impulsive used purchase. Did I do OK?

[Mike]

I was looking to buy an entry-level road bike. This is my first road bike.

After test-driving a new 2006 Fuji and new 2006 Raleigh, I then spotted an
older used bike at my local shop.

It is a "Novara Strada"...apparently an REI brand. Front and Rear
deraillers say Shimano 105, front crank is a Shimano RX100, and the
shifters/brakes say Shimano RSX. Frame looks imaculate. Very nice shape.
New tires too.

This thing felt nicer, smoother, and more comfortable than the new bikes!
I decided what the heck, dealt them down to $390 and bought it.

Did I do ok? Are the components any good? All the new stuff I was
looking at had the "Sora" components. I have no idea how old the bike is.

 

[landotter]

Mike wrote:
> I was looking to buy an entry-level road bike. This is my first road bike.
>
> After test-driving a new 2006 Fuji and new 2006 Raleigh, I then spotted an
> older used bike at my local shop.
>
> It is a "Novara Strada"...apparently an REI brand. Front and Rear
> deraillers say Shimano 105, front crank is a Shimano RX100, and the
> shifters/brakes say Shimano RSX. Frame looks imaculate. Very nice shape.
> New tires too.
>
> This thing felt nicer, smoother, and more comfortable than the new bikes!
> I decided what the heck, dealt them down to $390 and bought it.
>
> Did I do ok? Are the components any good? All the new stuff I was
> looking at had the "Sora" components. I have no idea how old the bike is.

Who cares how old it is? If it fits and the wear and tear on it is
minimal, then you got a hell of a deal. List on a new one is $1250, and
might have an extra cog or two in back. I've never bought a bike at
list, it's sort of like buying a new car and having it depreciate
several grand when you drive it off the lot.

The Novara bikes are super values. Yours likely is a 7 or 8spd. Not as
fancy as the newest Strada which has a 10spd cluster, but spares for
yours will be cheaper and likely more durable.

 

[[email protected]]

Mike wrote:
> I was looking to buy an entry-level road bike. This is my first road bike.
>
> After test-driving a new 2006 Fuji and new 2006 Raleigh, I then spotted an
> older used bike at my local shop.
>
> It is a "Novara Strada"...apparently an REI brand. Front and Rear
> deraillers say Shimano 105, front crank is a Shimano RX100, and the
> shifters/brakes say Shimano RSX. Frame looks imaculate. Very nice shape.
> New tires too.
>
> This thing felt nicer, smoother, and more comfortable than the new bikes!
> I decided what the heck, dealt them down to $390 and bought it.

If it feels nicer, smoother and most importantly more comfortable than
the other bikes it is "worth" more than they are no matter what the
price tag says.

> Did I do ok? Are the components any good? All the new stuff I was
> looking at had the "Sora" components. I have no idea how old the bike is.

Sounds like you got a good deal. Now turn off your computer and go out
and ride! ;-)

Joseph

 

[MykalCrooks]

"Mike" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news[email protected]...
> I was looking to buy an entry-level road bike. This is my first road
bike.
>
> After test-driving a new 2006 Fuji and new 2006 Raleigh, I then spotted an
> older used bike at my local shop.
>
> It is a "Novara Strada"...apparently an REI brand. Front and Rear
> deraillers say Shimano 105, front crank is a Shimano RX100, and the
> shifters/brakes say Shimano RSX. Frame looks imaculate. Very nice shape.
> New tires too.
>
> This thing felt nicer, smoother, and more comfortable than the new bikes!
> I decided what the heck, dealt them down to $390 and bought it.
>
> Did I do ok? Are the components any good? All the new stuff I was
> looking at had the "Sora" components. I have no idea how old the bike is.
>
>



If the fit dials in, then you really scored. My 2 cents: Make sure the
wheels are tensioned just right, then ride the tires off.

mC

 

[Art Harris]

Mike wrote:
> It is a "Novara Strada"...apparently an REI brand. Front and Rear
> deraillers say Shimano 105, front crank is a Shimano RX100, and the
> shifters/brakes say Shimano RSX. Frame looks imaculate. Very nice shape.
> New tires too.
>
> This thing felt nicer, smoother, and more comfortable than the new bikes!
> I decided what the heck, dealt them down to $390 and bought it.

You done good! Enjoy.

Art Harris

 

[Claire Petersky]

"Mike" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news[email protected]...
>I was looking to buy an entry-level road bike. This is my first road bike.
>
> After test-driving a new 2006 Fuji and new 2006 Raleigh, I then spotted an
> older used bike at my local shop.
>
> It is a "Novara Strada"...apparently an REI brand. Front and Rear
> deraillers say Shimano 105, front crank is a Shimano RX100, and the
> shifters/brakes say Shimano RSX. Frame looks imaculate. Very nice shape.
> New tires too.


I had a Novara Strada. I sold it for $125 this year, but I rode 3 - 5000
miles on it every year, and it was far from imaculate. Beat up, really. Mine
was I think a 1999 or 2000, and it was I think a 9 speed. It was a great
bike, for club rides, centuries and commuting.

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
http://www.bicyclemeditations.org/
See the books I've set free at: http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky

 

[catzz66]

Mike wrote:
> I was looking to buy an entry-level road bike. This is my first road bike.
>
> After test-driving a new 2006 Fuji and new 2006 Raleigh, I then spotted an
> older used bike at my local shop.
>
> It is a "Novara Strada"...apparently an REI brand. Front and Rear
> deraillers say Shimano 105, front crank is a Shimano RX100, and the
> shifters/brakes say Shimano RSX. Frame looks imaculate. Very nice shape.
> New tires too.
>
> This thing felt nicer, smoother, and more comfortable than the new bikes!
> I decided what the heck, dealt them down to $390 and bought it.
>
> Did I do ok? Are the components any good? All the new stuff I was
> looking at had the "Sora" components. I have no idea how old the bike is.
>
>
>
>

105 components and RX100 components are some that I have experience with
and I would give them both a big thumbs up. My first decent road bike
has RX100 components and it is very reliable. I still ride it about
half the time though I have a pretty new 105 bike. The frame is from
about 1999 and I have had no equipment related problems with it at all.
I paid about what you did for yours but had to replace the chain and
cassette. You can get good service and enjoyment out of many kinds of
bikes. I don't mean this as harshly as it might sound, but you ought
not to worry about the snob appeal of big name brands. If a bike works
for you, great.

 

[Qui si parla Campagnolo]

Mike wrote:
> I was looking to buy an entry-level road bike. This is my first road bike.
>
> After test-driving a new 2006 Fuji and new 2006 Raleigh, I then spotted an
> older used bike at my local shop.
>
> It is a "Novara Strada"...apparently an REI brand. Front and Rear
> deraillers say Shimano 105, front crank is a Shimano RX100, and the
> shifters/brakes say Shimano RSX. Frame looks imaculate. Very nice shape.
> New tires too.
>
> This thing felt nicer, smoother, and more comfortable than the new bikes!
> I decided what the heck, dealt them down to $390 and bought it.
>
> Did I do ok? Are the components any good? All the new stuff I was
> looking at had the "Sora" components. I have no idea how old the bike is.

The MOST important thing on a bike is the frame...not the components.
If the bike rides well, is comfy, means ya want to get on it and ride,
it is the right bike for you. Components wear out, get
replaced...frames are tougher to do this with...'nicer, smoother, more
comfy-you summed it up-good choice!!!

 

[Blair P. Houghton]

Qui si parla Campagnolo wrote:
> The MOST important thing on a bike is the frame...not the components.

That's a bit tautological.

It's hard to find a perfectly fitting frame. It's hard to /define/ a
perfectly fitting frame.

So the rider position is adjustable. Seat and bar height,
stem length, seat position (fore/aft, pitch, and, in rare cases,
yaw), seat width (and depth, if padded), bar length, crank
length, pedal thickness and Q, cleat position (fore/aft, yaw,
and, in rare cases, roll).

Gives you a lot of leeway in choosing a frame. Which may
free up some bucks for bling in the gruppo.

> If the bike rides well, is comfy, means ya want to get on it and ride,
> it is the right bike for you.

It is one of many acceptable bikes for you.

> Components wear out, get
> replaced...frames are tougher to do this with...'nicer, smoother, more
> comfy-you summed it up-good choice!!!

Regardless, there's a noticeable difference in feel with good
bearings and well-engineered shifting and precise braking.

And we haven't even talked about those round things at either end...

--Blair

 

[[email protected]]

Blair P. Houghton wrote:

<snip other stuff I agree with>

> And we haven't even talked about those round things at either end...

The first thing I suggest to riders asking my opinion on such things on
how to "upgrade" their bike is for them to try good tires inflated to a
reasonable pressure. Aside from making sure a rider has a proper
position, IMO good tires is one of the easiest ways to imrove the feel
of a bike.

I see people around here contemplating getting carbon frames for the
comfort while they are riding around on $15 tires at 130psi on rough
roads!

Joseph