So, I went down to a bike shop (not local, hence no acronym) today that was recommended by a friend of mine and started looking around. Bonus points to the owner for talking to me 25 minutes after the shop closed, but definate negatives for this exchange:
Me: "Well, originally I was looking in the 800-1200 range, but since I've done some re-evaluation, I'd really like to get a bike for under 600"
Him: "Well, these bikes over here are nice. They range from 750-1450"
<numerous exchanges>
Me: "Well, I really am looking on a much more limited budget at this point. This is what I want, and I'm looking for a bike in the fives at most"
Him: "Well, these are the quality bikes in the range I would recommend" <points to bikes ranging from 750-1450 again>
I must say I'm a little disheartened by this guy's complete lack of understanding regarding my money. Before I started talking money I mentioned Surley to him and he kind of shot the whole concept down because I would have to buy all the components individually and that would be "too cost prohibitive" (Though he didn't have a problem showing me bikes nearly three times what I said my range was.... figure that one out)
So now I'm kind of back to square one. I've pretty much decided I want to buy a bike I can beat the heck out of (Not that I WANT to beat it up, but I'm a rough and tumble kind of guy).
There are three more bike shops I plan to check out, one of which I called and the guy seemed a lot more willing to put me on a cheaper bike than anything else, stating that for what I said I wanted to do, I didn't need this super expensive thing and it pisses him off that places like <bicycle shop X> (not the one I referenced above) try to sell you the most expensive thing they can. - That was a bit of a run on, but the point is, I like the guy's attitude. He specifically mentioned the Jamis Coda which someone in the introduction thread recommended as well.
I've refined what I'm looking for to this:
A bike for under $600 that will provide me with:
Dropped handlebars
A relatively comfortable ride
disc OR cantilevered brakes
a reasonable shifting system (oh yeah, I have a question on this too)
I think I'd like cheater brakes too...
The shifting system - I've read a lot of reviews talking about Shimano's shifting systems, and this is what I think I've figured out. Price, from cheapest to most expensive:
Sora
Tiagra
105
Now, it seems to me that the Sora is an 8 speed, the Tiagra a 9 speed, and the 105 a 10 speed. Is there actually a QUALITY difference between these three sets of shifters, or is it just the number of gears available?
Regarding bikes, I WILL be open to buying a new bike in a year or two if I really get into the biking thing and I feel I need better, so I'm not locked into what I buy now.
Anyway, that's enough crap dumped in for now. If anyone has any new recommendations on bikes, I'll love you forever for them.
Thanks!