Soliciting Opinions For Next Bike (or, why I'm a dope).
#1
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Soliciting Opinions For Next Bike (or, why I'm a dope).
I've been looking around for a new ride since the spring. Saw a bike a while back thatwas perfect. Now that I'm ready to go actually buy, of course it's gone. My fault.
Anywho, it was a screaming deal on a Focus Mares AL 105. Full price on the bike is $1800, which is still within my pricerange (barely), so it's still on the list. Especially since theres a local shop here that deals with focus, with an apparently well known fitter that that includes an hour long consultation/fitting for each purchase.
I'm looking for a bike that will be on the road the majority of the time, plus cross racing in the fall and a smattering of gravel rides, and fair weather commuting. I'll have a separate commuter with fenders,etc.
What else should I be considering? I'd been previously restricting myself to 'deals', but am expanding pricerange a bit to get a bike I'll really want to hang onto a long time.
Anywho, it was a screaming deal on a Focus Mares AL 105. Full price on the bike is $1800, which is still within my pricerange (barely), so it's still on the list. Especially since theres a local shop here that deals with focus, with an apparently well known fitter that that includes an hour long consultation/fitting for each purchase.
I'm looking for a bike that will be on the road the majority of the time, plus cross racing in the fall and a smattering of gravel rides, and fair weather commuting. I'll have a separate commuter with fenders,etc.
What else should I be considering? I'd been previously restricting myself to 'deals', but am expanding pricerange a bit to get a bike I'll really want to hang onto a long time.
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Focus makes good bikes, I have one of their road bikes. But the best deal I've seen is a DB Haanjo Trail. Carbon with an Ultegra hydro group. It's $1400, a $600 discount, if you sign up for a corporate account.
https://www.diamondback.com/city-bik...njo-trail-6934
https://www.diamondback.com/city-bik...njo-trail-6934
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Hrmm. Does a corporate discount involve getting hired by Diamondback??
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What size do you ride? There's someone selling a 52cm SuperX in almost perfect condition for $1600 here locally. That would be perfect for your needs.
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Last edited by shoota; 07-08-18 at 11:49 AM.
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The code I used is in this link. There's also a thread about it in the general section.
https://slickdeals.net/f/9796487-dia...bicycle-stores
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#7
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So, spent 5 hrs and 35miles riding around to bike shops yesterday. Test rode a TCX, CAADX, Specialized Crux. Had previously ridden a Focus Mares.
TCX has a goofy cable-hydraulic converter on the front of the bars for the brakes. I think that's a deal breaker for me. It's just too wierd, and makes mounting a computer much more awkward. Which is a shame...because it's a good value bike, and has loads of tire clearance.
CAADX doesn't have thru axles or hydraulic brakes. I think one or both of those might be a deal breaker for me.
Crux - had the best ride feel IMO. Felt just like a road bike, and had all the nice little modern frame features like flat mount brakes, internal routing, thru axles. It was also the most expensive.
TCX has a goofy cable-hydraulic converter on the front of the bars for the brakes. I think that's a deal breaker for me. It's just too wierd, and makes mounting a computer much more awkward. Which is a shame...because it's a good value bike, and has loads of tire clearance.
CAADX doesn't have thru axles or hydraulic brakes. I think one or both of those might be a deal breaker for me.
Crux - had the best ride feel IMO. Felt just like a road bike, and had all the nice little modern frame features like flat mount brakes, internal routing, thru axles. It was also the most expensive.
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So, spent 5 hrs and 35miles riding around to bike shops yesterday. Test rode a TCX, CAADX, Specialized Crux. Had previously ridden a Focus Mares.
TCX has a goofy cable-hydraulic converter on the front of the bars for the brakes. I think that's a deal breaker for me. It's just too wierd, and makes mounting a computer much more awkward. Which is a shame...because it's a good value bike, and has loads of tire clearance.
CAADX doesn't have thru axles or hydraulic brakes. I think one or both of those might be a deal breaker for me.
Crux - had the best ride feel IMO. Felt just like a road bike, and had all the nice little modern frame features like flat mount brakes, internal routing, thru axles. It was also the most expensive.
TCX has a goofy cable-hydraulic converter on the front of the bars for the brakes. I think that's a deal breaker for me. It's just too wierd, and makes mounting a computer much more awkward. Which is a shame...because it's a good value bike, and has loads of tire clearance.
CAADX doesn't have thru axles or hydraulic brakes. I think one or both of those might be a deal breaker for me.
Crux - had the best ride feel IMO. Felt just like a road bike, and had all the nice little modern frame features like flat mount brakes, internal routing, thru axles. It was also the most expensive.
Go test ride a SuperX.
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How much is the Crux and which model is it? Maybe I incorrectly assumed it was a full carbon/hydro model?
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#11
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I think I'm back to leaning towards the Focus Mares AL 105 honestly. I've got an appointment next week with a custom fitter/dealer. They're a Focus shop among other things. Free pro fitting after an hour long observation included with any bike purchase through them. The 105 Mares with hydro is $1800. After riding these other bikes though I'm a bit leary of the slack head tube angle on the Mares.
I'm totally overthinking this
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No...the Crux I'm looking at would be the E5 sport I believe; aluminium and 105. It's ~$2000, which I've set as my limit. I'm not sure I'm willing to spend real money to shave a couple pounds off.
I think I'm back to leaning towards the Focus Mares AL 105 honestly. I've got an appointment next week with a custom fitter/dealer. They're a Focus shop among other things. Free pro fitting after an hour long observation included with any bike purchase through them. The 105 Mares with hydro is $1800. After riding these other bikes though I'm a bit leary of the slack head tube angle on the Mares.
I'm totally overthinking this
I think I'm back to leaning towards the Focus Mares AL 105 honestly. I've got an appointment next week with a custom fitter/dealer. They're a Focus shop among other things. Free pro fitting after an hour long observation included with any bike purchase through them. The 105 Mares with hydro is $1800. After riding these other bikes though I'm a bit leary of the slack head tube angle on the Mares.
I'm totally overthinking this
My point is maybe waiting for a good deal to show up on eBay or something would be the way to go? Buying a new bike is just like buying a new car, the second you leave the store it's worth $500 less. That stings.
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2014 Cannondale SuperSix EVO 2
2019 Salsa Warbird
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#13
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No worries, I'm exactly the same way. Too bad my local SuperX wasn't your size. Full carbon, hydro 105, road bike geo, $1600. Dang. It sold yesterday too.
My point is maybe waiting for a good deal to show up on eBay or something would be the way to go? Buying a new bike is just like buying a new car, the second you leave the store it's worth $500 less. That stings.
My point is maybe waiting for a good deal to show up on eBay or something would be the way to go? Buying a new bike is just like buying a new car, the second you leave the store it's worth $500 less. That stings.
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