Newbie to Bikes

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2009-09-14 10:06 PM

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Subject: Newbie to Bikes

i did my first sprint tri last weekend and i did it on a trek mountain bike. all i kept hearing was "on your left, on your left" ......i kept telling my buddy that did the tri with me that i was going to be hearing "on your left" in my sleep for the next week......i am ready to get a road or a tri bike because i am hooked on tri's now, ......i was talking to some friends about bikes and was told to check out bikesdirect.com
i was browsing through and came across a bike and price that interested me. again, i am so new to bikes (but am really ready to learn the in's and out's about them) so i am really not sure what i am looking at. the bike i am looking at is a Dawes Lightning 1500 Shimano 24 Speed Tri-Roadbike with Carbon Fork
here is a link to it: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/lt1500.htm 

i guess my next question is, has anyone here dealt with this company?

if anyone has any suggestions for pre-owned bikes or something like that, i am open to that too.....

thanks in advance for any input.

jb

2009-09-14 11:57 PM
in reply to: #2406374

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Master
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Subject: RE: Newbie to Bikes

I bought a bike from bikesdirect last year, love the bike and was happy with the company.   They offer great deals, as long as you know what size you're looking for.

2009-09-15 6:24 AM
in reply to: #2406509

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Subject: RE: Newbie to Bikes
tjh - 2009-09-15 12:57 AM

I bought a bike from bikesdirect last year, love the bike and was happy with the company.   They offer great deals, as long as you know what size you're looking for.



They do have pretty decent deals. That said, I wouldn't buy a 9spd bike. The world has moved on to 10 speeds (besides campy... who has decided to be different with 11spds)

For $700 I'd rather buy an 08-09 road bike from a local shop and get it fitted to me, especially if I was new.
2009-09-15 9:18 AM
in reply to: #2406374

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Subject: RE: Newbie to Bikes
print that list of components to reference and go to the bike store and get fitted on a comparable bike.  See if there's a deal to be had. 

if your nervous about getting ripped by a internet company thats understandable... you can buy from bikes direct they are a quaility company.
2009-09-15 3:32 PM
in reply to: #2406374

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Subject: RE: Newbie to Bikes
thanks guys for the info!
i'll let yall know what i end up doing.....

jb
2009-09-15 8:03 PM
in reply to: #2406374


24

Subject: RE: Newbie to Bikes
Buying from bikes direct would scare me if I were a newbie to the bike world. Not that there is anything wrong with the company but some expertise or at least experience may be needed to get the right size and assemble the bike. If your not comfortabe with attaching the bar, stem, brakes, potentially truing the wheels and tuning the bike when you assemble it and again in about a month... Well it'll be worth your while to go to your LBS and get a comparble road bike.

2009-09-15 8:31 PM
in reply to: #2406374

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Subject: RE: Newbie to Bikes

Dawes is a UK bike company that has been around for ever, they are as well know as Raleigh in UK.

I would recommend the Dawes, I used to have one and it was a great bike however, if you are realy a bike newbie, you may be better off looking around your local shops for a 2008/9 model, there are lots of deals out there now the new 2010 bikes are due/coming out.
I fyou get a bike on line then you are going to have to work on it yourself or pay full price at a shop.
If you buy from a shop, they should fit it to you and I'd push for a 3-6 month service for free too.

2009-09-16 9:33 AM
in reply to: #2406374

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Subject: RE: Newbie to Bikes
thanks again for the replys.....

i am in the Heights in Houston....anybody have any reccomendations on bike shops in the area, i know there are quite a few around here.

thanks!

jb
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