Marin Mountain Bikes Argenta

Price Paid:  $650.00 at REI

Favorite Ride:
Transam

Bike Setup:
ultegra drivegear. 30-42-52. standard throughout the remainder

Summary:
I know it's not typical, but I used the argenta on a tour from denver to astoria, oregon. a bit over 2000 miles. 20 pounds of gear. The bike performed amazingly well. over 100,000 feet of climbing and it still wanted to keep going

Strengths:
solid bike pound for pound. best bike you can get for the money, easily.

Weaknesses:
i upgraded to ultegra comps. Just wanted to make it a little lighter

Similar Products Used:
felt, scott, specialized

Price Paid:  $1200.00 at Sierra Trading Post

Favorite Ride:
Various Areas Around Lake Tahoe

Bike Setup:
Campy Centuar, Deda Magic Stem and Bars, Vittoria Tires, Performance Pedals

Summary:
This bike has been a joy to ride. When looking at various bikes and frames, I was looking for something simple and high quality. I like the more traditional frames but understand the performance of the compacts. This bike is kind of the best of both world. Its frame design is semi-compact, not having a lot of slope in the top tube. Having Campy components was a huge plus in determining that this would be the setup that I would purchase. Also, the price was unbeatable for the level of ride that I was looking for. It is going on years since I have purchased the bike and I have liked it since test riding one.

Strengths:
Stable, Responsive, Campy Components, Frame Design

Weaknesses:
Be carefull not to over-tighten the Deda Magic stem.

Similar Products Used:
Iron Horse, Specialized

Price Paid:  $1300.00 at Cycle cave

Bike Setup:
Almost stock with full campy centaur 10 speed, double ring, stock ambrosia carbon fork, ritchey logic headset, campy centaur hubs, ambrosio evolution rims, vittoria rubino pro tires.
Only change is exchanging Deda Magic stem for Forgie XL 3T reversible stem to lessen the drop.

Summary:
I started looking for a road bike several months ago, as I have a short but somewhat hilly commute to work, and have been doing some casual cycling for exercise as well. After looking at a large number of bikes in the $1000-$1300 range since I want a good bike that will last me a long time. Before I found this bike I was most happy with the Bianchi steel bikes with campy parts (the campione in my case). I also rode a Colnago steel bike that was very nice, but out of my price range.

On my last day of looking, I ran across the 2002 Marin Argenta on sale at Cycle Cave with fully campy centaur components, a light aluminum frame, and a carbon fork for $1300. It was by far my favorite bike of the ones I rode, and had by far the best components, too. All the other bikes in that price range were primarily shimano 105 bikes, 105/ultegra mixes, or campy mirage/veloce mixes. I got an XL (it's a compact-frame bike) and had to swap out the flat magic stem for a forgie XL stem with a bit of a rise to it, as I'm about 6'2" tall.

It's been a great bike to commute on so far, and I've really enjoyed my weekend rides, too. The paint job is also very nice. :)

One caveat - the 2003 Marin Argenta is a very different bike. It uses all Shimano 105 components instead of the much nicer Campy Centaur groupo. It also has a much more... understated... plain silver finish instead of the red and blue finish on the 2002 model.

Strengths:
Great components and a light frame at a great price, not as harsh as some other aluminum bikes.
Oh, and a killer paint job.

Weaknesses:
None yet.

Similar Products Used:
Lemond Buenos Aires - (nice bike but didn't care for the fit)
Bianchi Imola and Campione
Raleigh R600 (international was out of my price range)
Trek 2000
2003 Marin Verona
Specialized Allez Elite