Road Cycling - Need some advice!

I am new into riding and I am going to purchase a entry level bike!

Heres the question, should I now go ahead and get a $500 bike with sora shifters or go ahead and pay a few hundred more and get campy mirage!

This is an entirely subjective arguement, but you asked for it so here goes. IMHO, since cycling is an activity that provides so many positive returns to you, fitness, pleasure, transportation, etc..., you should spend as much as you can afford to spend on it to get the most out of your enjoyment/experience. In other words, it's money well spent. Always spend more when buying things that are good for you and spend less when buying things that are bad for you.

I say go for the Campagnolo equipped bike, providing it is a good product overall. Having used Sora, I can predict that you will not regret this.

Ok one more campy mirage or 105's. The bikes I am looking at are the mercier corvus with shimamo 105 and the Mercier Aquila Euro with Campy mirage !

Heres the first one!

Steel is the best material for the classic road bike and Mercier knows this. Mercier builds the Corvus main frame from Reynolds 520 double butted Tubes. A properly designed 520 bike will have all of steel's great qualities, steel's ride and resilience and elegant appearance. This double-butted tubeset is actually very close in weight to aluminum. Most veteran cyclists that know will tell you, steel is one of the most comfortable bikes you can ride.

The Corvus will go anywhere and do just about anything a road rider could want. The Corvus is great for those in hilly country, new riders or long distance events. The bike is a dream to ride with that triple providing a go-anywhere gear range and a Reynolds 520 steel frame and Carbon Fork cushioning the ride. Race quality Shimano 105 derailleurs, 105 Triple STI shifters and Top-Rated Reynolds Ouzo Carbon Fiber forks and Aero competition wheels.

Here is the second one!


The Mercier Aquila Euro boasts the superior ride of a finely handmade Reynolds 520DB Chromoly frame coupled with the smooth riding Reynolds Ouzo Comp carbon fiber fork, and excellent Campagnolo Mirage components. Campagnolo also known as "Campy" to experienced cyclists is thought by many to be THE best road bicycle component company in the world. We have a very limited number of these available - compare to other Campagnolo Mirage bikes


Thanks again!

Gota rate the 520 below the 631 and 853.

No comment on your listed choices as I am not familiar with what kind of dealer service you will get with them and for someone who is new to the sport, service will be very important. I have Reynolds 520 tubing in a frame I ride; 631 and 853 are better tube sets, but 520 is just fine in an entry level bicycle.

FWIW, check out the Bianchi Eros; Steel frame, Bianchi tubing, Campagnolo Veloce/Mirage components. Very, Very nice. ~1000.00.

Really dealer service shouldnt come into play.

Originally posted by shokhead
Really dealer service shouldnt come into play.

One would hope that all dealers would provide the same level of quality service. I made that statement because I think Mercier bicycles,(not 100% sure, but I think), are only available mailorder. If that is the case, service will come into play-it will cost the customer. FWIW:)