leader bikes

dave said:

i am looking to get my first road bike and have been tempted by the
780 leader bikes being sold on ebay, because they seem like a great
deal for the components. the bikes seem to have gotten good reviews,
but i am a bit wary of buying from a lesser known company. how does
the quality and durability compare to other name brand bikes?

http://www.roadbikereview.com/PRD_133407_2493crx.aspx#reviews

One guy had problems with paint chipping---geez, if that's the biggest
complaint, then sounds like a nice ride.

😄

Quoted message said:

i am looking to get my first road bike and have been tempted by the
780 leader bikes being sold on ebay, because they seem like a great
deal for the components. the bikes seem to have gotten good reviews,
but i am a bit wary of buying from a lesser known company. how does
the quality and durability compare to other name brand bikes?

So much of the "road bike experience" is dictated by proper fit that I'd be
hesitant to buy a bike off eBay as your first one. If you buy from a decent
local shop, there's a lot that comes with the bike beyond a frame with parts
slapped onto it. A good shop is not only going to take the time to get you
properly fit initially, but down the road as well. They'll stand behind
more than just the warranty; our attitude is that there are certain
expectations we have for product we sell, so if something fails that
shouldn't have, we'll find a way to get it taken care of. Many other shops
will be the same way.

The most expensive bike you can buy is the one that spends all its time
sitting in the garage, because it doesn't quite fit right, isn't much fun to
ride, or something doesn't work the way it ought to. Those are all things
that a good local bike shop takes care of. The best buy on a bike is the
one that you want to ride every chance you get, even if that means spending
a bit more money, or getting something with different components.

--Mike--
Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReaction.com

[email hidden] (dave) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

i am looking to get my first road bike and have been tempted by the
780 leader bikes being sold on ebay, because they seem like a great
deal for the components. the bikes seem to have gotten good reviews,
but i am a bit wary of buying from a lesser known company. how does
the quality and durability compare to other name brand bikes?

I bought a Leader aluminum frame from them for $99 in Christmas of
2002. I have put in about 2K miles on it and am very pleased with it.
It replaced a carbon frame that was my favorite bike. I wasn't
expecting much from my $99 frame but I have no complaints.

Speaking only from my own experience,
Tom