libbey91

Ok so im very new to the world of road biking and im looking to get a new bike. In late February, and I've been doing a little research, online, going to bike shops, talking to friends who have been riding for a long time. Anyway. Ive been looking at a few brands in particular. And i just need some more input as what to get.
The bikes ive been looking at are Fuji newest 2.0, 3.0, 4.0. Jamis Ventura Comp, and Jamis ventura Sport, and finally Trek 1.2. 1.1.

All are just under $1000

Some side info about me and what my rides will be. Come spring time when weather is warmer and better. Ill be doing a 30 mile round to school and back. Then come late july i will be participating in RAGBRAI which is a week long event that averages 472 miles from the missouri river to the mississippi river through iowa.

So what bike should i get, and does the amount of the bike really change the performance of the components and such?

ducnut

Based on your needs, I wouldn't choose any of the bikes you've listed.

Everything you've listed are skinny-tired road bikes, aluminum frame, CF or aluminum fork, lesser component groups, and limited in tire size (due to brake calipers and frame width). For the budget listed, there are some better options that'll provide a better ride and experience, during your commute and RAGBRAI. You'll preferably want a steel frame for it's better ride and cantilever/sidepull brakes for additional tire width.

Trek doesn't offer anything I'd consider. Their pricing is too high for what you get.

Fuji has the Touring. Though, I think it's a little more bike than your needs warrant. However, it is steel, will accept larger tires, and has plenty of provisions for racks and fenders. It has a triple crankset and is ~$1100.

Jamis has the Bosanova. It has a steel frame, CF fork, triple crankset, larger tires, eyelets, and discs for ~$1200. They, also, have the Aurora touring bike. Again, probably too much bike. If you're stuck on a skinny-tired bike, they have the Satellite Sport and Comp at ~$700 and ~$1000, respectively. At least those bikes will ride better with their steel frames. And, they have eyelets. Again, you'll be limited on tire width.

Compare the pricing of the bikes you listed to this. Basically, the same component spec for ~$350. Now, the naysayers are going to bash the bike because it's mailorder. But, this bike is made in one of the same plants as the ones you listed. Many have people have bought from this site and have had positive experiences. Any problems I've read about were quickly handled by BD. The difference in these bikes and big name bikes is that you're not paying for all the marketing, sponsorships, middle-men (local bike shop and distributor), and other overhead.

You can get into a full-carbon, skinny-tired bike for ~$1200 and much better components than what you listed. Another full carbon and much better components for ~$1000. Or, skinny-tired, titanium at ~$1600. This is steel framed, much better components, and will accept a larger tire at ~$800.

You've got some things to think about. But, you've got time to mull it over.

himespau 

I'm surprised you went with BD suggestions and didn't go with the windsor touring bike?

Capecodder

Bikes Direct = Junk.

You end up with a low end No Name frame and you do not get to test ride it. Then when it arrives you get to put it together or take it to a bike shop and have them do it. I would much rather have a quality frame with lesser components in which I can upgrade as needed.


You want a bike with a more relaxed geometry, and designed for distance and sport. Here are the two bike I had to choose from recently, and both would be perfect for your intened use. I ended up with the Cannondale and do not regret mu purchase.

https://www.cannondale.com/2012/bikes...e-7-sora-19967

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...45855&eid=4360

ducnut

Based on the OP's riding desires, I thought the Windsor might be a little more bike than they'd want, for day-to-day riding. They mentioned skinny-tired options and thought maybe they were wanting something a little more "spirited". But, yes, the Windsor and Motobecane could be options. There are plenty of people on the touring sites who've reliably ridden them all over the world.

ducnut

You know they're junk. How so?

Do you really know where your C-dale was made? Google: "Where was my bike made?". You'll have to do some digging, as many of the links are broken.

It's well known, in the industry, that there are only a few companies that make all the common frames of the world. The industry doesn't want the average person to know that, so they BS the unknowing into believing that there's something great about their name-brand bicycle, even though it's made in the same plants as box store bikes. Pinarello is among the worst, as you can buy their former-year, ~$5K, "made in Italy" (manufactured in China) frames for ~$500, on eBay. My friends own a shop and have one of the many catalogs available of products offered from China/Taiwan. You can order standard framesets, painted in standard colors, and labeled to your desire for ~$75. They have the samples in their shop.

Capecodder

First of all China and Tiawan are NOT the same so do not compare the two......

Second, I know sevreral locals with BD bikes and they are garbage.

Third, try and sell one used, you have to just about give the piece of junk away.

Fourth, Cannondale and every other REAL bike frame has a LIFETIME warranty Bike Direct JUNK 5 years warranty..... You get what you pay for!

I can assure you the BD frames are not built in the same plant as Cannondale frames.........

How can anyone in their correct frame of mind compare Cannondale and Bikes Direct?

ducnut

I don't think I compared the two.

Is the bike junk/damaged, or is it the person who set it up? I've seen many still-in-the-box, name-brand bikes come through the back door that would easily be considered junk, because of damage. One can't just classify something as junk, if there are other problems other than where it came from.

Try selling your newly purchased C-dale, today. You'll get ~50%-60% of what you paid for it, if you can get that (since you have Sora components).

How can you assure me of that? Your frame was made in Taiwan and I'm sure some BD models are made there, too.

I'm done hijacking this thread. If you want to continue to dispute this, start another a thread and PM me a link.

Capecodder

Try selling any newly purchased and you get 50%-60% that's the standard.

Second, nothing wrong with Sora components and I can upgrade those down the road and place them on a quality Cannondale frame.

Buy a bike from Bikes Direct today and see what you can sell it for tomorrow, I can tell you that you would not get even 50% back.......

It's always the NEWBIES who know it all........

libbey91

Well the only reason why i initially brought up those 3 brands was because my my friends have those bikes, one has a jamis and he says he loves it, and has had it for 4 years with no problems, The other one has a fuji newest 4.0 and has had it for 6 years, and says he loves it and has done ragbrai 5 years in a row with it... and even recommended that. Also a lot of the bike shops around here carry treks and said those would work well. thats where i got the 3 brands from

2ndGen

I was offered 30% more for my Cannondale the next day after buying it (Sora and all).





So what did they say when you asked them which bike you should buy?