mwl001

Can't say for sure, but likely there is a financial incentive to remove competition within your sales space. Car dealers are usually next to each other, but don't (often) sell more than one brand any more. You usually don't see Coke and Pepsi in restaurants or stadiums. If I were Trek, Giant etc. I'd kick a few more points to stores (especially good performing ones) if they drop other product lines, wouldn't you?

Nikon Fan

I have two of the "non popular" brand bikes; Trek FX 7.2 and Fuji Tahoe 27-5 1.5 Disk. Of the two the best ride is from my Fuji. While it excels off road, flat surface rides are not that bad providing you get a tire meant for flat surfaces.

Not that I dislike the Trek (I have been riding it pretty much every day this past month), but there is a noticeable difference with the tingling numbness in my hands after a few miles. It runs very stiff.

While visiting one of the LBS in my area (the one specializing in Fuji), a Fuji Silhouette caught my eye. Components look nicer than my Trek and it sells around the same price range. I should have tried it before buying the Trek.

stoplight

Usually see Trek and Specialized together..rarely see specialized and Giant or Cannondale in the same store with Specialized for some odd reason.

quicktrigger

Trek and Specialized never mix here. However, my main bike shop is a Specialized/Cannondale/Orbea dealer. Keeps some of all of them, but majority are Specialized.

QT

stoplight

Spent the weekend in Big Bear toying with Snow Summit. Stopped by Chain Reaction for shorts for the wife. While there they had the Giant Fastroad and Anyroad. I took the opp to sit on the fastroad but not test drive. The feel of it was fast, the geo sound but will say its probably much more bike then I will need. To purchase it would be pure decadent indulgence on my part . As mentioned I ride 4 + hours a week but my real passion is cutting loose on a Class IV single track. I will continue to whittle down the list to find the right flat bar!!!!

ElJayGee

I wanted to weigh my setup this very evening and the best I came up with was a bathroom scale with me and the bike, then another weigh in just me, and subtract. Turns out my setup was 38 pounds for what it's worth.

Robin Hood

The obvious method would be to lift the bike clear of the ground whilst standing on the scales and deduct your own weight from that indicated. If you meant that bathroom scales aren't accurate enough, then don't you have weighing machines in public toilets in Minnesota like we have in the UK?

RickGr4

Actually no we don't have weighing machines in public toilets and no, my bathroom scale is not accurate enough for that type of weighing. Nor do I care.

I need to focusing on losing 20-25lbs from my body and not one or two pounds from my bike.

Not understanding why you felt the need to challenge my statement...

Robin Hood

What are you talking about? What statement am I supposed to have challenged?

DaveTMpls

What I've noticed is, 1) major brands now have an enormous range of offerings; 2) major brands now offer a lot of accessories and upgrades (seats, crank sets, shoes, apparel, etc, etc). When I bought my last bike, the biggest bike shop chain in the Twin Cities only had one store with all the models of Specialized Sirrus that I wanted to look at. I think if the LBS focuses on one brand, they can do it justice.

stoplight

While scouring local ads for bikes mentioned by me and the fine folks on this thread I spent time dialing in the FCR3, new seat, game changing Ergon grips, love those and adjusted this and that for mostly getting it dialed in. Couple days ago a 2010 Giant Rapid 2 two popped up on CL listed as near new. I contacted the seller and advised where I would be buyer and why and did not want to waste their time or mine. Agreed to meet this morning for look and test drive. All the components are OEM, Tiagra rear, R440 trigger, shifting clean and crisp. Brakes solid, front wheel good, back a bad spoke and out of true mildly with Cont. gatorskins and the crank clean and no noise and wellgo platforms I can use on my Yeti MB. Couple paint chips on the chain stay and top tube. I offered 300 and stayed put, he countered 350 then 325 and then finally 300. And it has a new home. Will post pics soon.

RickGr4

I am somewhat encouraged when someone is able to find a used bike on Craigslist or any other online shopping service. I live in the Twin Cities. I watched Craigslist for three months. I never found a bike even close to what I wanted in the frame size I needed.

dgunay

Ê·ÉÏ×îÈ«2015¿î½Ý°²ÌØÕû³µÖØÁ¿ 2015 GIANT³µÖÖÖØÁ¿ - ½Ý°²ÌØ×ÔÐгµµãÆÀ - ν*½Ý°²ÌØרÂôµê - 028-87777911

2015 Fastroad SLR1 weights 10.2 kg according to the website. Seems legit.

ColonelSanders

Thanks

stoplight

Took it out for the shakedown run. Still need to make some adjustments probably to the flat bar, either replace or shave off 1/4" each side. Drive train is eerily quiet, shifting is crisp and clean and no hesitation. Its a sleek machine that really just wants to roll. Get it set up with a computer and the fit dialed in and see how it does along the beach path Friday ..

DelsFan

I had the same experience near Nashville; a smaller metropolitan area than yours but still must be more than one million people metro population.

Narry an XL sized bike to be found, especially in a hybrid.

Was looking for something similar to a Cannondale Quick or Trek 7.3 or 7.4 (preferably disc, but mostly because I think they look cool). Finally, one Friday evening, this (older) Trek 7700 came up for sale, low miles, with shock absorbing forks that I didn't really need but I figured they couldn't hurt anything (since they had the lock-out option). Called him and set an appointment to ride the bike on Saturday morning. The bike listed for $1149 in 2007 plus a couple of hundred dollars of accessories; the guy had added a new stem, saddle, seat bag, handlebar extensions (?), speedometer, front and rear lights, etc. Also threw in a CO2 pump, pressure gauge, and several other tools. $500 asking price but I got him to $450 and took it home. It's at the LBS now getting tuned up; I look forward to losing 15 lbs or so (from 220) and also enjoying exercise that isn't running (too much impact) or walking (too boring considering the calories burned:time expended ratio).

It wasn't exactly what I was looking for, and maybe it was only worth $400, but dang, the guy must have spent over $300 on tools and accessories. Anyway, I'm happy, figured a top of the line bike would have better wheels and shifting components, and took the plunge on the only decent used bike in my size that I'd seen advertised.

A quick camera phone photo:




PS: stoplight, your find looks fabulous - hope we can each enjoy our purchases.

andrei_r

Congrats on your purchase! I must say that its the most offset seat post I've ever seen. The previous owner probably had some fitting problems that led him to install it. I would probably move the saddle more forward to a more neutral position to get the pedalling comfortable and also incline that adjustable stem more down/forward to maintain the desired reach.

Also what's that thing between the stem and the right shifter?

DelsFan

Actually, the seat was missing an insert which my LBS ordered when I took the bike in to be tuned up. I believe the insertion of the missing piece will raise the seat a little and move it forward - and then I'll move the seat forward some more! I'm supposed to pick the bike up this evening - look forward to seeing how the seat is different. The previous owner was shorter than I so maybe that is some of the reason for the funny seat position. The bike fits me perfectly so I know it was one (big) size larger than what is right for him.

The piece between the right handlebar and the stem is the speedometer; alongside it is a place to mount the front light. It is not positioned so I can see it, so perhaps that was part of you confusion. After I get the seat position and handlebars adjusted to suit my 6'-2" frame I'll slide the speedometer up on the post and adjust it properly. I think it also has a timer and some other functions - needs a battery (also avail at the LBS).