and on the Roker that was around $100.

Good luck
Zman
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canuckystan
9 posts
#42Jan 20, 2018, 1:39 PM
Well I certainly don't believe this at all. My Tamland said right on the frame, "Made in China". Not assembled there. Same factory as Surly? Yeah right.

[QUOTE=DPCX]
canuckystan  wrote:

The Tamland frame is built it Taiwan, same factory as Surly but the bike is assembled in China. Reynolds 631 tubing is much lighter, stronger (thinner walls) and a far better ride quality than 4130 in my opinion.
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DPCX
52 posts
#43Jan 20, 2018, 4:44 PM
Well I certainly don't believe this at all. My Tamland said right on the frame, "Made in China". Not assembled there. Same factory as Surly? Yeah right.

Sorry canuckstan, I know what I'm talking about. The factory that builds the Surly, Raleigh road (high end) and even Ritchey is called Maxway in Taiwan (outside of Taichung). http://www.maxway-cycles.com/

If there was a sticker that said "made in China" on the frame it was mistake. The box will always say "made in China" since that is where final assembly is.
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Zurichman
1,526 posts
#44Jan 20, 2018, 5:53 PMedited
DPCX wrote:

Sorry canuckstan, I know what I'm talking about. The factory that builds the Surly, Raleigh road (high end) and even Ritchey is called Maxway in Taiwan (outside of Taichung). http://www.maxway-cycles.com/

If there was a sticker that said "made in China" on the frame it was mistake. The box will always say "made in China" since that is where final assembly is.

DPCX I think everybody knows I luv my Raleighs. I did some checking and come across this link. https://www.bicycleretailer.com/sites/default/files/content/Factory_10_1_11.pdf

It list all the bicycle Companies in the USA where there home base is and where the bikes are supplied from with indicators. Under Raleigh(home base for Raleigh USA is Idaho) it shows 4-5 different models of their bikes supplied from China. I see this is a 2012 listing and of the 9 listed only the top end carbon frames back then came from Taiwan so lets just say you both are right and call it a draw.

Zman
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DPCX
52 posts
#45Jan 20, 2018, 8:12 PM
Hi Zurichman, \n \nThis info is pretty old (but its totally cool and wish they would update). Also, look closer, Raleigh is actually in Kent Washington (south of Seattle) not Idaho. :) \n \nThe Tamland wasn't released until summer of 2013 and several more higher end steel drop bar bikes followed in 2014 model year. All from Maxway factory. I've been to Maxway and even have a super sweet custom stainless steel RXM (the steel Raleigh cross bike) they built for me and three other Raleigh product guys. One of my all time favorite bikes. In hindsight though, I wish I had done a stainless Tamland instead. haha \n \nDP
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Zurichman
1,526 posts
#46Jan 20, 2018, 9:08 PM
DPCX wrote:Hi Zurichman, This info is pretty old (but its totally cool and wish they would update). Also, look closer, Raleigh is actually in Kent Washington (south of Seattle) not Idaho. 😉 The Tamland wasn't released until summer of 2013 and several more higher end steel drop bar bikes followed in 2014 model year. All from Maxway factory. I've been to Maxway and even have a super sweet custom stainless steel RXM (the steel Raleigh cross bike) they built for me and three other Raleigh product guys. One of my all time favorite bikes. In hindsight though, I wish I had done a stainless Tamland instead. haha DP

Thanks for that info. Any thoughts on what a stainless Tamland or Roker would cost? I am guessing you aren't going to get the Raleigh Corporate discount? haha

Zman
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DPCX
52 posts
#47Jan 21, 2018, 10:53 AM
Ha! No need for a corp account here, I've been slowly liquidating all my Raleigh's over the last year myself. On to big and better. (Noble Bikes)

Cant remember the pricing on a stainless. Before the big re-org and brand direction change (2016) I had seriously considered doing a limited edition stainless Tamland. The idea got cut when I left (along with all carbon bikes, Merits, Rokers, RXC (well all cyclocross for that matter) and of course all mtn bike (Skarn, Tekoa, Tokul, Kodiak). We had a good thing going for a while but things change and its kinda bitter sweet to see all this chatter on here about bikes we did and what could have been. Oh well, that happens when all the higher ups worry about is numbers. 😉
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Zurichman
1,526 posts
#48Jan 21, 2018, 12:00 PMedited
DPCX wrote:Ha! No need for a corp account here, I've been slowly liquidating all my Raleigh's over the last year myself. On to big and better. (Noble Bikes)

Cant remember the pricing on a stainless. Before the big re-org and brand direction change (2016) I had seriously considered doing a limited edition stainless Tamland. The idea got cut when I left (along with all carbon bikes, Merits, Rokers, RXC (well all cyclocross for that matter) and of course all mtn bike (Skarn, Tekoa, Tokul, Kodiak). We had a good thing going for a while but things change and its kinda bitter sweet to see all this chatter on here about bikes we did and what could have been. Oh well, that happens when all the higher ups worry about is numbers. 😉

I thought there was something fishy when I read your post about being at that plant in Tawain and knowing for sure where the Tamland 1 frame was being manufactured. Little did I know you were an insider. Too bad you aren't still there and we could talk the Company into keeping the Roker and maybe having the option of having the Roker Comp in either 1x or 2x. Thanks for all your hard work at the Company and some of the great bikes that were built. I understand all about the higher ups making decisions that are stupid seems all Companies are having that problem now. I need to get off here and go ride that Sweet Tamland 1

Zman
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DPCX
52 posts
#49Jan 21, 2018, 1:43 PM
Well, if you all like the direction Raleigh was going with gravel, cross and mtn bikes a couple years ago, there is still hope. 😉 Check out (and like) the Noble Bikes facebook page and follow along this new start up company. They are officially launching at Sea Otter and an updated website at the same time. If you scroll back several months (on the FB page) you can read about how this company got started. Super excited for this to take off.
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Zurichman
1,526 posts
#50Jan 21, 2018, 3:33 PM
DPCX wrote:Well, if you all like the direction Raleigh was going with gravel, cross and mtn bikes a couple years ago, there is still hope. 😉 Check out (and like) the Noble Bikes facebook page and follow along this new start up company. They are officially launching at Sea Otter and an updated website at the same time. If you scroll back several months (on the FB page) you can read about how this company got started. Super excited for this to take off.

I actually did go over and look up the Noble bike Company. First since you are gone I do have to tease you a little bit about the Tamland. My bike also has the made in China sticker on the bottom of it. I am guessing they just wanted to take all the credit for making such a sweet frame bike. 😃 Since you are in the in for this new Company will you have a bike similar to the specs of the Tamland/Roker?

Thanks
Zman
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DPCX
52 posts
#51Jan 21, 2018, 5:11 PM
Haha! I sent you an IM. I also just realized all the Maxway produced frames from Taiwan were painted at the assembly factory in China. This gives them the right to put on the made in China sticker.
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squak
51 posts
#52Jan 22, 2018, 10:45 PM
I spent some quality time in the garage tinkering with my Roker Comp this weekend and found a couple of things that other owners might find useful.
From the beginning shifting performance was just OK, but I chalked it up to getting used to SRAM Double Tap. 500 miles later I’m still convinced that Shimano STI is the better system, but decided to look at my setup to see if anything was misadjusted, misaligned, etc. I was one of the unlucky people who received my bike with a bent derailleur hanger and made the mistake of assuming the new replacement hanger was straight—nope, the new hanger needed to be aligned. I also replaced the shifter cable—mostly because routing it to the right side of the head tube/down tube looks wrong and adds an unnecessary extra bend. When I removed the cable I was disappointed to find that it was badly kinked in 3 or 4 places. Whoever installed the cable/housing is seriously ham-fisted and probably hates internal cable routing. Running a new cable through the frame isn’t too difficult and I didn’t mind going through the process of figuring it out. When I replaced the cable I also fine-tuned the b-screw, high/low stops and cable tension. Shifting is noticeably improved—requires less force at the shift lever and the chain is less “reluctant” as it moves up/down the cassette.
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Zurichman
1,526 posts
#53Jan 23, 2018, 6:52 AM
Thanks for that info squak. If I only could get some decent weather now and looks like the rain today might just wash some of that salt off the road.

Zman
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zimdba
48 posts
#54Jan 23, 2018, 9:47 AM
NoCoGreg wrote:I've got the Roker Sport - same frame/fork as the comp but the parts are downgraded: Tiagra 2x10 drivetrain instead of SRAM 1x11, and TRP mech. disk's instead of the hydraulic. I think everything else is pretty much the same...

I've only been out for a couple short rides as I'm having difficulty dialing in the Tiagra's FD. Despite my best efforts I can't seem to get the cable tight enough to avoid the FD rubbing when I'm in the 11t cog. Ugh!!! One of the issues (IMO) is the limited range of the in-line cable adjustment barrel. The frame mount adjusters offer much greater range. The Tiagra 10spd shifter might also be part of the problem. I'm almost at the point of pulling off the drivetrain and replacing it with a SRAM Red group I have from a prior bike...

As for ride, the long rake and relaxed HT angle provide for a very stable ride and lots of toe clearance with the stock 40mm Clement tires. The bike loves to be counter steered (aka leaning into turns) and is forgiving when changing the line during a corner (read: not at all twitchy). As expected with this geometry, at slow speeds one can feel the wheel flop but it's not so much as to create a problem. Despite the wheel flop I'm comfortable making tight figure 8's.

The frame has a nice stiff BB and chain stays. Lots of jump when I stand... Well lots of jump for a bike with 40mm tires. :-)

The TRP Spyre mech disk brakes work well - I can definitely feel increased brake force over my bikes with canti's. Since the pads haven't been bedded-in, I expect stopping will only improve. I don't know if anyone has tried this, but it appears one could add an adapter to fit a larger diameter disk on the front to get even more stopping power...

Is anyone running the Clement MSO's tubeless with sealant? The rims are supposed to be tubeless ready and I'd like to go that direction in the future. God bless the goathead bushes!

BTW, in case anyone is comparing...
Weight of the stock 60cm Roker Sport is 21.7 pounds without pedals, bottle cages, pump and pack. Fully configured it's right at 24 pounds.

Changes:
1. Replaced the stock seat with a Sella that fits my butt.
2. Will get Tiagra shifting working or replace the drive train.
3. Will replace stock bars with some 3T carbon for a smoother ride and shape to match other bikes.
4. Will go tubeless... it's just a matter of time.

Cheers,
Greg

I would also look at replacing the seatpost. I found that to be a big help in comfort. I'm actually OK with the handlebars. I don't get too much fatigue in the hands/shoulders.

As far as the Clements: I thought they were great, until they wouldn't seal. I had one puncture, and I couldn't get it to seal because all of the sealant had dried out after 3 weeks. OK, that's on me to check, but I thought 3 weeks was a little soon for it to dry out. So back at home, I tried to get it to seal. I ended up getting sealant all over the bike because the tire just would not seal.

I decided that I couldn't risk a tire not sealing out in the field. I ended up throwing both tires in the trash and replacing them with true tubeless tires (Maxxis Ramblers). They're very grippy, maybe not the fastest rolling tire. I checked my sealant level after 6 weeks or so, and the sealant level was fine.
Zurichman
1,526 posts
#55Jan 23, 2018, 11:05 AM
zimdba wrote:

I would also look at replacing the seatpost. I found that to be a big help in comfort. I'm actually OK with the handlebars. I don't get too much fatigue in the hands/shoulders.

As far as the Clements: I thought they were great, until they wouldn't seal. I had one puncture, and I couldn't get it to seal because all of the sealant had dried out after 3 weeks. OK, that's on me to check, but I thought 3 weeks was a little soon for it to dry out. So back at home, I tried to get it to seal. I ended up getting sealant all over the bike because the tire just would not seal.

I decided that I couldn't risk a tire not sealing out in the field. I ended up throwing both tires in the trash and replacing them with true tubeless tires (Maxxis Ramblers). They're very grippy, maybe not the fastest rolling tire. I checked my sealant level after 6 weeks or so, and the sealant level was fine.

zimdba

Being the newbie here how do you check the sealant in your tires?

Zman
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zimdba
48 posts
#56Jan 23, 2018, 12:04 PM
Zurichman wrote:

zimdba

Being the newbie here how do you check the sealant in your tires?

Zman

The Orange Seal kit came with a dipstick. I think it's supposed to read about 1/8". I'd have to measure the mark. Remove the core, check it like your oil, replace the core.
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langdalek
28 posts
#57Jan 26, 2018, 6:24 PM
I also purchased a Roker Comp a few weeks back. This is my first gravel/road bike as I grew up solely riding mountain bikes. The packing on my bike pretty much mimics what everyone else has said...hole with derailleur sticking out the box. The hanger was badly bent with the derailleur smashed into the spokes of the rear wheel. I also had a substantially large hole in the top of the box where you could reach inside the box and grab the wheel and bike frame. Luckily, after unpacking, the bike was in great shape and there was no further damage to the bike or wheels.
I also ordered a new hanger from 925 Engineering http://www.925engineering.com/Raleigh_c_48.html because it seemed like there was a pretty good chance it was going to be shipped bent.

I ordered the 62cm since I am 6'5" 205lbs. with a 36" inseam. I haave commuted a few times to work and absolutely LOVE this bike! I am currently running the tire tubless and have an appointment next Thursday to get the bike fitted to me.
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Zurichman
1,526 posts
#58Jan 26, 2018, 8:48 PMedited
Langdalek Dang looks like they threw your bike in from an open top Fedex truck. I thought my box looked bad. I would still contact Raleigh USA to get them to send you another hangar so you have a spare. Mine at the LBS cost around $20 - 425. Enjoy that bike.

Zman
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jjbnum3
57 posts
#59Jan 29, 2018, 7:53 PMedited
Yakswak wrote:I don’t think FEDEX handled the bike wrong. Raleigh should unattach the rear derrailuer when shipping.

Add me to the list of receiving A damage Raleigh Roker.
The box was in good shape(Fedex).Raleigh even added extra cardboard around the
derailleur.I agree they need to ship their bikes with derailleur off,at least with their carbon frames ones.The two steel Raleigh I order from Amazon last month had no damage.One was A Carlton 8 Mixte for my wife.

The hanger was bent with the derailleur smashed into the spokes of the rear wheel.Filled out the warranty info today.I'm going to ask for A replacement or see if they can have A local dealer fix it.

And I made of mistake of unwrapping most of the packing before checking the derrailur/hanger for damage.

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Zurichman
1,526 posts
#60Jan 29, 2018, 8:52 PM
jjbnum3 wrote:

Add me to the list of receiving A damage Raleigh Roker.
The box was in good shape(Fedex).Raleigh even added extra cardboard around the
derailleur.I agree they need to ship their bikes with derailleur off,at least with their carbon frames ones.The two steel Raleigh I order from Amazon last month had no damage.One was A Carlton 8 Mixte for my wife.

The hanger was bent with the derailleur smashed into the spokes of the rear wheel.Filled out the warranty info today.I'm going to ask for A replacement or see if they can have A local dealer fix it.

And I made of mistake of unwrapping most of the packing before checking the derrailur/hanger for damage.

Dang jjbnum3 I work for a big box company in the tool department. Over Christmas time we get lots of tool boxes in that looks to be no damage. They put too much weight on top of them and there is hidden damage. I am wondering if this is what's happening to our Raleigh bikes. I still don't think the dealers would be putting up with this so they must be getting lots of bikes in at a time and better handling from Fedex versus our single shipment bikes.

Zman
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