buying a bike

So today I broke my Fuji frame right above the bottom bracket coming out of an intersection. I think the gear ratio (53:16) was too high for a single speed, although I was going to change it anyway because it had gotten so annoying. I'm thinking about buying a frame on craigslist and then having my old parts put on it. Last time this happened (on a Raleigh frame that broke in a different place) I lived near a pretty friendly bike store and got a new frame and labor for $200. We'll see what my luck is like. I've been, in the meantime, looking at this:

http://orlando.craigslist.org/bik/1355953008.html

Except I want that damn seat.

Also this:

http://orlando.craigslist.org/bik/1355023370.html

That's all I see right now. Comments on those?

yow what is that crazy seatpost?

Cuttles, why selling the 1-Way? Seems like an ideal commute/errand bike?

if i'm communting, generally i have already ridden that morning. i find riding a single-speed (even though not fixed) limites my ability to do strictly a high-cadence recovery ride on the way to work. the bridge ascents especially hurt me on the one-way after a hard work out. i could always switch the chain-ring, but then i'd be spinning out way too much on the flats.

sorry, bikes should have gears, unless you are on the track or riding on an airstrip.

just get a three-speed hub!

i'd rather ride my road bike to work, thanks

eek, hope you can bring it into the office

Having a fixed for my commute and a geared bike for other riding is perfect - I fucked my last road bike by using it for a commute through the winter, so I've found having something that is relatively easy to clean and maintain is useful and I can leave my road bike for the days when I can get out, come back and clean it up if necessary. I clearly don't ride anywhere near as much though as lots here though - it's just a case of what suits, really.

Also, um, I do really like riding fixed in town.

The lack of gears isn't really relevant (in London anyway), and having a nice low gear (48/19) ensures that I've got a generally high cadence and can get away from junctions easily, and well, that feeling of rolling along just really sets me up for the day.

my building has a gated bike area with key entry. also NYC just passed a local law requiring all buildings to have indoor bike parking space.

!!!

I have a friend that works for Tr3k and can get me the 30% employee discount - is this worth it or should I just get a bike on sale somewhere?

Trek make good bikes, there's a lot of choice and you'll know you're getting something decent. If there's something in their range that fits your desired spec and price range, then it might be ideal. But sale bikes are definitely worth keeping an eye on - Trek is perhaps a little bland and commonplace a brand and there are certainly more interesting bike out there.

any of you cats got an opinion of ARGON 18, by any chance? the local bike shop has a couple of their lower-end models in at the moment.

I think they're fine, except a) it looks like you've got a bike from Argos and b) it reminds me of Comb4t 18...

was not aware of the latter group, jesus christ!

lol, what an unfortunate unrelated display name change

Hopefully most people aren't aware of it, haitch! Is 18 the atomic number of Argon, or something?

anyone know anything about flying scots?

Should I buy this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270469942198&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_9952wt_909

tbh I can't afford it till later in the week, and even then I am borrowing against my salary in january for the job I got offered, however it is really pretty.

oh that looks niiiice. buy it, it's only money!

yeah, tht is gorgeous, another buy it from me!

I restrained myself ;_;

that said, it didn't sell, so if they re-list for <1500 ...

hey haitch been thinking baot buying a bike from wiggle or chainreactioncycles in teh uk even w/postage of about AU$200, so many cheap non-horrible roadbikes O_O. u thot about doing this??

like some no-name brand alu frame w/full ultegra deilvered for $1700

i sorta been leery about the online stuff partly because i wanna try before i buy and partly because of the no-nameness, jees most of it is miles cheaper than what you can get out here tho!

even for the more exxy stuff, like competitive cyclist is clearing '09 cervelos including like built-up S2s with dura ace everything for half what that'd be here

yuh true. the bmc carbon thing w/ultegra for $2877 is intersting to me.

http://i50.tinypic.com/29vx9x5.jpg

watch for local price to rise 20% due to cadel halo effect, lol

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Raleigh_Avanti_Carbon_Race_2009/5360045551/

could pull trigger on this one i reckon

wow really cheap. too small for me tho :(

have also been considering this:

http://www.bikes.com.au/p/514314/2010-mbc-r1-carbon-shimano-ultegra.html

same price practically, and local!

wwoow

srsly considering that

maybe when i get back from the OUTBACK

lol

u could have it delivered, what else are u gonna do out there!!

That is a nice bike! Much nicer than the Raleigh imho. Also, I don't think Wiggle does no-name bikes - which are you thinking of? Focus? I have one - it's ace, and fantastic value.

Hey Mark, I was thinking Cube. But after a bit of research it's obvs not a totally dodge bike co.

focus just got picked up for australian distribution and wiggle won't ship them over here any more. be interesting to see how much they land here for - the one in the ad i saw has deep-section carbon lightweights and super record so i assume that'll be pricey!

^^ha was just gonna say I tried to add a Focus bike thru wiggle and it didn't let me, that's why!

Cube are pretty decent - and (IMHO) one of the better looking brands. I'd be very comfortable buying one.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/images/focus-lzalco-excampy09-med.jpg

$6k for this on wiggle - will not land here under $12k if usual aus distributors are anything to go by

Do you have to pay substantial customs/VAT duties when importing an expensive item like a bike to Oz?

nah vat(gst) is only 10%. market forces i guess.

..wouldn't hav a clue about customs actually tbh

local distributors just seem to ramp up prices on full bikes, parts etc to a massive degree. saw dura ace pedals at bike shop near work for $500 the other week, can get same off PBK for $380. lol mark-up is hueg.

make that $280, even worse!

maybe considering a canyon once they start shipping to aus again (they're working on this apparently). brilliant specs for such cheap bikes!

this is really hott in the black
cheaper alu option

wilter what u think baout malviern star 'oppy' - they're all the same frame (cept for the pro model which has an integrated seat post) - so internal cabling and carbon dropouts for all. meant to be pretty racey!

What's the deal with bikesdirect.com and motobecane bikes?

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/road_bikes.htm

Why are they so cheap, what's the catch? Googling up reviews seems to suggest they are OK, but to check the assembly/greasing etc. before heading out. Thinking seriously about my first paycheque at the end of january.

What else is out there for around $2000?