help me make a choice

"Glenn Civello" wrote (clip)The Kentwood has a cromo frame, which I prefer
to aluminum, but the components are not as good as those of the other two
bikes.(clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^
For me, that eliminates the Kentwood. Economy components work when they are
new, but higher quality will pay off in the long run. I like aluminum for
its lightness. There have been aluminum frame failures in very hard use,
but you are talking about paved trails, so I wouldn't worry about that at
all.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
(clip) I like the upright-riding position and comfort of the Ventura.(clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^
Therefore, that would be my choice. (And, it's $100 less--a no-brainer for
me.)

Quoted message said:

(clip) I like the upright-riding position and comfort of
the Ventura.(clip) ^^

^^^^^^^^^

Quoted message said:

Therefore, that would be my choice. (And, it's $100
less--a no-brainer for me.)

Agreed - given the sigificant amount of time you will spend on
your bike, I would certainly go for what feels most
comfortable to you.

Best,

Alan

(remove the x's in the email address)

Hello Leo... Regarding the Ventura... comfortable upright positon YES... but
it's a 2003 (the others are 2004's) and it's a bit heavy for an aluminum
bike, even though it doesn't have suspension forks... don't know why that is
(in fact it's as heavy as the cromo Marin Kentwood. Strange. Also the
color combination looks sorta of cheap and the big lettered logo
(DIAMONDBACK ) located on the side of the bottom tube doesn't help... looks
kinda of like a department store bike.... but, again, it rides nice and has
fairly decent components. Anyway, thanks. I asked for opinions and your
explanation is most logical. I'll not "dismiss" the bike by any means.
I'll be returning to the shop tomorrow (with cash in pocket!) and give all
3 bikes another look-over.... just this "once-more." I've doing the
bike-search- thing since the beginning of the year. It's time I bought a
bike!

"Leo Lichtman" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Glenn Civello" wrote (clip)The Kentwood has a cromo frame, which I

prefer

Quoted message said:

to aluminum, but the components are not as good as those of the other two
bikes.(clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^
For me, that eliminates the Kentwood. Economy components work when they

are

Quoted message said:

new, but higher quality will pay off in the long run. I like aluminum for
its lightness. There have been aluminum frame failures in very hard use,
but you are talking about paved trails, so I wouldn't worry about that at
all.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
(clip) I like the upright-riding position and comfort of the

Ventura.(clip)

Quoted message said:

^^^^^^^^^^^
Therefore, that would be my choice. (And, it's $100 less--a no-brainer

for

Quoted message said:

me.)

Glenn Civello said:

Which one
would YOU select? Never mind what I like (I'm not sure what I want right
now but hope that some opinions, and maybe a bit of discussion well help
clarify things for me. Tell me which one YOU would select and the reason
for that selection. The Fairfax is about $100 more than the other two,
which are about the same price. The bikes can be seen at the following
URL's:

http://tinyurl.com/2pt9e

http://tinyurl.com/32x64

http://tinyurl.com/2ow6f

Thanks!
Glenn

I'd go for the Fairfax. Maybe swap out the stem for a bit higher
handlebar. The upright posture of the other two may look nice and feel
good on a spin around the block, but after an hour on the bike my butt
would be killing me and I'd be exhausted from that inefficient riding
position. Leaning forward a bit is much easier for more than 5 miles
or so. Being able to move my balance is easier on a bike like the
Fairfax, and I end up leaning forward and sitting upright on and off
over a 10 mile or more ride.

And the Fairfax components are better than the Kentfield.

Try to do a longer ride on the bikes.

And Kentfield is a fake town, one of those suburban non-places while
Fairfax is a real town, albeit still suburban 🙂

Well, you asked. Then again, if I found the Fairfax uncomfortable and
the Ventura comfortable and I could see myself riding the Ventura
while the Fairfax would look cool but sit in the garage, I'd tell
someone like me to be quiet and go buy the bike that I enjoyed riding
because that's what it is all about.

Go back to the store, do some more test rides, make a decision and get
out there riding! Any of these bikes is better than no bike.

Glenn Civello said:

http://tinyurl.com/2ow6f

Get this one. Red is known to be faster. I saw it written in a NG once.

Tom