Super Newb Gets a Bike! But I need help!
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Super Newb Gets a Bike! But I need help!
Hey guys, first post here. I've been riding a Motobecane Mirage for about the past year, got a lot of mileage on it and I am about fed up with it. It's a hair over 30 pounds and pain in the butt trying to go up hills. I have a severe hill to go up on my way to school, I always have to get off and walk it up the hill. That and the everything is starting to go bad. It needs new cables, rims are bent, etc. Don't get me wrong it was nice for a year, but I need a new one. Biggest reason is size. I'm a hair under 6 foot and this is a 62cm bike. I rack myself every time I get off it beause the standover height is 35" I believe, and I'm not that tall. See pics below of the monster.
So on to the new stuff. My budget is quite limited. I want to spend $600 total. It's about all I could amass over the past 6 months saving up for this. Two options currently and they are both Bikes Direct stuff. I simply can't afford from LBS. The two I am choosing from are the Dawes Lighting:
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/ltcross_x.htm
And the Fantom CX3
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/fantom_cross_cx3.htm
And let's throw this one in the mix too:
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/gravity/zilla.htm
I want something cyclocross because I occasionally hit some rougher stuff like grass and mud. I want to put fender flares on and get some general accesories I have been living without. The Dawes is $450, which leave about $150 for accessories. The Fantom is $580, which doesn't leave much room for extras. Also I don't really see the difference between the two to be honest. I don't know enough about the components to see where the extra $130 is going. If I could get some help and maybe some suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it!
So on to the new stuff. My budget is quite limited. I want to spend $600 total. It's about all I could amass over the past 6 months saving up for this. Two options currently and they are both Bikes Direct stuff. I simply can't afford from LBS. The two I am choosing from are the Dawes Lighting:
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/ltcross_x.htm
And the Fantom CX3
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/fantom_cross_cx3.htm
And let's throw this one in the mix too:
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/gravity/zilla.htm
I want something cyclocross because I occasionally hit some rougher stuff like grass and mud. I want to put fender flares on and get some general accesories I have been living without. The Dawes is $450, which leave about $150 for accessories. The Fantom is $580, which doesn't leave much room for extras. Also I don't really see the difference between the two to be honest. I don't know enough about the components to see where the extra $130 is going. If I could get some help and maybe some suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it!
Last edited by Raylon; 02-05-12 at 09:44 PM.
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No the bike is comfortable but yea you are probably right. But I didn't wanna put any more money if at all possible. Remember poor person here you are talking to!
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If I were you, I'd spend a little more on a bike just to get at least Tiagra shifters. If you aren't familiar with these, they are a step above Sora in the Shimano line, and they resemble the higher level of Shimano in terms of design. Sora shifters have two shift levers, whereas Tiagra conveniently combines the functions of both levers into one, making shifting simpler. If you go to a bike store and test ride each, you'll see what I mean.
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If I were you, I'd spend a little more on a bike just to get at least Tiagra shifters. If you aren't familiar with these, they are a step above Sora in the Shimano line, and they resemble the higher level of Shimano in terms of design. Sora shifters have two shift levers, whereas Tiagra conveniently combines the functions of both levers into one, making shifting simpler. If you go to a bike store and test ride each, you'll see what I mean.
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1) You currently have a bike that functions, correct? Save up at least $1000 before shopping for a bike.
2) I recommend that people buy from a brick & mortar shop, but only one where they feel comfortable and a good vibe. Purchasing from a online vendor can be a false economy, especially for beginners.
2) I recommend that people buy from a brick & mortar shop, but only one where they feel comfortable and a good vibe. Purchasing from a online vendor can be a false economy, especially for beginners.
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1) You currently have a bike that functions, correct? Save up at least $1000 before shopping for a bike.
2) I recommend that people buy from a brick & mortar shop, but only one where they feel comfortable and a good vibe. Purchasing from a online vendor can be a false economy, especially for beginners.
2) I recommend that people buy from a brick & mortar shop, but only one where they feel comfortable and a good vibe. Purchasing from a online vendor can be a false economy, especially for beginners.
But, how big of a difference would moving up to this model be?
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...m_cross_xi.htm
It has a carbon fork and 105's all around. Would it be much better than the Sora system? I could probably wait a little longer and get it instead.
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But, how big of a difference would moving up to this model be?
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...m_cross_xi.htm
It has a carbon fork and 105's all around. Would it be much better than the Sora system? I could probably wait a little longer and get it instead.
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...m_cross_xi.htm
It has a carbon fork and 105's all around. Would it be much better than the Sora system? I could probably wait a little longer and get it instead.
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Thanks for reply Andy. I went to my LBS and tried some bikes out. I genuinely wanted to try and bring myself to buy from them. Rode a nice Redline Metro Sport. Loved the 2300 shifters on it. It was a 56cm which was a little small for me. Also tried a 58cm Trek with 105's just to get a feel for them. Could notice they were smoother but are they worth the extra $300 at this point to me is debateable. I told him the truth that I was looking at Bikes Direct, and he told me the truth in that if I could wrench it and set it up right, it would be tough to spend the extra $300 at his place.
I think I've decided to go with the Dawes. It's similarly spec'd as the Redline I rode, and is $300 cheaper. That will allow me to get some things I need like water bottles and fenders and other accesories I've been doing without.
That being said, what kind of things do I need to check on a BD bike before I ride? Should I basically tear it apart and check it all?
I think I've decided to go with the Dawes. It's similarly spec'd as the Redline I rode, and is $300 cheaper. That will allow me to get some things I need like water bottles and fenders and other accesories I've been doing without.
That being said, what kind of things do I need to check on a BD bike before I ride? Should I basically tear it apart and check it all?
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The Dawes is probably a wee bit heavy and the wheels could well tend to go out of true if you ride it hard. However it might be a good bike for your use at a good price. Difficult choice between the 56 and the 58. I,m 6 feet and ride a 56 CX-bike with a 120 mm stem. A 58 would be too big for my liking.
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The Dawes is probably a wee bit heavy and the wheels could well tend to go out of true if you ride it hard. However it might be a good bike for your use at a good price. Difficult choice between the 56 and the 58. I,m 6 feet and ride a 56 CX-bike with a 120 mm stem. A 58 would be too big for my liking.
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If you're happy with the 2200/2300 shifters, the Dawes is probably decent bike. You could also consider the Windsor Tourist, which has 4500-series Tiagra shifters. I can tell you that those are nice and durable. The Windsor is probably a fairly heavy bike though. It's a lot cheaper to get a bike with better components than it is to upgrade to those same components on a bike you have.
Whatever you get from Bikes Direct, if you're comfortable taking everything apart that's not a bad idea. You never know where someone will have forgotten grease. That's probably not critical. Also check the wheels for even spoke tension and make sure they're true. Other than that, adjust the brakes and derailleurs and ride it.
Whatever you get from Bikes Direct, if you're comfortable taking everything apart that's not a bad idea. You never know where someone will have forgotten grease. That's probably not critical. Also check the wheels for even spoke tension and make sure they're true. Other than that, adjust the brakes and derailleurs and ride it.
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Andy thanks again. That Tourist has me rethinking things. I really like the looks of it. I wish I could compare weights of the bikes. Definitely has much better components and at a price point I can stretch to. Hmmm, decisions decisions.
If it were between the Tourist and the Dawes, knowing that I never plan to do any competitive racing or anything like that, but just wanted a bike that can last a few years till I get a real job, what would you guys choose?
If it were between the Tourist and the Dawes, knowing that I never plan to do any competitive racing or anything like that, but just wanted a bike that can last a few years till I get a real job, what would you guys choose?
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I would guess that the Dawes probably weighs around 23-25 pounds and the Windsor Tourist is probably around 30 pounds. Touring bikes are typically overbuilt so that they are absurdly reliable. My guess on the weight of the Windsor is based on the assumption that it is overbuilt in such a way. The 36-spoke wheels seem to indicate that it would be.
As for what to get now, it depends a lot on what you want. If you get the Windsor, it will not feel substantially faster or more nimble than your current bike, but it will be a very solid and dependable bike. It also has plenty of low enough gearing to get you up some serious hills. The Dawes will feel a bit more lively. It's not geared quite as low but still probably lower than what you have. Its components are probably dependable enough for daily use but may require more frequent attention to keep them shifting cleanly. BTW, if you haven't tried a bike with cantilever brakes, I should warn you that you will at least initially be disappointed with the braking on either of these bikes.
Anyway, if you want something sporty, the Dawes is probably the way to go. If you're open to the idea of a heavy but comfortable bike, I think the Windsor is a better value.
I think you can probably find a couple of people on Bike Forums who have the Windsor, maybe on the touring or commuting forums.
As for what to get now, it depends a lot on what you want. If you get the Windsor, it will not feel substantially faster or more nimble than your current bike, but it will be a very solid and dependable bike. It also has plenty of low enough gearing to get you up some serious hills. The Dawes will feel a bit more lively. It's not geared quite as low but still probably lower than what you have. Its components are probably dependable enough for daily use but may require more frequent attention to keep them shifting cleanly. BTW, if you haven't tried a bike with cantilever brakes, I should warn you that you will at least initially be disappointed with the braking on either of these bikes.
Anyway, if you want something sporty, the Dawes is probably the way to go. If you're open to the idea of a heavy but comfortable bike, I think the Windsor is a better value.
I think you can probably find a couple of people on Bike Forums who have the Windsor, maybe on the touring or commuting forums.
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After looking for a while, I decided I don't want to get something that is just as heavy as what I have now, so I've scrapped the Windsor idea. But now I am second guessing the Dawes. I can't decide if I want to save up for a while and get something in the $800 range, or just get the $450 Dawes and see how well it works. I can't really decide. Tough choice.
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I decided to go with the Dawes. I ordered it last night around midnight and it will be here Monday. That is some fast shipping.
I have been looking around for a bike carrier for the hitch of my car, but it's hard to find any good reviews. Is there any hitch mounted carrier around here that most agree is decent for a fair price?
I have been looking around for a bike carrier for the hitch of my car, but it's hard to find any good reviews. Is there any hitch mounted carrier around here that most agree is decent for a fair price?
Last edited by Raylon; 02-09-12 at 09:13 PM.
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Thule & Yakima both make great racks both for hitch mount as well as roof mount. I have a roof mount Thule that's been in service since 1990, has seen the roofs of four different cars and is still in great condition. Im sure with that kind of quality, their hitch mounts are similarly butch. They are expensive though. I believe Continental is another one to look into. Search the forum. There are many threads on racks.
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I did do some searching and found lot of differing opinions. I would first need to get a receiver for my car. I will probably get a 2" class 3. Can't decide if a frame grabber would be better than the kind the wheels go into. The frame mount would definitely be more compact. For now though the bike will have to go into the back seat because I will not be able to afford that for a few more months at least.
Last edited by Raylon; 02-10-12 at 01:18 PM.
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I've been riding a Dawes Lighting for couple years and 4000 miles later I'm happy with it.
This was the first "road" style bike I've owned and I ride it everywhere. It was set up with fenders, 32c touring tires, and racks for light touring/ grocery shopping. I ran a mountain rear gear cog (13-34) and derailleur for awhile when the road gearing was a little tough on the hills. I since switched back to the 12/25t gears during the fall, removed the fenders and racks and added 35c Kenda Kross Supreme tires for singletrack/gravel road rides.
I had to disassemble and inspect the entire bike when I got it....but I'm the kind of guy that would have done the same with a LBS purchase...I only trust myself when it comes to what I ride. Sizing is the big issue with online bike sales I bought a 58c size and should have bought the 56c so the bike is a little long for me. I swapped in shorter stem and a Salsa Bell Lap bar to help and it works fine. I think you will be very happy with your new bike, just check everything out before you ride and enjoy the new roads and trails you'll discover.
This was the first "road" style bike I've owned and I ride it everywhere. It was set up with fenders, 32c touring tires, and racks for light touring/ grocery shopping. I ran a mountain rear gear cog (13-34) and derailleur for awhile when the road gearing was a little tough on the hills. I since switched back to the 12/25t gears during the fall, removed the fenders and racks and added 35c Kenda Kross Supreme tires for singletrack/gravel road rides.
I had to disassemble and inspect the entire bike when I got it....but I'm the kind of guy that would have done the same with a LBS purchase...I only trust myself when it comes to what I ride. Sizing is the big issue with online bike sales I bought a 58c size and should have bought the 56c so the bike is a little long for me. I swapped in shorter stem and a Salsa Bell Lap bar to help and it works fine. I think you will be very happy with your new bike, just check everything out before you ride and enjoy the new roads and trails you'll discover.
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A little late to the party since you already ordered it... but my advice would be to buy used.
Spend some time shopping around on craigslist, post a Want to Buy on a couple forums and craigslist, ask around, go to swap meets...etc. I see almost no reason to buy a new bike unless you have lots of disposable income and/or have no tools/time/interest to work on a bike yourself.
I paid less for my IF cross bike than you did for your Dawes (that's not a great example though because I got an amazing deal on it)...
I just build up my Soma with lots of NICE, high end parts, some new some used (mostly bought or traded for on a couple different online forums) for a total cost of about 600.
Point being, if you're patient and persistent deals are out there.
My Raleigh is built with a mix of 105 and Tiagra and I bought it used for $375 on craigslist.
Spend some time shopping around on craigslist, post a Want to Buy on a couple forums and craigslist, ask around, go to swap meets...etc. I see almost no reason to buy a new bike unless you have lots of disposable income and/or have no tools/time/interest to work on a bike yourself.
I paid less for my IF cross bike than you did for your Dawes (that's not a great example though because I got an amazing deal on it)...
I just build up my Soma with lots of NICE, high end parts, some new some used (mostly bought or traded for on a couple different online forums) for a total cost of about 600.
Point being, if you're patient and persistent deals are out there.
My Raleigh is built with a mix of 105 and Tiagra and I bought it used for $375 on craigslist.
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jet-flashman, thanks for that awesome post! I'm glad that it is still working great. When you disassembled it to inspect it, exactly how far did you go in doing this? Did you literally take everything off and check it or did you only inspect the major areas? I am considering basically rebuilding it but am not sure if it's necessary.
4Rings6Stars, after looking at used prices I was surprised how cheap bikes were when they popped up. You really have to sift through the eBay garbage though to find the. The problem is I live 2 hours away from the nearest big city(St. Louis), so whenever a bike pops up, I would have to go 2 hours to look at it and possible not even buy it. Fuel costs would rack up quick I am imagining.
4Rings6Stars, after looking at used prices I was surprised how cheap bikes were when they popped up. You really have to sift through the eBay garbage though to find the. The problem is I live 2 hours away from the nearest big city(St. Louis), so whenever a bike pops up, I would have to go 2 hours to look at it and possible not even buy it. Fuel costs would rack up quick I am imagining.
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I just adjusted and tightened everything when it arrived but at mile 500 or so I was caught out in a rainstorm and had to navigate flooded trails. It pretty much destroyed the drivetrain so I replaced the bottom bracket,chain, and serviced the hubs, while I was at it I lubed the headset. Here is a pic with fenders and bags from a couple years ago
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Why do so many BD bikes have so much saddle tilt?
something else is wrong with the bike set up.
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Well bike got in today. Bike is in excellent condition. not a scratch on the box, much less the bike. Everything went together smoothly. The only thing I had a little trouble with was the headset installation, I had to look up on park tools how to do this. I basically ended up having to just smash it together. I was worried about doing that but apparently that's how its done. I'm not used to all this fancy new stuff. Everything on the bike was tight, wheels were even pretty darn true and spoke tension was pretty good. Just a few out of whack.
Got a few accessories installed. Tried Planet bike fenders, but they did not work. Not enough clearance between rear tire and frame. Also I am very not used to such a small frame. It fits wonderfully, but my feet hit the tire when turning, so I am gunna have to get used to that. Also the length of the bike has a much shorter wheelbase than the 64cm monster I am used to, so the steering feels very quick and nimble.
Pictures to come tomorrow night, when I have some light outside after work hopefully.
Got a few accessories installed. Tried Planet bike fenders, but they did not work. Not enough clearance between rear tire and frame. Also I am very not used to such a small frame. It fits wonderfully, but my feet hit the tire when turning, so I am gunna have to get used to that. Also the length of the bike has a much shorter wheelbase than the 64cm monster I am used to, so the steering feels very quick and nimble.
Pictures to come tomorrow night, when I have some light outside after work hopefully.