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#21
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buying my first road bike
Does this sound like a reasonable deal?
It sounds reasonable to me. I worry much that the bike store is inconvenient located for service. That could be a problem. Is there someplace closer that you feel good about? -- _______________________ALL AMIGA IN MY MIND_______________________ ------------------"Buddy Holly, the Texas Elvis"------------------ in.edu__________ |
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#22
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buying my first road bike
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#23
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buying my first road bike
Tanya Quinn wrote:
http://www.devinci.com/eng/modele200...lo/caribou.htm Its a 2002 model on sale for 1379 Canadian (dunno what the exchange is Good for you! (You've basically got the same frame as me, but with components one notch higher -- 105 vs. Tiagra, Deore LX vs. Deore, etc.) There is a triple chain ring and a really wide range of gears from 11 to 34. The shifters are Shimano 105 STI. The guy at this shop seemed Yes, the rear cogset is quite nice, but I wonder why most touring bikes come with the ubiquitous 30-42-52. Although I don't run out of gears when unloaded, if I were pulling a load I'm sure I'd appreciate a 26 or 24 in front. The frame is hand made aluminum, the L size seemed a good fit after Okay, this I have to sha until I read that, I was sure that the frame was steel. Don't laugh! The specs only list the fork material, and I must've read it as the frame material or something. (Not that it matters much to me anyway.) (specs on the link) Should I worry much that the bike store is inconvenient located for service (1 year is included) or will I not have much to worry about the first year? Depends on how much of a tinkerer you are. If you feel comfortable adjusting the derailleurs, brakes and saddle, you can gradually tweak you bike as you see fit, without having to drag it to the store each time. If not, things like not-so-smooth shifting and squealing brakes may be more bothersome to you. (Think of it as an opportunity to learn how to do this stuff yourself.) Do you plan to patronize this store? (Maybe they're giving you a rebate over everything you buy there for the next X months. Maybe they'll install whatever you buy free of charge.) Convenience is a nice thing in a LBS. FWIW, I've never had to bring the bike back to the store, although I was seriously tempted when it started squeaking intermittently a few weeks back. (I traced it back to a rear derailleur pulley that probably wasn't adequately lubricated when the bike was assembled.) The derailleurs did need some fine-tuning before I could shift smoothly, which I didn't mind doing myself (even though it would've been free). I'm thinking of bringing it to the store once before winter, to make sure the wheels are true and properly tensioned. But aside from that, I didn't need anything that I couldn't do myself. -- Frederic Briere * = IS NO MO http://www.abacomsucks.com = |
#24
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buying my first road bike
Once more into the breach ...
From: "Tanya Quinn" You might want another Email address, this one is still unusable. You may be able to set up filters which direct SWEN to TRASH, and some ISP's empty the trash every 24 hours. IMO They should allow filters to immediately reject mail. Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc Sent: Saturday, October 04, 2003 10:00 PM Subject: buying my first road bike What exactly do you like about it ? http://www.devinci.com/eng/modele200...lo/caribou.htm Pretty standard configuration. Mikado D'Iberville would be comparable, OTTOMH LX rear derailleur and 105 Front derailleur (lower and higher level, repsectively). I believe the new model has the Shimano 105/ Octalink crankset. Mine has Cyclone (conventional rather than splined). OTTOMH The Fuji has slightly lower component group and a steel frame, for a few hundred dollars less (rregular price, don't know what clear-outs are available) Looking at the specs, the top tube is VERY long (what length/rise is the standard stem ?). And tire clearance is 700*35 max, no indication whether that's with fenders. Its a 2002 model on sale for 1379 Canadian IMO That's no bargain. New Mikado D'Iberville lists at $1500 Dealers clear out stock for 30% off. Touring bikes aren't a big seller - small demand, small stock, so finding the right bike being cleared is a matter of luck. I looked at the DeVinci when I was shopping 4 years ago, I believe it was being cleared for $800, I wanted a steel frame and a threaded headset and ..... The Marinoni Turismo (steel) with Campagnolo Mirage costs about $1500. A very different bike, but an idea what's available at that price point. There is a triple chain ring and a really wide range of gears from 11 to 34. The shifters are Shimano 105 STI. Fine. The guy at this shop seemed more knowledgable than the previous LBS guy. Good. Sometimes it's hard to tell bluff from knowledge. out of town, I don't have a car IMO Too much hassle for insufficient savings. You can buy a similar bike locally, and if you find a REAL clear-out price you could save hundreds of dollars. "Let your fingers do the walking." I could think about it first Good plan. The frame is hand made aluminum, Image of Vulcan pounding away at his forge. Hard to hammer out those teardrop-shaped downtubes :-) A lot of manufacturers have switched, apparently cheaper to mass produce. The triangular TT and teardrop DT seem to be the new fashion. Stiffer / lighter. A purely subjective comment, Mikado replaced the broken steel frame with their newest aluminium frame. Similar geometry, same tires (32's). It amplifies noises (e.g. shifting) and it beats the ^%$# out of me on bumps. Plus the vibration. Don't even ASK about the vibration. Lower tire pressures may compensate. The old steel frame was VERY flexy, pushing hard or standing to pedal would produce noticable sideways deflection and chain scrape. OTOH I don't recall being beaten up so badly by vibration and bumps. I remember the Trek 520 (steel) being really comfortable on a short test ride. Didn't test ride the new Fuji(steel) or Marinoni (steel). The Marinoni now uses non-round TIG welded steel tubing, which is supposed to be stiffer. SOme things are hard to judge in a 15 minute ride. Check if you still have your teeth after riding a few km of washboard :-) the L size seemed a good fit after they swapped in a shorter stem, How short a stem ? That top tube is VERY long, I have no idea what your measurements are, I looked at Trek's woman specific geometry (compared to the men's modles) and TT seems to be an inch shorter on the WSD. I mention this because I have problems with the TT length on the Mikado. Which is 50cm seat tube. Which is the right size on a conventional frame, except on compact geometry frames the sizes are shifted round, so 3 other LBS's tell me I need a 45 cm ST to get the right length TT. :-( and there are SPD pedals which I would like to get used to. I think a LBS is a better idea, you may have to tweak the fit (adjusting cleats can be tricky) and you definitely will need after sales service, e.g. the initial tune-up. And best of all its a real touring bike Lots of those around. If you lived in Elbonia. where the General Store / Pharmacy / Gas Station / Hospital / etc. was also the bike shop, there'd be some justification in buying out of town. In Toronto, there are so many bike shops, some actually competent, that it just doesn't make sense. Especially at that price. (disclaimer - I refer to the mythical Elbonia, and apologize to any actual Elbonians who I may have inadvertently offended) Does this sound like a reasonable deal? What's the list price ? What's the normal selling price ? What's the discount? If it was a huge savings, it might justify some hassle (having to get it serviced at a LBS instead of the selling dealer). But that price seems about right for a brand new comparable model. The components seem good? Nice components. Nice tires. Long top tube, maximum tire size 35 and it doesn't say if that's with fenders. Should I worry much that the bike store is inconvenient located Depends what's involved in getting there. If it means taking the streetcar to Etobicoke, that's a few hours and a few dollars. If it means renting a car and driving to Kitchener, that's a big hassle and expense. I'm old. When the Mikado needed a new bottom bracket under warranty, I paid Bicycle Specialties to replace it rather than trying to deal with Cyclepath on Yonge. Just too much aggravation. have much to worry about the first year? Usual initial tune-up (probably cost you $30 elsewhere), any tweaks to fit (might find someone local to help with the SPD's), any subsequent tune-ups. The big issue would be warranty, although I learned after the fiasco that I didn't necessarily have to deal with Cyclepath on Yonge when the frame broke. I saw the Devinci Caribou at Duke's, but that was 4 years ago, and they couldn't sell it, so may have dropped the line. I have no idea who carries it locally, or how they'd feel about honouring the warranty for a bike bought elsewhere. Take your time, "now is the winter of our discontent," I doubt you'll be riding the new/shiny through the slush and salt. hth --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.522 / Virus Database: 320 - Release Date: 29/09/2003 |
#25
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buying my first road bike
"Sorni" wrote in message ... "Tanya Quinn" wrote in message om... "Roger Zoul" wrote in message ... The Specialized Sequoia might be to your liking, as they have two sets of break handles, above the drops and on the top... http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkFami...m3go4fr.j27004 The Sequioa have comfort features built in which you may appreciate. Ah I must point out that Specialized seems to have a twisted concept of comfort when it comes to their Body Geometry saddles. I bought one on the weekend to replace my current worn out seat (foam had come out of it) And so far painful.. I'm hoping that breaking it in more will help. It looks like these saddles are on the Sequoia, do you like the saddle on yours? FWIW, I tried an early version of the BG saddles years ago, and found the same as you: TORTURE DEVICE! Yet others I know love 'em. Go figure. Bill "different seats for different seats" S. I'd be one of the masochists who like BG saddles, I guess. I ride a BG Pro Ti, and it's the most comfortable saddle I've had. |
#26
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buying my first road bike
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#27
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buying my first road bike
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#28
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buying my first road bike
Tanya Quinn wrote:
So I'm not quite sure what is better about steel. This bike had aluminum frame and steel fork. Stronger, lighter, faster - those all seem like good attributes of aluminum. Lots of things have been said for and against each material; feel free to Google for the numerous threads on this subject. I'll only point out that the top tube is larger than on a steel frame, which could be a problem if you want to hang a pump there. (I finally got my Zefal HPX to stay put with a nylon strap around the head tube.) Looking at the specs, the top tube is VERY long (what length/rise is the standard stem ?). And tire clearance is 700*35 max, no indication whether that's with fenders. There was tons of clearance when I checked out the bike. I think the salesperson said I could put 4x normal size tires there. The reach felt reasonable with a shorter stem. FYI, I have 32s with fenders, and there's plenty of clearance. Hey its supposed to be 23+ C later this week, I want to enjoy the nice weather Plus there should be about 2 months before any salt Would you believe I spent that weekend indoors? (I did make up for it on Monday, though.) -- Frederic Briere * = IS NO MO http://www.abacomsucks.com = |
#29
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You have a huge choice if you're not that fussy!!
With your price range I would probably go for a Specialized! I absolutely love these bikes and they are pretty robust so will last you a long time. You can get the Specialized Langster or Globe for about that price and they are fantastic bikes to get around on. I would definitely recommend going down and trying it in the shop if you wish to get it properly fitted. |
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