Need another bike!

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Vilante
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Need another bike!

Post by Vilante »

Not for me though :)

I've started looking but it's like starting again so I thought I'd ask here in case someone has had some experience.

My wife wants a bike for her birthday. She wants a racer, or at least something with drop bars so she looks pro. She will use it to commute but also does a shorter tri a few times a year so wants something nicer for that.

I'm looking to spend anywhere from $500-$1000 but it seems that the cheaper ladies bikes all come with Shimano Claris which I think is an 8 speed, 3 chain ring system.

Would be great if I could get her into Tiagra.

I feel like it should be new as it's a present but I might get a much better bike looking at second hand.

Any ideas?
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Re: Need another bike!

Post by CLP »

When I saw the subject, first thought was "well, duh!" ;)

Probably a stretch, but if you can extend your budget out to $1500, there's a *lot* of good options, including 105 equipped carbon frames :) (Giant Defy composite and Giant TCR Advanced). These will work a whole lot better in the long term, and be a better match for doing triathlons :)

Other than that, the Norco Valence A1 appears to carry a few 105 components, and is marginally above $1000.
https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/a/road- ... /102717076

maybe a Scott Contessa Speedster
https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/a/road- ... /102163183
https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/a/road- ... /102264833

Don't get too hung up on Women specific bikes, as a shop should be able to fit a "mens" bike to female.. assuming the underlying frame size is correct. Miss V rides an Avanti Vivace, which is a mens frame (female equivalent is the Vitale)

Vilante wrote:Not for me though :)

I've started looking but it's like starting again so I thought I'd ask here in case someone has had some experience.

My wife wants a bike for her birthday. She wants a racer, or at least something with drop bars so she looks pro. She will use it to commute but also does a shorter tri a few times a year so wants something nicer for that.

I'm looking to spend anywhere from $500-$1000 but it seems that the cheaper ladies bikes all come with Shimano Claris which I think is an 8 speed, 3 chain ring system.

Would be great if I could get her into Tiagra.

I feel like it should be new as it's a present but I might get a much better bike looking at second hand.

Any ideas?
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Vilante
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Re: Need another bike!

Post by Vilante »

Haha, I would love another bike!

Awesome, thanks CLP. I am going to talk to her parents/brother about injecting some cash so that I can look at something a bit better.

If not, that Norco looks nice. Another Avanti would be cool too though, keep it in the family :)
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Vilante
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Re: Need another bike!

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OK, so I've canvassed her mates and we now have a little over $1500 :) So we should be able to get her something in Carbon with 105 with enough searching - woo!
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Re: Need another bike!

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Re: Need another bike!

Post by CLP »

nutty wrote:Looking to buy Rach this for Xmas!
https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/a/road- ... /102690714
Looks awesome!

One thing to check however is whether the triathlons that she was planning on entering allow disc brakes. I have no idea of the regulations around equipment in triathlons. It's unlikely it's a problem, but better to find out now than on the start line.
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Vilante
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Re: Need another bike!

Post by Vilante »

That looks really slick nutty!

Yeah I need to look into that CLP, cheers.
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Re: Need another bike!

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Vilante wrote:That looks really slick nutty!

Yeah I need to look into that CLP, cheers.
Oops.. I think I was getting mixed up with who I was replying to.. brain not engaged fully :D lol.
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Re: Need another bike!

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heheh :)
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Re: Need another bike!

Post by Vilante »

This is a pretty sexy things from a LBS.

https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/a/road- ... /102347311

Pretty much the same colour as her current bike also.
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Re: Need another bike!

Post by Vilante »

So money is tumbling in for this. These are a few I have my eye on, all carbon + 105.

This is pretty and also the same colour as her outgoing bike which she loves:

http://www.99bikes.com.au/bike15-merida ... mint-white

This Fuji is a mens and not quite as pretty but still very nice:

https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/a/road- ... /102282751

This is nice too but not sure I like the white?

https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/a/road- ... /102610538

Possibly a cyclecross bike, would be awesome for weekend fun but might not be the best for tri's.

http://www.99bikes.com.au/bike16-merida ... ite-191247

In other news - I'm looking for a single speed to commute on, second hand :) Might be my Xmas present hehe
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Re: Need another bike!

Post by CLP »

So many choices! :)

The Scultura has a pretty good reputation. If you went with that one, plan to replace the tyres ASAP to something less puncture prone.

It looks like all of the Merida bikes have a Tiagra crankset which is a bit heavier than a 105 crank. The Fuji is fairly old stock since it has 10 speed components. Never know, there might be a bit more wiggle room on that price if you push them.


In a stunning bit of marketing, the bottom bracket in the Merida bikes is "attached" .. nice work Merida. :yes:
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Vilante
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Re: Need another bike!

Post by Vilante »

I'm leaning toward the Scultura, looks real nice and has 105.

Thanks for the info on the tyres, I've had a terrible run with flats so I have some tyres she can use.

Haha, well thankfully it's attached lol!

Thanks CLP!
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Re: Need another bike!

Post by Vilante »

Done deal, thanks for your help CLP. The 4000 in the womens isn't quite big enough so had to go with the mens which isn't a big deal.

I am a sucker for an up-sell though and they had the 5000 for $80 more, which is basically an upgrade to Ultegra. Kinda making myself jealous!

It looks a bit mental but I think she'll like it, I don't think she'd appreciate a girly looking bike, and it will look at home next to mine :)
136661127_4.jpg
I'll think she'll be blown away considering she's expecting a $500 bike. I sure would be :)
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Re: Need another bike!

Post by CLP »

Vilante wrote:Done deal
outstanding :) looks great, and i'm sure she'll love it. you'll have to keep us posted on her reaction :D :D

That machine is such a loooong way removed from the initial idea of a $500-$1000 bike, with (hopefully) Tiagra! :D
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Re: Need another bike!

Post by hutchy »

Nice one Vil!
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Re: Need another bike!

Post by Vilante »

Thanks guys. Definitely a step up from what she's expecting :)

We are having a party next weekend so I plan on having it wrapped for that so everyone gets to give it to her.
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