Flat Bar Road Bikes

Richard Lindner <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I am about to buy a new flat bar road bike - have narrowed down my list
to 2 possibilities at present - a Giant CRX 1 which is selling for about
$1500, or a Marin Mill Valley with the Tiagra rear derailleur swapped
for a 105 which is about $1350. They are similarly equipped, and feel
more-or-less the same weight so far as I can tell. Cost differences
aside, does anyone have any thoughts regarding the better choice between
these 2 options?

Thanks,

Richard

I tested a Mill Valley - it had horrendous fork flex, so I went and
got a Speciallized Sport A1 (a few years ago)instead, for less, and it
came with touring lugs... However it now languishes in the shed as my
Single Speed conversion has got number 1 upright spot in the stable
now..

Check out the specialized range if you havn't already.

Tom

Tom Nicholson said:

Richard Lindner <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I am about to buy a new flat bar road bike - have narrowed down my list
to 2 possibilities at present - a Giant CRX 1 which is selling for about
$1500, or a Marin Mill Valley with the Tiagra rear derailleur swapped
for a 105 which is about $1350. They are similarly equipped, and feel
more-or-less the same weight so far as I can tell. Cost differences
aside, does anyone have any thoughts regarding the better choice between
these 2 options?

Thanks,

Richard

I tested a Mill Valley - it had horrendous fork flex, so I went and
got a Speciallized Sport A1 (a few years ago)instead, for less, and it
came with touring lugs... However it now languishes in the shed as my
Single Speed conversion has got number 1 upright spot in the stable
now..

Check out the specialized range if you havn't already.

Tom

Thanks for the note Tom - have looked at the Specialized and they're a
well kitted out machine - but methinks (hopes?!) the Marin bike you
tested may be somewhat different from the current incarnation if it was
a few years ago - the Mill Valley used to use aluminium forks which I
understand were as you describe, but now uses carbon forks instead. Do
you remember which the bike you tested had? I didn't note any outrageous
fork flexing during my (limited) test ride of it.

Do hope it was the earlier version, cos I've put money down on the Marin
now - pick it up tomorrow!

Thanks again,

RL

Richard Lindner <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Thanks for the note Tom - have looked at the Specialized and they're a
well kitted out machine - but methinks (hopes?!) the Marin bike you
tested may be somewhat different from the current incarnation if it was
a few years ago - the Mill Valley used to use aluminium forks which I
understand were as you describe, but now uses carbon forks instead. Do
you remember which the bike you tested had? I didn't note any outrageous
fork flexing during my (limited) test ride of it.

Do hope it was the earlier version, cos I've put money down on the Marin
now - pick it up tomorrow!

Thanks again,

RL

Yeah it had alloy forks. Deffinitely not carbon...

Good luck with the Mill Valley.

Tom