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Help me choose between these bikes!
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 2007-12-11 8:39 PM |
Master  1882     Chandler, Arizona |  Subject: Help me choose between these bikes!Because I'm new to this I thought I'd seek out some opinions from some unbiased and more experienced sources. I went to 4 different bike shops yesterday to look for a triathlon bike. After talking to several people at that shops and think about my lack of experience and future goals, I've decided to get a road bike and I'll add aero bars after about a month of riding. I figure this will give me the experience of training and racing on a road bike for a couple of years before getting a tri-bike for HIM and IM distance races. I was fitted for a 54cm bike and I road a Trek and a Specialized. I also looked at a Jamis Venture Race but because of a lack of light and rain I wasn't able to ride it. From what I was told and the little reading that I've done today, the Jamis is the better bike out of the three that I looked at. The shop that I was at offers a free custom fitting and lifetime service which is a must. The other shop that had the Trek and the Specialized charges for it's fitting and offers a free 3 month tune-up which IMO is a joke. My wife's uncles own a sports shop in Utah and they are a Specialized dealer but mostly sell mountain bikes. We've emailed them to see what kind of deal we could get on the Allez (which I really liked) and possibly with better composites. The problem is that I wouldn't have access to free service and I may need additional changes to be made to get the best fit on the 54cm frame. Without the benefits of a strong relationship with a LBS I'm afraid that in the long run it might actually cost more in service by going through her uncles. Anyways, here are the three bikes that I looked at with a direct link to them. If you wouldn't mind taking a look at them and their components, I'd appreciate your opinion on which would be the best bike to start with. Thanks!!! Jamis Ventura Race http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/07_bikes/venturarace.html Specialized Allez Triple http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=21893 Trek 1.5 http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2008/road/1_series/15/ |
| 2007-12-11 9:06 PM in reply to: #1096487 |
Expert 906 Olathe, KS | Subject: RE: Help me choose between these bikes! Well if the prices are in the same range the Jamis is better spec'ed. In my opinion Tiagra STI's are a big step up from Sora although I don't know if the new Sora's got rid of that goofy thumb shift. The Jamis also looks like a better frame with the the carbon seat stays. |
| 2007-12-11 9:25 PM in reply to: #1096564 |
Master 1882 Chandler, Arizona | Subject: RE: Help me choose between these bikes! speedball - 2007-12-11 7:06 PM Well if the prices are in the same range the Jamis is better spec'ed. In my opinion Tiagra STI's are a big step up from Sora although I don't know if the new Sora's got rid of that goofy thumb shift. The Jamis also looks like a better frame with the the carbon seat stays. Yeah, the carbon seat stays with the carbon fork and the components pretty much put that bike at the top for me. I'm just not sure, there are so many bikes in that price range and I want to get the best bike for about a grand. I'm also thinking about looking into some Felt road bikes in that range. They have 105 front derailleurs and Ultegra rear derailleur but no carbon seat stays. Do the 105/Ultegra components outweigh the additional carbon seat stays? I'm also not sure how either will fit as I haven't been able to get on either. |
| 2007-12-11 9:29 PM in reply to: #1096487 |
Master 1284 Victoria BC | Subject: RE: Help me choose between these bikes! I have the Specialized Elite Triple and you could probably try and find an 07 for $1000. 105 groupo carbon fork and seat post. This is my first road bike EVER and I LOVE it. If you go to your LBS and pay for a fitting there if they are worth your support and money being spent there they should have no problem doing the fitting for a their regular fee but right there you are building a relationship with them. Edited by ShawnC13 2007-12-11 9:31 PM (DSC_0116.jpg) Attachments ---------------- DSC_0116.jpg (89KB - 15 downloads) |
| 2007-12-11 9:30 PM in reply to: #1096487 |
Master 1603 Connecticut | Subject: RE: Help me choose between these bikes! Bike preferences can be very personal. They're all fine bikes. Go with what feels best on the test ride. I think it's important that a shop can do fittings and that they offer at least the initial few adjustments for free. However, I wouldn't consider free fitting and lifetime service a "must." Nonetheless, these things do have a value and I would consider them when comparing prices. I do agree with you on the importance of establishing a good relationship with a shop. That's just one of many good reasons to buy from your LBS. |
| 2007-12-11 9:37 PM in reply to: #1096618 |
Master 1882 Chandler, Arizona | Subject: RE: Help me choose between these bikes! dredwards - 2007-12-11 7:30 PM Bike preferences can be very personal. They're all fine bikes. Go with what feels best on the test ride. I think it's important that a shop can do fittings and that they offer at least the initial few adjustments for free. However, I wouldn't consider free fitting and lifetime service a "must." Nonetheless, these things do have a value and I would consider them when comparing prices. I do agree with you on the importance of establishing a good relationship with a shop. That's just one of many good reasons to buy from your LBS. Yeah, I just think it's crap that if you're gonna buy a bike from a shop that they're still going to charge you $30-60 for a proper fitting of a bike that you're already going to buy. It would be like buying a pair of running shoes and having the shop charge you an additional $30 to tell you if they were the best fit for your running style. All of this is making my head spin and I'd rather be out riding. I just want to make sure I get the best possible bike for me and that I won't have problems with crappy components every 6 months. |
| 2007-12-11 9:39 PM in reply to: #1096615 |
Master 1882 Chandler, Arizona | Subject: RE: Help me choose between these bikes! ShawnC13 - 2007-12-11 7:29 PM I have the Specialized Elite Triple and you could probably try and find an 07 for $1000. 105 groupo carbon fork and seat post. This is my first road bike EVER and I LOVE it. If you go to your LBS and pay for a fitting there if they are worth your support and money being spent there they should have no problem doing the fitting for a their regular fee but right there you are building a relationship with them. Looks like a sweet bike. I'm not sure which Allez I rode but I'll have to look into that one. I really like the Allez that I rode although I only rode the Trek on a trainer which I'm sure doesn't have the same feel as actually riding on the road. |
| 2007-12-11 10:52 PM in reply to: #1096487 |
New user 16 Lawrence, Kansas | Subject: RE: Help me choose between these bikes! I shopped for weeks with some experienced cyclist helping me and I bought a Specialized Sequoia http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?sid=07Sequoia it is a great bike which is a bit of an upgarde from the Allez Triple. Getting the Shimano 105's and Zert inserts is a very nice addition. As for maintenace, I bought my bike from a Specialized dealer in Kansas City and they offer lifetime free tune ups and they fitted me for free so not sure if that is a local dealer thing. I also bargained with them for some free gear as they would not lower the retail price of $1,100. The Sequoia Elite is an awesome bike and rides smooth. Which ever bike you get I would get the Polar CS200 CAD wireless unit. What a great heart rate, cadence, speed unit!!!! |
| 2007-12-11 11:00 PM in reply to: #1096487 |
Champion 19812  MA | Subject: RE: Help me choose between these bikes! You live in AZ, is it hilly where you live? I'd suggest you look into a compact double instead of a triple. Gearing turns out to be similar and from my experience the bike shifts better and are easier to get it adjusted right. Most shops will swap out parts even money if you do it when you purchase the bike..ie you need a shorter stem they give that to you and they take the other, if there is a price difference you pay or get a credit. |
| 2007-12-12 8:53 AM in reply to: #1096487 |
Champion 4902 Ottawa, Ontario | Subject: RE: Help me choose between these bikes! Personally, I would go with the Jamis. It has better components than the other 2 bikes. The shop that sells it "offers a free custom fitting and lifetime service", which in itself is good for the pocket book and your peace of mind. |
| 2007-12-12 10:12 AM in reply to: #1097150 |
Master 1882 Chandler, Arizona | Subject: RE: Help me choose between these bikes! Machiavelo - 2007-12-12 6:53 AM Personally, I would go with the Jamis. It has better components than the other 2 bikes. The shop that sells it "offers a free custom fitting and lifetime service", which in itself is good for the pocket book and your peace of mind. Yeah that's what I'm thinking. It stopped raining today and is clear for the first time in two days. I'm going to go to two other shops today and then maybe back to the tri shop that has the Jamis to see if I can ride it. Thanks for the input guys! |
| 2007-12-12 10:46 AM in reply to: #1096487 |
Master 3019 West Jordan, UT | Subject: RE: Help me choose between these bikes! No brainer to me. THe Jamis is better spec'ed and you liked the shop better. Sounds like a winner. |
| 2007-12-13 9:14 AM in reply to: #1096487 |
Expert 906 Olathe, KS | Subject: RE: Help me choose between these bikes! Well what's the verdict?? We must know ! :^ ) |
| 2007-12-13 9:45 AM in reply to: #1096487 |
Science Nerd 28760 Redwood City, California | Subject: RE: Help me choose between these bikes! You didn't mention which one you liked riding the best. Before you make a decision, go back and ride all of them. That was one of the things that really helped make my decision. Sure, any bike can be made to fit, but you might not like the way it handles or the ride in general. |
| 2007-12-14 9:12 AM in reply to: #1099538 |
Master 1882 Chandler, Arizona | Subject: RE: Help me choose between these bikes! speedball - 2007-12-13 7:14 AM Well what's the verdict?? We must know ! :^ ) None of them! I found a SMOKIN' deal on a Specialized Allez Expert Triple for $1,000 dollars off. It is a little more then I wanted to spend but it's full Ultegra and it's an awesome bike. Gave the info to the wife and she's gonna make it happen for Christmas. Thanks everybody for the input! Allez Expert Triple: http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=21907 |
| 2007-12-23 10:18 PM in reply to: #1096487 |
| Champion 9430 No excuses! | Subject: RE: Help me choose between these bikes! well Merry Christmas to you, nothing beats a new ride for Christmas  |
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