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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

2476.0. "advice buying a new bike" by PCAE::BOLGATZ () Mon Jan 04 1993 13:21

    I am thinking about buying a new road bike sometime this year...
    
    I own a 84 Univega VivaSport (sport-tour bike).  Although I have been 
    biking consistently over the last 9 years, I have not been following the 
    technology.  I was in for some surprises when I started visiting local 
    bike shops:
    
    1 - ATBs have clearly become the most popular type of bike
    2 - the emphasis appears to be more on gears, drive trains and weight 
        (perhaps at the expense of bottom brackets, headsets and overall frame 
        quality?)
    3 - touring and sport-touring bikes appear to be going away...
    4 - of course, PRICES have gone up alot
    
    I plan to begin biking to work this spring (13 miles each way) as well as
    the usual weekend work-outs.  I am interested in a solid touring or sport-
    touring bike.
    
    I need some help...  What are the best touring and/or sport-touring
    bikes in the $500-$700 price range.  A non-Trek dealer suggested Trek.
    Any other suggestions?  Or negative comments about Trek?
    
    Also, where are the best bike shops in S. NH and N. MA?  I am not blown
    away by the shops in Nashua.  Or do people suggest I go mail order?  If
    so, which mail order folks do you recommend?
    
    
    thanks for any help!
    
    Jay
    
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2476.1You should realy ride a few...SALEM::SHAWMon Jan 04 1993 14:389
    
    The bad thing about mail orders are, you never know untill you get 'em.
    You also don't get to be fitted, and most important, you don't get to
    ride before buying.  There are a few options in that price range. 
    Many shops right now have bike sales especially last years models.
    In Southern NH, Buckikas in Salem NH has some nice bikes, plus 
    real enthusiastic/knowledgable sales poeple.
    
    Shaw
2476.2LJOHUB::CRITZMon Jan 04 1993 16:3912
    	RE: 2476.0
    
    	You mentioned southern NH. I assume you've checked Goodale's
    	and Tony's? Goodale's is a good shop (many people think a
    	bit expensive). Ron Bingham races with Nashua Velo, and a lot
    	of racers buy there.
    
    	Guy Blanchard at Tony's used to be a top rider in the area.
    	Nice fella. I think his prices are cheaper than Goodale's,
    	but this shop has not been in Nashua long.
    
    	Scott
2476.3PCAE::BOLGATZMon Jan 04 1993 17:583
    I've been to Larry's and Goodales...   I'll look Tony's up in the phone
    book - thanks!
    
2476.4Directions to Tony's CycleryNOVA::NALESue Nale MildrumMon Jan 04 1993 18:5812
	To get to Tony's:

	Rte 3 N (Everett Turnpike)
	Exit 8
	Right onto 101A West at the end of the LONG ramp
	Tony's is maybe a quarter of a mile away on your right, in a small
		shopping center. 

	He carries Bianchis and Rocky Mountains, among other things.

	Sue
2476.5C-Dale, BridgestoneROULET::HUIMon Jan 04 1993 22:0225
For about the $650 area, Look at a Cannondale SR400. You might even find a left
over for about $550.

For the $550 range try a RB2 from Bridgestone. Specialize is also looking
pretty good this year. 

I like the Cannondale $ Value verse performance (Stiff and light at a
reasonable price). Best of all, the frame is hand made in the USA. 

Buchikas show room is mostly set up for the ski season right now. But they  do
have some bikes out. By mid March, the store will be a complete bike  shop
again. They have a new service shop manager (Paul) that rides for the Motorola 
US racing Team. He indicated he will be doing the Tour de Dupont this year in
May. I did not believe him at first so he showed me the picture of the Montreal
race he was in last fall.

                       
Good Luck,

Huey


                                                      


2476.6Is there a "best-time-of-year" to buy, price-wise?LANDO::PATTONFri Jan 08 1993 15:319
	On the same topic,

	is there an optimal time of year when the stock is up, prices more
	negotiable???  I think Belmont Wheel Works has a special sale at
	some point before spring, but can't remember when.  

	thanks.

	jill
2476.7ALL THE TIME - SOMETIME...WMOIS::GIROUARD_CFri Jan 08 1993 16:4512
     The same dilema impacts the cycling business as does the car
    dealerships. Most franchises are required to purchase so many new
    models for the upcoming season/year. So your best deals generally
    begin to show up anywhere between the end of season (fall) and the
    beginning of the season (early spring)... Of course, during the summer
    some dealers are still dealing with overstock and "old" model bikes.
    
     The best bet is to just shop around and specifically ask if they have
    any "old" models (if you're interested in the deal) and avoid being
    pushed into the new model.
    
     Chip
2476.8NOVA::FISHERRdb/VMS DinosaurFri Jan 08 1993 20:425
    I USUALLY figure on October as being aftter the end of the selling
    season and before the xmas rush and March as being time to clear out
    the old stuff as the best deal times in New England.
    
    ed
2476.9bought mountain bike (it looked comfy)TROOA::SCHAFFERFri Jan 15 1993 18:364
    I ride a trek 1400 about 3000 miles per year and have had no problems
    with it. Fit the bike properly then take it for a test ride, what is
    good for one person may not be good for you.