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Main
Date: 23 Sep 2007 03:47:58
From: Ralph Barone
Subject: Recommendation for entry level road bike
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I've been riding a couple of relatively "antique" bikes (a Bridgestone
MB-5 mountain bike and an old Norco Magnum road bike) and I'm thinking
it's about time to actually spend some cash on a new bike. Most of my
riding lately has been urban road commuting (about 30 k each way)
to/from work. I've never ridden anything with integrated brakes and
shifters, but the concept sounds very appealing. I have no need to ride
anything made out of carbon fibre or other ultra-light exotic composites
(if I need my bike to be 6 ounces lighter, I'll go to the bathroom
before I leave). I just want a new road style bike that rides well.
Any suggestions?
PS: My original "pulled from a hat" budget was $600, but I'm not sure if
that is possible. Let's try for under $1,000.
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Date: 23 Sep 2007 23:38:44
From: tiborg
Subject: Re: Recommendation for entry level road bike
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On Sep 24, 2:40 pm, "Mike Jacoubowsky" <mik...@ix.netcom.com > wrote:
>
> www.roadbiketestrides.htm
>
> It's one of the few I've written that's brand & material neutral, so it
> applies to any bike you might look at.
>
> --Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycleswww.ChainReactionBicycles.com
That is not the link you're looking for...
Try http://www.chainreactionbicycles.com/roadbiketestrides.htm
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Date: 24 Sep 2007 09:05:26
From: Mike Jacoubowsky
Subject: Re: Recommendation for entry level road bike
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>> www.roadbiketestrides.htm
>>
>> It's one of the few I've written that's brand & material neutral, so it
>> applies to any bike you might look at.
>>
>> --Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycleswww.ChainReactionBicycles.com
>
> That is not the link you're looking for...
>
> Try http://www.chainreactionbicycles.com/roadbiketestrides.htm
Doh! Thanks. Guess my ride yesterday took more out of me than I thought.
--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com
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Date: 23 Sep 2007 22:40:05
From: Mike Jacoubowsky
Subject: Re: Recommendation for entry level road bike
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> MB-5 mountain bike and an old Norco Magnum road bike) and I'm thinking
> it's about time to actually spend some cash on a new bike. Most of my
> riding lately has been urban road commuting (about 30 k each way)
> to/from work. I've never ridden anything with integrated brakes and
> shifters, but the concept sounds very appealing. I have no need to ride
> anything made out of carbon fibre or other ultra-light exotic composites
> (if I need my bike to be 6 ounces lighter, I'll go to the bathroom
> before I leave). I just want a new road style bike that rides well.
> Any suggestions?
>
> PS: My original "pulled from a hat" budget was $600, but I'm not sure if
> that is possible. Let's try for under $1,000.
You'll have quite a few decent choices of bikes to choose from; what might
be more difficult is finding the right shop. But for a good idea what to
look for in both the bike and shop, you might check out this article on our
website-
www.roadbiketestrides.htm
It's one of the few I've written that's brand & material neutral, so it
applies to any bike you might look at.
--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com
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Date: 23 Sep 2007 22:31:11
From: SMS
Subject: Re: Recommendation for entry level road bike
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Ralph Barone wrote:
> I've been riding a couple of relatively "antique" bikes (a Bridgestone
> MB-5 mountain bike and an old Norco Magnum road bike) and I'm thinking
> it's about time to actually spend some cash on a new bike. Most of my
> riding lately has been urban road commuting (about 30 k each way)
> to/from work. I've never ridden anything with integrated brakes and
> shifters, but the concept sounds very appealing. I have no need to ride
> anything made out of carbon fibre or other ultra-light exotic composites
> (if I need my bike to be 6 ounces lighter, I'll go to the bathroom
> before I leave). I just want a new road style bike that rides well.
> Any suggestions?
>
> PS: My original "pulled from a hat" budget was $600, but I'm not sure if
> that is possible. Let's try for under $1,000.
"http://www.bianchiusa.com/07_brava.html"
Typically on sale for $650-700.
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Date: 24 Sep 2007 00:44:17
From: A Muzi
Subject: Re: Recommendation for entry level road bike
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> Ralph Barone wrote:
>> I've been riding a couple of relatively "antique" bikes (a Bridgestone
>> MB-5 mountain bike and an old Norco Magnum road bike) and I'm thinking
>> it's about time to actually spend some cash on a new bike. Most of my
>> riding lately has been urban road commuting (about 30 k each way)
>> to/from work. I've never ridden anything with integrated brakes and
>> shifters, but the concept sounds very appealing. I have no need to
>> ride anything made out of carbon fibre or other ultra-light exotic
>> composites (if I need my bike to be 6 ounces lighter, I'll go to the
>> bathroom before I leave). I just want a new road style bike that
>> rides well. Any suggestions?
>> PS: My original "pulled from a hat" budget was $600, but I'm not sure
>> if that is possible. Let's try for under $1,000.
SMS wrote:
> "http://www.bianchiusa.com/07_brava.html"
> Typically on sale for $650-700.
Final batch being built now as a 2007-1/2 model and then it's over for
Brava.
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971
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Date: 24 Sep 2007 00:17:12
From: SMS
Subject: Re: Recommendation for entry level road bike
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A Muzi wrote:
> SMS wrote:
>> "http://www.bianchiusa.com/07_brava.html"
>> Typically on sale for $650-700.
>
> Final batch being built now as a 2007-1/2 model and then it's over for
> Brava.
I kind of knew that it had to come to an end. A chromoly steel road bike
for under $1000 is an anomaly that could not be tolerated any longer,
even if it was just Reynolds 520.
Soon all the steel road bikes will be $1000+ niche products.
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Date: 24 Sep 2007 03:21:35
From: Michael Press
Subject: Re: Recommendation for entry level road bike
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In article <invalid-C8C776.20475822092007@shawnews >,
Ralph Barone <invalid@not_real.ca > wrote:
> I've been riding a couple of relatively "antique" bikes (a Bridgestone
> MB-5 mountain bike and an old Norco Magnum road bike) and I'm thinking
> it's about time to actually spend some cash on a new bike. Most of my
> riding lately has been urban road commuting (about 30 k each way)
> to/from work. I've never ridden anything with integrated brakes and
> shifters, but the concept sounds very appealing. I have no need to ride
> anything made out of carbon fibre or other ultra-light exotic composites
> (if I need my bike to be 6 ounces lighter, I'll go to the bathroom
> before I leave). I just want a new road style bike that rides well.
> Any suggestions?
>
> PS: My original "pulled from a hat" budget was $600, but I'm not sure if
> that is possible. Let's try for under $1,000.
An aluminum Cannondale with drop bars.
--
Michael Press
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Date: 23 Sep 2007 20:14:08
From: Victor Kan
Subject: Re: Recommendation for entry level road bike
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On Sep 23, 9:33 am, Art Harris <n...@hotmail.com > wrote:
...
> - The fitting advice on their website is based solely on standover
> clearance; I didn't see any specs on top tube length or stem length,
> so choosing the right frame size is a bit of a crapshoot...
It's kinda weird that they don't have direct links to it on the
bikesdirect site, but it looks like they have the frame measurements
on the brand/model specific sites, e.g.:
http://www.motobecane.com/7005_geometry.html
http://www.motobecane.com/lec_geometry.html
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Date: 23 Sep 2007 14:38:34
From: landotter
Subject: Re: Recommendation for entry level road bike
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On Sep 23, 6:53 am, Ozark Bicycle
<bicycleatel...@ozarkbicycleservice.com > wrote:
> On Sep 23, 12:11 am, Hank Wirtz <h...@wirtznet.net> wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Sep 22, 8:47 pm, Ralph Barone <invalid@not_real.ca> wrote:
>
> > > I've been riding a couple of relatively "antique" bikes (a Bridgestone
> > > MB-5 mountain bike and an old Norco Magnum road bike) and I'm thinking
> > > it's about time to actually spend some cash on a new bike. Most of my
> > > riding lately has been urban road commuting (about 30 k each way)
> > > to/from work. I've never ridden anything with integrated brakes and
> > > shifters, but the concept sounds very appealing. I have no need to ride
> > > anything made out of carbon fibre or other ultra-light exotic composites
> > > (if I need my bike to be 6 ounces lighter, I'll go to the bathroom
> > > before I leave). I just want a new road style bike that rides well.
> > > Any suggestions?
>
> > > PS: My original "pulled from a hat" budget was $600, but I'm not sure if
> > > that is possible. Let's try for under $1,000.
>
> > The standard response would be a Trek 1000 (called a 1.2 in 2008), or
> > maybe a Specialized Allez Double or Triple. A less common response
> > would be a Bianchi Brava. These all run $700-800.
>
> > If you are willing to do without the support of a local bike shop,
> > bikesdirect.com has the Motobecane Grand Record for $560, which has
> > higher-level parts (Tiagra & 105) than the ones listed above (mostly
> > Sora). But if you're unsure of proper fit or your own mechanical
> > acumen, it's probably worthwhile to go local and get a proper fitting
> > and after-the-sale support.
>
> The Motobecane from Bikesdirect is $140-240 less than a Trek 1.2,
> Specialized Allez, etc., purchased from a shop. The price gap is even
> larger in reality because the local purchase will incur state and
> local taxes, whilst the internet purchase will not. Now, ISTM that the
> $140-240+ saved should buy quite a bit of "support" from a local shop
> in terms of a fitting, assembly, etc.
Agreed. They're all made in the same damn place to begin with. Why pay
for Trek's advertising budget. That said, I picked up a well
advertised bike last week, and it was just as poorly dialed in as the
off brands at bikesdirect that my neighbors have bought.
Figure out your size by measuring the top tube of the vintage ride ya
got now and add or subtract cm's depending on how it feels. once it
arrives, you might have to spend $20 on a qbp stem to get it just
right.
BTW: find a good shop and pay them $50 or so to adjust the wheel
bearings and bring the spoke tension up to snuff very first thing. Or
do it yourself. That's one of the main complaints about $600 bikes,
that the wheels are shit. They're aren't, they're just inexpensive
parts assembled badly.
FWIW, my LBS sells a Schwinn Sora equipped road bike for $600 and you
get sweet service. Dial it in right, and such a bike will last for
years. If the rear mech breaks cuz you ran the Lawn Boy into it in the
garage--it's twenty bucks to replace. There's something to be said
about low end Shimano, it works good, isn't precious, and if ya break
it, so what?
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Date: 23 Sep 2007 06:33:24
From: Art Harris
Subject: Re: Recommendation for entry level road bike
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Hank Wirtz wrote:
>
> The standard response would be a Trek 1000 (called a 1.2 in 2008), or
> maybe a Specialized Allez Double or Triple. A less common response
> would be a Bianchi Brava. These all run $700-800.
>
> If you are willing to do without the support of a local bike shop,
> bikesdirect.com has the Motobecane Grand Record for $560, which has
> higher-level parts (Tiagra & 105) than the ones listed above (mostly
> Sora). But if you're unsure of proper fit or your own mechanical
> acumen, it's probably worthwhile to go local and get a proper fitting
> and after-the-sale support.
Interesting, but a few caveats for the OP:
- These Made in China "Motobecanes" have no relationship to the
classic French made bikes of the 70s and 80s.
- The fitting advice on their website is based solely on standover
clearance; I didn't see any specs on top tube length or stem length,
so choosing the right frame size is a bit of a crapshoot. Especially
for a first time road bike buyer.
- What are these "SKYE" components (stem, bars, seat post, and hubs).
I've nverr heard of SKYE.
If you have to swap out a stem, saddle or other part, or need to get
the wheels tensioned and trued, a good part of your savings will be
lost. At a bike shop, those things are usually free, and best of all
you get to test ride the bike (and compare it to other bikes) before
buying it.
Art Harris
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Date: 23 Sep 2007 05:57:17
From: Qui si parla Campagnolo-www.vecchios.com
Subject: Re: Recommendation for entry level road bike
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On Sep 22, 9:47 pm, Ralph Barone <invalid@not_real.ca > wrote:
> I've been riding a couple of relatively "antique" bikes (a Bridgestone
> MB-5 mountain bike and an old Norco Magnum road bike) and I'm thinking
> it's about time to actually spend some cash on a new bike. Most of my
> riding lately has been urban road commuting (about 30 k each way)
> to/from work. I've never ridden anything with integrated brakes and
> shifters, but the concept sounds very appealing. I have no need to ride
> anything made out of carbon fibre or other ultra-light exotic composites
> (if I need my bike to be 6 ounces lighter, I'll go to the bathroom
> before I leave). I just want a new road style bike that rides well.
> Any suggestions?
>
> PS: My original "pulled from a hat" budget was $600, but I'm not sure if
> that is possible. Let's try for under $1,000.
Not really any bad bikes in bike shops, just bad bike shops. Many
great bikes for that price...BUT fit is the most important thing. Go
to a shop that will fit you and swap parts, like stems, to make the
fit right. NOT a "standover clearance, ride around the block" type fit
but a real bike fit.
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Date: 23 Sep 2007 04:53:35
From: Ozark Bicycle
Subject: Re: Recommendation for entry level road bike
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On Sep 23, 12:11 am, Hank Wirtz <h...@wirtznet.net > wrote:
> On Sep 22, 8:47 pm, Ralph Barone <invalid@not_real.ca> wrote:
>
> > I've been riding a couple of relatively "antique" bikes (a Bridgestone
> > MB-5 mountain bike and an old Norco Magnum road bike) and I'm thinking
> > it's about time to actually spend some cash on a new bike. Most of my
> > riding lately has been urban road commuting (about 30 k each way)
> > to/from work. I've never ridden anything with integrated brakes and
> > shifters, but the concept sounds very appealing. I have no need to ride
> > anything made out of carbon fibre or other ultra-light exotic composites
> > (if I need my bike to be 6 ounces lighter, I'll go to the bathroom
> > before I leave). I just want a new road style bike that rides well.
> > Any suggestions?
>
> > PS: My original "pulled from a hat" budget was $600, but I'm not sure if
> > that is possible. Let's try for under $1,000.
>
> The standard response would be a Trek 1000 (called a 1.2 in 2008), or
> maybe a Specialized Allez Double or Triple. A less common response
> would be a Bianchi Brava. These all run $700-800.
>
> If you are willing to do without the support of a local bike shop,
> bikesdirect.com has the Motobecane Grand Record for $560, which has
> higher-level parts (Tiagra & 105) than the ones listed above (mostly
> Sora). But if you're unsure of proper fit or your own mechanical
> acumen, it's probably worthwhile to go local and get a proper fitting
> and after-the-sale support.
The Motobecane from Bikesdirect is $140-240 less than a Trek 1.2,
Specialized Allez, etc., purchased from a shop. The price gap is even
larger in reality because the local purchase will incur state and
local taxes, whilst the internet purchase will not. Now, ISTM that the
$140-240+ saved should buy quite a bit of "support" from a local shop
in terms of a fitting, assembly, etc.
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Date: 22 Sep 2007 22:11:32
From: Hank Wirtz
Subject: Re: Recommendation for entry level road bike
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On Sep 22, 8:47 pm, Ralph Barone <invalid@not_real.ca > wrote:
> I've been riding a couple of relatively "antique" bikes (a Bridgestone
> MB-5 mountain bike and an old Norco Magnum road bike) and I'm thinking
> it's about time to actually spend some cash on a new bike. Most of my
> riding lately has been urban road commuting (about 30 k each way)
> to/from work. I've never ridden anything with integrated brakes and
> shifters, but the concept sounds very appealing. I have no need to ride
> anything made out of carbon fibre or other ultra-light exotic composites
> (if I need my bike to be 6 ounces lighter, I'll go to the bathroom
> before I leave). I just want a new road style bike that rides well.
> Any suggestions?
>
> PS: My original "pulled from a hat" budget was $600, but I'm not sure if
> that is possible. Let's try for under $1,000.
The standard response would be a Trek 1000 (called a 1.2 in 2008), or
maybe a Specialized Allez Double or Triple. A less common response
would be a Bianchi Brava. These all run $700-800.
If you are willing to do without the support of a local bike shop,
bikesdirect.com has the Motobecane Grand Record for $560, which has
higher-level parts (Tiagra & 105) than the ones listed above (mostly
Sora). But if you're unsure of proper fit or your own mechanical
acumen, it's probably worthwhile to go local and get a proper fitting
and after-the-sale support.
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Date: 24 Sep 2007 04:38:58
From: Ralph Barone
Subject: Re: Recommendation for entry level road bike
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In article <1190524292.892599.224000@19g2000hsx.googlegroups.com >,
Hank Wirtz <hank@wirtznet.net > wrote:
> On Sep 22, 8:47 pm, Ralph Barone <invalid@not_real.ca> wrote:
> > I've been riding a couple of relatively "antique" bikes (a Bridgestone
> > MB-5 mountain bike and an old Norco Magnum road bike) and I'm thinking
> > it's about time to actually spend some cash on a new bike. Most of my
> > riding lately has been urban road commuting (about 30 k each way)
> > to/from work. I've never ridden anything with integrated brakes and
> > shifters, but the concept sounds very appealing. I have no need to ride
> > anything made out of carbon fibre or other ultra-light exotic composites
> > (if I need my bike to be 6 ounces lighter, I'll go to the bathroom
> > before I leave). I just want a new road style bike that rides well.
> > Any suggestions?
> >
> > PS: My original "pulled from a hat" budget was $600, but I'm not sure if
> > that is possible. Let's try for under $1,000.
>
> The standard response would be a Trek 1000 (called a 1.2 in 2008), or
> maybe a Specialized Allez Double or Triple. A less common response
> would be a Bianchi Brava. These all run $700-800.
>
> If you are willing to do without the support of a local bike shop,
> bikesdirect.com has the Motobecane Grand Record for $560, which has
> higher-level parts (Tiagra & 105) than the ones listed above (mostly
> Sora). But if you're unsure of proper fit or your own mechanical
> acumen, it's probably worthwhile to go local and get a proper fitting
> and after-the-sale support.
bikesdirect.com does look quite interesting, at least pricewise, but I
got bit the last time I ordered something over the Internet from the
States (shipment sent to Nova Scotia instead of British Columbia, nobody
called me when the shipment was returned to sender, UPS charged me
20-odd dollars for customs processing, which was only $2). Is there a
similar outfit doing business on the North side of the 49th parallel?
PS: What do people think of the Giant OCR-3 as a contender on this list?
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Date: 23 Sep 2007 21:48:01
From: jim beam
Subject: Re: Recommendation for entry level road bike
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Ralph Barone wrote:
<snip for clarity >
> PS: What do people think of the Giant OCR-3 as a contender on this list?
i like it a lot. the frame is very well made, supported by a better
warranty than practically anybody else, and has clearance enough to just
accept fenders. component quality is ho-hum, but everything works ok.
great commute bike.
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