What are the best hybrid bikes for women and men? It depends. If you just want to get from here to there or breathe in some fresh air, the Raleigh Bikes Redux 2 City Bike (2019 model) is ready for the challenges of urban riding.
Read on to find out what this hybrid bike by the Raleigh Bicycle Company has to offer.
Table of Contents
Features and Specifications
Lightweight Aluminum Double Butted Frame
It’s hard to ignore the Raleigh Bikes Redux 2 City Bike because of its matte olive green frame and classic tires with dark brown sidewalls. Like the Redux 1 urban bike, it has an aluminum frame and fork (with mounts for water bottle cage, fenders, and rear rack). The frame is double butted to keep the bike light, without sacrificing stiffness and strength.
The 72.5-degree head tube gives way to quicker steering that requires less effort. Meanwhile, the handlebar grips have MTB lock-on collars with end plugs to keep them in place in all weather.
Shimano 9-Speed Drivetrain and Trigger Shifter
Multiple-geared hybrid bikes, like the 27-speed Raleigh Bikes Alysa 3 Women’s Urban Fitness Bike, are great for a variety of terrains. But, bikes with less gears make comfortable and efficient urban bikes, too.
Equipped with the Shimano 1×9 drivetrain, the Redux 2 has good high and low gear combinations that allow it to climb hills and go fast on level ground. The Shimano Acera M3000 9-Speed trigger shifter (right side only) offers quick and easy shifts in one stroke. The Tektro HD-T285 hydraulic disc brakes are a bit weak, but they still do an adequate job.
In addition, Raleigh installed a bash guard on the front half of the drivetrain. Meaning, you’ll have clean pants (or legs) and don’t need to deal with a derailed chain when riding.
650B (27.5 Inches) Wheels
The 650B wheels fit into wide Vee Tire Co. Zilent tires (27.5x47c). These tires produce low rolling resistance, with a treat pattern that allows good traction and cornering capabilities on both paved and dirt roads.
Four Sizes to Fit Every Rider
The Raleigh Bikes Redux 2 City Bike comes in small (SM), medium (MD), large (LG), and extra large (XL) frame sizes. Find the right frame size for your height using the bike size chart below:
- SM (15 inches): 5’4”-5’7”
- MD (17 inches): 5’7”-5’10”
- LG (19 inches): 5’10”-6’1”
- XL (21 inches): 6’1-6’4”
Technical Details
- Brakes: Tektro HD-T285 hydraulic disc brakes
- Bottom bracket: Sealed Cartridge Bearing
- Cogset: Shimano 9-speed 11-34T (teeth) cassette
- Crankset: Alloy forged 3-piece 104BCD, 40T
- Fork: Alloy straight blades with internal cable routing and post-mount disc
- Frame: AL-6061 Double Butted Custom Formed Tubing
- Front and rear hubs: Alloy quick-release disc, 32H (hole)
- Headset: 1 1/8-inch internal cartridge bearing
- Rear derailleur: Shimano 9-Speed Alivio M4000 Shadow
- Seat: Redux Saddle
- Seatpost: Alloy Micro Adjust, (27.2 x 350/400mm)
- Shifter (right side only): Shimano Acera M3000 trigger shifter
- Spokes: 14-gauge stainless steel with brass nipples
The Good
Just as Good as a Multiple-Geared Bike
A hybrid bike with a 9-speed gear system has the same range as an 11-speed bike. If you’re just a casual rider, not an athlete, and doing plenty of flatland riding around the city, a bike with few gears, just like the Redux 2 and the Fortified Theft-Resistant 8 Speed Disc-Brake City Commuter Bike, is often enough for the job.
Lightweight and Quality Components
The medium frame weighs around 25 pounds. It’s not a 14.99-pound bike, but it’s light enough for a not-so-fit person to carry up a flight of stairs by himself or herself. The aluminum frame and fork, less gears, and a few missing accessories (fenders, rear rack, kickstand, etcetera), just to name a few, contribute to its low weight.
As for its component, including the pedals, they work decently for the price. Most people didn’t experience mechanical issues. The tires roll smoothly. The gears shift from one gear to another without problems.
You could use the Redux for carrying your groceries, riding over paved and light gravel roads, and climb up hills.
Assembly is Relatively Easy
The tools and instructions that come with the Raleigh Bikes Redux 2 City Bike make assembly at home quite easy. You could probably put this together within 15 minutes to an hour, depending on your skills and knowledge about bikes. If you don’t want to do this yourself, Raleigh dealers offer free assembly service for certain models of Raleigh bikes.
Commute, relax, and get fit—the Raleigh Bikes Redux 2 City Bike offers these and more.
The Bad
Too Wide Flat Bars
Some customers feel the handlebars on this bike (a less common 35mm) are too wide for city riding. One disadvantage of a wider handlebar is it’s difficult to fit through tight spaces.
The right width for a bike’s handlebar is quite subjective. Before you think about going wider or narrower, weigh the pros and cons first.
Weak Hydraulic Brakes
The hydraulic brakes on the Raleigh Bikes Redux 2 City Bike are functional, but they’re a bit weak. Perhaps they only need time to be broken in.
If you’re not really fond of its handlebars, you may want to explore other Raleigh bikes with hydraulic brakes, such as the Raleigh Bikes Haskell City Bike.
Needs a Few Replacements and Adjustments
For starters, the grips don’t fit the hands well. The seat could be better to make rides on bumpy roads more comfortable. Also, you may need to send the bike to your local bike shop to fine tune the derailleur and disc brakes.
Who Is It For?
The Raleigh Bikes Redux 2 City Bike is for someone who’s looking for a bike that has these qualities:
- Lightweight
- Gets them from point A to point B with enough gear combinations for riding in cities with varying terrains (paved, flats, dirt paths, and light gravel roads)
- Allows them to have fun and get some fresh air
- Good quality components
Conclusion
The Raleigh Bikes Redux 2 City Bike would make a great urban commuter bike. It could help you get through a 10-mile trip a day—rain or shine, on flat roads or up and down hills. It has a few minor issues, which are easy to fix, so most people don’t consider them as deal breakers.
The Redux 2 is definitely one of Raleigh’s best entry-level city commuter bikes. That’s why it’s often sold out and received positive reviews.
Take pleasure rides with the Raleigh Bikes Redux 2 City Bike. Learn more about it here.