help me make a choice

Glenn Civello

Help me make a choice between MARIN "FAIRFAX," MARIN "KENTWOOD," AND
DIAMONDBACK "VENTURA." The Kentwood has a cromo frame, which I prefer to
aluminum, but the components are not as good as those of the other two
bikes. If I have to choose between the two aluminum bikes (Fairfax and
Ventura) I prefer the frame, light weight, and color-finish of the Fairfax.
But I like the upright-riding position and comfort of the Ventura. I would
be using the bike for streets and paved bike paths... about 12-15 miles of
riding, 6 days a week. IF you were buying one of these bikes -- and I know
lots of you wouldn't even consider buying a hybrid not to mention at this
low-end level -- but pretend that you were me and that you wanted to take
home one of these 3 bikes (after looking at many other brands) Which one
would YOU select? Never mind what I like (I'm not sure what I want right
now but hope that some opinions, and maybe a bit of discussion well help
clarify things for me. Tell me which one YOU would select and the reason
for that selection. The Fairfax is about $100 more than the other two,
which are about the same price. The bikes can be seen at the following
URL's:

http://tinyurl.com/2pt9e

http://tinyurl.com/32x64

http://tinyurl.com/2ow6f

Thanks! Glenn

Leo Lichtman

"Glenn Civello" wrote (clip)The Kentwood has a cromo frame,
which I prefer to aluminum, but the components are not as
good as those of the other two bikes.(clip) ^^^^^^^^^^^ For
me, that eliminates the Kentwood. Economy components work
when they are new, but higher quality will pay off in the
long run. I like aluminum for its lightness. There have been
aluminum frame failures in very hard use, but you are
talking about paved trails, so I wouldn't worry about that
at all. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^
(clip) I like the upright-riding position and comfort of the
Ventura.(clip) ^^^^^^^^^^^ Therefore, that would be
my choice. (And, it's $100 less--a no-brainer for
me.)

Alan Braswell

> (clip) I like the upright-riding position and comfort of
> the Ventura.(clip) ^^
^^^^^^^^^
> Therefore, that would be my choice. (And, it's $100 less--
> a no-brainer for me.)
>

Agreed - given the sigificant amount of time you will spend
on your bike, I would certainly go for what feels most
comfortable to you.

Best,

Alan

(remove the x's in the email address)

Glenn Civello

Hello Leo... Regarding the Ventura... comfortable upright
positon YES... but it's a 2003 (the others are 2004's) and
it's a bit heavy for an aluminum bike, even though it
doesn't have suspension forks... don't know why that is (in
fact it's as heavy as the cromo Marin Kentwood. Strange.
Also the color combination looks sorta of cheap and the big
lettered logo (DIAMONDBACK ) located on the side of the
bottom tube doesn't help... looks kinda of like a
department store bike.... but, again, it rides nice and has
fairly decent components. Anyway, thanks. I asked for
opinions and your explanation is most logical. I'll not
"dismiss" the bike by any means. I'll be returning to the
shop tomorrow (with cash in pocket!) and give all 3 bikes
another look-over.... just this "once-more." I've doing the
bike-search- thing since the beginning of the year. It's
time I bought a bike!

"Leo Lichtman" <l.lichtman@worldnet.att.net> wrote in
message news:S7pEc.43425$OB3.3787@bgtnsc05-
news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
>
> "Glenn Civello" wrote (clip)The Kentwood has a cromo
> frame, which I
prefer
> to aluminum, but the components are not as good as those
> of the other two bikes.(clip) ^^^^^^^^^^^ For me, that
> eliminates the Kentwood. Economy components work when they
are
> new, but higher quality will pay off in the long run. I
> like aluminum for its lightness. There have been aluminum
> frame failures in very hard use, but you are talking about
> paved trails, so I wouldn't worry about that at all.
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> (clip) I like the upright-riding position and comfort of
> the
Ventura.(clip)
> ^^^^^^^^^^^ Therefore, that would be my choice. (And, it's
> $100 less--a no-brainer
for
> me.)

Dan Daniel

On Tue, 29 Jun 2004 18:50:21 -0400, "Glenn Civello"
<g.civello@oit.umass.edu> wrote:

> Which one would YOU select? Never mind what I like (I'm
> not sure what I want right now but hope that some
> opinions, and maybe a bit of discussion well help clarify
> things for me. Tell me which one YOU would select and the
> reason for that selection. The Fairfax is about $100 more
> than the other two, which are about the same price. The
> bikes can be seen at the following URL's:
>
>http://tinyurl.com/2pt9e
>
>http://tinyurl.com/32x64
>
>http://tinyurl.com/2ow6f
>
>Thanks! Glenn
>
>

I'd go for the Fairfax. Maybe swap out the stem for a bit
higher handlebar. The upright posture of the other two may
look nice and feel good on a spin around the block, but
after an hour on the bike my butt would be killing me and
I'd be exhausted from that inefficient riding position.
Leaning forward a bit is much easier for more than 5 miles
or so. Being able to move my balance is easier on a bike
like the Fairfax, and I end up leaning forward and sitting
upright on and off over a 10 mile or more ride.

And the Fairfax components are better than the Kentfield.

Try to do a longer ride on the bikes.

And Kentfield is a fake town, one of those suburban non-
places while Fairfax is a real town, albeit still
suburban

Well, you asked. Then again, if I found the Fairfax
uncomfortable and the Ventura comfortable and I could see
myself riding the Ventura while the Fairfax would look cool
but sit in the garage, I'd tell someone like me to be quiet
and go buy the bike that I enjoyed riding because that's
what it is all about.

Go back to the store, do some more test rides, make a
decision and get out there riding! Any of these bikes is
better than no bike.