Anybody have any expierence buying a bike from Sun & Ski? I walked in there yesterday and they had the bike below on clearance for $599.99 in 58 cm. I am 6''2" so that should be about the right size.

Also, anybody have any expierence with this bike, the Masi Partenza?

http://www.sunandski.com/Masi_Partenza_Performance_Road_Bike_11_p/7721056651100.htm

jim.. masi makes some good bikes however, that one is just a step above walmart.. the frame is nicer than walmart, but it is a mixture of sora (bottom of the list of components evaluated above) and 2300 (which are found on some walmart/target bikes).. it is also 8 speed which is early 2000s technology and the only way you upgrade is to upgrade everything.

Corey knows his stuff

Jim,

Which sun n ski? They get a bad rap because they're kind of big box, but any shop is only as good as the people that run it.

The grapevine mills location is actually really good IMO. I've had great service before and after the sale there.

to be clear, i wasn't knocking S&S, just the components on that bike. no personal experience with S&S

It's the Baybrook location (Clearlake).

Thanks for the feedback. The search continues!

What about Bicycle Sport Shop in Austin?
I strictly mountain bike but I now want to get into road biking.
Looking for suggestions for good stores in Austin.
I'm looking for a new bike in the $1500 range.

Anyone know of a good place in Fort Worth?

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9. Vanity

You must make sure all gear is color matching and your bike is pristine. Do not spare a dime when vanity comes into play. This becomes even more important if you are buying a tri bike.

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Additionally, handlebar tape, tires, and saddle should be matching in color. For a traditional cyclist, these should be black...

Please add "Bicycles Plus" for Dallas shops. In fact, I pick up my new Cannondale Supersix Evo this week. Whoop!!

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Track: if you are shopping for one of these you know more about bikes than I do.

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I'm can field those questions. Here is a pic of mine:

I thought I recognized your name from the mudder thread. That's a classic Walker frame for sure. Do you still take it around the Superdrome? I'll probably run into him at NAHBS next month.

<-- ol' prez of AMCT

Dave,

I do still take it up to the Superdrome. I only raced two times up there this year, doing more road / crits, plus doing other sports.

Good to connect again.

Any particular type of handlebar you all recommend for the regular bars and aero bars on a road bike?

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Any particular type of handlebar you all recommend for the regular bars and aero bars on a road bike?

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Handlebars, saddles, and shoes are highly personal.

With handlebars, you need to narrow down the width, shape (curved for anatomical), reach (how far forward you want them to go past the stem) and drop (how far down you want them to go.

Have you thought about what you like in handlebars?

Oops. I seem to have forgot a key word in my post. TAPE.

I meant is there any kind of handlebar TAPE you all recommend for handlebars and aero bars

Ahhh. Yeah. That definitely changes things.

My team is sponsored by Arundel, so I naturally recommend their stuff. I prefer the cork because I sweat. A lot. The Gecko grip is great, especially if you wear gloves. I don't wear gloves for training or road races, but wear long-fingered gloves for crits and track.

Always go with black, unless you have a team mechanic to constantly wash / re-wrap it. White looks REALLY sharp, but is a pain in the rear.

cjo, Howbout a section on tires/wheels?

stock vs different types of race wheels
clincher vs. tubular
different types of road tires

not a bad idea at all but i am far from an expert on that.. happy to include a write-up in the OP if someone wants to pull something together. lots of opinions and fuzzy research/marketing by different companies. it seems threads on slowtwitch when inquire about these topics turn into a 30 post argument.

Anyone ever have any problems with numbness on long distance rides? I have been increasing my weekend rides up to 120 miles with a goal of around 150 before the MS 150, and have started to have problems towards the end of the Sunday ride. Would switching to a high quality pair bib shorts alleviate the problem, or should I look at getting a new saddle as well? Right now I am in a mid-level pair of Canari shorts and a standard Fuji saddle.

I have been looking at the following bib shorts:
- Cavalo Squadra 3.0 Bib Shorts
- Louis Garneau Pro Feel Bib Shorts
- Bellwether Forma Bib Shorts

For a saddle, I was thinking of trying a design similar to this:



PS - how do you use the restroom in a pair of bib shorts?

[This message has been edited by Mr.Ackar07 (edited 2/28/2013 10:35p).]

Look into Cobb Cycling, I got one a year ago and it has been awesome. Unfortunately, saddles seem to be very unique to the rider as well, no "one saddle fits all" solution.

I just bought the adamo century for my lady parts, of my friends who had issues adamo seem to have a saddle for them

The best way is to work with a local company and tell them you want to try some seats out. Adamo works best with me but everyone is different.

I had numbness on my stock Specialized saddle. Changed to Selle Anatomica and no issues since.

ttt

Thanks for the bump. I hate to be "that guy," but would appreciate thoughts on this one:

http://houston.craigslist.org/bik/3709799450.html

Background: My most recent cycling experience is my old Mongoose I road around campus from '98-'02. I'm looking for something to ride regularly, maybe eventually take on some sprint or olympic tri. thanks

DCC99- I don't think it's a terrible deal, but you could do better.

If I were you, I would look for a newer bike (2007-2010) that has Ultegra or even 105 components. I can't be certain, but I'm betting the tech in early 2000's DuraAce trickled down to the lower level components by then.

A 10 year old frame *probably* doesn't have any issues, but I'd look at it very closely since it sounds like the seller isn't the orignal owner. The wheels are nice, if they are in good shape it is an upgrade over the stock wheels.

I'm not selling it now b/c it's my wife's bike, but I have a 2006 Trek 2100 with a 105/Ultegra mix that I would price at $600 and expect to get $525-550 for it. I think the frame is fairly close to what you're looking at in the CAAD4 w/ nicer wheels.

My 2 cents. Interested to see what others think.

Agreed ^ I would rather go with a newer frame with 105 components.

The Dura Ace of 2000 is probably along the same lines of today's 105 and at best Ultegra.

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Thanks for the bump. I hate to be "that guy," but would appreciate thoughts on this one:

http://houston.craigslist.org/bik/3709799450.html

Background: My most recent cycling experience is my old Mongoose I road around campus from '98-'02. I'm looking for something to ride regularly, maybe eventually take on some sprint or olympic tri. thanks

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Selling mine and could definitely hook up an Ag:
http://imgur.com/a/oYcez
http://collegestation.craigslist.org/bik/3762721296.html

Email in Craigslist ad or in profile

Dill, how tall are you? I haven't been fitted, but I think 56 may be a bit big.

I'm 5'10. Fits me pretty perfectly. Sorry didn't look for details, just jumped on the thread

Regarding fit, going by the rider's height can be a mistake. The thing to go by is their leg length.

For example, my family tends to have shorter legs for our body size and need a correspondingly shorter bike than our height would suggest.

There are others with really long legs for their body size and who would need a taller bike than their height would suggest.

I've been talking about getting a road bike for probably over a year. I'm about finally pull the trigger and head to Dallas Bike Works or Richardson Bike Mart and drop some money on one.

Does anyone have any preference between the two stores?

Also any additional insights that aren't covered in this thread are much appreciated.

Blast from the past.. original post was 7 years from today. Much of it may still be relevant, but there has been some evolution/innovation (electronic shifters, disc brakes on road bikes, etc)

I think Nixter (Tri Shop sells road bikes - may want to check them out too in DFW) still posts here and I'm confident Scriffer still sucks.

Great thread.

Might pull the trigger on a Canyon Ultimate CL Disc soon.