Help Me Choose A Bike

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by levs
I am going CRAZY trying to choose one of 4 bikes, so you all get to decide for me. All are higher end flat bar road bikes. I have provided some highlights for each. Prices shown are my complete out of pocket price with shipping, tax and assemly. I think each is a really good deal, the question is, which is the best for the money?Links are provided for specs on each bike.
Ibex Corrida, $600 online, Aluminum frame, chromoly fork, Tiagra (except rear D is 105), tapered downtube, 440 flat bar shifters, Alex RC2002 rims.
http://ibexbikes.com/Bikes/2003/bikes_03CorridaLT_specs.html

Motobecane Cafe Noir, $700 online, Reynolds 520 frame, Ouzo carbon fork, 105 front and rear, 105 bottom bracket, 660 flat bar shifters, Richey Aero Comp rims, Kalloy adjustable stem.
http://motobecane.com/2003cfn.html

Jamis Coda Comp, $730 locally, Reynolds 520 frame, Kinesis alum fork, Tiagra front D, Deore XT rear D, 660 flat bar shifters, SRAM 7.0cassette, Richey Areo Comp rims, suspension seatpost, 25 lbs (heavy?).
http://jamisbikes.com/bikes/spec_geo/03_coda_comp_spec.html

Schwinn Super Sport GS, $600 online, aluminum frame, carbon fork, Tiagra front D, 105 rear D, 440 flat bar shifters, Shimano HG-50 Cassette, Alex AT-450 rims, suspensions seatpost, Promax brakes (???). http://www.schwinnbike.com/products/bikes_detail.php?id=173

Thanks for your help and I will let you all come over and have aride on the bike I choose!

Rob

Have you ridden them? If not, how do you know about size and fit? What do you do if you have a problem with the online bought bike?

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by boudreaux
Have you ridden them? If not, how do you know about size and fit? What do you do if you have a problem with the online bought bike?

I have bought online before and am very careful about checking fit through geometry provided by the manufactuers. If there is a proble, you can deal with it through the seller, but you are right, it is a pain. Those very valid issues aside, any opinion about these choices?

Sheesh, I don't know... they're very similar bikes. Since it doesn't look like you'll be racing these things or climbing the Alps on one, an adjustable stem might actually be a good thing (and takes some pressure off of the perfect fit issue), which, along with a surprisingly solid fork selection, makes the Motobecane a pretty nice looking value. Motobecane's comittment to 105 in the front and rear DRs for this model is inspiring too; the others make some minor compromises in those areas. It's the nicest model in terms of component quality for price, for sure. But...

Even with perfect fit aside, boudreaux makes the best point -- these bikes are similar enough in shape, specs, and price, that the most significant difference between them is likely how they feel. Perfectly good bikes just feel wrong to some folks. And vice versa.

But, I'm sure you've heard all that before. If test riding all of these babies is just not an option, then go with your gut. There's nothing obviously wrong with any of them, if that's what you're asking, even if the Motobecane looks a cut above the rest on paper. Good luck; happy riding!

Your comments are helpful and much appreciated.