boze

https://bikesdirect.com/products/merc...ier_corvus.htm <-- random steel bike with some 105 for $795 shipped.

the webpage says it's Reynolds 520, but Reynolds doesn't even list a 520 at their website.

https://vault2.secured-url.com/reynolds/english.html

but...
is this bike any good? I sure like the price, but I wouldn't mind buying used if I could get decent steel frame with 105 or better for <$1000. that's what i'd prefer really as long as the group was newish. but...

I'm 6'4" and skinny, so I'd need a 64 or 63cm.

I looked at the Bianchi Imola at my LBS, but it's $1250 plus 10% DC tax - and that comes out to $1375 - it's just a lot of money comparatively.

the Jamis Quest only runs up to 62cm and that won't cut it. I fit nice on a 64cm Fuji at this lesser LBS, but it's just another Aluminum frame and that's what I'm trying to get away from.

Help?

boze

i should also mention that i'd really prefer a classic road frame as opposed to compact.

if i could afford it (which i totally can't) i believe it'd be worth it to get fitted for a custom steel frame (like they can make a gunner roadie big for you i think), but money is tight and i'd rather actually buy a bike for the summer than just lust after a hi-end frame that i'll never have the cash for.

tlippy

I've been drooling over their site for months - my next bike will come from them. it's just too good to pass up BUT I have no experience with their stuff

55/Rad

bikesdirect.com is fine - good service and prices.

I'd suggest a Fuji Roubaix PRO - the Pro is the steel model. Full 105. The MSRP is around $1200 but I've seen it for as low as $8 or 850. Good bike. Call Performance. With a 20% coupon (see hot deals forum) it could be quite a steal.

55/Rad

boze

that's a great recommendation rad- if i could find that fuji for $8 or 850 instead of 1200 i'd do it for sure. i really liked the fit of the fuji 64cm that i got on.

didn't even notice the hot deals forum - just found this board today. i'll head straight over.

but rad, where do find the roubaix pro for so little though? the guy at the other LBS pointed it out to me but he was showing me an aluminum one for $1200 i think and the roubaix pro was more like $1500 i thought.

i know i'd be happy with your price - just not sure of Performance's price. i mean they charge $850 for their Razza 3, which is just a cheap aluminum frame.

55/Rad

In January of this year, I found an '03 online for around $850. It was a closeout. I didn't buy it as I ended up with a Lemond, but at that time, there were several online shops closing them out for a good price. Even bikesdirect.com had them for around that price. Unfortunately, it's not that time of the year. Performance in Beaverton Oregon has them right now for $1200 and with a 20% discount, that's still $960. And, you're not in Oregon. Try calling the online site direct. They don't list the bikes on the site but they may sell you one nonetheless.

Fuji is a good brand that frequently gets discounted. You may have to be patient, but you'll find it. And since your size is unusual, it's quite likely to find it when they do close out. I'll keep my eyes open.

55/Rad

boze

very kind of you.

i think i'm sold pretty much. you get a reynolds 853 w/ full 105 - and the icing on the cake is that i actually got to sit on a 64cm fuji and it felt great.

i'll go test ride that aluminum one and then play the waiting game like homer simpson.

thx for the guidance.

warrenginn

Actually, Reynolds does talk about 520 (in the 525 section):

"Reynolds also use the 520 decal for Reynolds chrome-moly tubing made under license to our specification."

So, it's actually Reynolds 525. It's a tiny bit more comfortable but not as light and stiff as Reynolds 853.

boze

my bad, sorry.

does "under license to our specification" mean that it's like not reynolds or something? like just "approved by reynolds"?

are the weight differences significant? i should write bikesdirect.com and have them tell me the weight of that Mercier maybe.

does anybody think anything about that brand?

I'd rather have the Roubaix Pro I think, but i've always been curious what the subjective thinking is on a reynolds 853 vs the lower numbers.

boze

i wish they had this one in my size:

https://bikesdirect.com/products/moto.../legacypro.htm

55/Rad

Are you sure you need a 63 or 64? How was that determined? Reason I ask is that manufacturers size their frames differently. My 58 trek, 57 Lemond and 55 Lemond all are within a centimeter of each other top tube wise, it's the seat tube that's different. It wasn't a problem at all getting all 3 identically set up. One has a higher saddle height and another has a slightly longer stem, but that's it. Check out the geometry of the frames you are looking at and compare - you might be surprised.

That Legacy Pro looks nice.

55/Rad

fogrider

525 is entry level tubing. 853 is the new steel. It was designed to be welded...it actually got stronger after welding. Notice that everyone welds with 853 and does not use lugs. If cash is limited, try looking on ebay.

boze

fog- thx. yeah, ebay is watching for me but they almost never turn up something in my size. (although there's a nice pinner there if i wanted to go retro w/ a dbl).

rad- i see your point about fitting a smaller frame, but i've been doing that with my current bike (a 61cm GT Force - they run big - with a longer stem added on) _and it's so rarely that I can manage an upgrade that I really feel like i shouldn't fudge the size thing again this time just to make shopping more convenient. i mean that very much entry level GT w/ RSX lasted me something like 5 or 6 years! i feel like i should get a 64 that feels like it was made for someone my size because it might be my only chance to do that for quite a while.