I'd like to buy a Marin bike. I live in France but unfortunately Marin is not really distributed here so I'm going to buy one from abroad - so I need to buy it without actually trying. This is not ideal I realise so I'm hoping that someone can help me diminish the risk factor of buying blind.
13" 15" 17" 18.5" 20" Head Angle 70° 70° 70° 70° 70° Seat Angle 73° 73° 73° 73° 73° Top Tube 521 mm 533 mm 552 mm 572 mm 584 mm BB Height 292 mm 292 mm 292 mm 292 mm 292 mm Stand Over 705 mm 730 mm 762 mm 794 mm 826 mm Wheel Base 1029 mm 1041 mm 1060 mm 1080 mm 1092 mm Chain Stay 425 mm 425 mm 425 mm 425 mm 425 mm Seat Post 27.2 mm 27.2 mm 27.2 mm 27.2 mm 27.2 mm
I'm 173cm tall and have relatively short legs - from groin to floor in barefeet is about 78cm. I think I need to choose either the 15" frame or the 17" frame but am not sure which one. The guy in the shop seems to think that 17" would be best but knowing that I'd rather be more hunched forward when I ride what size frame do you think I should go for.
: I'd like to buy a Marin bike. I live in France but unfortunately Marin : is not really distributed here
I know this is what we always say, but why not get one you can try first? There's loads of decent (and decently priced) french brands you could try.
Arthur
-- Arthur Clune PGP/GPG Key: http://www.clune.org/pubkey.txt Don't get me wrong, perl is an OK operating system, but it lacks a lightweight scripting language -- Walter Dnes
I'd like to buy a Marin bike. I live in France but unfortunately Marin is not really distributed here so I'm going to buy one from abroad - so I need to buy it without actually trying.
Is it worth it buying blind? These days given the cost of a cheap airline ticket at the right time of the week is so low it would be worth popping over here, trying them out and taking your purchase back with you.
Its very difficult to size a bike from a catalogue because the measurements are not standardised and other factors such as top tube length come into whether it fits or not; quite often you are better buying by top tube length and using a long/short seat post on a mountain bike.
Thanks for your answer. I have looked. I just want a reasonably light, stiff bike with no suspension, decent components and 26" wheels, preferably with road friendly tyres. I'm happy paying up to about 600 euros. Do you know of any French bike in particular that fits this spec? The only thing French I found that comes close to that spirit is the Decathalon "triband" but the Marin is I think a better, more versatile bike so a better investment long term.
Thanks for your answer. I have looked. I just want a reasonably light, stiff bike with no suspension, decent components and 26" wheels, preferably with road friendly tyres. I'm happy paying up to about 600 euros. Do you know of any French bike in particular that fits this spec? The only thing French I found that comes close to that spirit is the Decathalon "triband" but the Marin is I think a better, more versatile bike so a better investment long term.
The Specialized range is quite good in that price range and widely available in Europe. There are also some good French makes around (maybe a bit more expensive). Join a local MTB forum and see what people recommend.
pingin <[email hidden]> wrote: : "triband" but the Marin is I think a better, more versatile bike so a : better investment long term.
Not if it doesn't fit.
-- Arthur Clune PGP/GPG Key: http://www.clune.org/pubkey.txt Don't get me wrong, perl is an OK operating system, but it lacks a lightweight scripting language -- Walter Dnes
Is it worth it buying blind? These days given the cost of a cheap airline ticket at the right time of the week is so low it would be
worth
Quoted message said:
popping over here, trying them out and taking your purchase back with
you.
Quoted message said:
Its very difficult to size a bike from a catalogue because the measurements are not standardised and other factors such as top tube length come into whether it fits or not; quite often you are better buying by top tube length and using a long/short seat post on a
mountain
Quoted message said:
bike.
Tony
Hi Tony,
You're probably right but I'm not sure it's all that cheap. I think with airport taxes and public transport on both sides, it would be harder to do it same day for less than 100 euros. Then usually with planes you have to pay extra for carrying a bike so it might end up adding significantly to the final cost of the bike. But in the long run, maybe it's worth it for the peace of mind...
You're probably right but I'm not sure it's all that cheap. I think with airport taxes and public transport on both sides, it would be harder to do it same day for less than 100 euros. Then usually with planes you have to pay extra for carrying a bike
No one seems to have heard of any French bikes like this on the market which sort of confirms my experience.
Some one did point me to the Cannondale 'Bad Boy" which is in the same style but well beyond my budget (it costs a 1000 euros).
There is the Decathalon Triband but it's not for sale now (they may be renewing the product). I don't like the design too much (bit flashy) but it's good value for money.
The other suggestion was to buy a hardtail and swap out the fork with the warning that this might not be as straightforward as it sounds for some technical reason that I don't really understand. I'm may end up just buying a low-end hardtail, swapping out the tyres and keeping the front suspension - it's not going to kill me and it might come in useful for those occasional potholes :-)
