Raleigh Supercourse

Reviewers say the full-carbon Raleigh Supercourse is a great road bike for beginning racers, thanks to a fast ride and speedy acceleration. It can be hard to find a full-carbon frame in this price range, and reviewers say that Raleigh skimped on the components to keep the bike at an affordable price. Multiple reviewers say the components could use an upgrade -- the Shimano Tiagra components and a 105 rear derailleur just don't cut it for this frame, they say. However, you can always upgrade to more race-worthy components in the future, and reviewers say this frame can grow with you. Even with the components as they are, testers agree that this bike is fast, and the handlebars get high marks for comfortable positioning in the drops. If you have your heart set on this frame but want higher-end components, reviewers say you should upgrade to the Raleigh Competition (MSRP: $2,200). It uses the same frame but uses 10-speed Shimano 105 components. Although it's more expensive, the Van Dessel Hellafaster also gets great reviews for entry-level racing performance, and it can come with a range of components including Shimano 105 (MSRP: $2,350) or Ultegra SL (MSRP: $2,750) components.

We find the best reviews of the Raleigh Supercourse in annual buyer's guides published by VeloNews and Outside magazines. Both reviews are based on extensive testing, and you'll get frank feedback from both publications. The Raleigh Supercourse is also reviewed by Bicycling magazine, and there are a few owner-written reviews at RoadBikeReview.com.