Standover height is close
03-19-11 | 12:33 PM
#26
Pointy Helmet Tribe
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From: Offthebackistan
Bikes: R5, Allez Sprint, Shiv
03-19-11 | 12:49 PM
#27
Swollen Member
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Toronto ON
Bikes: Linus Roadster 8
Standover height means almost nothing. If you can't get your leg over the top tube, that might be a problem. But more important to me is reach ... the distance between where I'm sitting and the handlebars.
I've measured my bicycles and I know what the length of my top tube needs to be for me to feel comfortable on a bicycle. Have you checked that with this bicycle you're considering?
I've measured my bicycles and I know what the length of my top tube needs to be for me to feel comfortable on a bicycle. Have you checked that with this bicycle you're considering?
Top tube length is the biggest factor in a good fit, because it's the least conducive to adjustment. There's not much else you can do besides messing around with different sized stems; everything else on a bike can be adjusted for any fit you want.
03-20-11 | 08:25 AM
#28
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Bikes: The Good Book of bicycling
i get it from pretty much everywhere; 8 speed chains have about twice the durability of the thinner 9 and 10 speed chains. Not a big issue, but i do like durability.
The attractiveness in a steel bike is durability and vibration absorption. This seems to be dawning on whoever is buying bikes at BD and they are taking the lead in supplying steel on the low end of price.
They have a steel bike at 300 but the next bike sells for 600, that's quite a jump in price. They say more low end steel bikes are coming but it will be months, and those will probably sell out fast.
Not sure if i would like an aluminum bike as all my stuff is steel (mountain bike, road bike and tandem)
The attractiveness in a steel bike is durability and vibration absorption. This seems to be dawning on whoever is buying bikes at BD and they are taking the lead in supplying steel on the low end of price.
They have a steel bike at 300 but the next bike sells for 600, that's quite a jump in price. They say more low end steel bikes are coming but it will be months, and those will probably sell out fast.
Not sure if i would like an aluminum bike as all my stuff is steel (mountain bike, road bike and tandem)
03-20-11 | 08:35 AM
#29
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
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You should just buy this bike and be done with it
It is a cheap no-name steel frame though with lousy components that probably doesn't fit you as well as it should. You also don't have any idea of the ride quality of that frame. There are high quality steel frames and there are lousy steel frames.
If you want a better frame, you could easily find a used steel frame that would be far better than this BD one. A couple years ago I found a much better steel Bianchi that was virtually new with Shimano Tiagra for about $500. For $100 more, I had a far better steel bike than this bottom of the barrell BD special.
It is a cheap no-name steel frame though with lousy components that probably doesn't fit you as well as it should. You also don't have any idea of the ride quality of that frame. There are high quality steel frames and there are lousy steel frames.
If you want a better frame, you could easily find a used steel frame that would be far better than this BD one. A couple years ago I found a much better steel Bianchi that was virtually new with Shimano Tiagra for about $500. For $100 more, I had a far better steel bike than this bottom of the barrell BD special.
03-20-11 | 08:50 AM
#30
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Bikes: The Good Book of bicycling
You should just buy this bike and be done with it
It is a cheap no-name steel frame though with lousy components that probably doesn't fit you as well as it should. You also don't have any idea of the ride quality of that frame. There are high quality steel frames and there are lousy steel frames.
If you want a better frame, you could easily find a used steel frame that would be far better than this BD one. A couple years ago I found a much better steel Bianchi that was virtually new with Shimano Tiagra for about $500. For $100 more, I had a far better steel bike than this bottom of the barrell BD special.
It is a cheap no-name steel frame though with lousy components that probably doesn't fit you as well as it should. You also don't have any idea of the ride quality of that frame. There are high quality steel frames and there are lousy steel frames.
If you want a better frame, you could easily find a used steel frame that would be far better than this BD one. A couple years ago I found a much better steel Bianchi that was virtually new with Shimano Tiagra for about $500. For $100 more, I had a far better steel bike than this bottom of the barrell BD special.
It may be cheap but better than my Giant 'Hi Ten' steel road bike. Guess it's a matter of perspective. Trek makes a touring steel bike for 3 times the price, but that IS the issue.
>>>You also don't have any idea of the ride quality of that frame.
True, but ride reports from others indicate the bike is great for light touring use; good enough for me. My research seems to say that the low end aluminum frames are basically 'bone rattlers' so why bother?
>>>A couple years ago I found a much better steel Bianchi that was virtually new with Shimano Tiagra for about $500. For $100 more, I had a far better steel bike than this bottom of the barrell BD special.
Been watching Craigs list for this, but very few and far between. Sounds like you found a gem.
03-20-11 | 10:17 AM
#31
Pointy Helmet Tribe
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Offthebackistan
Bikes: R5, Allez Sprint, Shiv
Sora's thumb shifters are not as nice to use as the dual action levers of Tiagra or higher. Being able to shift easily while in the drops >> chain life, IMO.
V.
