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Bikes

Places to buy road bikes, along with lessons I learned and great deals I came across when shopping for my latest bike.

 

MY BIKE

2009 Scattante CFR Comp 53 cm Road Bike

www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1072813_-1_24500_20000_28502
List:  $2499.99

I bought this full carbon fiber road bike on a great sale for:  $1299.99 - 10% store credit as a Performance Club member, + sales tax, + $36 cost of shipping (since the store matched the deal I found on their website, minus the shipping costs) = $1326 total!

from the Performance website...
  • Shimano 105 20-speed drivetrain with Ultegra rear derailleur combines reliable speed and high performance with incredible control and response
  • FSA SL-K Light Carbon cranks with MegaExo bottom bracket deliver super-stiff, no-flex pedaling power for the road ahead
  • Forte Precision handlebar and stem with carbon seatpost supply core-level strength, style and vibration damping performance
  • Tektro R740 dual-pivot calipers for strong, progressive stopping power and good modulation
  • Forte Pro DC tires give you speed when you want it and traction when you need it, in wet or dry conditions
  • Alex ALX270 wheelset cut through the wind with bladed spokes, aero rims and smooth rolling hubs

At that price, you can't find a better full carbon bike anywhere!

PLACES TO BUY BIKES 

Helen’s Cycles
Online, multiple stores on the West Side
www.helenscycles.com
Sam, store manager

Store on Lincoln just south of Venice Blvd.
Sales associate was pushing the 2009 Cannondale CAAD 9 all aluminum frame (made in USA), black, with all 105 components, for $1300.  He said this was the best bang for the buck, and since then other people have told me that this sounds like a solid deal for what you’re getting.  Bike looked really nice, was really firm frame, a performance bike.  I think it had MAVOC wheel set which is a little better and sturdy compared to what I have, the ALEX270s.  Maybe on a sale, or last year’s model, this would have been a good buy.  Possibly a faster bike than my Scattante, but not as comfortable.  

Guy in store on Broadway was pushing me to the $2000 Cervelo’s online, saying it could be adapted very easily between a road bike or a tri bike since there was a 2 inch range of adjustment on the saddle position.  Aluminum frame, I forget the style of components.

2007 Cannondale Ironman Six13 Slice 2 
$2200 (regularly $3500)

Performance Bicycle

www.performancebike.com
Low-way (spelling?), store manager
Best prices when they have sales.  Their store will price match any of their online deals, minus the cost of the shipping, which I think is fair.  

Scattante bikes are built in same factory as Fuji.  They are basically the same bikes.

Mike's Bikes
www.mikesbikes.com
Berkeley on University Avenue (Northern CA)
Barry Grosfield, Service
Told me ahead of time they were going to have an upcoming sale, and they have a 30 day price guarantee.
May have a Tri Club / TNT discount.

2009 Specialized Allez Sport
$1150
Full 105 components, all aluminum frame.
This bike was the best bang for your buck according to the sales associate.  I believe Brian Raymond (our TNT coach) has this bike and really likes it.

2009 Specialized Allez Elite
$1400
Lighter weight aluminum, carbon seat stay, 105 components.  A step up from the Sport model.

2009 Cannondale Six Carbon 6
$1699
105s and full carbon, no pedals, size 54 was back-ordered.

Hank and Frank
www.hankandfrankbicycles.com
Lafayette (Northern CA)
Occasionally have great sales on Giant bikes.
Almost bought the 2008 Giant OCR C3 Full carbon bike, full 105 components for $1500.

Links from Alan Jacobsen (my co-worker who raced bikes at the collegiate level)
www.trisports.com/all-triathlon-bicycles.html
www.realcyclist.com/roadbike/search.html?mv_session_id=Mvqoraj6&q=quintana+roo&x=53&y=18

REI
www.rei.com
K2 Mod 3.0
Sarah bought this bike for ~$500 on great sale weekend before Memorial Day.

K2 Mod 4.0
Orange, SRAM components (not Shimano).
~$900 on great sale weekend before Memorial Day.

Wheel World
Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City
www.wheelworld.com

San Diego Tri Club Classifieds
classified.triclubsandiego.org

eBay
www.ebay.com

Google Search
“bike stores santa monica” 

Chubby’s (The only place to buy a beach cruiser)
www.chubbyscruisers.com
Culver City
$175-$200 for entry level fixed gear cruiser, any color.  

OTHER USEFUL DOCUMENTS

RANDOM FITTING INFORMATION

I am a size 53 to 54 cm, depending on the manufacturer.  (I am 5'11" with shorter than average legs and a longer than average torso.)

Frame size 51 to 54 cm = height 5’4” to 5’7”, Small (Giant).
Frame size 55 to 57 cm = height 5’7” to 5’10”, Medium (Giant).
Frame size 57 to 59 cm = height 5’10” to 6’0”, Medium/Large (Giant).

Low-way (spelling?), manager at Performance, spent time sizing me on a 52 cm, 53 cm, a 54 cm, and 55 cm, and concluded I am a 53 cm to 54 cm.  To fit me on a 52 cm, I would need longer pedal cranks (172.x vs. the 170’s that are standard on a 52 cm bike), the 40 cm wide handlebars (which is standard), my seat pushed back, and a 110 mm stem (or 120 mm maybe), whereas a 100 mm is more standard I think.  I should make sure the bike I am on ideally has 40 cm handlebars, not 42 cm like they might have in the 53 to 54 cm range.  He measured the bone points of my shoulders to get 40 cm.  Alan Jacobsen says his 5’4” wife rode a 52 cm and it was only slightly big for her.  He thought I would need either a 54 cm or a 56 cm.