New Bike Advice for a Friend... - cougarguard.com — unofficial BYU Cougars / LDS sports, football, basketball forum and message board

DirtyHippieUTE · 07-29-2006, 08:49 PM

Here's some background...

1- Never road cycled before.

2- Plans to do fitness road cycling and perhaps a couple of shorter tri events for "fun."

3- Grad student w/ limited budget.

4- Local shop sells/supports this brand...

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/030...sp?model=11332

What say ye?

I might actually get one of these for Mrs. Hippie when she's ready to buy a new bike.

Archaea · 07-29-2006, 09:13 PM

Do not order size that requires 650 cc wheels.

DirtyHippieUTE · 07-29-2006, 09:26 PM

How can you tell?

I just assumed they'd be 700s. Can you tell if this is a 650 or a 700 from these specs or do I need to ask the shop?

Archaea · 07-29-2006, 09:28 PM

The specs state that certain women's sizes use the 650 cc wheel. That size, once thought to be superior in climbing is a pain. Nobody carries the tubes for you, nobody carries extra wheels. Stay far away from 650ccs.

see:

W: 3XS*, 2XS*, S, M *650C wheels

Archaea · 07-29-2006, 09:31 PM

Is the Shimano Sora the entry level or the level above entry level? Is it the Tiagra?

The lower level componetry will wear out quickly.

I would definitely spend the money to get a carbon fiber seat post; that would money well spent.

DirtyHippieUTE · 07-29-2006, 09:42 PM

Sora is the entry... Tigara is one step up...

I don't think shifter/der. wearout is going to be a huge problem for them. I've ridden on low end shimano mtb gear for years and found that most people have a crash related break/bend/failure before they have a wear out problem.

I think rear d. is the biggest concern. It's the only thing I've ever worn out.

bluegoose · 07-31-2006, 02:37 PM

Thats a good entry level bike, imo. The components are on the low end of things, but most people just getting into road biking could get a lot of miles from the Sora set. The price is right for a new bike. And the triple crankset will be nice for someone living near the mountains as you do.

MikeWaters · 07-31-2006, 02:42 PM

I have used SORA for 4 years now. No real problems.

bigpiney · 07-31-2006, 03:24 PM

try here:
http://bikesdirect.com/products/road_bikes.htm

seem like good prices, but what do I know, I have yet to bite the bullet and get a bike.

07-29-2006, 08:49 PM	#1
DirtyHippieUTE Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Moscow, ID Posts: 1,151	New Bike Advice for a Friend... Here's some background... 1- Never road cycled before. 2- Plans to do fitness road cycling and perhaps a couple of shorter tri events for "fun." 3- Grad student w/ limited budget. 4- Local shop sells/supports this brand... http://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/030...sp?model=11332 What say ye? I might actually get one of these for Mrs. Hippie when she's ready to buy a new bike. __________________ I reject your reality and substitute my own...

07-29-2006, 09:13 PM	#2
Archaea Assistant to the Regional Manager Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Orgasmatron Posts: 24,338	Do not order size that requires 650 cc wheels. __________________ Ἓν οἶδα ὅτι οὐδὲν οἶδα

07-29-2006, 09:26 PM	#3
DirtyHippieUTE Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Moscow, ID Posts: 1,151	How can you tell? I just assumed they'd be 700s. Can you tell if this is a 650 or a 700 from these specs or do I need to ask the shop? __________________ I reject your reality and substitute my own...

07-29-2006, 09:28 PM	#4
Archaea Assistant to the Regional Manager Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Orgasmatron Posts: 24,338	The specs state that certain women's sizes use the 650 cc wheel. That size, once thought to be superior in climbing is a pain. Nobody carries the tubes for you, nobody carries extra wheels. Stay far away from 650ccs. see: W: 3XS, 2XS, S, M 650C wheels __________________ Ἓν οἶδα ὅτι οὐδὲν οἶδα*

07-29-2006, 09:31 PM	#5
Archaea Assistant to the Regional Manager Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Orgasmatron Posts: 24,338	Is the Shimano Sora the entry level or the level above entry level? Is it the Tiagra? The lower level componetry will wear out quickly. I would definitely spend the money to get a carbon fiber seat post; that would money well spent. __________________ Ἓν οἶδα ὅτι οὐδὲν οἶδα

07-29-2006, 09:42 PM	#6
DirtyHippieUTE Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Moscow, ID Posts: 1,151	Sora is the entry... Tigara is one step up... I don't think shifter/der. wearout is going to be a huge problem for them. I've ridden on low end shimano mtb gear for years and found that most people have a crash related break/bend/failure before they have a wear out problem. I think rear d. is the biggest concern. It's the only thing I've ever worn out. __________________ I reject your reality and substitute my own...

07-31-2006, 02:37 PM	#7
bluegoose Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Northern California Posts: 2,919	Thats a good entry level bike, imo. The components are on the low end of things, but most people just getting into road biking could get a lot of miles from the Sora set. The price is right for a new bike. And the triple crankset will be nice for someone living near the mountains as you do.

07-31-2006, 02:42 PM	#8
MikeWaters Demiurge Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 36,365	I have used SORA for 4 years now. No real problems.

07-31-2006, 03:24 PM	#9
bigpiney Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Big Pine , CA Posts: 842	try here: http://bikesdirect.com/products/road_bikes.htm seem like good prices, but what do I know, I have yet to bite the bullet and get a bike.