Texas - Agonizing over a SS buy...

Gang, after much teeth gnashing, brain farting and late night studying I have narrowed it down to either an IRO Mark V or a 2009 black Schwinn Madison. I really like the chrome on the Madison, I do NOT like the yellow wheels...How difficult do you think it would be for me to find someone to trade those yellow wheels to for silver ones of same/similar quality? They're Alex R-500 double wall alloy with 32 holes and Formula hubs.

Anyhow, here's the Schwinn (that NO one in Dallas has in stock)

http://www.schwinnbike.com/usa/eng/SchwinnFiles/ProductImages/657_427_1251_3642.jpg

I'll also be trying to trade the handlebars and brake levers but that's not a big deal.

Well, I found IRO has the most irritating website. You'd think someone in the business of selling bicycles would show you what their bicycles look like. I did find the Mark V. It's a frame hanging from a rack that looks just like the other frames.

Well, I found IRO has the most irritating website. You'd think someone in the business of selling bicycles would show you what their bicycles look like. I did find the Mark V. It's a frame hanging from a rack that looks just like the other frames.

Yeah the IRO site takes some getting used to. It's easier to use their build a bike thing to see one. That is actually a pretty cool gimmick but a nice gallery of factory bikes from different angles (ala bikes direct) would be nice. One thing that I like about the IRO is the lack of silly slogans and factory decals all over it. The lone "IRO" is not too offensive to the senses.



Chris

chris, tommy at "west village bikes" has the black madison, the yellow madson, and the cutter in stock.
he's located at blackburn and mckinney in the west village.

chris, tommy at "west village bikes" has the black madison, the yellow madson, and the cutter in stock.
he's located at blackburn and mckinney in the west village.

You're my hero and I work not far from him (never heard of that shop until now). What should I expect as far as prices go?

I'll go see him tomorrow. Thanks very much.

Chris

i think schwinn has the madison for $649 this year.
he's a great guy with a cool little shop.
i bought my brooks saddle from him, some cogs & lockrings, and other misc. things, and my buddy bought an '08 madison frameset from him.

I spoke to Tommy today but I didn't have time to get by there. Seems like a nice guy who enjoys what he's doing. He's only two exits from me and I think I'll have time to drop by tomorrow.

Thanks again for the tip.

Chris