Avanti Blade with drop bars?

cgi-bin <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

I went to my LBS (to use the jargon) and liked the look of the Avanti
Blade series:
http://www.avanti.co.nz/bikes_detail.asp?id=137&t=6
The cheapest ($580) was within my price range. In particular, I like

[...]

Quoted message said:

Does another company do something like I want for a similar price?

Apollo Allegro.

--

"I'm proud that I live in a country where witnessing two hours of bloody,
barbarous torture in gloating detail is considered indicia of religious
piety, whereas a mere second gazing upon a woman's breast is cause for
outraged apoplexy."
Betty Bowers, http://www.bettybowers.com/melgibsonpassion.html

Cgi-Bin said:

I'm looking around to buy a bike to replace my steel clunker
- Northern Star, modified to 5 speed (currently running on one due to a
slack cable), $5 special!!!
I went to my LBS (to use the jargon) and liked the look of the Avanti
Blade series: http://www.avanti.co.nz/bikes_detail.asp?id=137&t=6http:/-
/www.avanti.co.nz/bikes_detail.asp?id=137&t=6 The cheapest ($580) was
within my price range. In particular, I like the tyres - midway between
slick MTB and road tyres, I like the range of gears (24). But there are
things I don't like. The straight handlebars - I'd prefer drop bars, the
suspension seat post (get outta here).
Mind you I only really looked at Avanti.
Questions.
Could I change the bars or would this stuff up the geometry?
Does another company do something like I want for a similar price?

Changing from flat handle bar to drop bars would not change th
geometry, but will mean changing your shifters and brake levers, and th
front derailleur. If you don't have them already, it will be costly
especially if you get someone to do it for you. Why not trying an entr
level roadie. You can put 25mm tyres (not much narrower than 28). If yo
get a triple version, and change the rear cogs to 12-27, you will hav
the speed on demand, you'll have the closely-stepped gearing, and th
grannies for climbs. My 2C

-

Thanks for the replies.

The Blade/Allegro comparison came up on this forum previously and the
Blade won out...

I talked to the shop guy and he quoted $150 to change the bars to drop
bars and also change the shifters/levers to STI... What dya reckon?

Or they had a Avanti Sprint in stock for $850 with some thrown in
goodies. I didn't enquire about changing the tyres to wider ones adn
changing the gearing...

I dunno... anyother suggestions.

I'm leaning towards the Blade with the mods...

Did I say that I'm in Hobart.

I looked at this very thing in Dec 2003.... For my own road use.

And I bought Trek 1000 2004 model instead. Giant OCR-3 was another good
choice in this price. Those two bikes RRP for $999 but I got $150 off at my
LBS so the end result is not that much greater than a modified Blade.

And Trek 1000 and Giant OCR-3 are designed for those drop handle-bars and
road use. You might be able to put wider tyres on those (Giant has 25C
standard). Of course if you want to go off-road then look elsewhere. I think
Blade is not really off-road either.

just my personal opinion.....

"cgi-bin" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

Thanks for the replies.

The Blade/Allegro comparison came up on this forum previously and the
Blade won out...

I talked to the shop guy and he quoted $150 to change the bars to drop
bars and also change the shifters/levers to STI... What dya reckon?

Or they had a Avanti Sprint in stock for $850 with some thrown in
goodies. I didn't enquire about changing the tyres to wider ones adn
changing the gearing...

I dunno... anyother suggestions.

I'm leaning towards the Blade with the mods...

Did I say that I'm in Hobart.

Thanks for the three helpful replies.

I bought a second hand touring bike - KHS (American?), 105 groupset, $380, it rox!