fcastle

[tad long but please read...] A local sports store decided to have a 50% off everything sale. I stopped in expecting to buy a couple pairs of workout shorts. I then walked into their cycling section. I soon walked out with a '04 Marin Verona for $650 (+ $55 to the governor of WA). Here is the deal:

I have a Trek 1200 aluminum road bike I bought new in 1990. I rode it a lot as my friends and I did many rides (STP twice). That was high school. I did some riding in college, but not as much since I rowed on my university's crew team for 4 years (loved it). I had my Trek tuned up about 10 months ago to the tune of $200 (needed a new rear hub). I have ridden it some and remember how much I enjoyed riding. Now that spring is here I was going to get back in the saddle more.

I am 6'4 and about 230 and the Verona is a 60 frame. I rode it around the parking lot of the business and was amazed at the different feel of the steel frame. I definitely like it, though. The problem is that was the only bike to fit me at the store and the sale started yesterday, meaning if I did not buy it then, it would most likely be gone. As I stood there debating over the Marin, two other guys bought road bikes.

I have read many good things on Marins, so in that regard, I have no worries. It is just that I did not NEED the bike. I have always greatly liked my Trek.

Who here would have done what I did? The reason I ask is that even though all sales are final, my good buddy's brother-in-law is the bike manager at that store (he was not there yesterday) and if I really wanted to take the bike back, I probably could.

Also - I am going back today (the brother in law will be there) and the Marin did not come with pedals. I have size 15 feet and will most likely get the Sidi Genius Mega road shoes. The clerk yesterday showed me both Look and Shimano pedals. Any thoughts? I want to grab some while they have them at 50% off.

For anyone in the greater Seattle area, the store is Olympic Sports in Northgate. There were some Felts F60s, F70s, and F90s there as well as one other smaller Verona.

Thanks!

operator

Hey if you have money to spare why not, if you like it. Now you'll have two bikes. You could make one your rain bike.

Chef23

I would say you got a sweet deal as long as it fits you.

On the pedal front I like both the Look pedals and the Shimano SPD-SLs. If it is Look or the standard SPDs I would go with the Looks.

Grasschopper

Great idea IMO. I have a Marin and had another, they are fine bikes and while not the lightest frame that Verona is super smooth isn't it? Looking back I probably should have kept my Argenta (same frame lower components) and just upgraded the components, would have saved me some money over my La Raza...not that I don't love the La Raza but I could have spent $800 rather than $1300 and been happy with the result.

Oh and I would get the Shimano SPD-SLs especially if they are 50% off. Go for the Ultegra level pedal R600 was the 2004 model in 05 it is 6600. The Sidis rock as well that is what I wear...with the afore mentioned SPD_SLs.

Oh and maybe buy some new tires...those Kendas aren't going to last you past 500 miles....trust me on this one.

dhfd

If this is the bike...
https://www.marinbikes.com/bicycles_2...04_verona.html

I'd say it was a good buy for the components it came with, in addition to the CF seatstays. Its a good looking bike!

ZackJones

If I read the right description of that model bike on the web I'd say you got a hell of a deal. You know you're required to post pics of the new bike

dfchatten

WOW, nice deal.

webist

I think you did just fine.

Bontrager

I'm sorry - I don't understand.

recursive

Wow, you got a crazy price. You probably got a better deal than I got on my USED bike.

celticfrost

fcastle,

You're in a forum containing road bike fans --- and probably a few fanatics as well.

Your question is akin to going to Yankee Stadium and asking if it's OK to be a Yankees fan.

That being said, I think you got a great deal and it was a good decision.

Post42K

Sounds like a great deal. Just make sure it fits well and is not too small. I'm also 6'4" and am most comfortable on a 64cm (c-t). You may also want to take it out for a longer ride to make sure it feels good after being on it for a while.

rexford

I would have bought it. My local lbs was selling an 04 Marin that was a model down from the verona. I took it for a ride- a little heavy but felt very very smooth and well built. I would have tried to get a deal on it, but the geometry wasn't right for me (top tube too short). I would think that bike will last you forever, and seems like you pretty much stole it.

fcastle

Thanks a lot for all the responses. I am off back to the store to see about the pedals. I will also see what they have for tires. Might as well get some nice ones now at 50% off if I can! Thanks again and I will post some pics later of both my bikes.

velocipedio

50% off on bikes is almost unheard-of. they sold it below cost. that makes it a good deal.

Bontrager

WTF? Why is everyone's text striked out and their avatar replaced with some weird green running llama avatar?

recursive

happy april fools

Bontrager

Sweet!!

fcastle

UPDATE: OK, I went back to the sports store and asked about the tires. The tires that had been on the bike apparently came in pink or something and the store did not want to sell the bike like that. They replaced the Kendas with Vittoria Techno Sport TTs. Should I still get some different tires? I did not look specifically there to see what the store still had, because I did not know anything about the Vittorias. In briefly checking on those tires, I see the reviews are mixed.

Also, they had the Shimano SPD-SL R540 pedals, which I bought. I managed to snag an 04 Giro Pneumo helmet as well (still 50% off).

Now I just need to wait for the next performance bike coupon to get a deal on the Sidi Genius shoes (and I live in WA with our sweet 8.6% sales tax).

Edit: Any advice on things I need to think about with this new bike considering my height and weight?

CommuterRun

Fly Rods, Bicycles and Deer Rifles. No such thing as too many.

As for the pedals, I'm riding Look A5.1s, great road pedals, but for the type of riding I'm doing, commuting, I think they're wasted on me. I'd be better off with SPDs and shoes I can walk around in.