which bike? - cougarguard.com — unofficial BYU Cougars / LDS sports, football, basketball forum and message board

MikeWaters · 07-20-2007, 04:25 PM

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/.../ltd20_wcs.htm

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...champ08_sl.htm

I like the FSA compact crank of the 2nd better. But the price is $300 more. And the ultegra crank ain't a slouch.

Is there any difference in the rims? Anything else I am missing? Seems like the first one is a better deal at $1100.

MikeWaters · 07-20-2007, 05:15 PM

bump. come on you snobs, it will hurt you to look at a bike <$1500!

Archaea · 07-20-2007, 05:19 PM

I'm not familiar with Mercury and I would like the FSA compact crank. Motobecane is more familiar to me. Choose that one.

MikeWaters · 07-20-2007, 05:30 PM

Motobecane was bought by an outfit than makes frames out of Taiwan.

it's not the same motobecane of your youth.

Archaea · 07-20-2007, 05:33 PM

The frame geometry is not that novel nowadays, it's the componetry that matters most.

Many, many good frames exist in all price ranges.

MikeWaters · 07-20-2007, 05:36 PM

that's why I'm asking for which set of components is a better value.

bluegoose · 07-20-2007, 06:10 PM

The first bike is a great bike for the price. Do you really need the compact crankset where you live? I would think that a 53/39 would be ideal for the flat lands of Texas.

For my cheapskate dollar, I would choose the $1,000 bike. Thats almost unheard of to get full ultegra components on a light frame for that price.

MikeWaters · 07-20-2007, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluegoose

The first bike is a great bike for the price. Do you really need the compact crankset where you live? I would think that a 53/39 would be ideal for the flat lands of Texas.

For my cheapskate dollar, I would choose the $1,000 bike. Thats almost unheard of to get full ultegra components on a light frame for that price.

I like the idea of having a triple, but I like the idea of having a double that acts as a triple.

The serious riders would say in Texas you don't need a compact. But I have a racer friend who put on the compact for a West Texas race (that actually has slopes requiring triple) and says he has never taken it off since.

bluegoose · 07-20-2007, 06:20 PM

I have a triple and use every gear available at various times due to the terrain where I live. But it can get a little irritating having to switch back and forth all the time between the middle and little chainring when in the hills.

I would rather have a compact crank, no question about it. If the hills you are riding are pretty moderate, not too steep, then the 50/36 might be okay. Anything steeper than a 8-10% grade might be a little much and would require a 50/34. You can always get a bigger rear cassette up to say a 27, but there tends to be some pretty big gaps in the gears between the 3rd and 6th cogs with 11 or 12 /27.

MikeWaters · 07-20-2007, 06:21 PM

Maybe I should get this. Titanium with dura-ace for 1k. Litespeed (older one).

http://dallas.craigslist.org/bik/353136661.html

07-20-2007, 04:25 PM	#1
MikeWaters Demiurge Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 36,365	which bike? http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/.../ltd20_wcs.htm http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...champ08_sl.htm I like the FSA compact crank of the 2nd better. But the price is $300 more. And the ultegra crank ain't a slouch. Is there any difference in the rims? Anything else I am missing? Seems like the first one is a better deal at $1100.

07-20-2007, 05:19 PM	#3
Archaea Assistant to the Regional Manager Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Orgasmatron Posts: 24,338	I'm not familiar with Mercury and I would like the FSA compact crank. Motobecane is more familiar to me. Choose that one. __________________ Ἓν οἶδα ὅτι οὐδὲν οἶδα

07-20-2007, 05:33 PM	#5
Archaea Assistant to the Regional Manager Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Orgasmatron Posts: 24,338	The frame geometry is not that novel nowadays, it's the componetry that matters most. Many, many good frames exist in all price ranges. __________________ Ἓν οἶδα ὅτι οὐδὲν οἶδα

07-20-2007, 05:15 PM	#2
MikeWaters Demiurge Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 36,365	bump. come on you snobs, it will hurt you to look at a bike <$1500!

07-20-2007, 05:30 PM	#4
MikeWaters Demiurge Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 36,365	Motobecane was bought by an outfit than makes frames out of Taiwan. it's not the same motobecane of your youth.

07-20-2007, 05:36 PM	#6
MikeWaters Demiurge Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 36,365	that's why I'm asking for which set of components is a better value.

07-20-2007, 06:10 PM	#7
bluegoose Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Northern California Posts: 2,919	The first bike is a great bike for the price. Do you really need the compact crankset where you live? I would think that a 53/39 would be ideal for the flat lands of Texas. For my cheapskate dollar, I would choose the $1,000 bike. Thats almost unheard of to get full ultegra components on a light frame for that price.

07-20-2007, 06:20 PM	#9
bluegoose Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Northern California Posts: 2,919	I have a triple and use every gear available at various times due to the terrain where I live. But it can get a little irritating having to switch back and forth all the time between the middle and little chainring when in the hills. I would rather have a compact crank, no question about it. If the hills you are riding are pretty moderate, not too steep, then the 50/36 might be okay. Anything steeper than a 8-10% grade might be a little much and would require a 50/34. You can always get a bigger rear cassette up to say a 27, but there tends to be some pretty big gaps in the gears between the 3rd and 6th cogs with 11 or 12 /27.

07-20-2007, 06:21 PM	#10
MikeWaters Demiurge Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 36,365	Maybe I should get this. Titanium with dura-ace for 1k. Litespeed (older one). http://dallas.craigslist.org/bik/353136661.html