Help with a new purchase

"bfra1" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

1) Trek 1200 w/Tiagra components
2) Merida 904-18 (2003 model) 105 Components
3) Gitane Mach 1800 (2004 Model) 105 Components

Some points I noticed, but nothing conclusive ;-)

- The Gitane uses Tektro brake calipers not 105.
- The Merida and Trek cassettes have a knee friendly
25T sprocket versus the Gitane's 23T.
- Gitane looks better ;-)
- Trek seems to have more common sizes.
- Trek frame warranty.

Hmm, Trek are reported to have good frames and
their warranty service is also supposed to be good.

Personally, I'd go for the Gitane because it is not as
common, looks sweet and has the better groupset.
Of course, you need to test ride them all. There will
probably be a clear winner for you.

hippy

Thanks, I think the Gitane is the better looking bike too. What do you
mean by Knee friendly sprocket? If I get the Gitane, should I get this
sprocket changed to another model?

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"bfra1" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

Thanks, I think the Gitane is the better looking bike too. What do you
mean by Knee friendly sprocket? If I get the Gitane, should I get this
sprocket changed to another model?

Nah.. I was just picking some differences between
the bikes and noticed that the Gitane has its largest
rear sprocket (easiest gear) of 23T, compared to
25T on the other two.
It means that on steep stuff you wont have quite as
easy a gear to use.
If you have lots of steep hills or have dodgy knees
it might be an issue, but it's not going to make much
of a difference. The rear cassette (thing with all the
gears on it) can be swapped quite easily.

Have you taken any of them for a test ride yet?
Looked at any other brands? e.g. Giant, Avanti,
Specialized?

hippy

Thanks for the explanation, I wasn't sure what the 23t and 25t mean't
but now I know.

I haven't had a test ride yet or looked at the other brands. I've
promised myself a whole day next week to have a serious look. I love
Specialised bikes, but I don't think they are in my price range with
the 105's.

I think a test ride on anything will feel great as my current bike
(purchased 2nd hand) is a Pro-Ace running Shimano Sante' and a nice set
of Mavic's. Gears tend to get a bit sand paper like after a decent ride.

I'll definately have a look at Avanti and Giants too.

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bfra1 said:

What to buy??? Please Help I've just discovered the love of cycling and
am now riding 1-2 100 klm rides each week.
Having started on a 2nd hand bike, and using it to complete the 210klm
"around the bay in a day" ride, I've decided it's time for a new bike.
This is where I need help. I'm currently looking at the 3
following bikes.
1) Trek 1200 w/Tiagra components
2) Merida 904-18 (2003 model) 105 Components
3) Gitane Mach 1800 (2004 Model) 105 Components
I would appreciate feedback or suggestions. All are in the $1600-$1700
AUD price range.

Hi,

You might also consider the Learsport 8000 as it has 105 components and
shimano 540's for that price.

I reently took the plunge and bought one and am very happy with it. Very
comfortable and light..rolls well too.

They have a 30 day money back deal as well so if you are not happy with
it you can return it.

I won't be returning mine.

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"bfra1" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

I haven't had a test ride yet or looked at the other brands. I've
promised myself a whole day next week to have a serious look. I love
Specialised bikes, but I don't think they are in my price range with
the 105's.

Yeah $1400 Sora and $1800 Tiagra $2400 105

Quoted message said:

I'll definately have a look at Avanti and Giants too.

http://www.freedommachine.com.au/ for a rough
idea on model range and pricing.

hippy

"thebow" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

You might also consider the Learsport 8000 as it has 105 components

and

Quoted message said:

shimano 540's for that price.

It's $1500.
http://www.learsport.com/Racing.htm

I would always buy my bikes from a LBS
but that is just me. I can understand the
popularity of Learsport bikes though - basically
same bits for less cash.

hippy

I'd go for a 105 equipped bike in preference to the Tiagra, especially if
you're doing some serious km's...

Take a look at the Giant TCR2, and OCR1, 2003 models... They are full 105,
with CXP22 rims...

TCR2 is a AlluxSL frame, has a carbon seat post and fork...

OCR1 is about 50 gm heavier in frame, different stem, non-carbon post and
fork...
"bfra1" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

What to buy??? Please Help I've just discovered the love of cycling and
am now riding 1-2 100 klm rides each week.

Having started on a 2nd hand bike, and using it to complete the 210klm
"around the bay in a day" ride, I've decided it's time for a new bike.

This is where I need help. I'm currently looking at the 3
following bikes.

1) Trek 1200 w/Tiagra components
2) Merida 904-18 (2003 model) 105 Components
3) Gitane Mach 1800 (2004 Model) 105 Components

I would appreciate feedback or suggestions. All are in the $1600-$1700
AUD price range.

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Hippy said:

"thebow" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:3fc576f-
[email hidden]:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

You might also consider the Learsport 8000 as it has 105 components

and

Quoted message said:

shimano 540's for that price.

It's $1500.
http://www.learsport.com/Racing.htmhttp://www.learsport.com/Racing.htm
I would always buy my bikes from a LBS but that is just me. I can
understand the popularity of Learsport bikes though - basically same
bits for less cash.
hippy

I have done both and after the inital honeymoon period it's all the
same. My expereince with most LBS's is they look after you while you are
new in the store or have just bought something and have the expectation
that you will buy more.

Once they realise that you have everything you need and likely only
small consumables are to be bought you get a different level of service.

Fair enough too as it's a business after all is said and done and not a
charity but neither are we.

If a bike needs constant ongoing support from a LBS then perhaps it was
the wrong one to buy.

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Thanks guys, The Learsport does look good, especially with the $200 upg
to Shimano 540's, but I do lean towards a LBS. My LBS guys are great,
even when I wheel in my current fossil, however they either have in Soar
bikes or $3k units.

After reading all the posts I'm definately settling on 105's, I guess
the rest is down to the ride.

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byron27 said:

[the avanti giro this year has full 105 with mavic 22's. Good value
for the price which i think is around $1700 (bargain down to this if
its not🙂 )

Hippy mentioned The Freedom Machine's Specialised range, so I thought
this is worth adding. Apparently they had a team in some endurance
challenge in Tasmania two weeks ago and they outfitted the team with the
new 04 model 105-equipped bikes (I can't remember the model name -
they're blue and white with the silver 105 groupset). A mate of mine
bought one if them from them last weekend. His was unused - it was a
spare bike that spent the week on top of a support car but had a few
tiny scratches from the transportation etc. Picked it up for $1800
(which I think they list for $2400 as Hippy said). Might be worth
looking into.

Cletus

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[the avanti giro this year has full 105 with mavic 22's. Good value
for the price which i think is around $1700 (bargain down to this if
its not🙂 )

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I spoke to Freedom Machine yesterday and will definately head down there
for a look. They have an Avanti and Giants with 105 set-up in my $$$
ball park.

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Hello to anyone still reading. Just set my mind on the Trek 1400. Only
problem is that I have been offered anywhere between $2200 and $1850.
Does anyone know if the $1850 is a reasonable offer or is the $2200 just
an offer made to a seemingly dumb new bike buyer?

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I bought a '03 Trek 1400 a few months ago for $2399. They were retailing
for about $2699. Iv'e put about 2000 k's on it and the only problem i've
had was the Matrix wheels lost their trueness real fast, but I took them
both into the shop and after about ten minutes of touching them up
(thanks Greg) they haven't budged since. If, like me you are no
mechanic, this is why you should buy from a shop. The front deraillier
stumbles occasionally, but it aint Dura ace, so it doesn't bother me.
The only thing that hurts, is seeing that the current model has come
down in price a bit, and it has cooler wheels. But i'm not [censored]
about my wheels - they get punished on these country roads and are
holding up really well. For me, the Trek was a good choice.

Try before you buy

~j~

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Another bike that might be worth considering is the Raceline Pave. The
2003 model has mostly 105 groupset, except for Tektro brake callipers
and Truvativ cranks. Its probably the best value bike with 105 around,
and as its last years model, I've seen them for anywhere between $1200
and $1600.

However, if you've decided on the Trek, a friend who has one is very
happy with it. It's a nice looking bike, and the only part that he
doesn't like about the bike is the Matrix wheels. Whichever bike you
choose, I hope you're happy with it and get many miles out of it. 🙂

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Thanks Guys,

This model is the 04 and has the Bontrager Select (front = 20 spoke,
Rear = 24 spoke). Hopefully these will hold true, until I can burn off a
few more Kilo's 😄

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bfra1 said:

Hello to anyone still reading. Just set my mind on the Trek 1400. Only
problem is that I have been offered anywhere between $2200 and $1850.
Does anyone know if the $1850 is a reasonable offer or is the $2200 just
an offer made to a seemingly dumb new bike buyer?

They could be 2003 model vs 2004. I know they went from Tiagra to 105 in
the 2002/03 jump, so check carefully what the differences are this year.
Just jump on the Trek site for 2004 models and search for some online
stores that are bit slow to update for the 2003. You could be in luck as
they could be the same and just running out last year's stock, or there
could be a significant difference. Sorry - I'm too lazy today to look
myself! Good luck.

Cletus

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Etxy said:

Another bike that might be worth considering is the Raceline Pave. The
2003 model has mostly 105 groupset, except for Tektro brake callipers
and Truvativ cranks. Its probably the best value bike with 105 around,
and as its last years model, I've seen them for anywhere between $1200
and $1600.
However, if you've decided on the Trek, a friend who has one is very
happy with it. It's a nice looking bike, and the only part that he
doesn't like about the bike is the Matrix wheels. Whichever bike you
choose, I hope you're happy with it and get many miles out of it. 🙂

The Raceline Pave does not seem to have a carbon fork, so it may not be
in the same group as the others. Personally, I would go for the
Specialized Allex Elite from Spin Cycle. I like the colour scheme

powinc

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