Any bicyclists? New cycle time I think.

[Ninja Geoff]

Well, I used to ride quite a bit when I lived in minneapolis area, about 120 miles a week or more. But that was a year ago and I want a bike again now that I live in florida and can ride year round. I was thinking one of these these:
Sram apex $600
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/gra ... erty_x.htm
Sram rival with better rims $750
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/gravity/comp_x.htm
Shimano tiagra/sora with better wheelset $600
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/mot ... cord_x.htm

Any thoughts? I'm okay with the lack of a third crank ring on the first two, not needed in florida. The place is flat where I live.

[sapaul]

Ya, tell you what I think

get one with an engine, you biscuit

[Grey Thumper]

Do you have a drivetrain preference? I prefer SRAM's DoubleTap to Shimano's STI, and triple chainrings look a bit wussy (especially if, as you said, you don't need the 3rd ring in Fla), so that would take out the Motobecane. Although personally, I like the traditional look of a horizontal top tube.

[Ninja Geoff]

Ya, tell you what I think

get one with an engine, you biscuit

That's on the list... I have some other big decisions I need to deal with first. Life and all that jazz.

Do you have a drivetrain preference? I prefer SRAM's DoubleTap to Shimano's STI, and triple chainrings look a bit wussy (especially if, as you said, you don't need the 3rd ring in Fla), so that would take out the Motobecane. Although personally, I like the traditional look of a horizontal top tube.

I seem to read on the internet that people tend to prefer the double tap, though I've tried neither. I'm more of a deore xt trigger kind of guy (have a trek fuel 98 that I currently ride/neglect). I like the flat top look, too, though I think I'm going to prefer the relaxed geometry of one of the gravity bikes.

[blues2cruise]

Better rims. Probably lighter weight but stronger....and less likely to become untrued....

[storysunfolding]

I'd steer clear of bikes direct. I've known a good dozen guys that bought from them and none of the bikes came in right. I'm pretty sure the parts on these bikes are factory rejects. There's no other way he could offer these prices.

Two of the guys in my tri club picked up a kestrel tri bike because they enjoyed mine from bikes direct. We all have our own stands, tools and expertise so putting together a bike is not generally an issue. One came with stripped threads, sent it back and got another one with a broken stay weld. Third one finally came in "right". However, no one in our group or the two shops he dropped it off at could get the drive line adjusted right and have it stay for just one ride (small 20 miler). The second one didn't fair much better.

I'd stick with a local bike shop. While it'll cost a little more, a good shop will throw in a helmet, set the bike up right and give you a lifetime of adjustments (often while you wait).

Whatever bike you get- don't go below 105 or Rival in components. I like SRAM a little better on their components, but I can't complain about my Ultegra with bar end shifters.

Also- for the record- granny rings are for sissies

[ceemes]

Ya, tell you what I think

get one with an engine, you biscuit

[blues2cruise]

Also- for the record- granny rings are for sissies

Where I live granny rings are a necessity.

[storysunfolding]

Sorry blues- excuses don't count

[dr_bar]

Also- for the record- granny rings are for sissies

Where I live granny rings are a necessity.

You're not even a granny , at least not that I know of... LOL

[Ninja Geoff]

Well, I ended up getting the SRAM Rival equipped bike from bikes direct. They had a last minute sale for $650. It came in the mail today and I put it together.

Holy monkey "poo poo" balls, this thing is fast. I tried to be clever and put my trek's seat post on it (it weighs less) but it didn't fit. I also over filled the rear tube with out thinking and blew it out. There's a shitty wal mart tube in there for now (the stem barely sticks out of the rim, lol) until it blows or i'm unlazy enough to make the 20 minute drive to the nearest LBS. It shifts great out of the box, and I'm starting to really like the double tap system. That up shift on the crank is HUGE, though I'm spoiled by the Deore XT triggers on my MTB. And the brakes, despite being cheap tektros and not SRAM, haul this thing to a stop like its nothing. I ordered a size slightly too large for myself on purpose (I have a long torso/short legs for my height) and its amazingly comfortable reach wise; the front axle is exactly under the bars with I'm in the drops. The only thing I have to be careful about is nutting myself when I come to a stop and flat foot it. I'm debating moving the stem down on the tube, which is funny because I originally thought I'd be flipping the stem so the bars were higher. It turns out I like the monkey "procreating" a football ergonomics (then again, I DO find CBR1000RR's comfortable). All in all I'm happy with the purchase and will probably use bikes direct again in the future if I ever buy another bike.

Also- for the record- granny rings are for sissies

Where I live granny rings are a necessity.

Going to the lowest gear on the bike is actually pretty close to a 1 to 1 gear ratio (34 front, 32 rear), making it shorter than most triple crank equipped road bikes (think 30 front, 24-28 rear). So its kind of a hidden granny ring.