Going to look at road bikes tomorrow. - Page 2 - cougarguard.com — unofficial BYU Cougars / LDS sports, football, basketball forum and message board

bigpiney · 09-09-2008, 04:04 PM

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/...ad/1243/29268/

This is the bike I got a couple of years ago. I have been very happy with it. I got it at the end of the season like we are now and was able to get it for around 900.

Really it all depends on what your local bike shop carries unless your are considering building a bike like RCVikings and Arch.

MikeWaters · 09-09-2008, 04:07 PM

if you could get under 220lb with clothes and shoes on, you coudl just ride the Razor E300 scooter.

Archaea · 09-09-2008, 04:07 PM

Here's what you need to know.

Does it fit?

Specialized make bikes that work suitably for your purpose. Your link only sent me to the main section so I didn't see the bike.

The important aspects of a bike are frame, gear grupo, seat, seat post, pedals, front fork.

These parts in bikes under 1000 generally come in packages.

Fit is the number one aspect.

You'll probably buy Shimano componetry, and accessorize with a carbon fiber seat post, a nice seat which can be upgraded online through E bay, and a good fork.

I say get the best componetry available but Mike is a cheapo and likes crappy componetry.

MikeWaters · 09-09-2008, 04:09 PM

I have ultegra. That's 500x better than this crap that landdork is going to buy for the same price I paid.

Archaea · 09-09-2008, 04:10 PM

Local bike shop dislikes are important as they know how to work on the bikes they sell. If you bring in something unusual the parts availability and the know how is not the same.

And yes, unless you learn fast, you'll be spending plenty of time at the bike shop, from fixing skewers, hubs, ball bearings, changing tires, tubes, nipples, and washing it, changing out break pads, the more you use her the more work she requires.

MikeWaters · 09-09-2008, 04:13 PM

Only a wuss has to use a bike shop for repairs.

It's not rocket science, and any competent bike shop should be able to work on any bike.

Archaea · 09-09-2008, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

Only a wuss has to use a bike shop for repairs.

It's not rocket science, and any competent bike shop should be able to work on any bike.

if you order designer parts, not everybody assembles them correctly.

I remember seeing one wheel assembler using a drill to insert the spokes on custom wheels. You have to use a specialty tool and it weakened the walls of the wheel assembly.

Assembling a wheel from scratch is a lot of work and I don't have the patience. Putting together the grupo with wires, derailleur, cog sets and bearings is not easy. Perhaps you enjoy that, but I don't.

Archaea · 09-09-2008, 04:26 PM

For example, not everybody does Campy very well.

And SRAM Force and Red Group are different.

http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/defaul...lstory&id=4395

I was discussing the benefits of the new Shimano Dura Ace with the SRAM Red gruppo, to find he disliked how some of the Red assembles. But this was a Shimano shop and they never like working on Campy systems.

landpoke · 09-09-2008, 04:29 PM

Thanks all. Pending a test ride I plan on overpaying for the Specialized. Here's another link that hopefully works:

http://bicyclesportshop.com/itemdetails.cfm?id=8904

That's the 2008 version, I'd be getting a 2009 which is identical for all practical purposes.

And yes Mike, I understand that the components I'm getting are a step down from what you have. But I'm ok with that. I can afford to pay more for less and enjoy doing so.

Archaea · 09-09-2008, 04:36 PM

I would ask them what they'd charge you to upgrade the components and nicer components are worth it in the long run.

However, overall it appears to be good choice.

09-09-2008, 04:07 PM	#13
Archaea Assistant to the Regional Manager Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Orgasmatron Posts: 24,338	Here's what you need to know. Does it fit? Specialized make bikes that work suitably for your purpose. Your link only sent me to the main section so I didn't see the bike. The important aspects of a bike are frame, gear grupo, seat, seat post, pedals, front fork. These parts in bikes under 1000 generally come in packages. Fit is the number one aspect. You'll probably buy Shimano componetry, and accessorize with a carbon fiber seat post, a nice seat which can be upgraded online through E bay, and a good fork. I say get the best componetry available but Mike is a cheapo and likes crappy componetry. __________________ Ἓν οἶδα ὅτι οὐδὲν οἶδα

09-09-2008, 04:10 PM	#15
Archaea Assistant to the Regional Manager Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Orgasmatron Posts: 24,338	Local bike shop dislikes are important as they know how to work on the bikes they sell. If you bring in something unusual the parts availability and the know how is not the same. And yes, unless you learn fast, you'll be spending plenty of time at the bike shop, from fixing skewers, hubs, ball bearings, changing tires, tubes, nipples, and washing it, changing out break pads, the more you use her the more work she requires. __________________ Ἓν οἶδα ὅτι οὐδὲν οἶδα

09-09-2008, 04:26 PM	#18
Archaea Assistant to the Regional Manager Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Orgasmatron Posts: 24,338	For example, not everybody does Campy very well. And SRAM Force and Red Group are different. http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/defaul...lstory&id=4395 I was discussing the benefits of the new Shimano Dura Ace with the SRAM Red gruppo, to find he disliked how some of the Red assembles. But this was a Shimano shop and they never like working on Campy systems. __________________ Ἓν οἶδα ὅτι οὐδὲν οἶδα

09-09-2008, 04:29 PM	#19
landpoke Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: North Central God's Country Posts: 1,534	Thanks all. Pending a test ride I plan on overpaying for the Specialized. Here's another link that hopefully works: http://bicyclesportshop.com/itemdetails.cfm?id=8904 That's the 2008 version, I'd be getting a 2009 which is identical for all practical purposes. And yes Mike, I understand that the components I'm getting are a step down from what you have. But I'm ok with that. I can afford to pay more for less and enjoy doing so. __________________ I see a hobo. And when I see the hobo, I think to myself, "This man is poor. His monetary value is low, and my monetary value is high, and it's a shame that he is himself. What can I do?"

09-09-2008, 04:36 PM	#20
Archaea Assistant to the Regional Manager Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Orgasmatron Posts: 24,338	I would ask them what they'd charge you to upgrade the components and nicer components are worth it in the long run. However, overall it appears to be good choice. __________________ Ἓν οἶδα ὅτι οὐδὲν οἶδα

09-09-2008, 04:04 PM	#11
bigpiney Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Big Pine , CA Posts: 842	http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/...ad/1243/29268/ This is the bike I got a couple of years ago. I have been very happy with it. I got it at the end of the season like we are now and was able to get it for around 900. Really it all depends on what your local bike shop carries unless your are considering building a bike like RCVikings and Arch.

09-09-2008, 04:07 PM	#12
MikeWaters Demiurge Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 36,365	if you could get under 220lb with clothes and shoes on, you coudl just ride the Razor E300 scooter.

09-09-2008, 04:09 PM	#14
MikeWaters Demiurge Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 36,365	I have ultegra. That's 500x better than this crap that landdork is going to buy for the same price I paid.

09-09-2008, 04:13 PM	#16
MikeWaters Demiurge Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 36,365	Only a wuss has to use a bike shop for repairs. It's not rocket science, and any competent bike shop should be able to work on any bike.