Advice Wanted: Bike Buyer in NYC

In article .net,
"Steven M. Scharf" wrote:

In the absence of such a survey, you need to look at the big picture, and
understand the reasons why products fail or don't fail.

Personally, I can look dispassionately at most any product I've purchased
and explain the advantages and disadvantages. I have several aluminum frame
bicycles, and I have one threadless headset bicycle, and was aware
(somewhat) of the trade-offs when they were purchased. I probably would not
purchase another aluminum bicycle simply because any new bicycle I get now
would be a higher end product such as a Rivendell.

I have had 2 aluminum bikes fail - both due to poor design in the area
that failed and subsequently fixed in later models. One was failure of a
cantilevered rear dropout on a Cannondale mountain bike. They wised up
and don't make bikes with cantilevered dropouts anymore. Another failure
was an '89 Trek 1200 - cracked all the way around the tube at a hole
used for a rivnut for the front derailler (unreinforced holes in tubes
are stress risers). Another bad design where the later model Trek bonded
aluminums used a clamp on front derailler and no holes in the seat tube.

On the subject of Rivendell, I read a report of steel frame failures
(not Rivendell) where the crack started at the point of an ornate lug.
Rivendell uses ornate lugs and touts that their bikes are built to last.
I'm not saying they necessarily won't, but from an engineering point of
view, the point of an ornate lug is a stress riser known to be the site
of fatigue failure.

I don't think material matters much - only design and construction. A
mature design is better, so the lessons learned from failed frames
results get incorporated into the later, same model product. I also
won't buy a bike that does not have a lifetime warranty.

--
Mike DeMicco
(Remove the REMOVE_THIS from my email address to reply.)

(ac) wrote in message
. com...

"Steven M. Scharf" wrote in message
news:8Nvhc.5149

snip

Thank you all for your responses.

So both the Marin Argenta and the Bianchi Brava are better bikes than
the Trek 1200?

Better value, anyway.

There are differences of course. The component level is one grade lower, but
there is nothing wrong with the components on the Brava. The Trek definitely
has higher grade components, but it's also $260 more.

If that's true, I'll get one of them. I'm not too good with
components, but I don't see why anyone here would lie.

Each person has opinions formed by their background and circumstances. I
favor a more classic bicycle (steel frame, non-compact geometry, and quill
headset) for specific reasons that I believe are important. I tend toward
the Grant Peterson view of the world (rivbike.com). Some people call this
"retrogrouch" though this is a label they use too liberally. Indexed
shifiting and hyperglide are fine improvements; aluminum frames, threadless
headsets, and compact geometry were adopted solely to cut costs.

I'm on the edge here... any words of encouragement? Is that what you
think I should do? (I can't believe I'm asking a bunch of strangers
how to spend hundreds of dollars? =) )

This is not a life-changing decision. Personally, when I make a big-ticket
purchases I do a lot of research to objectively narrow down my choices, then
choosing between these choices is more subjective.

I don't know how much each bicycle is in NYC. Where I live, the Brava is as
low as $510, the Trek 1200 is as low as $770. I believe that the Brava is a
better value. I personally would not buy the Trek; if I wanted Tiagra level
components I would find something else, such as the Mercier Aquila.

You'll no doubt get completely different advice from others.

It's too bad that you can't find a dealer that has all the bicycles you're
considering in stock. Where I live, I can find a single dealer that has
Specialized and Trek, or Trek and Bianchi, etc. I guess in NYC the stores
are smaller and can't carry extensive inventory.

Steve
http://bicycleshortlist.com

"Steven M. Scharf" wrote in message
snip

It is indeed a shame that I don't have a bike store here with all the
models I want to try. It's a small price to pay for living here
though.

I actually changed my mind about the Brava. I hadn't realized how
heavy the steel construction was! I'm thinking about going back to my
original choice, the Trek 1200 (2003).

It's almost two model years behind now. Bike stores tell me the Trek
2005's will be out in June! The good news is the Trek 1200 (2003) is
pricing around $700 ($750 with tax) at the stores I've checked. That's
only $100 more than the Brava. The bad news is, it's hard to find one
my size!

Thanks again for all your reflections. Even if I'm not following your
advice, I'm learning lots.

It's almost two model years behind now. Bike stores tell me the Trek
2005's will be out in June! The good news is the Trek 1200 (2003) is
pricing around $700 ($750 with tax) at the stores I've checked. That's
only $100 more than the Brava. The bad news is, it's hard to find one
my size!

Whatever you do, don't compromise on the size. A great buy in the wrong
size is a bike that will probably spend most of its time in the garage.

--Mike--
Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReaction.com