Road Cycling - mercier corvas opinions (first road bike)

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.



PDA
newbee
03-18-04, 07:56 PM
I'm looking ot buy my first road bike. Bikes direct.com is selling a Mercier Corvus aluminum and carbon, shimano 105's for $695. Any thoughts on a the deal, or on Mercier in general? I notice that Mercier doesn't come up a lot for ownership. Is it difficult to get parts for French bikes?
Thanks

phat bahsturd
03-18-04, 11:26 PM
Hi,

When i first wanted to get a road bike, i didn't know very much about them. I went to bikesdirect too, cause i saw the prices were great. Well if i remember correctly, the motobecanes, the merciers, and some of the other stuff on that site are all made in Taiwan. They're not really french anymore, other than the names. That's not to say they're bad bikes, but if i were you, i'd look for a entry level bianchi or giant. Or maybe a used bike.
K6-III
03-19-04, 12:38 AM
I'd suggest visiting your LBS and trying out some bikes...

Ebbtide
03-19-04, 07:23 AM
As your first road bike I'd go to an LBS and get fitted, ask questions, and buy a "low end" name brand (Trek Specialized, Giant etc) in your price range.

Shop around though, not all bikes stores are created equal.
Toothpick
03-19-04, 08:03 AM
what k6-III and Ehenz said. I think it's sound advice.
jkoman
03-19-04, 08:23 AM
If you are a beginner and you go to a good bike shop you will get $300-$500 of good advice for the extra $100-$150 more you MAY pay for the bike. Plus you'll support a local business. That sounds like a good deal all around to me.
Gary B
03-20-04, 10:32 PM
I bought the Mercier Serpens which is one step up from the one you are looking at, I like it very much. Quite a deal for the price, They are not french any more the frame is made in taiwan where a lot of them are made for alot of major companys today, mine is reynolds 853 steel, as for the rest mine is all ultegra and Ritchey with the Reynolds carbon fork Very good quality stuff. If you go to Mercier web site you can get the spec's to see if the bike will fit you. I am happy with mine. good luck looking, I got mine on ebay from sportymama, but I think they all come out of the same warehouse in Texas.