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Conference noted::bicycle

Title: Bicycling
Notice:Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:JAMIN::WASSER
Created:Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3214
Total number of notes:31946

375.0. "buying help" by VOX::DIMINICO () Thu Jul 02 1987 16:40

    
      how do the catalogue bikes (nashbar, performance) rate
      in cost/quality to non-catalogue ? 
      
      I am interested in buying a new bike ($300-$500) range. 
      I competed in a triathlon last year without much 
      bikeing experience. My bike interests are racing
      and touring and would like to buy a bike that allowed
      both. I realize there will be trade-offs. 
      
      I live in the boston area. Are there any good bike shops
      in that area ? 

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375.1CATALOGUES ARE OF LIMITED USE AT BESTSVCRUS::CRANETue Jul 21 1987 23:1418
         THE CATALOGUES TEND TO BE CHEAPER BUT YOU HAVE TO WAIT AND
    THE SIZES ARE SOMETIMES VERY DIFERENT FROM WHAT YOU WANT THEM TO
    BE. AS FOR AS THE BIKES ARE CONCERNED I HAVE SEEN MAYBE TWO OF 
    BIKE NASHBARS BIKES AND NO MORE, THAT IN ITSELF TENDS TO TELL ME
    THAT THEY ARN'T ALL THAT GOOD. CATALOGUES ARE REALLY GOOD FOR
    ORDERING COMPONENTS IF YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT.
        I REALLY RECOMMEND GOING TO A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT BIKE SHOPS
    AND JUST TALKING TO THE PEOPLE WHO DO BIKES FOR A LIVING THIER
    KNOWLEGE OF THE SUBJECT IS EARNED THRU YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND EVEN
    IF COSTS A FEW BUCKS MORE THESE PEOPLE ARE REALLY WORTH THE INVESTMENT
    AND YOU CAN ALWAYS TAKE A RETURN RIGHT TO THE SHOP !! TRY THAT WITH
    A MAIL ORDER CATALOGUE. 
    
    
    
    
                                           JOHN C.
    
375.2I though they were OK..NAC::CAMPBELLWed Jul 22 1987 13:1314
    
    RE .1
    
    What makes you say that Nashbar Bikes aren't that good. I've never
    seen one, but they look pretty good on paper.
    
    The one I was looking at was there Race sis model for $550. In shopping
    around a little I found that a bike with the same components and
    frame in a bike store would cost about $700.
    
    Is the quality of the frame that bad????
    
    Stew
    
375.3Nashbar bikes seem goodULTRA::WITTENBERGDelta Long = -d(sin A/cos Lat)Wed Jul 22 1987 14:454
I've talked to 3 or 4 people with Nashbar bikes and have heard nothing
but praise for them.

--David
375.4I've got oneTALLIS::JBELLWot's..Uh the Deal?Wed Jul 22 1987 15:5822
I've got a Nashbar touring model ca. 1982.

The frame has been fine.

I did have a few problems with the front derailler (that's the english
translation for a french word that I can't spell).  I had to file down the
spacer to get it to clear the chain and the crank at the same time.

It looked like the wheel had been built with spokes that were too long, and
then machined off flush.  This made for a hard time trueing the wheels because
the threads were sticky.

Another misfeature is that it came with a shimano 600 freehub.  A few years
later it broke so I had to put on a new wheel.  I would have rather had a
normal hub so that I could have replaced just the freewheel.

So...Yes, I have had some problems, but almost any bike will.  9,000 miles
later I am still happy with it.

-Jeff Bell


375.5MUDHED::OUELLETTEVAXing NostalgicWed Jul 22 1987 16:5414
Two people in my building have Nashbar bikes.
The rider that I know really likes his (especially
the price).  The other bike gets ridden every day
so the owner (who I haven't yet met) must like it.

I've taken one for a ride, and it felt good (except
that it wasn't my size).

If you know your size and what you want (and are handy
enough to do the assembly), a catalog bike may be the
way to go.  Once Nashbar opens their showroom on
the south shore...  you'll be able to look before you buy.

R.
375.6nashbar bikes neahAQUA::OCONNORAllergic to MondaysThu Jul 23 1987 20:5713
    Hi,
    
    I've had a Nashbar for about 1000 miles now and the bike has been
    one big pain.  Every part they put on the bike has given me trouble.
    Every part I have adjusted or replaced with stuff from my parts
    bin has worked ok.  The wheels are laughable.  The rear wheel was
    well out of true due to loose spokes after about 40 miles.  The
    even replaced the top of the SR laprade post with some steel
    contraption.  The rear derailuer has never shifted reliably (sp?).
    
    My list of complaints with this bike goes on and on and on.
    
    Joe