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Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

Is my LBS wrong?? Please comment...

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Old 03-14-11 | 10:47 AM
  #76  
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Generally a thread of blech, but to go back and throw my 0.02 in on the OP -

1. They probably said this because of the number of broken Rival shift levers that they have seen. It happens. I have seen my fair share too. In my experience it seems to be how the rear derail is setup and has more to do with their wrenching ability than the rider's weight. Saying 105 is more durable that Rival...stretch to be sure, but it doesn't have anything to do with rider weight.

2. Trek bikes sell for more than the value I feel they represent. I'll buy them a beer on that one. The research bit is BS.

3. Giant is one of the best values out there. No soup for them.

4. Who cares. Fit is most important. Regardless of whether they spend hours fitting you or you spend hours riding the rig as a test ride....it's your first "real" road bike. You'll know what to look for when it comes time to get you "second" real road bike. Basically if it reasonably seems to fit (based on your limited experience), you like the bike, and it represents a value equal or higher than the price they are willing to sll it to you for then buy it, ride it and enjoy it.

.....this isn't a debate about politics, world hunger or world peace. It's talking about buying a bike. To ride. To have fun. So....buy the one that's fun for you.
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Old 03-14-11 | 11:02 AM
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Originally Posted by Psimet2001
They probably said this because of the number of broken Rival shift levers that they have seen. It happens. I have seen my fair share too. In my experience it seems to be how the rear derail is setup and has more to do with their wrenching ability than the rider's weight.
Could you say a bit more about this? I had a Rival shifter fail on me a few weeks back (losing the right when riding into a stiff headwind was not a pleasant surprise). Some metal part inside that pivots failed causing my lever to fall off completely and land in a ditch.

SRAM sent a warranty replacement with no hassle, but if there's anything I can do to reduce the possibility of this happening again, I'd like to know what it is.
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Old 03-14-11 | 11:17 AM
  #78  
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Originally Posted by banerjek
Could you say a bit more about this? I had a Rival shifter fail on me a few weeks back (losing the right when riding into a stiff headwind was not a pleasant surprise). Some metal part inside that pivots failed causing my lever to fall off completely and land in a ditch.

SRAM sent a warranty replacement with no hassle, but if there's anything I can do to reduce the possibility of this happening again, I'd like to know what it is.
That's the common failure. I have a theory that it has to do with how the limit screw and tension are set. If you're at the high end and go for 1 more gear and it doesn't bypass and stay in the large cog but instead stops and jumps down a cog then there is too much hard stop/tension at that end of the travel - and I feel that it puts the critical parts under too much tension and causes the failure. Many, many of their shifters have run into this issue and many people have gone through multiple versions, yet - some that are set up by some mechs just never seem to have that failure. That's where I am starting to think that it has to do with how the mech sets the stop and tension.
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Old 03-14-11 | 11:26 AM
  #79  
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Originally Posted by Snapperhead
Yeah, cause selling bikes is rocket science.
To some people it is...especially the ones that spend a ton of time in places like this getting information from posters that have no real idea what they are talking about but can't help themselves. We can usually tell where they've gotten the information, too. Sometimes we can tell down to the thread and poster.
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Old 03-14-11 | 11:28 AM
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Originally Posted by Psimet2001
That's the common failure. I have a theory that it has to do with how the limit screw and tension are set. If you're at the high end and go for 1 more gear and it doesn't bypass and stay in the large cog but instead stops and jumps down a cog then there is too much hard stop/tension at that end of the travel - and I feel that it puts the critical parts under too much tension and causes the failure. Many, many of their shifters have run into this issue and many people have gone through multiple versions, yet - some that are set up by some mechs just never seem to have that failure. That's where I am starting to think that it has to do with how the mech sets the stop and tension.
I have Rival on one of my bikes and have had no issues, FWIW. You would think that SRAM would get the idea and would send info out on proper setup. First I've heard of this...interesting perspective. That's a lot of free stuff to send out without fixing the root of the problem.
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Old 03-14-11 | 11:41 AM
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Originally Posted by roadwarrior
Look does too...but they are buying the carbon in sheets. Giant starts by making it all themselves. That's what I was referencing.
Both Look and Giant both make their CF cloth in house.
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Old 03-14-11 | 11:45 AM
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Originally Posted by Velo Gator
Just to add, I have a tall friend who has had a lot of problems with SRAM. He was told it's because of the cable length on the large frame that he has. I have no idea if that's true or not, but maybe that's what your LBS is referring to.
I've heard that since SRAM is 1:1 cable pull frame flex can really mess with the shifting. With a big frame, you're going to have more frame flex if all things are equal.
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Old 03-14-11 | 11:46 AM
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Originally Posted by WhyFi
Being successful in sales in any competitive market is tough, very tough.
Agreed, I've been there. But again, it's just not rocket science. And to insinuate that a shop giving test rides is why they went out of business is just nonsense.
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Old 03-14-11 | 11:59 AM
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Originally Posted by roadwarrior
I have Rival on one of my bikes and have had no issues, FWIW. You would think that SRAM would get the idea and would send info out on proper setup. First I've heard of this...interesting perspective. That's a lot of free stuff to send out without fixing the root of the problem.
Search around....I have been seeing more and more of it. I can list 3 or 4 riders that have gone through at least 2 replacements. I personally have run Rival for 3 years and Red as well with no issues and none of the levers I have set up have failed but I get a lot of people coming back to me asking if I can warranty them. All right hand levers all with the same failure. All replaced instantly no questions asked. Usually Rival or Force.

I even think Ridethecliche has gone through 2 or 3 and mike in racing forum has gone through 3.

I have my computrainer class coach, ex-pro, masters national podium finisher, all around kick ass girl who has gone through 3 as well. She tears stuff up just through sheer use though so.....I always take her damaged parts with a grain of salt.
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Old 03-14-11 | 12:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Psimet2001
Search around....I have been seeing more and more of it. I can list 3 or 4 riders that have gone through at least 2 replacements. I personally have run Rival for 3 years and Red as well with no issues and none of the levers I have set up have failed but I get a lot of people coming back to me asking if I can warranty them. All right hand levers all with the same failure. All replaced instantly no questions asked. Usually Rival or Force.

I even think Ridethecliche has gone through 2 or 3 and mike in racing forum has gone through 3.

I have my computrainer class coach, ex-pro, masters national podium finisher, all around kick ass girl who has gone through 3 as well. She tears stuff up just through sheer use though so.....I always take her damaged parts with a grain of salt.
Interesting....even though most bikes come from the mfg basically buuilt these days, we tend to tear them down and redo them, to a certain extent. Two of the guys are ex-pro wrenchers and train the others and recheck their work...but I've not had the experience of hearing about this a lot...

SRAM's customer service is top notch.

Thanks for the info...
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Old 03-14-11 | 12:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Brogi
Hey guys,

Just joined the forum today and I'm about to buy my first road bike. First, I'm 6'3, a lean 245 (if thats possible; I think it's all in my head) and 28 years old. I've been researching bikes for 2 years now and I've settled on a Tarmac SL2 w/105 group set. I plan on buying on Thursday (3/17)! Anyways, I heard some things from the 3 different bike stores and they all had different opinions... of course. Please let me know if any of these claims are true, as far as you know. Or, feel free to share anecdotal incidents that may help me out. And last but not least, I know fit is number 1, but I felt a great fit on both the Tarmac and Madone 4.7... In your opinion, have I selected correctly? THanks!

1. I was told to stay away from the SRAM Rival group set b/c of my size. Apparently, the Shimano 105 is more proven for all riders and the Rival derailleurs aren't as reliable to stand up to force of larger riders?? Sounds like BS to me, but please let me know.

2. Trek doesn't invest as much in the engineering, technology, and R&D of their frames as Specialized and their bikes aren't worth the money at the $2600 price point. Trek would be more for the $4000 rider.

3. Same as above, but with GIANT. The salesmen weren't too high on Giant bikes in the $1500-$3k range. The TCR is only to be considered in the $3500 range.

4. FIT is all that matters and a test ride in the parking lot doesnt prove anything, and therefore, isnt really worth it. --To this last point, I was shocked. I thought for sure they would want me on the bke to allow me to fall in love.

There are many more, but I would love your opinion on the aforementioned 4 points. Service is a huge part of buying the bike for me and I'm a little skeptical of these guys. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Also, I apologize if I'm posting in the wrong place, this is my first post. Please direct me to the correct thread if need be.

Thanks!
1. Rival will work just fine. SRAM and Shimano work differently so its preference.

2. That is crap. Ride both and buy what you want. Both companies make great bikes.

3. Crap as well. Giants are good bikes at any price point. The salesman is trying to sell you something other than a giant.....let me guess he sells Specialized and not Treks or Giants?

4. Fit is very important but it isn't all that matters. Feel, components choices, weight, and looks are also important.
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Old 03-14-11 | 01:12 PM
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Originally Posted by roadwarrior
I have Rival on one of my bikes and have had no issues, FWIW. You would think that SRAM would get the idea and would send info out on proper setup. First I've heard of this...interesting perspective. That's a lot of free stuff to send out without fixing the root of the problem.
I love SRAM. But my right side failed 1 year after I bought my bike (2009) and I snapped my left paddle two weeks ago. I upgraded to Red.
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Old 03-14-11 | 01:59 PM
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Originally Posted by WantsAPuppy
Unless you are trying to win races...what you ride does not matter much

You could buy a $1000 dollar bike and functionally it would be very similar, (shocking isnt it) Expensive bikes offer small advantages but are mostly more of a bling factor.

All those companies make great bikes. If you spend more than a thousand dollars you will be very satisfied...for awhile, and no matter how much you spend you will soon find yourself lusting after another bike, another component, another piece, better wheels

all those bikes are just fine
FTFY

Edited to limit hyperbole.
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Old 03-14-11 | 02:12 PM
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Originally Posted by roadwarrior
Look does too...but they are buying the carbon in sheets. Giant starts by making it all themselves. That's what I was referencing.

Trek Madone 6 frames are made in pieces, too. But someone else is making the pieces for them, the arrive in Waterloo and their assembly people take it from there.

My only point was that Giant does it all themselves.
Are you sure of your statement of the Trek OCLV frames?? Do you want to be more specific about the pieces your referring too? I am just curious?

Trek OCLV

In 1992, Trek introduced its proprietary OCLV carbon process (Optimum Compaction Low Void) which is still used in its handmade carbon frames. All OCLV carbon frames - road and mountain - are still made in Waterloo, Wisconsin.
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