Originally Posted by
jrobe
You should just buy this bike and be done with it
It is a cheap no-name steel frame though with lousy components that probably doesn't fit you as well as it should. You also don't have any idea of the ride quality of that frame. There are high quality steel frames and there are lousy steel frames.
If you want a better frame, you could easily find a used steel frame that would be far better than this BD one. A couple years ago I found a much better steel Bianchi that was virtually new with Shimano Tiagra for about $500. For $100 more, I had a far better steel bike than this bottom of the barrell BD special.
Reynolds 520DB butted Cro-Moly with outer butted seat tube, Double water bottle mounts, Rear Rack Mounts
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/galaxy.htm
It may be cheap but better than my Giant 'Hi Ten' steel road bike. Guess it's a matter of perspective. Trek makes a touring steel bike for 3 times the price, but that IS the issue.
>>>You also don't have any idea of the ride quality of that frame.
True, but ride reports from others indicate the bike is great for light touring use; good enough for me. My research seems to say that the low end aluminum frames are basically 'bone rattlers' so why bother?
>>>A couple years ago I found a much better steel Bianchi that was virtually new with Shimano Tiagra for about $500. For $100 more, I had a far better steel bike than this bottom of the barrell BD special.
Been watching Craigs list for this, but very few and far between. Sounds like you found a gem.