Elvo

Jamis Xenith Endura 2 Bike 2011 > Complete Bikes > Road Bikes | Jenson USA

dr_lha

Nice ride if you only need a small frame.

Dan333SP

That Kestrel is only in a 62cm

OP, my brother has the Vent Noir. He bought his before they started selling it with 105 5800, his actually has Tiagra 10 spd shifters. Even with those, it's a bomb-proof bike and he's loved it in the years he's ridden it. Looks nice too, IMO.

_DavidGrossmann

thanks. what do you think I should look for when looking at the bikes besides the size

_DavidGrossmann

the vent noir is supposedly a very good option it has been recomended ALOT and its not only 62cm

ColaJacket

This is the point I've been trying to make, but he seems to be insistent on buying bikes that won't fit for his family.

And then he is going to wonder why they don't ride their bikes.

GH

Inpd

Right. A lot of people here like to feed misinformation about Bikesdirects. Its available in all sizes.

I think that's a great value bike because unlike most entry level road bikes they haven't skimped.

Looking at the specs. Its an entire 105 drive train from shifters, FD, RD, chain, cassette and descent other components.

$799 will get you a Claris drive train in most other brands.


Frame New Semi-Compact Geometry, Kinesis Handmade Double-Butted Aluminum Main Frame with replaceable derailleur hanger and 2xH2O brazeons
HT lengths 47/50/52/54/56/58/60/62/64CM=115/130/140/150/170/190/210/230/250mm
Frames are 6061 or 7005 to meet production demand. There is No perceptible difference in weight or performance due to design and heat treating of each 6061 or 7005 tubeset specific to each material
Fork Kinesis StraightBlade 12K CARBON Fiber 1.125 inch steerer
47/50/52/54/56/58/60/62/64CM=203/218/228/238/258/278/298/318/338mm
Crankset FSA, Gossamer Compact Updated 50x34T HG C-Ring ,W/ ALLOY BLK ANOD. Crank 170/172.5/175mm for 47-52/54-56/58-64CM
Bottom Bracket BB-6000 MEGA EXO BB
Pedals FREE Clipless Pedals compatible with all SPD type, two-bolt sole pattern shoes
WELLGO RC-713 ALLOY POWDER COAT BLK ROAD PEDAL W/9/16" CNC CRMO AXLE
Front Derailleur SHIMANO FRONT DERAILLEUR, FD-5800-L, 105, FOR FRONT DOUBLE & REAR 11-SPEED BAND TYPE(31.8MM), BLACK
Rear Derailleur SHIMANO REAR DERAILLEUR, RD-5800-L, 105, GS 11-SPEED DIRECT ATTACHMENT, LOW GEAR 28-32T, BLACK
Shifters SHIMANO SHIFT/BRAKE LEVER, ST-5800,105
Cassette/Freewheel SHIMANO KCS580011132 CASSETTE SPROCKET, CS-5800, 105 11-SPD 11-12-13-14-16-18-20-22-25-28-32T
Chain SHIMANO CHAIN, CN-5800, 105,FOR 11-SPEED, W/END PIN
Hubs ALLOY HUB 32H , LOOSE BALL W/RLCA SEMI-ALLOY QR
Spokes 14Gx64 PCS STEEL ED BLACK W/BRASS NIPPLE (14mm)
Rims WEINMANN DP18 ALLOY 700C H/W:31.0X12.4/18.7 PINNED TYPE W/O EYELET , BLACK W/CNC ,32H
Tires CONTINENTAL Ultra Sport II (C226 SL) 700x23C ( 23x622 ) BLK TREAD BLK S/W 180TPI x 3 , 110-120PSI , FOLDABLE
Brakes TEKTRO R540 BLACK w/P420 ALLOY CARTRIDGE SHOE Reach:49mm
Brake Levers SHIMANO SHIFT/BRAKE LEVER, ST-5800,105
Headset STS-1389-1-1/8" ALLOY THREADLESS H/P W/CNC CUPS ( H:24.8mm),BLK
Handlebar RITCHEY BIOMAX OE ROAD BAR (C:31.8) ALLOY(6061) D.B. BUTTED W/TUNNEL BUILT IN TYPE B/CENTER:31.8mm 400/420/440mm FOR 47-52/54-56/58-64CM,D/R:130/82mm,BB BLK
Stem RITCHEY STEM COMP 4 AXIS 84/6D(C:31.8)-28.6 ALLOY(6061) TIOGA-OS ,STEM.EXT-6°)90/100/110mm FOR 47-52/54-56/58-64CM,C/S:31.8/28.6x42mm ,BB BLK
Tape/Grip EVA CORK W/GEL
Saddle Skye Systeme Racing with Comfort Groove
Seat Post RITCHEY, 6061 ALLOY BB BLK S/POST W/BB BLK HEAD , 27.2 X 350MM

rms13

The Kestrel seems to be available in 50, 52, 54, 56, 59, 62 unless I'm missing something? I just added them to my cart and hit check out and it doesn't say they are out of stock

Dan333SP

Are we talking about the Legend?

Save Up to 60% Off Kestrel Legend Shimano 105 Bike Get FREE SHIP 48

Looks like it's only 62 or 51 cm.

The RT1000 (which I guess is more of an aero frame and has much gaudier paint) is only available in 47.

The Evoke 3.0 seems to be available in all the sizes you list, but I've read plenty of reviews of that frame that it's really just a holdover from 2006-7 and isn't really worth it if you're investing in a new carbon frame.

rms13

yeah, was talking about the Evoke that OP linked. Yeah maybe scratch it off then

Inpd

The Kestrel is nice but your essentially playing $800 more for a carbon frame which seems a bit much. The vent noir is better value. They both have a 105 group set.

Inpd

So for under $500 the bike I got Road Bikes - Dawes Lightning DLX is the best buy. Unfortunately, BikesDirect website isn't up to date (but there email response is great) and you'll find that its an entire Claris drive train except for crank.

For under $1000 there are a bunch of bikes with 105 drive trains for $799: Motobecane Vent Noir you mentioned, Save Up To 60% Off Pro Level Steel Road Bikes | Commuting | Commuter Bikes | Motobecane Gran Premio PRO (has triple crank which I like) and Save up to 60% off new Shimano 105 Road Bikes - Gravity COMP22 | Save up to 60% off new road bikes

_DavidGrossmann

WOAH I didn't see that one but that bike looks awesome

_DavidGrossmann

yeah but the I would propably go with the vent noir because it has so many recomendations

_DavidGrossmann

it looks like there are some from $1100 to $1400 but would those be good?

Juan Foote

It's rather funny watching the BF effect go on here.

Guy posts up wanting to know about bikes starting at $250, and he is already up to $1400....lol. Bunch of elitists

There are quite a few online sizing calculators where you can plug in your dimensions and get a recommended frame size. Keep in mind to stay within relaxed fit geometry for new riders....Even with that, and being experienced with frame fit and sizing, the last one I ordered was about 1/2" too tall for me..everything else is great, I opted to keep it, but it was easy to misinterpret the sizing numbers.

Dan333SP

Damnit, I was going to pop in and recommend that GT GTR they used to have on the website for like $4,500 with Cosmic Carbones and DA 9000, but it's no longer available. The highest end bikes in their stable are also all seemingly limited on size, so maybe they're trying to get rid of all inventory above ~$2,000? I can't imagine why...

wphamilton

I'm trying to say don't worry about components on a road bike. Look at what you want from the bike, then choose the component level as available from your budget. The lowest levels of components on these bikes are fine for entry level bikes.

Mercier Galaxy is $319, flat bar with triple crank will be easy to ride for a beginner. 8-speed or 9-speed is the sweet spot for adequate reliability and inexpensive replacements and nothing at all is wrong with Sora. That bike is probably 24 or 25 pounds, but you can't have everything plus cheap.

_DavidGrossmann

ok say basically the bikes dont matter and the higher end bikes are mainly just preference (Better frame vs better shifters....)

boymonkey

Ive had the Vent Noir since it was a 9 speed tiagra/105 triple crank. It has held up really well. Taken it on many rides to hills and far beyond, through many rain storms and puddles. I was even involved in a crash with a car and the only thing that needed to be changed was the handlebar tape. Its not the lightest bike in the world, but its of decent quality. It shifts perfectly and the wheels have stayed true.

I recently sold it to a buddy of mine to upgrade to a Cannondale Synapse. If you know your sizing, its a great bike. With the addition of the new 11 speed 105 and the compact crank, a bunch of weight was saved right there and all the gearing you'll ever need for any hilly rides.

dr_lha

There's another good adage to remember though:

Buy the best bike you can afford.

_DavidGrossmann

especially with bd

wphamilton

Basically, for an entry level bike. It's easy to get hung up on Sora vs 105 vs Dura Ace etc but unless you just have to have 10 speeds or 11 speeds, or some other specific feature, it really doesn't matter that the bike comes with Sora shifters and Claris derailleur.

Or Altus/Acera etc on mountain bikes, same thing with the exception maybe of the front shocks where the cheaper ones may develop problems.

The gotcha is when you find bikes with lower range of components than these, and you can have a real drop-off in quality.

wphamilton

My wife has that philosophy with jewelry. I personally don't see it, but there's always a compromise point where everyone is happy with the result.

Buy the cheapest bike that does what you want, and which performs to your realistic expectations.

_DavidGrossmann

Good luck