Entry Level Bike

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2006-09-21 8:22 AM

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Extreme Veteran
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Columbus, Ohio
Subject: Entry Level Bike
Looking for an entry level bike. Have been checking at LBS and on line. As anybody any comment on Motobecane 2006 Nemesis Triathlon Bike. You can order one for under $1000. Is this to good to be true or just crap.

Web Site.
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/nemesis06_SPECIALpre...

2006-09-21 9:03 AM
in reply to: #547639

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Champion
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Dallas, TX
Subject: RE: Entry Level Bike
Probably true.

I know I bought an entry level road bike... Trek 1000... for $600. I even saw them on sale for $550 at one point.

2006-09-21 9:25 AM
in reply to: #547639

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Champion
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Ottawa, Ontario
Subject: RE: Entry Level Bike

Bikes Direct.com has been around for a very long time.  The prices they offer are "true" as are the details of the bikes.  For the price,. you are getting a very good "entry level plus" tri bike.  Remember that although you are getting a good aluminum frame with Shimano Ultegra derailleurs other parts, such as the crankset, hubs, bottom bracket and headset are not the best known brands on the market.  If you are not concerned with brand name bragging right, then it is a good deal.

The bike is shipped so it will have to be partially built by you or your local bike shop.  Just make sure that you know exactly what size bike you need before you order.  You may have to get a frame that is one size smaller than your present road bike.  If you are not sure, work through your local bike shop to get a proper fitting assessment before ordering.  Then have the local bike shop build the bike up and fit it to you.

2006-09-21 9:48 AM
in reply to: #547639

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Master
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West Jordan, UT
Subject: RE: Entry Level Bike
If you are just getting into biking, you don't want a  tri specific bike like the Nemesis.   Get a good standard road bike.   A normal road bike will be more comfortable to ride in varied conditions.  Most people will tell you that if you have a Tri bike, it should be your second road bike.   Some good entry bikes mentioned a lot on this site are the felt f90, Trek 1000, Giant OCR3.   These bike are all about $650.   If you have a litte more money you can go a step or two up. 
2006-09-21 12:13 PM
in reply to: #547639

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Subject: RE: Entry Level Bike
I just got my first bike- Lemond Reno. I love it. Its perfect for me, as I have a really long torso, but it came with a lot of components for hte money. They say the Trek 1000 is the best entry level bike, ever. The 1200 is good too. If you are willing to go to 1000 bucks, then a 1500 is awesome. All 105, and I even saw one at the LBS that trek screwed up on and put ultegra on. It was still only $1059.
2006-09-21 1:47 PM
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Expert
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Subject: RE: Entry Level Bike
I took a different approach and bought a used Trek 2000 on Ebay. This gave me a slight step up from the 1200 and 1500. It is a great bike.

Since you would be buying it sight unseen, I would recommend doing the following for any bike you buy on Ebay or online:

1. Go to a LBS and take the new equivalent for a spin to ensure it fits. Buying a bike that fits wrong would be regretful.

2. Budget for $100 - $200 of new parts. I spent a quick $200 on mine as soon as I got it, getting the pedals I wanted, new rubber, and replacing the worn stem with a high quality one.

3. Have it professionaly assembled by a LBS. They will charge $30 - $50, and that way you know that the chain tension is good, derailluers are setup properly, etc.

Even with the repairs / upgrades, i figure I got a excellent quality bike for about $700.

I've heard mixed reviews on Motobecane. Not saying that bike is bad, but you hardly ever hear mixed reviews on a Trek 1000 - 2000.

2006-09-21 2:16 PM
in reply to: #547639

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Giver
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Subject: RE: Entry Level Bike
No...it's a good deal (if it fits and all). It's just a re-branded Fuji Aloha.
2006-09-21 4:02 PM
in reply to: #547639

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Pro
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Evanston,
Subject: RE: Entry Level Bike

My "entry level" road bike is a 2005 Schwinn Fastback Comp (Compact Frame) that I bought on sale at the beginning of 2006, off season.   It was a step up from the $600 Trek and the comparable Specialized in terms of components and the smoothness of the ride, but for only a little more $.

Go to 2 or 3 bike shops, ride a couple of different models and brands in your price range, and pick the one that feels most comfortable.

2006-09-21 4:23 PM
in reply to: #547639

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Expert
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Malvern, England
Subject: RE: Entry Level Bike
just a thought if you can wait..
I bought my bike v early in the Spring from our local bike shop - he was selling off last years remaining stock to make way for the current years expected shortly. I got a saving of a couple of hundred dollars which paid for my bike shoes, aerobars etc. I got a Giant OCR1 for the price of the OCR2.

It was recommended to me to get a road bike to start with and that many people who have tri bikes still use road bikes for most of their training. And if you have hills near you I think road bikes are supposed to be just as good anyway!

Jackie
2006-09-21 4:36 PM
in reply to: #547639

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Veteran
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Near Salt Lake City
Subject: RE: Entry Level Bike
I have been considering this very same bike for the past few weeks as a second bike to my Trek 5200 (even though I still am trying to sell it). I know 2 people here in Utah that ride that exact bike and both love it. They have upgraded some things (new seat post, better aero bars) but for $995 delivered, no sales tax it seems like it's hard to pass up. Like mentioned above, it's a rebranded Fuji Aloha for 1/2 the price basically. Eveyone I've talked to says it's quite a lot of bang for the buck. Good Luck
2006-09-21 4:48 PM
in reply to: #548189

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Master
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Morse Lake, Noblesville, Indiana
Subject: RE: Entry Level Bike
run4yrlif - 2006-09-21 2:16 PM

No...it's a good deal (if it fits and all). It's just a re-branded Fuji Aloha.


I believe it is an aloha 2.0.

2006-09-22 10:08 AM
in reply to: #547639

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Extreme Veteran
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Tucson, AZ
Subject: RE: Entry Level Bike
I also purchased a prior-year holdover and saved considerably. I have the Fuji Roubaix, Shimano 105 throughout and paid a little over $600. For me, it has fit my needs as a beginner cyclist/triathlete.
2006-09-25 12:45 AM
in reply to: #547639

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Subject: RE: Entry Level Bike
I have a Felt F90, picked it up for about $550. Almost ever bike brand has a bike under $700, find one that fits well. The price jump from $600< bikes to $700> is usually the shifters. I have no prob with SORA thumb shifters, so do.

You also have to account for nice carbon sole shoes, pedals and good fitting helmet. All these add ones can easly add up quick.

$100-200 Shoes
$60-100 pedals
$50-100 for a good helmet

Need repair kits too
$15 CO2 pump
$15 multitool
$4 tire levers
$10 saddle bag
$5 tube x2 or 1 + patch kits

If you go with the CO2 route, buy one that will accept thread and NON threaded canisters. DO NOT BUY CO2 containers from the bike shop. You will spend $8-10 for THREE containers. Go to your local Walmart sporting good area, look for a 25 pack of 12gram CO2 canister (non threaded) for BB guns and such. This is $11 for 25 canisters. The bike shop ones are 16grams, so a lil bigger but not to big compaired to the price difference. One will fill up a roadie tire w/o a prob, I normally use part of a second to make sure (I'm kinda big). I usually carry 3 Co2 and 2 tubes.

Edited by jsigone 2006-09-25 12:46 AM
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