Can I plant up runners/suckers? and expect fruit to form next year?
Not sure about summer varieties... but given the habit of selling long stems by Catalogues probably.... be careful though as these tend to fruit well the first time then have a poor year getting their roots down.. which is partly why you cut back when you plant canes...
??? Let's see what the others say..
Think it depends on variety. If Summer fruiting then the suckers as you call them look like they have sprouted this summer they will bear next years fruit on them.
You can. Do it later though, when the plant is dormant. theres lots of info on here if you search about raspberries, and how to treat autumn and summer fruiting varieties, see: http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/joomla/smf/index.php/topic,20159.msg207565.html#msg207565
To be honest, when transplanting, I don't normally cut anything back much in the spring, if its an autumn fruiting one, just maybe reduce by half. I think it helps the plant build up a bit of vigour in its root system via photosynthesis through the leaves, and it certainly doesn't hurt. Time enough to prune them properly in subsequent years.
Thank you all for your input and for the link. I shall certainly have a go at planting the freebies and see what fruit I get next year. :)