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:
avanti.co.nzbikes detail.aspOpen ↗ 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.

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bettybowers.commelgibsonpassion.htmlOpen ↗

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Cgi-Bin
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:
avanti.co.nzbikes detail.aspOpen ↗ 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 the geometry, but will mean changing your shifters and brake levers, and the 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 entry level roadie. You can put 25mm tyres (not much narrower than 28). If you get a triple version, and change the rear cogs to 12-27, you will have the speed on demand, you'll have the closely-stepped gearing, and the 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.....

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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!