Conference noted::bicycle

	I don't have any particular experience with the bikes mentioned
	but I would suggest that you might look for 1985 Japanese bicycles
	(Shogun, Nishiki, Marukin, Bridgestone...). The Yen went through 
	the roof this spring so prices for Japanese bikes (and bikes
	like the Ross, made with Japanese parts) have risen about 30%.
	A bike from the 1985 line should be a real bargin in todays
	market.

				-John Wasser
				Got my Nishiki just before the rise!

	P.S.  Everything can be upgraded as your experience grows. The 
	most expensive parts of the bike are the frame ($120 and up) and 
	wheels ($80/pr and up) so they are the parts that usualy get
	upgraded last.  In other words: choose a bike for its frame and
	wheels.... not because you like the seat or the placement of the 
	shift levers.

    
    I feel that the differences between bikes in a given price range
    are often rather small (unless you find a very special sale).  So
    I would choose on the basis of the shop.
    
    Do you have a good feeling about the salespeople?  Did they seem
    to really care about selecting the best bike for YOU (not what they
    have left)?  Was the shop clean and organized?  What have friends
    said about the service there?  
    
    Where do you live?  Might be able to give some recommendations..
    
    Chuck
    

>    Where do you live?  Might be able to give some recommendations..
    
I live in Marlboro, and work in Maynard.

I've been to:
  Steve's in Marlboro
  Ray & Son's in Maynard
  Cycle Center on Route 9 in Natick
  Allstar Cycles on Route 9 in Framingham
  Landry's Schwinn Cyclery in downtown Framingham

Any opinions on the above shops?  Are there others (not listed in the yellow
pages)?
						-- Tom

    
    1)	See all the replies in 40.* regarding proper fit.

    2)	Get measured to know if you are short, avg, or long in the upper
	body relative to your leg length.

    3)	Find a frame that is proportioned closest to you, i.e. top tube
    less than, equal to, or greater than seat tube length.

    4)	If you can't resolve #3 in the price range you are interested
    in then give *SERIOUS* consideration to  moving upscale.
    
    5)	If you can't/won't do 3) or 4) above then find a shop that will
    exchange the stem on the bike that comes closest.

    After all of the above, I agree with some of the recent replies.
    There isn't much to chose between low and mid priced bikes because they
    are price and component competitive. 

    Top priorities are fit, fit, fit and fit.  If what you want doesn't
    quite come in your size go for the smaller one, you can always raise
    the seat.
    
    	Reg
    

    I bought my current bike at Cycle Center in natick. Very happy.
    They'll only let you ride the bike around the lot, but I spent most
    of a day there once, rode probably two dozen different bikes (in
    the $350 - $800 range...!) and Stu (the owner, I think) was very
    good about sorting out what I liked/disliked about each bike. Of
    course, I went when it wasn't too busy...
    
    (BTW: I ended up with a miyata 710, abt $450. Nice bike, but ya
    gotta take those 20C tires off if you're gonna ride on a normal
    street!!)
    						...tek
    

    P.S.: I had all the fit stuff sorted out before I started; you really
    need to do that if you don't want to waste your time trying bikes
    that can never feel right...

    I have to agree with .1.  I found an '85 Shogun 600 for the $200
    you're looking at, and got what is now a $300 bike!  If Shogun is
    what you want, call up Whitco Bike in Spencer (it's on Rt. 9) and
    ask if they have any '85 s left.

To end the suspense, I've decided on a bike.  1985 Centurion Accordo.
$289 from Steve's in Marlboro.

I'm quite surprised that nobody (at least who read this topic in the last
week) thinks that some $200 bikes are better than other $200 bikes.  I hope
the criteria that I developed to determine the best bike for me prove
successfull over the long haul.

						-- Tom

> I'm surprised that nobody thinks that some $200 bikes are better than 
> other $200 bikes.

	Many people think that one $200 bike is better than another.  The
	problem is that many such people don't agree on WHICH $200 bike
	is better!  Its just a matter of personal preference.

	Congratulations on your new bike!

				-John Wasser
				Your Host for Bicycle Notes

    Just wanted to clarify my position... I'm sure there are differences
    in $200-300 bikes, but...
    
    - I think the differences are often (but not always) small
    
    - The choice may be very personal.  One bike may have narrow tires,
    while another has a more comfortable seat.  Which is better?
    
    Chuck