audiofx

I am looking at purchasing an entry level road bike for my 17 year old nephew. My LBS currently has a 2007 Felt Z90 with Sora shifters and Tiagra DR for MSRP of $699. This is our first summer of biking and we want to upgrade from our hybrids. I was planning on holding out for a Tiagra equipped bike for him, but my LBS does not have any in stock. The other option is to wait for the 2009 Felt bikes to be released, but I have a feeling I will be paying over $1200 for a Tiagra equipped bike with inflation hitting all the 2009 bikes. My LBS only deals with Trek/Felt. Should I consider a used bike on Ebay with better components in the $700 price range?

Will this bike be good fit for my nephew? The Felt Z series has a relaxed geometry. Should I look for a racing style bike for him since he is younger? I will personally be getting a Felt Z series bike when the 2009 models are released just for the relexed geometry but I am much older.

TeddyKGB

I would definitely look used. You can get a good bike w/ $700. I would try Craigslist before Ebay though...that way he can actually ride it before he buys it.

shabbasuraj

nah buy new..

buy him a sora bike, and let him cut his teeth on that for a few years..

he will probably crash a few times, so Alu is where it is at.

pagliaci

The prefect candidate for Bikes Direct. You can get a Tiagra bike for $699.

audiofx

Thanks for the suggestions!

Craiglist isn't too popular in my area for bikes. I have not seen a brand name road bike on there since I started riding months ago and became interested in biking.

Also, this will be his first road bike. I would like to buy from the LBS so a proper fit is done. He's around 6' and I am assuming he would need a 56cm but I do not know for sure. This is why I'm hesitant to buy off Ebay as well.

None of the BikesDirect bikes catch my eye, although I seen a Bottecchia at the LBS (it must have been in for repairs) and it was a nice looking bike.

I'm just wondering if I should jump on this 2007 Felt Z 90 for $699 before it is gone. I'd hate to pay $900-$1000 for the 2009 model with the same Sora specs. If I'm going to pay a little more, I would like it to be at least Tiagra.

TeddyKGB

I would just go for the Felt. That looks like a good bike to start with and he will definitely have fun with it. Keep the thread updated though, let us know what you decide.

cedricbosch

Just make sure it looks nice. He'll be picking girls up in it, you know.

cadencesdad

I started with a Felt F-90. Loved it. That said, you should evaluate what kind of riding your gonna be doing, and whats important to you, as far as must haves on a bike. While I loved my Felt, I could have spent a few hundred more, and got a much better group of components, wheelset, and a lighter bike from bikesdirect. Also, at that level of Felt, the frame was not a major concern for me.

Long story short, I wish I would have started with the Motobecane Le Champion. You can upgrade frame later, if you feel you need to.

Craigslist is also great, if you can be patient. I just stole a 2007 Orbea Onix with Mavic Kysiriums and full ultegra for $1000 plus $100 in gas to go and get it.

Lots of options, just decide what you want, and be patient.

pagliaci

Close your eyes when you order from BD! Seriously, you'll get twice the bike (lighter and better components) and your son likely won't be hung up on brand names.

dcbikeguy

+1

Uhm, no.

Since you're new, I would stick to your local LBS's - most likely you can find a deal if you shop around. I wouldn't do BD - many threads on the board about issues with their bikes which would require a trip or two to the LBS anyway.

urbanknight

I'd go for the Felt as well. Not sure why cadencesdad suggested upgrading a frame later. It would be far easier to have the Felt with a quality frame and slowly upgrade the components as they wear out.

Frame swap = hours of work and lots of tools.
Derailleur swap = 20 minutes and a couple of tools.

Don't go with BD unless your nephew knows how to assemble and fully maintain his bike.

shabbasuraj

and o ya get him some LWs.. then the chix will be coming.......

bvfrompc

not so sure about that either.

6'2", ride a 60, my wife is 5'10" rides a 56. If he is normal legs to torso, I would bet a 58 would fit him better.

urbanknight

I agree that getting a proper fit is a good idea. I'm 5'11" and ride a 55cm as I have short legs. It's just too varied to make a guess.

audiofx

My LBS is small and stocks 90% 56cm bikes. I walked in and without any measuring they suggested a 56cm (I'm 5'11"). I bet they fit him to a 56 cm as well...

We want to upgrade to road bikes. Currently, we ride MUPs and would like to get out onto the streets more, perhaps join some organized rides. Since the summer is almost over in Ohio, we only have a month or two left of riding. I'm wondering if I should wait until spring to make a purchase but I bet the bikes will be more expensive then. I wish i could get some specs of the new 2009 stuff coming out. It would help make my decision.

CrimsonKarter21

For 2009, expect prices for Sora 8 speed bikes to be around $750, and Sora 9/Tiagra for around $850-950.

Where in Ohio?

Bacciagalupe

You might want to look around for a Ventura Sport, around $550. The components are low-end -- should be fine for a beater / winter bike if he keeps riding a few years down the line.

audiofx

Youngstown area, northeast Ohio.

I plan on biking in the winter on my hybrid but after the clock's change, it is already dark when I get off work. My winter biking may be limited to the weekends.

Dago

I wouldnt buy a used bike as a gift for anyone, that would be kindof cheap.

audiofx

In my mind, I am leaning towards the Felt but I have not made the trip to the bike store. How good is the relaxed geometry of the Felt Z series for a teenager? Should we be looking at something more upright?

Is the relaxed geometry more for older people who don't want to lean over far?

They also have the Trek 1.2 and 1.5 in stock, which are more upright.

YungBurke

i would imagine the relaxed geometry is more just for the non-racer/ touring crowd more so than old people. I have a pretty relaxed road bike and im 20

audiofx

We will stop at the LBS and let my nephew ride the Felt Z90 and Trek 1.5 and see which he likes best. Both of these bikes have Tiagra DRs with Sora shifters. Is it possible to upgrade the Sora shifters to Tiagra or is this not worth the trouble?

Both of these bikes are 56cm. They do not have any 58cm in stock and 'm sure they'll recommend the 56cm. From what I've been told, all of the 2008 bikes are pretty much sold out so we can only pick what is left. Hopefully the LBS doesn't fit him to the 56cm just to sell the bike if he'd be better off with a 58cm.

audiofx

Well went to the LBS and got a quick fitting. Finds out we both need a 58cm bike. The LBS does not have any 2007 or 2008 stock in 58cm so we have to buy new. We were looking at a new 2009 Trek 1.5. Great looking bike with Sora shifters and Tiagra DR. My nephew loved the bike so I may pick this one up.

He likes the white/black color but they also have a white/metallic lime color that looks great. It will not be available until the end of September. The white/black color can be ordered and we can have it by next Friday.

The MSRP is around $960. I know its expensive for Sora/Tiagra. Only other option is to wait until the Felt line is released and choose something there but I bet I'll be paying the same amount of cash.

I am not sure of going the used route since this is his first road bike. I showed him the BikesDirect page but after seeing the Trek, we both agreed they didn't look as good.

TeddyKGB

If he liked the bike and it fit him well, that is the one you should get. Be sure to post pics!

audiofx

Well we ordered the 2009 Trek 1.5 on Monday (I asked multiple times and was assured it was the 2009 model). We go to pick up the bike yesterday and it's a 2008 model. I tell the owner that I was told I would be getting the 2009 bike and he told me that it is up to Trek on what they ship. If Trek still have 2008 bikes in stock, they will ship out 2008 bikes.

So I paid MSRP for the 2008 bike ($999). The only difference that I can see is the Trek logo is solid on the bar. I asked my nephew what he wanted to do and he said he like the logo on the 2008 better so we left with the 2008 bike.

I guess it's not a big deal but I feel somewhat ripped off. My nephew is happy with the bike so I guess that is all that matters.

I wanted to buy a Felt from this LBS for myself, but I may go across town to the Cannondale/Giant shop and see what they have.