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I’m looking to purchase my first road bike; I’ve been into mountain biking and would like a change-up. I don’t plan on racing but it’s not out of the question; I love the speed. I’m mostly thinking of a bike to go riding with the local cycling club. My budget is $1300 and the only brands available in my area are Trek, Lemond, Giant, Cannondale, and Bianchi. I rode the following:
Trek 1500
Lemond Tourmalet
Cannondale R700 and R800
Fuji Roubaix
Bianchi Veloce
Of the bikes listed, I liked the Cannondale, Fuji, and Bianchi the best. The closest Felt dealer is 3 hrs away; I’m in the middle of nowhere. The Cannondale/Giant dealer was charging msrp or more for their bikes and have heard they do a poor job assembling and tuning the bikes. I heard about the BD Motobecane Le Champ SL bike so I drove an hour away to test the Fuji, which I liked. I thought I would get the Motobecane bike until I rode the Bianchi today. The dealer was really small and had the 2005 Veloce discounted to $1250. He only had a 55cm built which was too small. (I had been fitted as a 56cm on the other brands.) I believe I need a 57cm which he had unbuilt in a box. I test rode the 55 and I liked the ride of the steel frame but couldn’t entirely get the right feel because it was too small. Also I wanted a double and all Bianchi dealer had was triples, but I assume that it’s not too difficult to convert at a later date.
I’m having trouble deciding between the Motobecane and the Bianchi. Assuming the 57cm fits, which bike do you recommend?
Thanks,
Ray
Trek 1500
Lemond Tourmalet
Cannondale R700 and R800
Fuji Roubaix
Bianchi Veloce
Of the bikes listed, I liked the Cannondale, Fuji, and Bianchi the best. The closest Felt dealer is 3 hrs away; I’m in the middle of nowhere. The Cannondale/Giant dealer was charging msrp or more for their bikes and have heard they do a poor job assembling and tuning the bikes. I heard about the BD Motobecane Le Champ SL bike so I drove an hour away to test the Fuji, which I liked. I thought I would get the Motobecane bike until I rode the Bianchi today. The dealer was really small and had the 2005 Veloce discounted to $1250. He only had a 55cm built which was too small. (I had been fitted as a 56cm on the other brands.) I believe I need a 57cm which he had unbuilt in a box. I test rode the 55 and I liked the ride of the steel frame but couldn’t entirely get the right feel because it was too small. Also I wanted a double and all Bianchi dealer had was triples, but I assume that it’s not too difficult to convert at a later date.
I’m having trouble deciding between the Motobecane and the Bianchi. Assuming the 57cm fits, which bike do you recommend?
Thanks,
Ray