Marin Vs. Trek Vs. Garneau
 

Alright, So I've narrowed it down to 4 bikes. Here are the specs, with the prices:

2008 Marin Novato 19" (New) - $500

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=153562

http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/B...3182&Type=bike

Pros:

Best Components
Shimano Deore, 24 speed
Shimano Alivio shifters
Disk Breaks

Cons:
2008 (not made anymore)
Silver color (Very plain)
curved top bar frame (not my favorite frame design)
No suspension
No adjustable handlebar

Overall:

It is an older bike, but has the best components for the money. It is a very solid frame, but I do not like the silver or shape as much as the Trek.

2010 Trek 7.1 FX - black frame, black on black wheels(New) - $540

http://reviewsaver.co.uk/product-ima...1249328468.jpg

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=153566

Pros:
Best looking bike
black on black wheels

Cons:
Highest Price
Not as good components as above bike for money

Overall:

It is my most favorite looking bike. I love the look of the frame, all black wheels and it feels very solid.

2010 Louis Garneau Urbania 1.0 $489

http://www.louisgarneau.com/ca-en/pr...NIA_1.0#second

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=153568

Pro's

One of my favorite looking bikes
Cheaper than others (probably not a name brand, not making it overpriced)
Adjustable handlebars
Suspension in seat
Comfortable grips
5 Free Tuneups ($250 value)

Cons:

Not as good components as Marin Novato bike
Louis is new to making bikes, so might not be as reliable as Marin or Trek
Fork is steel (is this bad?)


Overall:

It is a very good bike for the money. It looks slick, and has a few extras like suspension in the seat, adjustable handlebar and same components as more expensive Trek.

2010 Marin Kentfield (New) - $479

http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/B...0724&Type=bike

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=153570

Pros:
Cheaper Price
All black Marin frame
Solid bike
5 Free Tuneups ($250 value)

Cons:

Marin frame design (not my favorite)
No suspension
not as good components as Marin Novato

Overall:

Probably not my favorite bike. If I was going with a Marin it would be the Novato because it has the same design, but better components.


Now The best one on here is the 2008 Marin Novato. It has the best components, including disk breaks.

My favorite bike would be the Trek 7.1 FX and the Louis Garneau Urbania 1.0. I might like the Louis a little more because it is cheaper, and has some extras. I also like the Marin Novato because it has the best components.

So could anyone make any recommendations, or give advice? What is the best buy for the money out of these bikes? If anyone know anything else that I should know would be great.

Thanks

You already answered your own question - looks like the FX wins.

You gotta buy the one you really like the best - or you'll never be happy.

I like the 7.1 fx and the garneau. I was just wondering if anyone has any information on them, what bike is the better buy, and if louis garneau is a good bike to buy.

Maybe someone who owns one of these bikes will be able to give me some real pros and cons of owning the bike.

Thanks!

Where are you? Canada? I haven't heard of Louis Garneau bikes, but they wouldn't put their name on something that isn't good quality. Their clothing and helmets are excellent. I'd much rather be on a less common bike than something as ubiquitous as a Trek FX. That's probably not a great reason to pick the LG, but I don't think buying the Trek because it has black wheels is a better reason.

A friend has cracked two FX frames in less than a year. While Trek was deciding whether to warrantee the frame a second time, he bought another Trek FX, so I guess he likes them! They ended up replacing the broken frame with a higher model. He now has a 7.5 and a 7.6. :) The point I'm trying to make is that the Trek FX bikes are not perfect, but they are nice enough to keep riders coming back for more.

I don't know if LG bikes are available in US, they are certainly less common and thus you will get less feedback pro or con. Lots of people who post here have FX bikes and they like them, so you will get lots of votes for that choice. Consider that and weigh the results accordingly, then buy the Garneau. :D

POI - I do not have a Trek.....

here ya go - http://www.louisgarneau.us/ca-en/category/310647/Hybrid

Have you ridden any of them? The Kentfield has different geometry than the others - you would be more upright. It's a comfort hybrid and the other ones are performance hybrids.

Do not worry if it's a 2008 model. That doesn't matter. It's not "discontinued" and you'll be able to get it fixed as easily as a new one. Also the Deore rear derailleur on the Marin Novato is tougher than the Acera on the other three. If you plan on using it every day, I'd go with the Deore.

I would imagine the Louis Garneau bike gets made in the same factories as the rest of lower-end bikes offered by the major brands.

I've found the Acera derailleur to be tougher than the Deore units. Anecdotal evidence, not statistically valid, but what evidence do you have concerning the relative durability of these derailleurs, cupcake?

I imagine Garneau bikes are made in the same factories as the mid-level and better bikes from the major brands are made. Imagination is a wonderful thing. It plays a big part in choosing a bike, and that's a good thing.

I plan on riding them later this week ( I didnt have a credit card on me)

Ive ridden the Trek a little in the store, and it feels very solid and comfortable.

As for the components, I don't think I really care what is on the bike. I'm going to buy the bike on how the frame feels, because if the components die, I can get new, better ones. All of these bike frames are similar in quality, so I'm going to go by how they feel.

Thanks again!

Alright I found 1 other bike:

Fuji absolute 3.0

http://www.vellendtech.com/product.p...=1261&pdi=1731

So my choices are pretty much between the Fuji Absolute 3.0, Trek 7.1 FX and the louis Garneau. I like all of them, and will test ride them this week and will probably make my decision on that, but I'm just wondering if one a lot better than the other ones. They all have pros and cons, like the fuji having adjustable handlebars and 24 speed (but its more expensive).

Thanks

If you are going up in price, should you now be comparing the next higher level Garneau, which has the 8 spd cog on the back ---- You gotta keep comparing apples to apples. Maybe you should be compareing the lower level Absolute????

I wish more info was available on the Garneau - as, like others, I would lean toward the lesser known name, if it was the same or better quality...... just to be different.

The Garneau, with what little info I can find, looks like a nice bike. Their website isn't a fount of information, just gives the basics - It is a Canadian company, though. How much is that worth to you?

How does it compare in side by side comparisons in fit, components, and finish? What about warrantee/service provided, etc? Could be worth lots of cash if you don't do your own work.. Do they warrantee the frame as the others?

How is the dealer you will be dealing with? How much do you like the color scheme? Which one did you fall in love with?

The more you look, the more confusing it becomes!

Just make sure you keep comparing apples to apples - so you can make the most informed decision - always compare the same level of drivetrains/componentry. 8 spd to 8 spd, triple to triple, flat bars to flat bars, tires to tires. They all have their pros and cons, but you must keep the playing field even. That way, you get the best one for your money, and the one that trips your trigger.

A winning combination!

I can speak to the Novato,I own one. Rides nice,handles nice. The fork has lowrider mounts and the rear caliper is on the chainstay,so you get the advantages of disc brakes without any issues with mounting racks and fenders. It comes with 1.4" tires,but has plenty of clearance for wider ones,so you can run genuine MTB knobbies in the winter.

I have a 2009 Fuji Absolute 1.0. It's a great bike even if it does lack the disk brakes of the 2010 version. In that respect it is similar to the 3.0. Of course it is better equipped than the 3.0 but the basics will be the same. It is well worth considering.

Good luck with your search,

Ken

well I should have said the 4.0, but it seems that the 4.0 has cheaper components than the rest. The components on the 3.0 seem to be similar to the other bikes.

And I'm just wondering, but are any of the bikes made in canada? Louis Garneau is canadian, but do they actually make their bikes in canada? I think trek is made in china.

Thanks

You are going to have GREAT DIFFICULTY finding anything mass marketed in the US or Canada, that is actually manufactured there.

Your best bet is to find a company that is headquartered there.

If you are in Canada - Garneau may be your best bet - at least you can say it's a Canadian Company......

In your price range I doubt it. You can get some Bike Friday's starting at about $1000 USD and they are made in Oregon. Some Treks are made in the US. My niece is marrying her Marine boyfriend next fall and the boyfriend's father is a custom frame builder for Trek in Madison, Wisconsin. I don't know what they cost. There are other low volume, US made frames and bikes (though many of the components will come from elsewhere anyway), all at a price. I would assume you could find a Canadian made bike too, just be prepared to dig deep. Perhaps that is something we should do more often to keep our countrymen employed....

Ken

Prices start at around $500 for a frame welded in Canada. That's before you add any components. Suffice it to say that if you're paying less than $1000 for a new bike, it'll be fabricated overseas but assembled in Canada. That's what the "made in Canada" sticker means.

Opus and Rocky Mountain are two other brands that are Canadian (but not fabricated in Canada, just assembled.)

i would go with the trek fx. however, why are you paying such an exorbitant price for a 7.1? at 540 you're just shy of a trek 7.3 fx which has a deore rear derailer. also, bikes with 7.2 fx 2010 and up have double butted aluminum frames.

one thing i resent about all this that some bikes have deore rear derailer (awesome!) but if you ever wanted deore front derailer then you have to change the shifters, cassette, chain, and front derailer which gets very costly. deore quality components take care of themselves whereas the cheaper components need constant attention. i'm going to get a mountain bike later this summer and have saved back the 570 i was about to spend for a trek mtn bike with similar components to the trek 7.3 fx. i'm saving up so that i can spend a little more and get all deore - it'll be worth it in the long run when it lasts and works without any problems.

anyway, i went off subject. stick with the 7.1 fx. if you can get it at a lower price than 540 (waaay too much) then great. tbh, i've never noticed a big difference in ride quality between single butted or double butted. i don't care much for weight and trek gives lifetime warranty on all frames. so get whatever's cheapest.

Prices in $, in this thread, refer to $ CAN. Not the same as US $.

can you elaborate?

i have a fisher 2009 kaitai and i was under the impression i could easily install a deore FD to complement my deore RD.

my full specs are here:

http://fisherbikes.com/bike/archivemodel/499

components have limited compatibility. a deore front derailer is NOT compatible with 8 speed shifters on your bike (i know because i have similar components on my trek 7.2 fx 2008). you'll have to upgrade to 9 speed shifters. the deore front derailer is also not compatible with the cassette and chain so you'll have to change them too. i'm hoping some other forum member corrects me with more specifics. these upgrades will easily run 200+ USD if not more.

if you just do commuting or fitness riding...i honestly don't see a big advantage to components better than deore. for those uses its durable, reliable, works well, and great bang for the buck.

The best price I got for the 7.1 FX was $519.99 (CAD) with a 2 year service plan included. Yes it is alot more here than in the US.

But if the deore is really that much better, is the Marin novato (with tripple butted aluminum, deore components) a much better buy than the 7.1 fx, considering its even cheaper?

AWhich ever one fits you the best, is the most comfortable to ride, and the one you like the looks of the best, (and,country of origin-manufacture, if it matters) IS THE ONE you should buy.

Components can, and will, eventually, wear out. You can then replace them with whatever you like.

Keeping in mind, also, that you get the best price for componentry, when it is already on a new bike - which is the reason for buying all you can afford, while you are shopping new.

Buy the one that trips your trigger, and worry about componentry later.

Thanks for the advice!

I am going to test ride the 7.1 FX trek and the Garneau today and see which one I like better.

With the garneau, I do like the ability to adjust the handlebars, but I'm just going to see which one is more comfortable.

Thanks again for your help! I'll let you know which one I decide.

hmmm. ill have to talk to my lbs to see what upgraded FD can work with what i have now.

if i had known all this then i would have probably saved up and just gotten the gary fisher utopia.