shenanigans Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 I've been doing a bunch of biking around (just casual stuff) lately and my parents offered to buy me a new bike. I've had the same one since I was in middle school. A buddy who used to run a bike shop recommended the Mercier Galaxy Tour ($370) to me. My local bike shop that was most helpful has the Specialized Sirrus for $520. After reading some reviews they both sound like good bikes, so I'm looking for any advice but mainly how much am I going to be spending in tuneups? If I buy at the local shop they do lifetime minor tuneups for free. If I buy the Mercier online I'll have to pay for everything - although that may be a bit cheaper if I can talk my friend into doing it for record trades. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agreetodisagree Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 Both bikes are more than suitable for casual riding. I'd go with the Specialized. Quality over savings. Mercier is sort of.. a legacy brand. Was good, now is not good. Full tune-ups should be done at the beginning of each riding season and generally cost $40-$90 depending on what type of bike you have(geared bike>single speed) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brock N Roll Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 I still have my Dyno Air from like 97 in my parents garage somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sinisterkidd Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 I have a specialized sirrus that I got back in july and I love it. It's my first good bike and Ive really been enjoying riding it around. I havent gone any serious distance yet but plan to eventually. If they're going to give you free tune-up's I'd go with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maneatingcow Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 I've been debating buying a bicycle for a while. Was going to buy one Monday, but I thought that tomorrow was Monday so I missed out on the sale. A local shop had a Trek 1.2 on sale half off Labor Day only. I might call them up and see if they can extend the sale for my dumb / lazy / oblivious ass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fueledbymike Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 I am more of a road bike kinda guy and usually put in 80-100km a weekend and ride about 12 km a day to and from to work. I LOVE giant brand bikes, they fit really well and have had no problems at all with them. I have had a specialized that was also ok, no problems but the giant seems to have a much more comfortable geometry. maybe check out and test ride a cyclocross road bike, my buddy has one and like its. Good for the roads but if you want to ride in the forest you can also do some off road stuff as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrc Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 maybe check out and test ride a cyclocross road bike, my buddy has one and like its. Good for the roads but if you want to ride in the forest you can also do some off road stuff as well. I have been wanting to test ride a Trek crossrip or similar Giant or Specialized models but havent gotten a chance yet. I was pretty stoked that i was able to knock out my first 60 mile ride sunday morning on my hybrid (most of my rides are 10-35 miles). After that ride, i think its really time for me to upgrade. Better start saving! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albie007 Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 Surly bikes. Any kind. That's all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerseydave77 Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 I got away from Specialized. There is a general opinion that they have been so aggressive in their advertising that you are now paying those costs in your bike. You will find that at the same price point that you can get better value with other brands than you can with Specialized/Trek. When I went to buy my nicer bike I test rode a Trek, Giant, Scott and Cervelo. Now, how serious are you hoping to get? Sounds like entry level but different brands frames fit different body types so it's worth testing out those that you determine you are interested in and taking your comfort level into account. I loved Scott but I'm longer in the torso and their tri bikes didn't suit me as well. I wound up with a Cervelo P2 - nice bike - but it was a combination of fit/goal/value for cost. Anyway, enjoy it. Awesome hobby. My first bike to get back into riding was a Specialized Alleze. Got me moving again but I probably would have purchased a different brand used if I'd known then what I know now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shenanigans Posted September 3, 2013 Author Share Posted September 3, 2013 Thanks for all the responses. It's all entry level. I'm thinking of biking like 25 miles maybe once a week - potentially up to 40ish twice a week, but I don't see myself having enough time for anything more. Even riding to work is only a couple miles if I decide to do that. As far as other bikes, I went to 3 local shops. One only did free tuneups for the first 6 months so they're out. The next had a Trek 7.1 for I think $470. They didn't have the hybrid version in so they said they'd have to order one. The guy wasn't all that helpful, but I do remember they had a 30 day trial period. The last the guy was the most helpful and recommended the Sirrus. Just based off MSRP price I felt like the Mercier should be a nicer bike and it's cheaper, but it sounds like it's not as a nice of a bike as they used to be and having to pay for tuneups will eat away at the cheaper price anyway. Haven't heard anything bad about the Sirrus (other than what Dave said about the price). Those were the only 2 bikes the local shops had in my price range. There may be a couple other shops further away that I may check out this weekend to see different options, but if I'm going to buy local for the tuneups, then I'm probably better off with a shop closer to the house so I actually take advantage of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hankmurphy Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Surly bikes. Any kind. That's all. I've been riding a Steamroller for about four years now, and I love it. The steel frame is great. I'm not graceful by any means, and it takes a ton of punishment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albie007 Posted September 6, 2013 Share Posted September 6, 2013 ^I ride a steamroller as well. I have it setup as a singlespeed though not fixed. I like to coast. And stop. Too old for tha fixed! Grew up with cheap aluminum bikes my whole life so riding steel is pretty sweet. Been saving for a karate monkey to tear up the trails. Also been thinkin about getting one of those motorized bike kits for my old trek mtb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdtg Posted September 6, 2013 Share Posted September 6, 2013 Surly bikes. Any kind. That's all. The cross-check will hopefully be my next ride. Currently riding a schwinn madison, fixed, and a redline monocog flite for some SS 29er fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhook Posted September 6, 2013 Share Posted September 6, 2013 Anyone dabble in BMX bikes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrc Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 I ordered a bike earlier this week, and stopped by the shop today as they were building it out... cant wait. I ended up getting a 2014 Crossrip Elite. Cant wait to pick it up tomorrow morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 Hot damn, that look's nice. I love disc brakes. You can totally do some sweet skids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanRees Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 Anyone dabble in BMX bikes? I used to work at Haro, thats the extent of my BMX dabbling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhook Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 I just bought a Kink BMX bike. It was an impulse buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdtg Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 I ordered a bike earlier this week, and stopped by the shop today as they were building it out... cant wait. I ended up getting a 2014 Crossrip Elite. Cant wait to pick it up tomorrow morning. This bike looks great and should be a lot of fun, congrats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albie007 Posted September 28, 2013 Share Posted September 28, 2013 ^mrc....she looks fast. Enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrc Posted September 28, 2013 Share Posted September 28, 2013 Picked it up this morning, only got to do a quick 10 mile ride this morning but its super nice so far. Big difference from my beginner hybrid/commuter bike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radiatorhums Posted September 30, 2013 Share Posted September 30, 2013 This is my bike, bought it off a buddy last February. Hoping to ride it for two or three years and then build my own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdtg Posted September 30, 2013 Share Posted September 30, 2013 I'm assuming with just the front break you've got this running as a fixed gear, if that's the case I'd def get some more tension in your chain Looks like a fun ride, I really like those fenders Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerseydave77 Posted September 30, 2013 Share Posted September 30, 2013 I'm assuming with just the front break you've got this running as a fixed gear, if that's the case I'd def get some more tension in your chain Looks like a fun ride, I really like those fenders Yup - good call on the chain. Nice looking bike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radiatorhums Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 I'm assuming with just the front break you've got this running as a fixed gear, if that's the case I'd def get some more tension in your chain Looks like a fun ride, I really like those fenders Yeah, just the front break. Thanks for the advice! I don't see my friend who sold it to me too often and he's my only real bike info guy. I can feel the slack when I ride and haven't gotten around to looking into it. Roads are so wet here half the year that a fender is crucial. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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