Ahctogi

There is a local dealer that sells Motobecane in Houston. I would think there may be near you ?


I would be willing to bet it is Cycle Spectrum in Houston...which is owned by the same guy that is the importer for Motobecane is the states. (He runs it as a seperate entity, but they pull on each others stock, according to an article I read.) So, again, as I stated, where (besides Cycle Spectrum) would you be able turn to in the event you wanted to test ride, or have a warrenty claim?

Noddy

The discussion was about Dawes not Motobecane.

Ahctogi

This is a good, valid point Unbra. Also, consider this...You have a good LBS with a good reputation. And if you wanted to swap out a seat, or tires, or something, it sounds like they might work with you. What kind of service policy do they give you with a new bike? (1 year free tune ups, lifetime, ?). I will gaurentee you that you will need and use the maintainance, but there is a smaller chance that you may trash a wheel. And if you bought the bike from them, and you DO trash a wheel, maybe they will be more willing to cut you a break on the parts and labor because you are one of THIER bike customers. And I bet they could figure out a way to weigh your bike, or bring your scale with you to the shop...( I am sure everyone would get a chuckle out of seeing you walk in with a scale, and may stress to them that they should get one)...

Ahctogi

I was using the Motebecane comparison because it seems like the same type of scenario...somebody is importing them, and you can expect the same issues (see previous posts for those) with Dawes as you could with Motobecane. Also, another poster asked about Motobecane, I was following up on his post...

Umbra

Your comments are very reassuring. I believe my LBS offers free tune-ups for a year, and I'd really like to give them my support...well I'm slowly talking myself into it.

Noddy

One that I've dealt with locally has free lifetime tune-ups but their road bike selection is a bit limited - basically Trek and Specialized only on display and only about 8 altogether - out of at least 100+ bikes in the place.

Sigurdd50

This is cheating a little...
I took advantage of the late winter year end sale to get an '04 model for $699
The attached pic is actually the Felt 05 F70...BUT, it is EXACTLY (save for the saddle) what I got which is an F65 2004 (retail was $1299!) Click on the image to see a larger pic
I think some smaller outfits may offer some mixed bag stuff, mid-year or year end... and I think I got lucky with a mix of better components and a great price
Shimano Ultegra
Carbon fork
Carbon Stays in back
Clipless pedal
7005 Frame
carbon cranks
XERO wheels (don't know much about these but they look alrigh)
INtegrated headset



tonsa fun

ask around and find out when your local Bike shop runs clearance and see what turns up

operator

That is a great deal.

tie

Here is a page where Raleigh says the Sport'04 weighs 25 pounds. They don't specify different weights for different sizes (of course I know there is variation). I found that in fact the size 57 weighs 30 pounds. This is just a very heavy bike.

Noddy

Does anyone have any recent examples of close-out type pricing on '04 bikes? I'm looking at a Specialized Allez at my LBS and want some comparisons.

Dome6656

What do u guys think about this bike??

site https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...133934043&rd=1

Tommaso Compact Frame Technology:
More stand-over clearance
Less flex which equates to a smoother more efficient ride.
Slightly lighter
Specs

Tommaso 2005 Capri
Frame: 6061 Aluminum straight guage Weight: 24 lbs. (complete bike, weighed in store.)
Fork: Aero bladed Cro-moly Unicrown
Controls: Drivetrain:
Headset 1-1/8" zero stack integrated Front Derailleur Shimano Sora
Handlebars Alloy Black Rear Derailleur Shimano Sora
Aerobars N/A Shifter Shimano Sora STI
Stem Alloy Adjustable Rise Cranks RPM Triple 52x42x30
Grips/Tape Black Cork Bottom Bracket Cartridge Sealed
Saddle Tommaso Cassette 8 spd 12x24
Seatpost 272 Alloy Black Chain Shiamno IG
Wheelset: Brakes:
Front Hub Alloy 36 H Calipers Tektro Dual Pivot
Rear Hub Alloy 36 H Levers Shimano STI Sora
Wheels Alex DR13 36 stainless steel spokes
Tires Kenda Koncept700x23c

Ahctogi

WOW !...That sux. I guess that is why 1) most companies no longer post weights in catalogs/specs, and 2) Why I would NEVER trust any published weight on a bike EVER!

I do not trust the weights, because to publish them, the bike that would be weighed for the info to put into catalogs would be prototypes..(the catalogs are printed way before the bikes go into full scale production). Also, unless they would weigh every size, it can be very misleading. They will not weight the largest bike, since then they would seem heavy across the board....If they weigh the smallest size (which it looks like in this case) then you get a very disgruntled and disappointed customer (which it looks like in this case). In any case, everyone loses.

KarlBC

Wow nice looking bike, I'm going to see if they sell those in my city to take a closer look. I like the colour.

Karl

Sigurdd50

Karl:
I think getting previous year's models at such a deep discount is sometimes a crap shoot. Every year, this shop in Madison has a huge Valentines Weekend blow out, but they pick and choose cuts and models. I happened to be lucky, loitering around the shop the night before... they wouldn't tell me exact cuts, but the sales guy pointed to the FELTS and said... "the best bang for your buck in our sale will be down there" and he said... 'somewhere between 650 and 750.' That was enough for me. I'm tickled pink (or yellow as the case may be). The black carbon stays and fork make the color scheme (as a former resident of the hawkeye state, I have an appreciation for black and gold-yellow)

I do believe that if you make offers or overtures to LBS about last year's model, you may get their attention. I'm glad I waited so I could get the next level of quality up for entry level $.

thejru

These are a little above the price ceiling but how do the Cannondale R500, Trek 1200 and Tommaso AS1 compare? Cannondale and Trek are big names but the Tommaso is a new one for me.

Dahon.Steve

There's nothing wrong with a 30 pound road bike. I've seen a 57cm Sport and it didn't seem to weight 30 lbs. It's a nice bike. Enjoy it.

tie

Well I like to complain; you gotta problem with that?!

Another reason I was complaining is because I haven't had time to ride it much at all. Finally on Saturday I had a free day, and went on an 85 mile ride, 4500 feet climbing (mostly flat). Basic route was into the East Bay Hills, across the Dumbarton, then up the peninsula into San Francisco -- the longest ride I've ever gone on. It is a decently nice bike. It felt nice all the way through, perhaps an advantage of the steel compared to an all-aluminum bike.

The only complaint from the ride (besides weight) is the shifters. In traffic, the shifters were very convenient. But out in the country, I realized that there aren't a lot of gear combinations that don't give some amount of chain rub, so I have to change more gears than I normally would. I'm used to friction shifters that can be trimmed. I'll get used to this, and it isn't such a big deal.

I'm looking forward to riding this bike a lot more. If only the rain would hold off.

jlin453

Well, I'm probably going to be buying a Jamis Satellite soon, thanks to LordOpie's constant recommendation. I test-rode one today and loved the feel of everything. I'm a bit unhappy that I won't be able to upshift from the drops, but oh well. I can get a '04 Satellite for about $599.

The LBS said they'll be having the Felt F90 for sale soon, from $599 to possibly $499. I wasn't really too comfortable when I sat on it, never test rode it though.

(I gotta get a new bike, I'm getting tired of my old 30lb Centurion, lol)


--Dang, girlfriend said a lbs in Houston is selling the Fuji Finest for $400. It's my size too.... I wonder if I like the Satellite $200 more than the Finest

Noddy

What's up with Felt - are they trying to keep their bikes a secret or something? The closest (non-BMX) dealer to me is one hour away - they are listed on Felt's dealer page but there is no link to them so I call the place - guy says they have a bunch in stock, claims to stock 200 road bikes. I go to the store's web site - and there is NO MENTION OF FELT AT ALL - doesn't come up on their search button or anything. Very weird to be told on the 'phone to come on out we've got loads of 2005 Felts and then not even find the brand on the web site...
Salesman told me that the Felts are "an incredible value". Uh, wouldn't you want to maybe mention them on the web site if they're such a deal? Does Trek tell them that they can't mention other brands or something? Trek being the only brand that IS mentioned on the web site...

Which brings up the question: How far have you travelled to buy a bike? - maybe I should make that a poll.

Sigurdd50

this is not really a Felt issue as much as the local BS web site. I have gone to stores after viewing the web site offerings only to learn that 'oh, we don't update the web page very often' and they don't even carry that brand any more. Or they don't offer a certain maintenance package anymore. Best to just go to the shop and get it on with what they offer.

I live in Madison, Wisc. I was ready to drive to Chicago (140 miles) if there were more offerings... but I got lucky... course Madison is bike crazy

Noddy

If the brand isn't even on their site it is more than the site not being updated very often - either someone isn't doing their job (not likely - the site was fairly slick) or there is more to this than meets the eye.
I'm guessing, based on personal experience in other industries, that some other vendor flexes a bit of muscle and pretty much tells them not to promote other brands if they expect their orders to have a good fill rate. Just a guess - but I have direct knowledge of this in other areas of retail.

Newbian

The Jamis Satellite is an awesome bike. I saw one for $550 but my first choice was a Felt F90. There were some problems I guess with Felt getting stuff out to my LBS so I decided to wait it out. During the wait, the Satellite went bye bye. Still no Felts in my size, so I went for choice 3. '05 Trek 1000 for $529.

Newbian

I felt the same way on a Specialized Allez Sport even though it had 105 rd and carbon seat post. I kept looking.

jlin453

How do you like the Trek 1000 compared to the Satellite? My girlfriend is deciding on either the Jamis Satellite (47cm) or the Trek 1000 WSD.

Newbian

The Trek is comfortable but feels stiffer than the Satellite... If the cost was the same I would've gone for the Satellite... It's a smoother ride...