Like all Urban Series Fitness bikes, the Raleigh Bikes Cadent 3 Urban Fitness Bike is great for urban commuting, getting exercise, and weekend leisure rides. But for the price, is it worth it?
It pays to read hybrid bike reviews. So, if you still can’t decide whether the Cadent 3 is the right one for you, we highly encourage you to read this useful post.
Table of Contents
Features and Specifications
Butted Aluminum Frame
Butting the aluminum frame keeps the weight low, while increasing the strength near the joints and the fatigue life of the frame. This feature would definitely come in handy when you want to sprint or climb hills faster.
The Raleigh Bikes Cadent 3 Urban Fitness Bike doesn’t come with a water bottle holder. But, it has pre-drilled holes with screws, so you can install two water bottle cages on the bike.
You have four choices for the bike frame size (categorized according to the rider’s height):
- Small (SM): 5’4”-5’6”
- Medium (MD): 5’7”-5’9”
- Large (LG): 5’10”-6’0”
- Extra Large (XL): 6’1”-6’4”
Carbon Fork for 700c Tires
A carbon fork is fitted to the aluminum alloy frame of the Cadent 3. It’s not only lightweight, but it also does a good job of reducing road buzz.
Paired with U28 double wall disc rims, the 700x35c Clement X’Plor USH tires roll smoothly and provide good grip on bike paths, city roads, and light dirt paths. Meanwhile, the riser bar with a short stem gives you a better position for standing up, reaching faster speeds, and cycling uphill.
Powered by a 16-Speed Drivetrain
The 16-speed gears allows the Raleigh Bikes Cadent 3 Urban Fitness Bike to accommodate a wide range of riding styles—from commuting around the city to cycling on your favorite light bike trails.
Quickly downshift from the fifth gear to the second gear using the Shimano RAPIDFIRE PLUS trigger shifters. These shifters feature a 2-way release function, which allows you to shift the normal way or release the upper lever by pulling with your index finger or pushing with your thumb while riding. The unit has an optical gear display, so you can easily read what you’re gear in.
Technical Details
- Cogset: Shimano 8-speed (11-13-15-18-21-24-28-32T)
- Crankset: 2-piece alloy forged 32/48T
- Derailleurs: Shimano Claris
- Handlebar: Alloy handlebar with a 15-millimeter rise and a 31.8-millimeter outer diameter
- Hubs: Formula alloy 32-hole with quick-release, high-low flange disc
- Fork: Carbon disc fork with alloy steer
- Frame: AL-6061 custom formed butted tubes with disc tabs
- Rims: Weinmann XTB-26 double wall alloy disc rims, 32-hole
- Seat: Raleigh Fitness Series with Chromoly Rails
- Seatpost: Alloy Micro Adjust (27.2×350 millimeters)
- Stem: Alloy 3D forged stem with +/- rise and 31.8-millimeter outer diameter
- Weight: 26 pounds
The Good
Good Quality Components
The build quality of the Raleigh Bikes Cadent 3 Urban Fitness Bike is relatively good. The frame is light, stiff (so more of your pedaling force goes into the rear wheel), sturdy, and has good shock absorption (except on rough roads).
Almost all components are working great, even when you take long trips. The hydraulic brakes offer good stopping power. The upgraded grips were surprisingly comfortable and don’t numb the hands. Although the saddle and pedals could be better.
Makes Riding Comfortable and Efficient
Although it doesn’t replace good shocks, the carbon fork makes the ride less bumpy. The Clement X’Plor USH tires are fast and smooth on paved roads, while hills are relatively easy to climb because of multiple gears (which shift smoothly) and light weight of the bike.
You Can Assemble It Yourself
You could probably assemble and tune this bike within an hour or two. There’s an assembly video you could watch, so you could probably finish it earlier.
Just a heads up—the Raleigh Bikes Cadent 3 Urban Fitness Bike doesn’t come with tools when you receive it. So, prepare your basic tools for bike assembly.
Fast and efficient on paved roads, the Raleigh Bikes Cadent 3 Urban Fitness Bike will make a perfect commuter bike or city bike.
The Bad
Bike Frame Could be Too Big
If you’re 5 feet and 10 inches tall, the Large (LG) frame size might be an inch too big for you. Most of the hybrid bikes in this line-up, such as the Raleigh Bikes Cadent 2 Fitness Hybrid Bike, usually run big.
Reminder: Take time in choosing the best frame size for your height. And, don’t forget to take into account your standover height to avoid accidents.
Faulty Front Brake
Some spent a lot of time tweaking the brakes, while one complained about a defective front brake that was expensive to get repaired. Another issue with the brakes is it can be difficult to find the right bleed kits for them.
If you don’t want the problems that come with hydraulic brakes, you might want to check out the Raleigh Bikes Cadent 1 Fitness Hybrid Bike.
A Bit Pricey
This isn’t a $1000-plus hybrid bike, but some might still find it expensive. Some people were able to afford this bike because they got it at a big discount.
If you don’t want to look for deals for this bike, or if you want a Raleigh men’s hybrid bike that costs less than the iPhone 7, the Raleigh Bikes Haskell City Bike is a good option.
Who Is It For?
The Raleigh Bikes Cadent 3 Urban Fitness Bike is designed for the city. Its multiple gears, light weight, low-angled stem, and smooth tires make it easy for people to go fast on pavement and climb up hills. If you want a bike to help you get fit, get around town, or feel like a kid again, this is for you.
Conclusion
Based on the positive reviews, the Raleigh Bikes Cadent 3 Urban Fitness Bike seems to be worth the price. It’s fast, efficient, lightweight, and serves it purpose. A few had problems with its front brake, but overall, its components seems to work perfectly.
Whether need a bicycle for riding through the city or getting a good workout, the Raleigh Bikes Cadent 3 Urban Fitness Bike is a perfect fit for you.