Opinion on possible bike purchase

spurscormac

Hey folks,

Another thread asking for opinion/recommendations.
Called into my LBS and he has this available @ €480 - took me a while to find it online :-)
http://www.sprintmaxcom.com/e-shop/index.php?step=module_action&modname=pricelist&modaction=details&product=469&product_cat=112&lang=2

Main things is he has it in my size, which would be small, as I'm just 5'6.
Haven't even decided if I'm buying a road bike or not yet, just weighing up the options, and €500 would definitely be an upper limit.

He also has the 2007 Giant SCR4 @ €500.
Anyway, I've read the advice on here for a while, quite a number of people tending towards the BeOne bikes on CRC - does that look a better buy than this?

Obviously I'd be trading price for aftercare service, and if I decide to purchase I'll go to the other LBS around town to see what they have on offer.

I wouldn't want a hybrid, if buying it would be a road bike for fitness and comfort over a longer distance as I build up my speed and stamina.

advice and comments on above bike appreciated.

blorg

They look like reasonable bikes for the price. The WH-R500 wheels would be good value to get on that Bulgarian yoke for €480. I have a front one on my commuter. With the Giant you will get a bigger brand name but slightly worse components (Sora is a step above 2200.) I think I would probably go with the Sprintmax one, especially if you have the shop backing it up. But try both out, see which fits best and get that. The Giants are good looking bikes too.

You would have to part-assemble and tweak a bike from CRC yourself so unless you are happy doing that I would not go down that route. The comparable model would be the BeOne Briza 1.0 2007 with Sora at £320 = €400, TBH I would spend the extra €80 to get it from a bike shop. Especially if this is your first road bike, I would not buy online.

Also- make sure you are happy with whatever gearing you choose, you may want a compact or triple rather than a standard road double (you probably will.)

spurscormac

Thanks Blorg.
Yeah I suppose the backup of a shop is worth the little bit extra, especially when starting out and not being fully sure of how to setup the bike.

Things like Sora being better than 2200, is useful stuff for noobies like me to know when trying to compare bikes - it'll help me differentiate between the options.

Am going to look around over the next few weeks & see what else is out there.
Then make a decision on whether to purchase or not, or just throw slick wheels on the MTB for the fitness spins :-)

erizo

It looks cool to me. They seem to have a big range of affordable bikes!

spurscormac

Had look round a couple of other Galway shops yesterday.

Further options are

Raleigh Airlite 100 - couldn't believe oldschool downtube shifters still exist!!!
Cost: €400
http://www.raleigh.co.uk/bikedetails.aspx?ID=5449

Merida 880-16 or 880-24, not sure which, its not due in until next week
Cost: €550
Either of these, seems to be same bike just a triple crankset.
http://www2.merida-bikes.com/en_INT/Bikes.Detail.128
http://www2.merida-bikes.com/en_INT/Bikes.Detail.127

Viking Torino - unsure what size, bike shop guy was out when I called, so a guy from the lawnmower place next door who knew a little, showed me what there was but advised me to come back again for better advice from the usual guy.
Cost: €500
http://www.mailordercycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b41s6p5857&z=6420

So from what I see, the Viking & Merida look to be a similar level to the Spritnmax one, just a bit more expensive.
Also, when in Kearney's, he also had a couple of Viking's but mentioned that there frame sizing is a bit larger & probably not suited to me, so a little bit unsure on that one. Could have just been that he didn't have it in my size though.

Finally, there was also a 2nd hand Barracuda @ €500, only been ridden a few times I was told. I don't know the model so its making it difficult to find it online - anyone got any thoughts on this brand?