Road Cycling - Beginner Roadie: Ebay or LBS? What would you do.

Hi.
I'm about to get my first road bike just for a year or so in the city before I move out and get a nice carbon frame with durace. After looking around with my <$700 budget, I've narrowed it down to a few choices.
I can get a tommaso capri with sora components for $400 online. Performance also has a Tirreno Razza 4 with a tiagra set for $650.
I can go on ebay and get something with slighter higher deore, tiagra or 105.
Or I can go to my LBS and the base specialized allez is $600 with sora components.
A lot of people say sora shifts horribly and requires constant adjustment. What should I do?

First of all, you are looking at the wrong type bike, You should be looking at BIANCHI.... :D
If I was in the situation as you, I would go on ebay and find a much better bike (like Bianchi) for a lesser price.
Granted you wont have the LBS warrenty or support with out paying $$$.
But I have purchased numerous bikes from ebay and all have been in perfect condition and I have had no need for warrenty work. Yes I do take my bikes into the LBS for tune ups or any needs that may arrise, but as far as ebay goes I am always looking for a good Bianchi at a much lower price.
The sora is a good starter groupo. I purchased a bike with sora for my son and have had no problems what so ever. Good luck in whatever you choose.

If this is your first experience with road bikes, then I would definately recommend going to a LBS where you can try out different brands of bikes to see which fits better. Just because you're only looking to spend X number of dollars now before getting a more expensive ride later does not mean that the current bike shouldn't fit properly.

As far as Sora goes, it will shift and perform fine. It may not shift and perform as fine later on down the road several years from now as a higher end group though but as your first sentence indicated, that may not be a factour. The one big thing you will have to decide upon is whether you will be happy with having both thumb and finger shifting or do you prefer strictly finger shifting. The Sora shifters have thumb-actuated levers in place of the small lever found on the higher end Shimano shifters. The big lever is operated in the same fashion however in that you move the entire brake lever. Campy groups also have a similar arrangement although their main lever is a seperate one placed where the Shimano's higher end groups place their small lever and so moves independent of the brake lever. I like the Campy arrangement but am quite fine with the layout of my Dura-Ace shifters. That said, I did find the Sora thumb levers to be ill-placed for my hands and could not shift from the drops. This may or may not be a problem for you but does require you to try out the bike to be sure. And this underscores the suggestion to use an LBS rather than eBay. Another thing that may or may not be important to you is that Sora is limited to 8-speed. I'm not sure how tight or wide a cluster you want but again, test riding the bike in various terrain should give you a bit of an idea if it is lacking in that area. Once again... another point for going the LBS route.

Hi.
I'm about to get my first road bike just for a year or so in the city before I move out and get a nice carbon frame with durace. After looking around with my <$700 budget, I've narrowed it down to a few choices.
I can get a tommaso capri with sora components for $400 online. Performance also has a Tirreno Razza 4 with a tiagra set for $650.
I can go on ebay and get something with slighter higher deore, tiagra or 105.
Or I can go to my LBS and the base specialized allez is $600 with sora components.
A lot of people say sora shifts horribly and requires constant adjustment. What should I do?

The two most important considerations are fit and budget. Fit affects your comfort and performance every single minute that you are on the bike. Nothing else has that great of an affect so that's obviously the most important thing. Budget drives everything else - brand, frame material, components, accessories, everything.

The nice thing about buying a bike from an averagely competant LBS is that they will help you to determine what size you need and help fit the bike to you. If you buy from a private party, there's usually only one bike so it's take it or leave it on size.

It sounds to me like you have pretty limited experience. If that's the case, I'd recommend that you buy this first bike from an LBS for the reasons indicated above. I wouldn't worry about buying a Sora equipped bike either. 1. Sora isn't as bad as the gear freaks will lead you to believe. 2. Even if it was, you spend way less than 1% of your riding time shifting. Size, on the other hand, is every minute you are on the bike. 3. You're only planning to use this as your main bike for a year. I'd take this opportunity to learn about what you need size-wise.

First of all, you are looking at the wrong type bike, You should be looking at BIANCHI.... :D
If I was in the situation as you, I would go on ebay and find a much better bike (like Bianchi) for a lesser price.
Granted you wont have the LBS warrenty or support with out paying $$$.
But I have purchased numerous bikes from ebay and all have been in perfect condition and I have had no need for warrenty work. Yes I do take my bikes into the LBS for tune ups or any needs that may arrise, but as far as ebay goes I am always looking for a good Bianchi at a much lower price.
The sora is a good starter groupo. I purchased a bike with sora for my son and have had no problems what so ever. Good luck in whatever you choose.
I am not saying go and buy just any bike. Of course go to your LBS and test ride, make sure you get the proper size.
But I definately wouldnt go and spend $600 for a new bike at my LBS when I can get a much better bike that retails for $800 - $1000 for a lot less $$$ on ebay.
You can definately find the size you need and in most cases find the type you want on ebay for a lot less.
Why drop a bundle $$ at your LBS if you arent even sure you will be riding this time next year..

I definitely say LBS
yeah, you may get more bang for your buck on e-bay
but it's been said already;
the guys at a good LBS are going to help you fit into the right bike.
at a good LBS, the months after buying the bike, they'll help you hone in on exactly the right feel.
they'll help you get outfitted with any part changes (saddle, stem, etc.) and gear you may need.
I just bought a bike in dec.
it took about a month and a half and several trips to the bike shop to get everything just right (like the 'break in' tune up and a stem change).
it was nice to have their expertise and support

Get your bike from a LBS you can buy the parts you want to upgrade later online but get the bike from a LBS. Easier to get warranty work if needed plus you have a receipt. I know! You can try the bike out and check for fit. Plus if you have a couple different LBS in your area try them all to see what pricing they offer you might swing a deal if you ask.

Thanks for all the advice! The LBS does have a price matching feature and they're very friendly, free tune ups for life too.

As bianchi_rider points out, I could get one off ebay now, then when I'm ready to really drop some serious cash on it, go to the LBS for it? Or should I then go online when I'm ready to spend more $$ since by that time I'd know what I need?

Any recommendations for a good value ~6-700 roadie?

Thanks for all the advice! The LBS does have a price matching feature and they're very friendly, free tune ups for life too.

As bianchi_rider points out, I could get one off ebay now, then when I'm ready to really drop some serious cash on it, go to the LBS for it? Or should I then go online when I'm ready to spend more $$ since by that time I'd know what I need?

Any recommendations for a good value ~6-700 roadie?

Get this bike from Getawaybikes.com

link here (http://www.getawaybikes.com/Detail.cfm?Categoryid=33&BrandID=9&ProductID=935&CFID=3678282&CFTOKEN=14222185)

Set aside ~$50 to be fit by your LBS.

They are a pleasure to deal with and have bent over backward to help me fit my bike, from 1000 miles away. I swaped out for a larger handlbar at the time of purchase and most recently swaped out for a shorter stem. Great people to work with (no, I'm not being paid for this endorsement). Haggle for price on that bike. Get them to throw in shipping and a pro-tune. Good luck!

-mark

Thanks for all the advice! The LBS does have a price matching feature and they're very friendly, free tune ups for life too.

As bianchi_rider points out, I could get one off ebay now, then when I'm ready to really drop some serious cash on it, go to the LBS for it? Or should I then go online when I'm ready to spend more $$ since by that time I'd know what I need?

Any recommendations for a good value ~6-700 roadie?

Your could get both bikes at your LBS.....much easier to get a bike from a face to face interaction and to be able to touch and test the fit of the bike before you get one...online is very benign...you never know what you going to get....you could get screwed....I'd check the LBS, and use that as your resourse.

BTW...I have a Trek 1000 that I got for 600, with sora and i have no problems....its a nice starter.....Good luck

Get this bike from Getawaybikes.com

link here (http://www.getawaybikes.com/Detail.cfm?Categoryid=33&BrandID=9&ProductID=935&CFID=3678282&CFTOKEN=14222185)

Set aside ~$50 to be fit by your LBS.

They are a pleasure to deal with and have bent over backward to help me fit my bike, from 1000 miles away. I swaped out for a larger handlbar at the time of purchase and most recently swaped out for a shorter stem. Great people to work with (no, I'm not being paid for this endorsement). Haggle for price on that bike. Get them to throw in shipping and a pro-tune. Good luck!

-mark
Your LBS does have its pos points, but if it was me I would get a great bike for less money until I was absolutely sure this is what i really wanted to do.
Tune ups arent expensive and a good used bike from ebay would give you more for the buck $$$ Then in a year or two you when you decide this is what you really want then you could upgrade at your LBS.
The guys at the LBS are concerned about one thing and thats their pay check (read forums about LBS, I have seen a bunch where riders werent happy because of add ons and such, thus the pay check is all that is in interest). Beleive me my opinion is to get one off of ebay, chances are someone got the bike new at their LBS and spent a lot of $$$ on it and decided it wasnt for them, thats why they are getting rid of it. But then again, my opinion is just that, an opinion like every one elses.
I got my first road bike (bianchi) at the LBS and wish i would have gotten a used one first, only due to the fact after I got married to my first wife I wasnt able to ride and the bike sat there for years, I lost a lot of money on it, situations vary, people lose interest, or spouses, or jobs etc... anyways good luck and remember one word "BIANCHI" :D

I'd also vote for the LBS. Learn from them, and your first ride, so you know from experience what "more" is if you buy Ebay later on.

Another option is Novara bikes from REI for an inexpensive road bike. Year-end models can have significant mark-downs, and the components can sometimes be a full level above comparable bikes. I picked up a pair of Randonnes many years ago with full LX drive trains that held up wonderfully, and they were about $550 year end.

Still, don't buy a bike for the components-- make certain the test ride is the winning issue. The frame and fit is what's important in both the short and long run, and if you don't really know the "Ebay" bike already, it'll be a guess.

Around the same time I got my mtb, I fitted myself on full and compact road frames at 2 bike shops so I have some idea of what my sizing and fit is. I looked some bikes over and here's what I've found:

Tommaso Capri: $379
-Al frame w/cromoly fork
-Sora/Sora Front/Sora Rear
-8 Speed

Iron Horse Triumph: $412
-Al frame w/carbon fork
-Sora/Sora Front/Sora Rear
-8 Speed

Specialized Allez: $620
-Al frame w/ carbon fork
-Sora/Sora Front/Tiagra Rear
-8 Speed

Giant OCR3: $650
-Al frame w/ carbon fork
-Sora/Sora Front/Sora Rear
-8 Speed

Tommaso ACF1: $700
-Al frame w/carbon seat stay & fork
-105/105 Front/105 Rear
-9 Speed

Any ideas on those choices?

Thinking ahead to a possible resell, the Specialized or Giant might be easier to move. The 105 on the Tommaso would be nice, but again it's more about how the bikes feel when you test ride them. Also, different frames are designed for different purposes, and matching the frame to your needs is a big deal. Variations in top tube length alone could make you happy or sad in the long run. Visiting several LBSs and asking for recommendations and doing test rides should help on this score.

Also, it's interesting that they're all Al frames. Some people prefere AL over Steel, and others the opposite. Test riding a steel frame or two for comparision could be a good idea.

Lots of oppinions!!

Heres Mine -

Go with the LBS for your first bike! FIT is essential if you are going to ride at all!

You will hate yourself everytime you ride if you come back in pain!!

Once you know what size & geomitry you like (and likes you) you can always research stuff and find it on the web. The other consideration is that unless YOU know how to assemble a bike you will have to take it to someone to get it set up! They will charge you for this if you didn't get it there. Also, all the little fit adjustments will all be on you to figure out and do. Nothing beats being FITTED for a bike so it FITS YOU!!

Just my opinion...Bill

Though buying online does sound tempting, I'm literally getting a bike in a whole other class for the same price, I think getting fitted along with the service for a first timer would be worth it. However, in both shops that I've been in, I asked them "next time I need to adjust my deraillers, what can I do at home? What do these adjustment screws do?" they both said a) they didn't know and b) if there's a problem, it's best just to bring it in so their mechanics can take care of it.

They have real nice service here though so I'd hate to stiff them out of a sale.
Overall, would I save more money in the future when I'm getting a new bike that's more expensive compared to the one I'm getting now? Saving $200 off a $600 bike on ebay is one thing, saving $1000 off a $3000 bike's another. In other words, would it make more sense to buy my beginner bike at the LBS then later on get something with durace on sale online? Or would there be some kind of guilt in not going to the LBS for that one either :)

Though buying online does sound tempting, I'm literally getting a bike in a whole other class for the same price, I think getting fitted along with the service for a first timer would be worth it. However, in both shops that I've been in, I asked them "next time I need to adjust my deraillers, what can I do at home? What do these adjustment screws do?" they both said a) they didn't know and b) if there's a problem, it's best just to bring it in so their mechanics can take care of it.

They have real nice service here though so I'd hate to stiff them out of a sale.
Overall, would I save more money in the future when I'm getting a new bike that's more expensive compared to the one I'm getting now? Saving $200 off a $600 bike on ebay is one thing, saving $1000 off a $3000 bike's another. In other words, would it make more sense to buy my beginner bike at the LBS then later on get something with durace on sale online? Or would there be some kind of guilt in not going to the LBS for that one either :)

Unless you're abusing the hospitality at your LBS, then I think guilt has NOTHING to do with it. They've won your loyalty already. Use them for fitting, adjustments, tune-ups and spare parts, but buy online.

-mark

Buy from eBay!

Though not exact, figure out your size using one of the good on-line fit calculators. Test ride friend's bikes to get a feel for the best size for you. Buy the best bike within your budget on eBay. Then fine tune the fitment as you spend time on the bike buying your components from your LBS.

In the end, you'll gain lots of bike sizing knowledge and experience so that when you spring for your dream bike, you'll know exactly what your are doing. Plus, you'll be able to buy one or two grades higher on eBay because of the cost savings.

Just my $0.02.

--Twofer

My vote is the LBS just for the warranty protection. I've been screwed more times on eBay that I care to recall.

We'll all regret it when the Internet or Wal-Mart run the LBS's into the dust bin of history.

Whoa... bike companies don't offer warranty for stuff bought online?

We'll all regret it when the Internet or Wal-Mart run the LBS's into the dust bin of history.

IMHO, LBSes (and comic book shops) are one of the last bastions of what was once a community-oriented services industry. Nowadays we all hear about people being nostalgic for that "home town community" but what do they do? They typically frequent big chain shops or buy their stuff online/mail-order/TV. And to be honest, it's not all their fault either. Many shops (including some bikeshops) have become less personal but for the most part, I've come to find that LBSes tend to think about their clientele. They see themselves as providing a much needed and warranted support for their surrounding community. I know my FBS looks out for me. They've become my friends and some of freebies and things they've passed along to me just because I'm loyal to them and they're loyal to me by far surpasses any amount of savings I would have gotten by buying online. By my estimate, I have received an average of around $300 worth of free stuff annually from my FBS and I'm not talking intangible items like advice. I'm talking hard merchandise and services. For instance, I have never had to pay to ride the STP because each time, my FBS has given me a free ticket worth $70. Actually another shop I frequent often offerred to do the same but the first shop got to me first. I am thinking of suggesting my FBS start making up some jerseys with their store logo on them. I'd buy one to ride on the next STP which I believe they already have a ticket reserved for me. Even with the purchase of a jersey, I'd still come out ahead.

I still stand bu what I said in the begining.. Tho one person said they have been stiffed by ebay, I have heard others including myself say the item bought on ebay was awsome. I have never been stiffed and I have bought 4 or more bikes, not to mention all my boxing gear and other things.
I would figure out what kind of bike I want, find a LBS that carries that brand, and test ride, ride the size you need, look up the brand you want on ebay but upgraded and size, Buy the one on ebay for less, have your LBS service and fit the bike for you, you can still keep your loyalty to the LBS by buying the services from them. About warrenty, well depending on the brand you buy, doesnt matter where you buy it, depends on the year of the bike and warrenty on the bike. (tho I have NEVER needed any warrenty work on any of my BIANCHI'S) Even at your LBS you will get a run around on your warrenty, countt on it, you may even be with out your bike for a good long time... But none the less, to each his own, I personally would go ebay, get a better, nicer bike for less money and not have to worry about upgrading for a few years. maybe I have been punched in the head a few to many times according to some of these posts, but I like my money and will save a buck when I can, not to mention all the LBS that i have visited have not impressed me at all, and I have been to quite a few, its all too commercial now a days.

I would figure out what kind of bike I want, find a LBS that carries that brand, and test ride, ride the size you need, look up the brand you want on ebay but upgraded and size, Buy the one on ebay for less, have your LBS service and fit the bike for you, you can still keep your loyalty to the LBS by buying the services from them.

If you do this then please be courteous and honest with your LBS about your intents and don't make them waste their time by giving you service when you don't intend to buy that particular item from them.

I have been in cycling for 3 years. I could not live without my LBS. I am going in there all the time for adjustments. They teach me how to work on my bike. I went in last year and told the guy I wanted to have my husband, who is a non-biker measured so I could buy him a used bike on E-Bay. I explained that I would be willing to pay a "fitting fee". He measured him and told me that he had a bike he was selling. So I made payments to the "wrench" for a 1 year old frame with all new components and lifetime "free adjustments" for about 1/2 the price of new. Many times, the mechanics get their bikes for cost and then want to buy a new one the following year. You could just get lucky like I did.

If you do this then please be courteous and honest with your LBS about your intents and don't make them waste their time by giving you service when you don't intend to buy that particular item from them.
agreed, but assure them that you will be frequenting their shoppe for service and needs , accessories and what not.
but again my point is made, they just care about the pay check and not you, because there is more to a sale than just selling a bike. service goeas far and beyond the sale of a bike, it goes to the point of answering questions with complete honesty, to servicing the bike, to selling you gear, tires, tubes, servicing the bike no matter where you buy it and so on. like I said its too commercial and the guy at the LBS wont remember you next month from a guy who came in yesturday. He wont even remember you when he is cashing that pay check, I know too many guys that work at LBS and car lots and all sorts of other sales, and once you come in complaining they remember you then and run the next time they see you....
again, good luck in your choice.

but again my point is made, they just care about the pay check and not you, because there is more to a sale than just selling a bike. service goeas far and beyond the sale of a bike, it goes to the point of answering questions with complete honesty, to servicing the bike, to selling you gear, tires, tubes, servicing the bike no matter where you buy it and so on. like I said its too commercial and the guy at the LBS wont remember you next month from a guy who came in yesturday. He wont even remember you when he is cashing that pay check, I know too many guys that work at LBS and car lots and all sorts of other sales, and once you come in complaining they remember you then and run the next time they see you....
again, good luck in your choice.

Your experience differs from mine. I regularly frequent one of two stores. One is my FBS which used to be a LBS when I lived closer to them and another is a LBS within a couple of miles from where I currently live. In both stores, they have the attitude that if you buy something from them then they will treat you like a friend and a customer for life. Everytime I walk into each of those shops, they call out my name, ask me how I'm doing, how my family is, what they can do for me, etc.... They cut me deals all the time. They go that extra mile for me. And it's not just me as I've seen them extend the same treatment to other customers. In both shops, I know the owners and they know me. I've ridden with them and their staff on plenty of rides. Perhaps I'm receiving favourable treatment because I live in an area more conducive to cycling. All I know is that I can develop this relationship with a LBS and have it pay off in more ways than one. I cannot accomplish the same thing with an online merchant or through eBay. As far as price goes, they are quite competitive. And I've been able to get every major item through them as I could online.

BTW, my FBS does do a lot of business through their website too and they ship bikes all over the world. I remember walking in the first time and they were packing up a big order for some guy in Norway.

I cannot accomplish the same thing with an online merchant or through eBay. .
And I have several people on ebay that would bend over backwards to help me get any parts I need. In fact I have a friend on ebay at nonstop ciclismo searching for a very hard to find out of stock part for me, he doesnt deal in profile design, but he is going that extra mile to help me out as I have sent him customers that may have bought and may have not bought.
All I know is LBS are not what they used to be, and if you have a shoppe that treats you like a king then good for you. Unfortunately we all dont have the same LBS as you and perhaps the money. But it doesnt matter where you get your bike, or what you look like or what brand bike you have, the LBS should treat all people the same reguardless. But do they? I think not. I take my bikes to two LBS's one doesnt even deal in Bianchi, BUT they work on my bike because they provide a service. The other is a Bianchi dealer, i go to him mostly when seeking Bianchi gear and such. But still I wouldnt buy a bike from either because of the commercialism and prices. I have a friend who owns a shoppe, and I see its who you know, not what you know, my opinion again is LBS is over rated and too commercial. I have said enough. I just hope Beginner Roadie gets a good bike at a good price and doesnt get ripped off by some guy at the LBS who gives him lines about warrenties and this being the best and that one isnt good enough and you need this , but the sales person doesnt even appreciate the bike he is selling because its just a job...

Giant OCR3: $650
-Al frame w/ carbon fork
-Sora/Sora Front/Sora Rear
-8 Speed


Any ideas on those choices?

I think I saw your Giant OCR3 today. I was at a local Performance store, and they had a black one on the floor, marked down from $600 to $510. The frame wasn't bad looking, but I could see how come you might pause on the looks of the Sora gruppo.

I think I saw the Specialized at another shop today as well-- not bad looking, but same components as you noted.

One point: you haven't mentioned where you're located. Someone in your area might be able to recommend a super LBS you haven't visited yet.

Second point: When I bought our first new bikes from a LBS, I bought "the next grade up" for my wife, and a less expensive model for myself (calculated chess move that paid off well in the long run). Her bike was about $150 more than mine. Anyway, one year later, I found that most of my components had pretty much rotted internally, and I had to replace them instead of rebuilding them. This cost a significant sum, including my time to install them (cones, BB, and a headset installed at my LBS). My wife's bike, with similar use, had worn parts but nothing that had to be replaced (other than ball bearings and grease). Cost much less.

My point here is that sometimes it's better to wait a little longer, save a little more money, and get a bike with components that will last longer and perform better from the start. For example, at Performance today they also had a Giant OCR1 [corrected] in a nice silver frame with a full Ultegra component set. It was marked down to $850. This is $150 more than you plan to spend, but it did come with decent SPD clipless pedals from the start, and getting the better component set now could be less expensive in the long run.

Last point-- I've bought used successfully, but I know others who've inherited someone else's problem. Sometimes even the sellers haven't noticed the "ripple" in the downtube, a small separation at a lug, or other serious problems in the bikes they're selling. This is why I doubt I'd ever buy a used bike other than locally, and after a test ride and a serious inspection of the frame.

at Performance today they also had your Giant OCR3 in a nice silver frame with a full Ultegra component set. It was marked down to $850. This is $150 more than you plan to spend, but it did come with decent SPD clipless pedals from the start, and in the long run getting the better component set now could be less expensive in the long run..

Odd. Are you sure that was an OCR3 and not an OCR1? My FBS is selling 2004 OCR3s for $600 USD. They're selling last year's 2003 models for $450 USD. A 2004 OCR2 is going for $800 USD and 2004 OCR1 is $1000 USD. These are similar prices as I've seen from them in the last couple of years for those respective models. The OCR2 looks to be the real sweet spot with a carbon fork and a Tiagra/105 mix. BTW, although I generally like Giants because you get a good bang for buck, I would have to caution you that they only come in very specific sizes. If you happen to fit one of those sizes then you win... otherwise I would look at a different brand. You can only do so much with stem and saddle adjustments.

Odd. Are you sure that was an OCR3 and not an OCR1? My FBS is selling 2004 OCR3s for $600 USD. They're selling last year's 2003 models for $450 USD. A 2004 OCR2 is going for $800 USD and 2004 OCR1 is $1000 USD. These are similar prices as I've seen from them in the last couple of years for those respective models. The OCR2 looks to be the real sweet spot with a carbon fork and a Tiagra/105 mix. BTW, although I generally like Giants because you get a good bang for buck, I would have to caution you that they only come in very specific sizes. If you happen to fit one of those sizes then you win... otherwise I would look at a different brand. You can only do so much with stem and saddle adjustments.

My mistake-- the $850 Ultegra must have been an OCR1, and not an OCR3. The silver also matches the OCR1 shown on Giant's web site. I'm not up on the naming system, and I just saw the OCR part. It was a 2004 OCR3 that was marked down to $510.

I've never had a 105 bike, but I've never regretted having an Ultegra set-up.

I agree with you entirely about fit and specific sizes-- if it doesn't fit, look elsewhere. There's more than one right bike.

close knit community . . . support local business . . . LBS will be your friend . . . blah blah . . . please stop, I can feel the tears welling up . . .

Get the most for your hard-earned money. Do your research. Buy on Ebay. Sell on eBay when you are ready to move up. Then, buy on eBay again.

With Ebay, you'll be saving at least 50% off retail, and will get most of it back at resale time.

Just my $0.02.

--Twofer

I've never had a 105 bike, but I've never regretted having an Ultegra set-up.

That seems an odd thing to say since Ultegra trumps 105. :)

Go for eBay. You'll get twice the bike for your money. There are several decent fitting routines to find the correct size for you. You can find them here on the forum by using the 'search' function. Then hit eBay. You'll be happy you did.

LBS.

1) Bike shops are ful of knowledge (where to ride, what you might need)
2) They are a fun place to wander, and if unsupported go away
3) they are cool

sure, I get some stuff elsewhere, but I support my local community which in turn supports my local riding areas.

I am not saying go and buy just any bike. Of course go to your LBS and test ride, make sure you get the proper size.
But I definately wouldnt go and spend $600 for a new bike at my LBS when I can get a much better bike that retails for $800 - $1000 for a lot less $$$ on ebay.
You can definately find the size you need and in most cases find the type you want on ebay for a lot less.
Why drop a bundle $$ at your LBS if you arent even sure you will be riding this time next year..

Test ride at the LBS and then buy online? That's bull****. If everyone did that there will soon be no LBSs.

Test ride at the LBS and then buy online? That's bull****. If everyone did that there will soon be no LBSs. If you buy from EBay I hope you get screwed.

Wow, lots of good ideas here, though it's leaving me more and more split on the whole issue. I for one, would hope I don't get screwed if I buy online. Just as a matter of principle, I really would like to support my LBS, they're very friendly people but my wallet also cringes at the idea of dropping $700 (w/ tax) on the allez when for the same price I can get something with CF seat stay and fork plus all 105 9-speed components and a better shifter setup for the same price.
I don't like taking advantage of the LBS and the only time that it came close was when I went to another LBS and they were too overly friendly with us, insisting on having us ride their bikes around the block even though we told them we just looking. In the end, my gf ended up getting her hybrid from our usual LBS not the other one.
I live in new york city, btw. Also, one of the very respectable friendly bike shops I visited fit me like this, "Stand over the bike.. ok you're good, you're a medium." Am I missing something here or is that it?
They seem to want to take care of me "too" much. I should bring it back to adjust every little thing on it. Usually I can do all that myself but when I asked about some things I didn't know about, they told me not to worry and that they'll take care of it if I bring it in.

As I see it, the sora shifters require a lot of moving around in order to shift up and down? I'd be using this on the streets too so the integrated shifters in the levers seem like a better idea.

How much do you guys usually add onto the cost of a bike for "needed" accessories after the initial purchase?

What kind of maintenance issues are there? I hardly ever wipe down my mtb, let alone take it apart to clean it. The tommaso with 105 components seem like a pretty decent mixup between now and the ultegra/durace bike I want in the future so the 105 set might even last me a lot longer before I feel the need to upgrade.

Wow, lots of good ideas here, though it's leaving me more and more split on the whole issue. I for one, would hope I don't get screwed if I buy online. Just as a matter of principle, I really would like to support my LBS, they're very friendly people but my wallet also cringes at the idea of dropping $700 (w/ tax) on the allez when for the same price I can get something with CF seat stay and fork plus all 105 9-speed components and a better shifter setup for the same price.

If you know exactly what you're looking for and are pretty sure it will work out for you then eBay may be a boon. As one person said it, you don't shop on eBay... you buy. I have bought plenty of things off eBay but to be honest, they're stuff that's really hard to find elsewhere... like an interface control board for an ancient SPARCstorage Array model 110. You can't really walk into Radio Shack and pick one of those off the shelf. And I knew exactly what I was looking for.



I don't like taking advantage of the LBS and the only time that it came close was when I went to another LBS and they were too overly friendly with us, insisting on having us ride their bikes around the block even though we told them we just looking. In the end, my gf ended up getting her hybrid from our usual LBS not the other one.

Bike shops will try and do that because that's their differentiation from the big-box shops and online retailers. They're hoping you get the idea that if they offer a more personal approach that you will end up buying from them. Of all the sales tactics someone can employ, I think that's the most benign.



I live in new york city, btw. Also, one of the very respectable friendly bike shops I visited fit me like this, "Stand over the bike.. ok you're good, you're a medium." Am I missing something here or is that it?

That's definately not a decent fitting session. Were they trying to roughly size you up for a test ride? Sometimes they'll do that just to get you into a selection of a few sizes to try out.



They seem to want to take care of me "too" much. I should bring it back to adjust every little thing on it. Usually I can do all that myself but when I asked about some things I didn't know about, they told me not to worry and that they'll take care of it if I bring it in.

Well, another way they make their money is by selling services. Having you come back for future service not only ensures them of a recurring revenue stream but also makes it more likely that you will buy something from the store such as a new pair of cycling gloves or a lock.



As I see it, the sora shifters require a lot of moving around in order to shift up and down? I'd be using this on the streets too so the integrated shifters in the levers seem like a better idea.

Like I said, it depends on how well your hands fit the controls. I simply could not reach the thumb lever when I was positioned in the drops. However, a similar arrangement on Campy shifters worked fine for me. The campy thumbshifter lever is positioned further back along the hoods.



How much do you guys usually add onto the cost of a bike for "needed" accessories after the initial purchase?

It depends on how much stuff you already have. If for instance you already have a helmet, gloves, shoes, shorts, jerseys, minitool, pumps, locks, water bottles, etc then you probably don't need anything extra aside from maybe some spare tubes... especially if you get pedals that accept the same cleats you have on your current shoes. If not then I would suggest budgetting anywhere between $100 to $200 extra for that stuff. Do you have a computer on your MTB? Do you want one on your roadbike? Does your current computer have dual-bike capability? If so, then you can just get another mount kit which would be considerably less than a new computer. That said, they're selling whole new fairly full-featured computers for around $25 these days. So in short, it depends on what you can cross over from your MTB accessories. Also, if you're buying from a LBS (or sometimes even online) then you may be able to strike a deal for some accessories. Some shops will give you a one-time discount on stuff when you go to buy the bike and some even offer you a continued discount on future purchases. Ask.



What kind of maintenance issues are there? I hardly ever wipe down my mtb, let alone take it apart to clean it. The tommaso with 105 components seem like a pretty decent mixup between now and the ultegra/durace bike I want in the future so the 105 set might even last me a lot longer before I feel the need to upgrade.

It's funny you should ask this because I just did a thorough cleaning on my roadbike last night. Before then, I was simply cleaning and relubing the chain. One of the things I like to recommend is a removable link on the chain. I run SRAM chains with PowerLinks on all my bikes which make removing the chain to clean the drivetrain much easier. There are other chains out there with removable links too. Also, you can simply buy just the PowerLink and install it in place of any link on your current chain which will be cheaper than buying a whole new chain.

Additionally, I have a carbon frame and you have to pay a little more attention with CF. Regular cleaning and inspection is recommended to spot possible problems. If you have carbon components, you should perform regular inspections before and after each ride. If your last ride was especially wet, you will also probably want to wipe the bike down. I also am especially conscious of water in the bottom bracket after riding in the rain. Water hits the seatpost and can run down the seat-tube. This is especially true of my carbon seatpost because it has a flat stress-relief section that leaves a small gap for water to trickle down. So I'll do things like take out the seatpost and flip the bike upside down to make sure I've drained out any water.

The 105 group is one that should last a fairly long time depending on how much you ride. You'll probably fall under the spell of upgrade fever long before it wears to the point of unusability.

Hi.
I'm about to get my first road bike just for a year or so in the city before I move out and get a nice carbon frame with durace. After looking around with my <$700 budget, I've narrowed it down to a few choices.
I can get a tommaso capri with sora components for $400 online. Performance also has a Tirreno Razza 4 with a tiagra set for $650.
I can go on ebay and get something with slighter higher deore, tiagra or 105.
Or I can go to my LBS and the base specialized allez is $600 with sora components.
A lot of people say sora shifts horribly and requires constant adjustment. What should I do?

The quality of shifts on my Sora-equipped Bianchi is as good as my Cannondale with Dura-Ace. I've had no complaints with Sora, other than it's hard to reach the "mouse ear" from the drops. It shifts great and requires no more adjustment than any other group.

This local place has a Giant OCR3 for $500, is that a good deal?
I wanna keep the stuff on my mtb so I'll need a new computer and saddle bag, that's about it I think. I'm not sure if I'm missing anything else. It comes with a pair of pedals that accept basic tennis shoes on one side and some kind of clip on the other. Definitely have to replace the stock tires.

Maybe people are picky but almost every review I've read has said that Sora misses shifts a lot.

I buy a lot of stuff on-line, but I vote lbs for for a first bike. I learned sooooo much from the lbs when I bought my first bike. I also had problems popping spokes, and the lbs got me a better wheels at no additional cost - won't get that on ebay.

This local place has a Giant OCR3 for $500, is that a good deal?

If it's a 2004 model then that's a pretty good deal. If it's a 2003 model then not really. And yes, there's quite a difference between 2004 and 2003 OCR3s.



I wanna keep the stuff on my mtb so I'll need a new computer and saddle bag, that's about it I think. I'm not sure if I'm missing anything else. It comes with a pair of pedals that accept basic tennis shoes on one side and some kind of clip on the other. Definitely have to replace the stock tires.

If you have most of the stuff already then that's probably all that's needed in addition. But like I said, a couple of spare tubes, bottle cage and some bottles could be added to the list. You'll want to check on the shoe/cleat compatibility however. It sounds like those pedals will most likely use SPD.



Maybe people are picky but almost every review I've read has said that Sora misses shifts a lot.

When you say "misses" do you mean that it jumps over gears or is it delayed?

A lot of people in reviews say the sora, with the chain rings you have to repeatedly click and on the right it'll just jump gears.

I went to 2 shops to look today and I think I finally found what I wanted...

A lot of people in reviews say the sora, with the chain rings you have to repeatedly click and on the right it'll just jump gears.

Hmmm... interesting. Was this when it was new or after a while? The only issues I found when I test rode Sora equipped bikes was the inability to reach the thumb lever. But then again, I have not done any long-term testing with Sora.



I went to 2 shops to look today and I think I finally found what I wanted...

Well don't keep us in suspense... What did you find? :)

Hehe I posted a thread with what I found :)
(OCR2 hehe)

I followed yours and everyone else's advice for the first time buyer, get from LBS, later on once I know what I'm in for then maybe I'll search online.

Though here's how they fitted me, "what size do you think I am?" "you look like a medium" "oh thanks!" Then again it was only small, medium and large so there really wasn't all that much to choose from.

Hehe I posted a thread with what I found :)
(OCR2 hehe)


Yeah... just saw that thread right after I posted above. :)



I followed yours and everyone else's advice for the first time buyer, get from LBS, later on once I know what I'm in for then maybe I'll search online.

Though here's how they fitted me, "what size do you think I am?" "you look like a medium" "oh thanks!" Then again it was only small, medium and large so there really wasn't all that much to choose from.


That's the only thing to watch out for with Giants. If you fit into one of those sizes then that's great but if you happen to be in between sizes then you're kinda SOL and have to look elsewhere.

BTW, my FBS gave me a great piece of advice recently. I'm looking to build up a bike for travel. I was going to get a frameset, migrate the parts off my current roadbike to the travel bike and upgrade to new parts on my current bike. My FBS recommended I scour eBay or discount online shops for new or closeout bikes with the parts grouppo I want then strip the parts off that bike to put on my current bike and then resell the stripped down frame. I don't even have to worry about size and fit. Getting parts that way will be much cheaper than buying the grouppo standalone since bike manufacturers get a huge discount on components. My FBS would of course be more than happy to handle the labour. :)

close knit community . . . support local business . . . LBS will be your friend . . . blah blah . . . please stop, I can feel the tears welling up . . .

Get the most for your hard-earned money. Do your research. Buy on Ebay. Sell on eBay when you are ready to move up. Then, buy on eBay again.

With Ebay, you'll be saving at least 50% off retail, and will get most of it back at resale time.

Just my $0.02.

--Twofer

The LBS let me have the OCR2 for almost half retail :)

The LBS let me have the OCR2 for almost half retail :)

But I bet it was still not as good a deal as you could have found on eBay.

Plus, the good deal you mentioned above is rare in retail. Ebay has multiple great bikes selling everyday for less than 50% retail. Also, if you buy a model which is a few years old, you can get something in excellant shape for about 30% of what you would pay at retail.

I might add that if an eBay user has warm and fuzzy feelings for his LBS that he needs to satisfy, he should just write the LBS a check for whatever he paid for his bike on eBay. Throwing away money like that is almost the same thing as actually buying at the LBS.

YMMV.

Twofer - I gather from your strong preference for Ebay that you are an Ebay merchant!!

I have gotten some stuff from Ebay, but after my nephew got stiffed for $5,000 for some rather fancy recording equipment he purchased on Ebay I am VERY leary!! Apparently he got snagged in one of the "it ain't really there" scams where an item that doesn't exist is sold, money taken and then no responses when inquiries are sent. The perp simply opens a new Ebay account under a different name and starts all over again.

For big ticket items I like to be able to look the person in the eye!! It also helps to have a real person/business to report to the law if you are taken advantage of (although the folks I deal with at all the shops I frequent are great and seem quite honest)

Besides, My friendly LBS has been making all sorts of adjustments and parts swaps to get my fit just right. Something that can't be done on Ebay. If I had gotten the bike on Ebay I would have ended up with several stems, bars and sadles that I really don't need. I know, I could always resell the stuff on Ebay, but frankly I would rather be out riding my bike than sitting in front of a computer selling stuff I got that I turned out not to need.

Bill

As far as shimano shifters go, I actually prefer the thumbshifter on the Sora. I'm able to reach it from the drops (I guess I have longer thumbs) and I find its operation to be preferable to the 105 shifters that I have tried.

Try and see if you can find a bike with Campy Mirage...