Hi all,
This is my first thread on this forum and I'm seeking some advice to help me make a very difficult decission.
I'm buying my first ever road bike and hoping to compete in the Gatorade Tri Series next summer. I'll probably be riding only 150 - 200km per week.
So, I'm trying to chose between the:
Learsport 8500 ($2200 retail) - no pedals
http://www.learsport.com.au/view_product.php?product=Lear8500 and;
Giant TCR 1 ($2600 retail) http://www.giant-bicycle.com/au/030.000.000/030.000.000.asp?model=9881.
I'm also going to need to all of the extra's like shoes, hemet, bike computer etc. so my budget limit is set to $2500. Both have full Ultegra 10sp with Shimano R550 rims and both ar sub 9kg bikes. The biggest difference is obviously the brand name and the frame. Learsport uses columbus zonal tubing which as far as my limited knowledge tells me is a fairly decent frame.
I need some unbiased feedback (hard to get at a bike shop) re: Learsport and how they compare to other bikes in similar price ranges. I'm really stuck for a decission here as the value of the Learsport seems pretty unbeatable but the safety of the "known" brand name "Giant" would appear to be the safer option.
BTW - these aren't the only two bikes I've looked at but are the two that I'm most serious about buying.
PLEEEEEEEEEEAAAASE HELP!
Thanks in advance for your help.
Svatze
This is my first thread on this forum and I'm seeking some advice to help me make a very difficult decission.
I'm buying my first ever road bike and hoping to compete in the Gatorade Tri Series next summer. I'll probably be riding only 150 - 200km per week.
So, I'm trying to chose between the:
Learsport 8500 ($2200 retail) - no pedals
http://www.learsport.com.au/view_product.php?product=Lear8500 and;
Giant TCR 1 ($2600 retail) http://www.giant-bicycle.com/au/030.000.000/030.000.000.asp?model=9881.
I'm also going to need to all of the extra's like shoes, hemet, bike computer etc. so my budget limit is set to $2500. Both have full Ultegra 10sp with Shimano R550 rims and both ar sub 9kg bikes. The biggest difference is obviously the brand name and the frame. Learsport uses columbus zonal tubing which as far as my limited knowledge tells me is a fairly decent frame.
I need some unbiased feedback (hard to get at a bike shop) re: Learsport and how they compare to other bikes in similar price ranges. I'm really stuck for a decission here as the value of the Learsport seems pretty unbeatable but the safety of the "known" brand name "Giant" would appear to be the safer option.
BTW - these aren't the only two bikes I've looked at but are the two that I'm most serious about buying.
PLEEEEEEEEEEAAAASE HELP!
Thanks in advance for your help.
Svatze