I've been digging around the forum for info on the bike store 'Racer Sportif' at Bloor and Runnymeade. I'm seriously considering getting a $1500 Aquila cyclocross bike from them, but some of the stuff I've read about them make it sound like a bad store.
The main knocks were back service/elitist attitude. Strangely I thought there best attribute was service. Geoff, the manager (young guy) who I've dealt with exclusively, seems like a really nice knowledgeable guy.

Anybody think I shouldn't get the cyclocross bike from Racer Sportif?

Looks like April Fools day is starting a little early on the internet - GM Buys Specialized (care of Commute By Bike)

What is the frame/fork constructed of? What component group/wheelset is on it? A little more info would help determine if the bike is a good deal or not.
The problems with them have been well documented...crap service...re-selling used bikes as new...claiming to be a dealer of said bikes....passing bikes off as something they are not. That being said they do have good deals on bikes on occasion. As far as the service goes, you are looking at a $1500 bike, they will be nice to you now, it's after they have your money that you need to be concerned about. tell Albert the mechanic Keith thinks he sucks. :p

http://www.konaworld.com/08_jakethesnake_c.htm
I think this is one of the best deals in the pricerange you have mentioned. Proven frame...lots of braze-ons...great sp[ec...good price.

The frame is anodized aluminum (so is the fork I think, though it's not anodized), the component group is Shimano 105, the wheelset is Mavic. I've dealt solely with Geoff, the manager, and he seemed to imply the store was really supportive of the rider and their needs after they bought the bike.

I test drove the Kona JTS today and it felt a little uncomfortable. Albeit, I've never ridden anything but ill-fitting, used mountain bikes my whole life, my lower back was in a bit of pain. Also, I didn't like that there was two sets of brakes on the JTS.

What slightly annoys me is that Racer Sportif doesn't do 'test drives' as the bikes are, apparently, custom fit and don't need a test drive. I'm weary of spending the money without riding it first. I have to ask about their return policy...

No test rides? What the ****?

Next time you test ride have the store adjust the bike to fit you properly....position the saddle in the correct place...raise or lower the bars till they are comfy. If they won't let you try it, don't buy it. Lots of cross bikes come with secondary brake levers...if you dont like em you can always sell em on craigs for $20.

I'd immediately walk out of any place that didn't do test rides. You can fine-tune the fit of a bike with different stems/etc, but that's not going to change the bike's original geometry. If you don't know a lot about bike geometry, then trying a bunch of different options is definitely a smart thing to do. Sitting on a bike while it's stationary in a store isn't going to tell you much. Frame geometry affects a lot of stuff other than fit!

Also, I've never bought a bike where the shop didn't swap out any components like stems/seatposts/etc for me to help get the fit perfect (and also be willing to spend time with me to make sure I'm happy with the fit).

My only direct experience with Racer Sportif was when I was looking for a cyclocross bike last year. I went in and told them a similar budget to yours, and they immediately showed me a bike that was about $2600. I politely got out of there soon after that.

ps. you can always get rid of the bar-top levers on the JTS if they bother you that much. :) They *are* really nice bikes. If I hadn't wanted a Campy drivetrain, that would have been one of my top choices.

Hell of a day to ride from Just NE of Oshawa to Toronto yesterday with the tailwind!
Perfect timing. Combine that with early season lack of crowds and it was great.

This was one of my favourite parts. In Ajax. The trail winds right along the edge of the bluff, and not a soul in sight. 40km tailwind directly behind (It was strong enough to push you around 8kms/hr without pedaling) :D

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a9/...e30mr08028.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a9/...e30mr08024.jpg

Nice!

ps. http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Hell-N-Back-140-km

When?

I don't think giving someone $1725 for a bike that's never been between your legs is a great idea.

2008 date hasn't been announced yet I don't think.. Here's the 2007 page: http://www.midweekclub.ca/hnb2007.htm. Great time of the year for that type of ride.

FWIW, you can check out Duke's at their new location. They had a really nice 2007 Cannondale cyclocross in a 54cm for $999 down from $1400 at the bike show. If they still have it at their new location, I'd snag it up, provided it fits.

Here it is: http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/07/c...del-7XR3C.html

It has a 9-speed 'train, but you could look at that as an opportunity to save $ on replacement parts.

Like everyone else said, don't buy from a shop that won't let you test ride. $1400 isn't small change, and you have every right to demand a test ride before laying down any cash.

Some other shops you might want to look at are: Sweet Pete's, Cycle-Solutions, Cycle Therapy, Duke's, and La Bicicletta. La Bicicletta can be intimidating, but Henry is a really nice person, and everyone in the shop is really easy to deal with. The only 'tards I've seen around that shop are some of the customers.

Cav: is it possible to get a JTC frameset?

Nuts. I have to get a license and/or join a team/club. Any suggestions?

Duke's has a new location?

Citizen's permit is only like $35 or something for the year. Midweek seems like a decent club if you can handle Craig's bs. Keith certainly can't. ;) You don't need to be a member of a team/club to race it though, you just need a license of some sort. I had a citizen's permit last year as an Independent.

As for the 'cross bike... A lot of people actually choose 9-speed for cross just because the drivetrain can get a lot more gunked up before it starts affecting shifting/etc. In fact, two of the fastest guys I know both ride 9sp.

Wow CM, very cool that your new gig is team-racing, getting to travel to all the races sounds like a dream job.

And yeah, I've been to Racer Sportif a few times and was very unimpressed with their service and attitude. I have also heard about the rumours of them selling used race bikes as new, I think that Cervelo even had a posting on their site clarifying that Racer Sportif was not an authorized seller of their bikes and that any bike purchased there was likely pre-owned. Bummer.

On the flip-side, just a few kms from Racer Sportif is Sweet-Petes on Bloor near Dufferin and they have always been friendly and had lots of advice for me. I've never purchased any new bikes from them but they did do some work on my Ciocc years ago and they did a great job.

+1 on Pete's.

I've had positive experiences at Wheels of Bloor and La Bicicletta as well, though I've never bought a bike at either. Lorne at La Bici is also a big 'cross racer, so he's a good source of information. They definitely only stock pretty highend stuff though, so keep that in mind. I think for cx they have BMC, Empella and Ridley.

+1 on Sweet Petes.

"Summer of Keith"

I did quite a bit last year but I somehow have more free time on weekends this year. ;)

What size do you ride? We have a used by the boss (lady driven?) Giant cross bike at Parliament. It's pretty pimped...disc...XTR cranks...105 and Dura-Ace. I heard him quote $1000 for it...55 or 56.

I have hereby taken the 3 post mantle away from danpositive.

I'm 6'2" with a 34"-ish inseam. When I test rode the JTS it was a 58", which is probably my size. Looks like I'm probably going to stay away from Racer Sportif. I'll check out La Bic tomorrow and see what they're like. And maybe Broadway cycles, to test drive their Bianchi Volpe.
Do you think La Bic has any CX bikes for ~$1500? Sounds like they're more expensive.

They have a Redline on their site for $1199 right now. Seriously, go and talk to Henry; give him your budget and see if they can put anything together for you.

racer sportif has been around for years but isn't really interested in your business unless you are a doughnut-riding elite racer. i would feel more comfortable spending my money at either wheels of bloor or sweet pete's (i know they carry the kona cross bikes). i'm riding a volpe frame right now and IMO it's a usable and nice-riding frame. i think you'd do well on it. i believe wheels of bloor carries bianchi too, you could ask them to get one. la bicicletta sells really nice stuff but again is race-oriented and may not be your best bet unless you're riding a race bike.

BTW - i'm the same size as you and generally ride a 58 or preferably a 60 in a cross bike.

I am about 6'2" also and ride at least a 59...preferably a 60. I think I see where the sore lower back is coming from. I had a 58 Fuji Cross pro...way to small. The Norco i rode last year was a 59 and it still felt too low and cramped. I like Bianchi's cross line-up quite a bit but you won't get as nice a spec as the other bikes in the same price range...they are a bit pricey. Specialized Tri-Cross is worth a look as well. Nice bikes...decent price.