[ebubar]

@americancyclo 59376 wrote:

A friend bought a Synapse way back in the day. We test rode bikes and I remember it was a pretty nice ride. She bought it, but I secretly think it may have had something to do with her being a neuroscientist.

That’s why i’m considering the Gravity Liberty 3 from Bikes Direct. Seems appropriate for an astrophysicist to get the Gravity brand bike…

[ebubar]

@napes 58307 wrote:

Or for the sake of something different, how about any of these instead of the silly stop signs?

[ATTACH=CONFIG]3316[/ATTACH]

As a physics prof, i’d like to double elite the momentum sign.

[ebubar]

I go through that area occasionally. Lately its been in the evenings around 10 PM. I, personally, always slow down and stop at any and all stop signs because I have a deep seeded mistrust of cars. They either don’t look for me or they seemingly try to aim for me. By stopping I lose my momentum in a lot of inconvenient places (yeah it sucks), but I think that I improve the chances of me not being hit by some idiot driver. So as dumb as the stop sign is, I still obey it (and would likely slow down a good bit or stop without it there) because I sadly don’t trust cars.

We should put up a little “duck crossing” sign pointing at the cars leaving the lot. What kind of person would gun their car out of there at the chance of hitting a poor defenseless duckling?

Now that my thinking cap is on, we should put up a kitten crossing sign. Pair that with an LCD screen showing cute youtube videos of kittens doing funny things. Cars and bicyclists alike could stop and delight in adorable kitten antics!

[ebubar]

@DismalScientist 58076 wrote:

BikesDirect has these things called secret sales where if you put the bike in your “cart” you can get a lower price than is advertised. (Putting the bike in the cart does not obligate you to buy.) What bikes are on secret sale are advertised on BikeDirect’s facebook page. Currently the Liberty 1 and Liberty 3 are on secret sale.

I have no idea why they do this, but they do.

$599 for the Liberty 3. That’s right at the OP’s budget for a Tiagra equipped bike that should be quite similar to a Giant Defy 2. $419 for the Liberty 1 if you want to save some cash.

If I wasn’t concerned about warranty replacements for a broken frame or other components (I’ve been rough on my trek hybrid and needed some replacements on that) I’d be ordering one myself…still might…

[ebubar]

I know about the budget hunting. Performance has one that’s around 499 new, a Scattante (http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1134357_-1_400306__400306).

Bikesdirect seems like a good deal to me. I’m pondering a few of their bikes, especially a Gravity Liberty.
I think they have a couple of Gravity Liberty’s in your price range. For reference, the Liberty has the same
geometry as a Giant Defy (which you could test ride to see if you like). That’s another good bike (according to my
research). The Giant Defy is a “relaxed” road bike and feels really good IMHO. You’d be looking at a Giant Defy 5, and would need to get a good deal on a previous year’s model (most likely) if your budget is $600.

Perhaps some markdowns are in the cards for the fall when new models start arriving. I would suggest, if you can stand the hybrid for a bit longer, waiting for a possible markdown might get you the best bike.

I keep telling myself its only a few more weeks…just a few more weeks…

[ebubar]

48cm Cervelo S3 carbon fiber frameset and 3T full carbon fork

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/bik/3932797927.html

Anybody have a Cervelo S3 stolen recently? Price seems low to me compared to what these
kinds of bikes are going for on ebay.

If not, looks like a good deal?

[ebubar]

Welcome to the forums!

I ride from Takoma Park (right on the border with Silver Spring around Piney Branch and Flower).

I suspect you could just take 14th (or 13th!) straight on down into the city. I cut over using 3rd street and Kansas since i’m coming from a bit more east than Silver Spring.

If you want a longer route, I like the Georgetown Branch Trail (pick it up off of Brookville Road) to Capital Crescent down through Georgetown and then, I guess, along M street over to L street somehow.

I guess it depends on how long you want your commute to be . I’ve taken to increasing my commute distances on the days when I get to ride.

[ebubar]

@hozn 57382 wrote:

Yeah, that is a great deal. These (Motobecane) are good bikes. Check out the reviews. And bikesdirect is a food vendor, nothing to be scared of — unless you are concerned with fit, etc. Though I have seen some atrocious “sizing” done by bike stores to push inventory, so can’t say that you aren’t better of figuring that out on your own anyway.

That’s what i’ve wrestled with. I’ve had good bike shops that want to fit me, but I won’t waste their time with a precise fit unless i’m sure i’m going to buy. I’ve had more shops who just put me on something and say it fits, when it obviously doesn’t. I’ve been dialing in my fit on the hybrid trying to convince myself I could do the same with a road bike. I’m drawn to the Gravity Liberty 3 since its the same geometry as the Defy which I know I like. Might have to give BikesDirect some more serious thought…With help from the local bike coop I could get a once over on it for a nice donation and have a great new bike for a screaming good deal…

[ebubar]

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/sprint_xiv.htm – super tempting indeed!

Why can’t I get over the online fear of Bikes Direct? Super tempted by this too: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/gravity/liberty_3.htm

Seems like the Giant Defy 2 well under my budget. Even with paying a shop $100 to put the
thing together and tighten things up for me.

Argh! Bike shopping is so cruelly fun!

[ebubar]

@jrenaut 57201 wrote:

My first bike after CaBi got me riding again as an adult was a 2011 Defy 3. A great bike in a lot of ways, and I did find fenders that worked, but they were a huge pain. There’s not enough clearance for most fenders, so I got some plastic ones (I can find you the link if you end up with the bike, it’s posted in at least one of the fender discussion threads here). They worked well, but tended to rub sometimes, and I destroyed two sets in a year and a half (at $70, that can get expensive).

When that bike got hit by a u-turning cabbie on PA Ave, I bought a 2012 Bianchi Volpe. I find it a lot more comfortable, especially since I do most of my riding downtown DC where the roads are, um, imperfect. I did like the chain ring sizing up front on the Giant better, but that’s personal preference.

Then I did my first (and so far, only) century on a rented Defy 2. I love the double chain ring up front – I never ever use the smallest ring on the Volpe (and didn’t on the Defy 3). After riding the Bianchi for a while it was so light.

If you have specific questions on any of the 3 bikes, let me know and I’ll do my best to answer.

Sounds like utility was the “big” problem with the Defy 3. I’m hoping I can avoid that by having the hybrid for hard days and the road bike for fast and fun days. The Defy 3 or 2 seem like the sweet spot. I only occasionally use the granny gear on the hybrid (41st. street), but the Defy 3 and Defy 5 I tested basically fly up hills that are troublesome on the hybrid. I think the compact double, as advised on here, would be perfectly fine. Tiagra should stem the upgrade-itis for awhile, but also make upgrading not too cost-prohibitive. 10 speed up to fancier 10 speed pieces as things wear out. 2013 Sora on the Defy 3 also ain’t too shabby with the dropping of the thumb shifting. Plus the Defy frame is surprisingly light and smooth and seemingly worth upgrading. I’ve tried comparable Specialized, Cannondale, Trek and Fuji, but the Giant felt nicer and is cheaper. Plus the shop is really close to home.

[ebubar]

@KS1G 57200 wrote:

My commuter is a Castro Valley (similar frame, made as a 1×9 but with some creative use of cable housing and a clamp-on stop made it into a 2×9), which is similar to the Volpe frame. Mine is a mix of ebay (frame, fork), stuff I had (much of the drivetrain, wheels), and catching a few sales. Pluses: Easily accomodates fenders, racks, studded tires (winter), 35mm tires (with the fenders, maybe wider w/o). Classic Bianchi celeste color (that counts for a lot!) Fast enough for commuting, easy-moderate group rides, centuries (if not too concerned with pace), at least light touring. Minuses: signficantly heavier and slower than my nice road bike. Canti brakes are OK but don’t stop as well as my road calipers – could be choice of brake (cheap), the mechanic (me), or I need to try mini-v’s. If I could only own one bike, this would probably be it.

Since I own > 1, I am very happy to have the Bianchi for loaded commutes, errands, and messy weather, and a nice road bike for weekends, spirited group rides, centuries, and nice weather (or poor plannin!) commutes (w backpack). Crudbuster fenders fit, and max usable tire size is 25mm, so barely OK for short stretches of gravel but not something I’d want to spend doing for much of a ride.

I’d call all the local shops and let them know you’re looking – they may have something or can at least keep their eyes open for you. The MABRA list often has roadies upgrading to a better ride (especially as the road season wraps up in a few months). If handy mechanically (or have a friend who’ll help) and you have much of the spare bits available, finding a frame you can build up may save some money. Groups – I’d avoid Sora (just because), and I’ve had excellent experience with Sram – WiFli high-capacity derailluer with a 34×32 low gear makes for a decent sit & spin up hills.

Great info and suggestions. I’m leaning towards a Giant Defy 2 at the moment. Test rode a Defy 3 (sora components) and it was quite nice feeling. Not quite as smooth as the Volpe, but significantly lighter and felt more “get up and go”. Since this would be N+1 the nice thing is I don’t need fenders, rack or any heavy commuter stuff. I can just grab the bike and go (with a seat pack for tubes and such of course). I have ample space at work to lock stuff up and leave clothes. I can spec out the hybrid with fenders and rack for heavier commuting days and keep the road bike nice and sleek.

I’ll keep an eye on deals in the next month or two. Birthday is September so the boss might be more forgiving if I get myself something as a gift :p. I suspect I can find a good deal on a 2012 or 2013 road bike with Tiagra. Perhaps a Defy 2 with Tiagra will fall into my price range with end of season discounts.

[ebubar]

@JorgeGortex 57083 wrote:

Sorry this happened Lim. Hopefully Revolution comes through for you.

On ebubar’s note: and I’ve had the exact opposite experience with them. Took my mtb in because one of the shifters wasn’t working properly. The mechanic said it might need to be replaced. Another mechanic called later in the afternoon, said the grease inside the shifter was gummy. He cleaned it, relubed it, and said come and get it, no charge. Every mechanic I’ve had look at my stuff there has me coming away riding and smiling. Luck of the draw I guess.

I think my particular Revolution perhaps just isn’t so great. It probably stems from a poor manager running things when I got my wife and I our bikes (their words). Hope all works out well for the crank though! I’m sure everything will be well taken care of!

[ebubar]

I’m a bit lucky in that I don’t really need to worry about carrying stuff on my commute. Seat bag for tubes, tire levers and multitool and a frame mounted pump are all I need. I have a nice locked lab that only I can access for storage.

The Torker certainly looks nice and that price is slamming! Maybe a test ride is in order, especially since i’m close to Silver Spring!

I’m looking at used and online. I’d be more inclined to go with an online bike over used (though i’d really like to support a LBS). I think I could dial-in my own fit and they might be the best option for my decreased budget. $1K is stretching it (summer paycut AND down to a single income household) making the Volpe at 1299 REALLY painful to swallow.

I’m recalling some KILLER deals last fall on 2011/2012 models, so this might be my best bet, and I’ll always have Bikes Direct or Nashbar to fall back on.

[ebubar]

And homeboy is cruisin’ in some crocs! Thats some skills.

[ebubar]

If it makes a difference to anyone, i’m thinking to wait until the fall to get potential deals on last years model.

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