07-20-2007, 04:25 PM | #1 |
Demiurge
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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, 05:15 PM | #2 |
Demiurge
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bump. come on you snobs, it will hurt you to look at a bike <$1500!
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07-20-2007, 05:19 PM | #3 |
Assistant to the Regional Manager
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I'm not familiar with Mercury and I would like the FSA compact crank. Motobecane is more familiar to me. Choose that one.
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07-20-2007, 05:30 PM | #4 |
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Motobecane was bought by an outfit than makes frames out of Taiwan.
it's not the same motobecane of your youth. |
07-20-2007, 05:33 PM | #5 |
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The frame geometry is not that novel nowadays, it's the componetry that matters most.
Many, many good frames exist in all price ranges.
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07-20-2007, 05:36 PM | #6 |
Demiurge
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that's why I'm asking for which set of components is a better value.
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07-20-2007, 06:10 PM | #7 |
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Location: Northern California
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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, 06:13 PM | #8 | |
Demiurge
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Quote:
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. |
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07-20-2007, 06:20 PM | #9 |
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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 |
Demiurge
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Maybe I should get this. Titanium with dura-ace for 1k. Litespeed (older one).
http://dallas.craigslist.org/bik/353136661.html |
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