Road Cycling - Help....Is a Mercier Serpens a good bike?

Total Newbie here but a long time lurker.... I've been looking on E-bay and found this bike from someone called "Sporty Mama". It is a full Ultegra with Ritchey Wheelset, Fork, Seatpost, Bars for $1100. Is this a scam? I'm ready to buy my first road bike and I don't have $1100 to throw away!!!

It's another one of the bikesdirect brands. Look through the forum and you'll know why I won't say any more.

If you're a long-time lurker, you'd know the answer.

Anyone on THIS thread have some good pie?

If you're a long-time lurker, you'd know the answer.

Is Sporty Mama and Bikes Direct the same place? If they are, I didn't pick up on that. I just looked on the Bikes DIrect Website and they do sell Mercier but were a little higher than Sporty Mama. Has anyone dealt with this lady? She has great reviews on e-bay.

She just happens to sell all the bikes you can buy at bikesdirect, which aren't available anywhere else. Not a coincidence.

I guess that I should consider letting a Local Bike Shop go completely through the bike when I get it and check everthing then Huh? Does anyone know where I can get a deal this good at a Bike Shop? I'd rather ride the bike first but I checked the geometry and it is almost exactly the same as a Trek 1500 I was looking at for about the same price. The components are much bettter on the e-bay bike though.

My new question is: If the geometry is the same and the materials of construction are the same, wouldn't the two bikes ride similarly?

Treks cost more because their company uses advertising methods other than shills on bikeforums.

Just stop. It's getting ridiculous.

I suppose I know what you guys may think but I am just asking some honest questions. I really meant to offend no one. I'm obviously missing something here as I don't even know what a "shill" is. I really respect the opinions of people on this forum.

What other brands have impressed you besides the legendary Mercier?

Treks cost more because their company uses advertising methods other than shills on bikeforums.

Just stop. It's getting ridiculous.


Yeah, and they keep taking all the good screen names!

What other brands have impressed you besides the legendary Mercier?

I've ridden a Giant OCR-1 and a Trek 1500 Those are the only two brands my Bike Shop carries. I felt a little Scrunched up on the Giant but the Trek was much better even though there is only a little difference (< 1" wheelbase) between the geometry of the two bikes. Unfortunately I live way out in the sticks and I'd have to go to Atlanta for a decent Bike Shop.

I've ridden a Giant OCR-1 and a Trek 1500 Those are the only two brands my Bike Shop carries. I felt a little Scrunched up on the Giant but the Trek was much better even though there is only a little difference (< 1" wheelbase) between the geometry of the two bikes. Unfortunately I live way out in the sticks and I'd have to go to Atlanta for a decent Bike Shop.


The fact that you think the wheel base is the reason that you felt scrunched up on the OCR-1 tells me that you really should buy from your LBS. What are you going to do when you buy the wrong size from BikesDirect.com because you have no clue about frame geometry?

The Trek felt good and the measurements are really close to the same as the Mercier..... With me being the proverbial "tight wad", I'm always out to get more for less. I just don't want to screw up and blow my money. In the opinion of the experienced bikers here.....Should I maybe just bite the bullet and go for something with 105 and deal with a local bike shop instead?
I really don't know very much about bikes, I just like to ride them. I've been riding a Giant Iguana with slicks the last two years... I finally got permission from the "Commander in Chief" (AKA Wife) to drop around 1K on a Road bike. I really thought that as long as the measurements were the same that the ride should be the same. Why is this not so?

I bought a Mercier TT off of Ebay from Sprty_mama, and it is a solid bike, it's a fixed gear, and the frame is the exact same as an IRO. I think that your Mercier is a cheap frame with Ultegra. You should be alright, but it more likely than not comes stock with strapped-pedals, reflectors and a threaded headset, so the elitists here will most certainly look down on you for not having full carbon fiber.

Maybe this isn't such a good idea....Can someone recommend a good bike shop and an honest sales person in the Atlanta area? I prefer the north side as I live north of Ellijay.

There was this one bike came out recently, barely over 1k, looked very intriguing... anyone remember who makes it? Sorry to be so vague....

Try Free Flite Bicycles on Hwy 5. Ask for Michelle. He'll treat you well. Good luck and don't get discouraged by the remarks of some on here.

It must be model year changeover time!

There was this one bike came out recently, barely over 1k, looked very intriguing... anyone remember who makes it? Sorry to be so vague....

"Do you have that movie that came out last year with that guy?"

---Video store customer in "Clerks"

There was this one bike came out recently, barely over 1k, looked very intriguing... anyone remember who makes it? Sorry to be so vague....


Was it this one?

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/immortal_pro_preorder.htm

To the OP, this might be a better choice, given your spending limit, IF you're willing to go the BikesDirect route.

Anyone on THIS thread have some good pie?

Popcorn? http://www.blueblood.net/boards/images/smilies2/popcorn.gif

Why does bikesDirect hate Specialized? man, it seems like they are jealous or something.

SAD

Cartecay Bicycles is a great shop right in Ellijay. Or you could cruise on over to Dawsonville and see the guys at Northstar Bicycle shop. Both are good local shops and will not steer you wrong. I do most of my business with Northstar and they have fantastic service and prices.

Pb

Cartecay Bicycles is a great shop right in Ellijay. Or you could cruise on over to Dawsonville and see the guys at Northstar Bicycle shop. Both are good local shops and will not steer you wrong. I do most of my business with Northstar and they have fantastic service and prices.

Pb

Thanks....... I'm sure the OP got on here with a legitimate set of questions and ended up the object of a "witch hunt".