Women's Bike Review- The 2014 Raleigh Alysa 3

2014 Raleigh Alysa 3 Offers Better Fit For Women Right Out of the Box

The people at Raleigh know how broad a term "cyclist" really is. Cycling is not "one size fits all," it has no specific age range or demographic. Therefore, they realize that the selection of bicycles available needs to be as varied and diverse as the people riding them. To help further the cause of finding the perfect bike for every rider, Raleigh has introduced the new 2014 Alysa 3. What sets the Alysa 3 apart from previous models is the completely re-done frame, designed specifically with the female body in mind.


The new AL-6061 Hydroformed custom alloy frame and carbon road fork with alloy steerer work on promoting a less aggressive cycling stance, shifting the rider's weight back onto the seat and less on the handlebars, all with the aim of providing a more comfortable riding experience. This also limits stress on the arms and spine, making it a popular choice for male and female bikers alike. The graphics and colors for the Alysa were created by a woman and selected by a female feedback panel. Today, these bikes represent a new level of women's feedback, influence, and enthusiasm for the Raleigh brand.


Although the 2014 Alysa 3 is designed for a gentler ride, there is no compromise in terms of speed, performance, or structural integrity. The frame's light weight means more push with every pedal, and the aluminum allow that it's made of makes it sturdy enough for the toughest of rides. It also boasts internally geared Shimano hubs (HB-RM70 Alloy QR 32-hole for the front, FH-RM70 Alloy QR 32 hole Cassette for the rear) This internal system leads to quicker, cleaner gear shifts. These shifts are aided by the KMC 9spd chain and Shimano Alivio Rapidfire Plus shifter, leaving the rider with no cause to worry about missed shifts or broken chains.

The shifter itself is mounted on ergonomic Raleigh 200 Series FlatTop 600mm handlebars with Raleigh comfort grips, ensuring that once you grab ahold of this bike, you'll never want to let go. And while comfort is nice, one of the most important parts of a bike is what connects it to the ground. Shwalbe Road Cruiser tires with Kevlar guards wrapped around Weinmann DA17 Double Wall rims give a smooth ride and 14g stainless steel spokes make the wheel just as strong as the rest of the bike.

When trying to reach a larger audience, many companies skate by with gimmicks or simply slapping a new sticker on an old model. Not so with the 2014 Raleigh Alysa 3. Raliegh's ground up approach to the frame shows in this impressive road and exercise bike, which is truly, according to chainwheeldrive.com, "a fast and efficient street machine"



 

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