Sale on Javelin complete bikes (Page 19)

Here's a link to the updated sale flyer indicating what's still available: http://www.javbike.com/News/2008_Closeout_Sale.pdf  (but not sure exactly how current it is)

and a geometry chart: http://www.brittonbikes.com/bikes-2008/javelin/06-javelin-geo.htm

bboston88 - 2008-05-21 8:12 PM

Pegasus1731 - 2008-05-21 7:43 PM I'm toying with pulling the trigger on one of these bikes, but I've got 2 questions 1. I'm 5 ft 5 in and currently riding a cheap road bike that's a size 52. It seems to be a pretty good fit. I'm looking at the varese or the sizzano, but concerned about sizing. Would I be better off going for a 48 or 51 in the varese? Same for the sizzano? 2. Not sure what the major differnces are between these two bikes. Is there something that would make the varese worth the extra money? I'm leaning toward that one right now, btu for no particular reason. Thanks!

I talked to them today. From what i understand the Sizzano has a longer top tube so if I were you I'd go for a smaller size in the sizzano. I'm not sure about Varese, i'd ask him. The Varese has campy vs. shimano on the sizzano. The Varese fork is all carbon and the Sizzano may be a combo??? it may also have better aerobars. (I'm doing this off the top of my head) He said the Varese is definitely much more stiff than the Narni and is more of a short distance rocket. The Sizzano is an all-arounder. The Varese definitely has better wheels. For $100 more I'd go for the Varese on this alone but I'm sure the Sizzano is fine too.

The Sizzano and Varese have the same forks. 

For the extra $100 for the Varese you get the Campagnolo equivalent of 105 (some say Campy is slightly better, but for sure, it's usually more expensive than Shimano and it comes with that Italian flair) a carbon seat post, a Selle Italia seat, and better crankset/brakes/wheels/aerobars, The Sizzano is no slouch, but for only $100 to get everything the Varese offers...heck, I bet that carbon seat post could probably be worth that $100 on its own.

I'm 5'4.5" and went with a 48cm. I'd definitely recommend getting a 48 - I've got a fair amount of seat post, and I'm not over-stretched to reach the bars, although the position is fairly aggressive.

A fellow BTer in this thread by the name of scrappy is the same height as me but went with a 51cm - he's currently having to work on his position. Last we've heard, he doesn't have very much seat post, and he's barely clearing the top tube, and is probably having to get a shorter stem.

Another BTer (I can't remember the name right now) who was a bit taller (5'8" - 5'10"?) went with a 51cm and also found himself stretched out and is switching to a shorter stem.

The 48cm should fit you nicely. And even then, something to remember is that you can always work at making a smaller bike bigger, but you are much more limited when making a bigger bike smaller.

On another note, I took my Varese out for the first time today, and I have a few first impressions. Firstly, some minor grievances:

- The Tektro brake pads are really mediocre. I have to jam on the front hard to get any kind of deceleration. I'll let it break in some more, but if it doesn't get much better, I'm going to swap out the pads for Kool Stops.

- The front derailleur is tricky. I really have to play around with it to find the sweet spot to keep it quiet.

- The freewheel is really LOUD. I have to go and get a Campy cassette remover and lube the freewheel.

These are all very minor and can be alleviated. Overall, the ride is great. Very stiff and quick to accelerate. Easy to maintain a good pace, and when in aero, it gets even easier and quicker. Rear derailleur is one of the best I've used yet. Very quick to change gears and smooth, even without letting up on the pedals. All of the components are fantastic (minus the brakes). And aesthetically, the bike is lovely.

I kind of wish I had the spare money to buy another, because I don't think we'll ever see such a good deal on such a high quality bike for a very long time, if not ever. What really nails it home is that if you buy an entry level road bike from any of the big manufacturers (Trek, Specialized, LeMond, etc), you'll be paying probably $200 - 300 more for something heavier, with drastically lower components, and nowhere near the racing pedigree of these Javelin TT/tri bikes.

I don't know if this post will be considered inappropriate, so I apologize in advance if it is deemed so.

I noticed over on ST that Amanda Lovato is selling her 51cm Javelin Barolo for a really good price; Record gruppo, FSA carbon cranks. I won't link directly; just google it over in the forum section. Aluminum with carbon stays, up until last year was Javelin's top-of-the-line bike.

I just think the price is too good not to pass this along.

I have a 51cm Narni brand new sealed in the box unopened if anyone is interested. 

Too bad I got to this thread too late. I'm 5'5 and bought a 51 Narni.  From what I'm reading this is too big for me.  So I am hoping to pass it on.  Bummer.  I was really hoping to take advantage of the deal.

 PM me if you are interested.  Help a brotha out.

*sigh*

This may have been the shortest bike ownership in the history of super cool bike ownership deals. My Parma was stolen from the bike racks at my office building yesterday. So. Incredibly. Lame. 

OMG!!! I'm assuming you had it locked up!  Do you have pictures of it before so that you can report it to the police station?  Do you have any identifying marks on it?  Look at the post above yours for some relief.

Sorry to hear about the bike, but the bright side is that hopefully Dave will give the insurance company the original MRSP for the Parma w/ aerobars: $949.99

If it fits well (and no reason it shouldn't if you let them know your sizing), you are gonna love it.

My Varese is perfect for me at the level I race at, though I did go the upgrade path on my brakes, replacing out the stock with a pair of Campagnolo Veloce Skeleton D brakes (in black) that both look hot AND stop me a lot better.

Enjoy! 

My Sizzano came in on Friday. I just got around to checking it all out today, I haven't ridden yet though. You know what's really weird is the paint job of the Sizzano. In every picture I've seen it's been a pretty light toned blue. Darker than a sky blue, yet lighter than a royal blue. But in person the bike is a deep royal type color, almost bordering on purple. I thought I got a funky paint job but then I took some pics of my bike and it looked just like the other pics I'd seen!!

So weird. Anyways, I like the lighter blue that seems to show on my computer, but the dark blue that it really is... is fine too.

I've got a question about derailleurs... Mine looks totally wacky. I'm no bike expert, but it looks bent to me... I don't know if maybe my bike was damaged in shipping, I took a picture and was wondering if someone could make a comparison to their Sizzano. Maybe I just need to turn a screw or tune the derailleur.

Let me know what you guys think about this.

Picture is on the lowest gear and you can see the metal seems bent in where the derailleur attaches to the frame. Is it supposed to be like that?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24844358@N06/2523564206/

I can't seem to find a screw or fastener that would hold the derailleur in this awkward position. Can anyone help with what I should do? I've taken another picture with the chain on a middle gear so you can clearly see the issue. I've circled what I think "could" be the problem.

Any bike experts out there? Please help. thanks.

New picture of derailleur: http://www.flickr.com/photos/24844358@N06/2523740418/

As far as I can see (it is hard using a picture) - it looks like you have one of two things going on.  First, you may have a barrel that is out of adjustment - I mean wayyyyyyy out of adjustment.  On the backside of the derailer there should be a piece that attaches to the derailer with a spring that the cable runs through.  Twisting that barrel should move the bottom half of the derailer one way or another.  If this is the problem, you will know right away because it probably won't turn in one direction.  If you turn it in the direction needed, you will be able to see the bottom part of the derailer start to move in line with the top part.  That being said - I don't think that it is going to be that easy. 

The other posibility is that you have a bent derailer hanger.  Not a tragedy, but also not anything that I would recommend that you attempt to fix yourself.  Bike shops have a tool that is specially made to straighten derailer hangers.  Basically, the derailer is attached to the frame through a metal piece that comes down just below the drop outs that the tire skewer slides into.  That piece can get bent during shipping if something in the box applies some side force against it.  Taking the derailer off of the hanger is simple, but like I said, you shouldn't straighten it yourself.  To check it, take the rear wheel off (you should learn how to do this anyway because it is the first step in fixing a rear wheel flat).  Once you have it off, you will better be able to get a look at the inside of the derailer and it should be very obvious if the metal piece hanging down from the frame that it is attached to is not straight.  It should drop straight down, perpendicular to the chain stay.  If this is the case, take it to a bike shop an have them fix it - shouldn't cost a lot.