General Cycling Discussion - what do you think of this deal?

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/images/lt_2300_blk_x_2100.jpg

the frame looks a little weird to me, but the components are really good for the price.

Solid specs and very similar to Nashbar "Famous Maker" (probably Raleigh America) bike here, http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_533284_-1___203655

It's amazing how much bike you can get for your money these days!

what about the frame? the bent seat stays doesn't look natural.

btw here's the product link http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/lt2300_x.htm

what about the frame? the bent seat stays doesn't look natural.

btw here's the product link http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/lt2300_x.htm

The curvy seat stays won't make any real difference one way or another, aside from making the bike a tiny bit heavier. If it bothers you, don't buy the bike. If you don't know how to assemble or adjust the bike to you, don't buy the bike. If you're a good enough mechanic and knowledgeable enough to fit the bike to your body, go ahead and buy the bike.

what about the frame? the bent seat stays doesn't look natural.
They "soften" the ride. ;-)

I don't object to the curved stays and if I'm riding a "Dawes", I don't care what other people think of my bike. Seriously, this bike probably weighs around 20lbs., has sweet shifting brifters, a fast pair of wheels and the clipless pedals are included. $800 delivered is a great deal. (I'd probably change the saddle because manufacturers generally go generic with saddles.)

BTW: You might want to check availability. I was shocked to see that you were looking at the 2011 @ $599, even lower!, but then I used the drop down to check prices and they were sold out.

I have seen some quality issues with some Dawes bikes and assembly from BD is hit and miss. The Nashbar bike on the other hand has better shifters and a name Bottom bracket. The wheels are a wash neither are all that impressive but servicable. And the nashbar bike has a 10 speed cassette. Much easier to get different 10 speed cassettes today.

but I am unfamiliar with sram, especially considering apex is the lowest end in sram.

any chance they restock the 2011 dawes?

No chance they'll restock. That's clearance pricing. Once they're gone, they're gone.

yea that's what I thought, but they all appear to be clearance pricing on bikes direct. Still, it would be illogical to use the parts on the 2011 model when they can use the same parts on the 2012 model to be sold for $200 more.

oh well there are other deals. I'm still not sure if it's the right time to get my first legit road bike, and whether I should shoot for 105 or tiagra. I guess it would make sense to settle for tiagra for both monetary as well as longevity purposes.

You don't gain any longevity benefit from Tiagra components vs 105 but you can count on them lasting. Most bikes have a mix of components so you're likely to find both tiagra and 105 together.

If $800 is more than you want to spend, consider a used bike. I recently sold a good 105 equipped bike (very similar in specifications to the bikes you are considering) for $450. I got a new bike and sold a bike I was replacing so decent used bikes are always available.

Good luck.

thanks. I think I'll sign up for their newsletter and lie dormant until a really good deal shows up. last year, they had a giant liberty x with apex components selling for 600... although, they have a pretty good deal right now with a complete bike with full tiagra 4600 groupset selling for 600. maaannn