Conference noted::bicycle

    
    
    SPECIALIZED SIRRUS it's priced right around $600 or less and its about
    as much bang for the buck as you can get.

    
    	Buy as much Cannondale as you can afford.  The SR400
    is within your limits but the higher priced models come
    with Aluminum forks which help take up the vibration x-mitted
    from the road, especially in the Criterium 3.0 model.  The
    neat thing about the entry level model is that it's the same
    frame found on the top of the line Dura Ace machine so if and
    when your ready you can invest in better components for whatever
    type of racing you'd like to do.
    
    	As for recreational riding, ask anyone that has climbed a
    hill on a steel frame and an aluminum frame which material they
    prefer and I'm certain that the resounding majority will opt
    for the Al.  If, on the other hand you plan on crashing a lot,
    that's the one area that steel has an advantage in that the
    frame can usually be straightened after a crash by bending.  I
    don't know about you, but I'm not sure I'd want to keep any
    frame that's been straightened after a crash anyway.  Good
    luck on your quest.
    
    						_Jerry
    						_Jerry

    You should be able to find several good bikes in that price range.
    Go to some bike shops to look at and try what they have to offer.
    Make sure that you get a bike that fits you properly. The dealer
    should be willing to make some changes (seat, handlebars/stem, etc.)
    so that it does fit you.
    
    I agree with .2 about aluminum frame bikes. I just bought a Trek 1400
    and love it. You might want to check out the Trek 1200...it's in your
    price range.
    
    Pete
    

    All three previous reply's list some great bikes.  One more to consider
    is the Bridgestone RB-1.  It got "best buy" in last years "best of"
    list in Bicycle Guide magazine.  I have no experience with it, but it
    beat out the Specialized according to the authors of the article and is 
    priced favorably.  It's a steel frame bike like the Specialized.  
    
    At $600 you should be able to find some good leftover bikes in a store.
    You might also consider a good used racing bike.  I know I've seen some 
    good bikes at tempting prices right in this notes file. 
    
    Dave

    
    The latest Bicycling Guide also writes up the Bridgestone RB-2,
    which it calls a surprising value for money (an RB-1 with some
    lesser componentry, I believe).  The article's tone was positive.
    
    -j

    Update:	I went to a couple of dealers around town yeasterday. 
    		Unfortunately, I did not see any of the bike's mentioned
    		in the previous replies.
    
    		Anyway, I saw a 1989 Trek 660 with Shimano Ultegra 600 
    		components for $600, a 1989 Centurion Masters also with 
    		Ultegra 600 components $630, 1989 Centurion Expert with
    		New SunTour GPX components $550, and a Raleigh Olympus
    		with New Shimano 105 components for $550. 
    
    Question	Any comments on these bikes? I will try and see the
    		Specialized, Cannondale, and Brighton bikes today.

    Trek does not make a model 660 this year and I don't have last years
    catalog so I'm not sure if it's aluminum. The Ultegra 600 components
    are very good, but I've heard that they may be discontinued after this
    year. Anyways...I'm not trying to discourage you from the Trek or any
    others that you mentioned, but you should be able to try 'em before you
    buy 'em.
    
    Pete
    

     I agree with all of the inputs. BTW, I own a 3.0 C-Dale and
    love it. For that price range you're not going to go wrong.
    Leftovers will be the best buy. You can really choose your
    own subtlties/nuances for that price to include frame stuff.
    
     Don't worry about discontued components. The 600 Ultegra stuff
    will last, and if you turn out to be as serious as you think you'll
    get, by that time you'll be sniffing around for things at the next
    level. You'll find most of of the bike outfitted with most of the
    same components.  
    
     As someone said earlier... TEST PILOT the stuff. You'll find what you
    want when you hit the road.
    
      Chip

	re: -.2 (?) the Trek you saw is not an aluminum frame model.
	The aluminum frame models are 1000,1100,1200,1400,1420,1500.
	The 660 is, I believe, their top end chro-mo frame from last
	year. I have an 89 Trek catalog at home if you want more details.

	-tom 		

    I BOUGHT THE SPECIALIZED SIRRUS LAST YEAR AND WOULD RECOMMEND IT
    HIGHLY. ONE THING I DID READ RECENTLY ABOUT THIS YEAR'S MODEL IS
    THAT IT HAS A LITTLE LESS STIFFER RIDE THAN LAST YEAR'S MODEL.
    
    THE LIST ON THIS BIKE IS $550 BUT I PICKED IT UP FOR $450 DURING
    THE FALL.
    
    ANOTHER GOOD BIKE IN THE $600 RANGE IS THE SCHWINN TEMPO. LIKE THE
    SPECIALIZED IT ALSO HAS THE SHIMANO 105 GEARS, BRAKES AND HUBS.
    
    DAN
     

    Don't go for the special deals unless the bike fits you correctly. We had
    a 6 foot riders with 33 inseam walk in the shop a few weeks ago telling
    me what a great deal he got on his expensive 54cm Kestrel. But in
    reality, I think he should not have bought the bike because he
    should be riding a 56cm or 58cm. 
    
    In general, "No deal is a good deal if it doesn't fit". Get fitted
    first to determine the size you need and then go searching for your
    race bike. Ask to get yourself "Fit Kitted". It will cost about $15
    but a good dealer will refund you the money if you purchase the bike
    from them.
    
    Good Luck,
    
    Huey
    
    

    update:	1:40 5/17/90 update
    
    		I am quite surprised by the number of responses that have
    		been entered since this morning. This is great!!!!
    
    		Regarding some of the comments, the 1989 Trek 660 is a
    		full cro-moly bike. From other notes I have read in this
    		conference, cro-moly seems better to me than aluminum.
    		No need to debate cro-moly/aluminum here.
    
    	Question  Is there a big difference between Tange Prestige Chromoly
    		  (used in the Centurion bikes) and True Temper RC 4130 
    		  Chromoly (used int the Trek bikes).
    
    		  Is there a big difference between last year's Shimano 
    		  Ultegra 600 and New 105 sc components?
    
    	Action	  Please keep up the great rate of responses.  The way
                  things are going I might buy a bike this weekend!!!

    Tange Prestige CrMo is the good stuff. I really don't know about the
    True Temper RC 4130, but I suspect that it is also good.
    
    The Shimano Ultegra 600 components are better than the 105 components,
    but both are still good. The Trek 1400 has 105 stuff on it...the Trek
    1500 has the Ultegra, but it is almost $200 more. (The 1500 frame is 
    slightly better, also.)
    
    I also suggest that you get "Fit Kitted" if you're gonna get serious
    about cycling/racing. Do you have or are you planning to use cleats?
    
    

    I have a Trek 660 frame with my own combination of Ultegra, Dura-Ace,
    and a Deore XT triple crank...  The frame is indeed Crome-Moly and I
    have been very happy with it.  It seems strong and light, and handles
    my weight and size well... 
    
    good luck

My $0.02 worth --

When I was looking for a racing bike 2 years ago, the 600-series components
seemed much better than the 105's.  I'd say they're worth spending at least 
$100 more.

One thing to check for is whether you want a biopace chainwheel.  It was
std on the $600 Cilo I bought, but I wish I had asked for a round one!

BTW, I've been very pleased with my Cilo.
			
				Ken

    This years Ultegra and 105 sets have round chainwheels. Last years
    105 had biopace chainwheels and I think the Ultegra set did too.
    Other than that and the brakes, the sets are pretty much the same
    as last years stuff.
    
    Pete
    

	re:< Note 1545.16 by BAGELS::GOTANTAS >

<<    Other than that and the brakes, the sets are pretty much the same
<<    as last years stuff.
    
	Doesn't this year's version of the 105 have the Hyperglide (or
	whatever Shimano calls it) freewheel that let you shift under 
	load ? This was all the news in Bicycling,etc.    

	Don't recall if the Ultegra has it too.

	-tom (owner of a bike with 1989 vintage 105)

    UPDATE	Centurion Master's Ironman bought
    
    		Over the weekend, I bought a Centurion Master's Ironman.
    		In the end, my bicycle decision came down to two bikes,
    		the Trek 660 and Centurion. 
    
    		I decided, I wanted Shimano Ultegra 600 components.
    		Numerous people told me they were noticably better than
    		the 105 group. When I compared the two, the 600 components
    		were definetly alot quiter/smoother. Just a note on the 
    		105 group. This years 105 sc group is different than last
    		years. Hyperglide technology is used in the new 105
    		dereiller. This is useful when changing gears with high
    		load at low RPM.  For racing, where I rider should keep the
    		RPM fairly, Hyperglide does not benifit the rider as much.
    		In addition the brakes on the new 105 are reported to be 
    		stronger. 
    
    		I could not feel a noticable difference between the biopace
    		and round gears, so this was not a factor, The Trek had
    		biopace, the Centurion round.
    
    		The geometry of the two bikes is almost the same.
    
    		I chose the Centurion because of the ride. The Centuirions
    		ride was smoother and more responsive.
    
    		Thanks for all the input.
    
    	Close	Note closed