Back-Up Bike
05-21-15 | 05:19 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 878
Likes: 139
Back-Up Bike
I'm thinking of getting a back-up bike for when my bike is out of commission. The Motorbecane Mirage SLX from Bike Direct looks nice. Save Up to 60% Off Road Bikes - Motobecane Mirage SLX Carbon Fork Shimano Road Bikes Is it any good for this role?
05-21-15 | 07:28 PM
#2
Plays in traffic
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,971
Likes: 15
From: Rochester, NY
Bikes: 1996 Litespeed Classic, 2006 Trek Portland, 2013 Ribble Winter/Audax, 2016 Giant Talon 4
Not a bad deal for half a large.
I see mounts for a rear rack. No front fender mounts, but not everyone rides in the rain.
Not enough detail about the tires. I'd replace them if they aren't puncture-resistant.
Otherwise, it's not that far off the spec of my backup.
I see mounts for a rear rack. No front fender mounts, but not everyone rides in the rain.
Not enough detail about the tires. I'd replace them if they aren't puncture-resistant.
Otherwise, it's not that far off the spec of my backup.
05-21-15 | 09:43 PM
#3
Keepin it Wheel
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,964
Likes: 5,230
From: San Diego
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
Wow, even shifters with inner paddles instead of thumb-buttons has trickled all the way down to Claris now! Looks like a good deal to me. Everything at BD seems like a good value to me (in way more styles than I am interested in).
They're out of stock right now, but this is in the running for my N+1 primary bike someday. 105, disc brakes and TITANIUM for $1400? Crazy!
They're out of stock right now, but this is in the running for my N+1 primary bike someday. 105, disc brakes and TITANIUM for $1400? Crazy!
05-22-15 | 05:12 AM
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 12,948
Likes: 9
From: England
Backup bikes are a good opportunity to get another style. Got a roadbike?, get a CX. Got a hybrid? Get a folder.
You can also hunt around for just the right used bike, given that it is not an urgent purchase.
I have a bunch of loaner/backup bikes. Some of the very low cost ones are ideal for leaving in high-risk areas such as railway station lockups.
You can also hunt around for just the right used bike, given that it is not an urgent purchase.
I have a bunch of loaner/backup bikes. Some of the very low cost ones are ideal for leaving in high-risk areas such as railway station lockups.
05-22-15 | 09:12 AM
#7
Aspiring curmudgeon
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 26
From: Saint Louis
Bikes: Guerciotti, Serotta, Gaulzetti
Nashbar is another alternative in the same price range. Their intro level cross bike has Sora and I like cantis for commuting, personally.
Nashbar CX1 Cyclocross Bike
Nashbar CX1 Cyclocross Bike
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"Party on comrades" -- Lenin, probably
"Party on comrades" -- Lenin, probably
05-22-15 | 01:11 PM
#8
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 9,685
Likes: 2,603
From: northern Deep South
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Is it better to get a backup bike that's about as good as the primary bike, or do you want a junker?
If you have two bikes that are similar, when one needs fixing you'll ride the other one. Until they both need work, and you just got home from a road trip at 9:00 Sunday night and need a bike to ride in the morning. (Been there, done that!)
If the backup is too bad, you'll never want to ride it, and work on the "broke" bike until 11:30 Wednesday night so you can ride it the next morning.
If you have two bikes that are similar, when one needs fixing you'll ride the other one. Until they both need work, and you just got home from a road trip at 9:00 Sunday night and need a bike to ride in the morning. (Been there, done that!)
If the backup is too bad, you'll never want to ride it, and work on the "broke" bike until 11:30 Wednesday night so you can ride it the next morning.
