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Conference noted::bicycle

Title:	Bicycling
Notice:	Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:	JAMIN::WASSER

Created:	Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	3214
Total number of notes:	31946

1956.0. "Buying several bikes: what bargaining power do I have?" by ULTRA::FERGUSON (Too much Magic Bus) Mon Jun 03 1991 10:41

Hi,

This past weekend, I went to Pedal Power (route 2A, Acton MA) looking for 
a "city" bike for my father's birthday.  Well, I ended up getting some 
information for myself as well as taking numerous test drives on various 
mountain bikes.  Later that day, I brought a friend there and she also 
wants to get a mountain bike.

I found a decent bike for my father made by "Giant", model "Rincon".  I 
test drove it and it rode/shifted well.  Price $289.

Myself, I really liked the Mongoose IBOC Sport.  As a kid, I used to race and
severly beat on (jumping) BMX bikes and Mongoose was about the only model I
could not break.   This is the 1990 model; on sale from $459 to $399, 18"
frame.

My friend really liked the Raleigh Traverse, 16" frame.  She test drove a
mountain bike made by Giant (don't remember which one) and she liked the
Raleigh better (steered and braked better).  Price is $449.

Also, since my friend and I are just starting out, we'll need water bottles,
helmets, and perhaps a saddle bag (anything else?).  (another $150?)

The bikes alone are going to total nearly $1140, plus tax (massachusetts).
Now my questions:

	- Is there anything detremental I should know about the brand
	  of bikes listed above?

	- How much to I stand to bargain with Pedal Power? $1150 is a lot
          of bread!  Could I bargain free accessories?  A free bike?
	  They also include a free 4-month service contract for free
	  adjustments.

	- Are their (Pedal Power) prices competetive or easily beaten?  I 
          don't want to drive 50 miles to save $100.  I'd drive 20-30, which 
          puts me over the boarder into tax-free NH, to save > $100.

	- What are some other stores (Maynard/Leominster area, and Southern
          NH) that may carry at least 2 of these models ?

Any help is much appreciated,

JC Ferguson

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
1956.1	components on each bike	ULTRA::FERGUSON	Too much Magic Bus	`Mon Jun 03 1991 11:41`	28
	Here is the list of components for each bike: Giant Rincon: (City Bike): -- $289 crank set: SR XCT 48/38/28 Round rings black, w/ powering derailleurs: Suntour XCT index shifters: Suntour XCT "Express" index shifters freewheel: suntour AL-10 7sp, 13-30T w/ Accushift Plus brakeset: dia compe XCT, narrow cantilever front & rear w/394P levers w/ alloy clamp Raleigh Traverse: (mountain bike) -- $449 crank set: shimano 400 lx, superglide biospace 28/38/48 derailleurs: shimano 400 lx hyperglide SIS shifters: shimano 500 LX rapid fire SUS freewheel: shimano hyperglide 13/390 cassette brakeset: shimano 400 lx Mongoose IBOC sport (mountain bike) -- $399 crank set: shimano exage 300 lx superglide derailleurs: shimano exage 300 lx shifters: shimano exaghe 300 sti w/ gauge freewheel: shimano hg brakeset: shimano exage 300 lx w/ sti shifter JC
1956.2	Rays	VERGA::MACDONALD	Home of Digital Realtime Pubs	`Wed Jun 05 1991 13:36`	5
	You might want to talk to Ray at Ray's Cycle in Maynard. He carries Raleigh, Univega, and some others. I bought a Univega via Montega "Cross" bike there. 21 gears .. 700mm tires ... good pulling power for my Burley Delite trailer (about 80 pounds worth of trailer, kids, and cooler).
1956.3	Spokes and Slopes	SOLVIT::MJACKSON		`Wed Jun 05 1991 13:39`	7
	You may want to call Spokes and Slopes in Peterborough NH. I bought a couple of TREK mountain bikes there a couple of years ago and they gave us a very good price for the two of them and threw in the water bottle cages, bottles, and pedal clips. We didn't really push too hard on any of it. I believe that they just moved into a larger store in Peterborough. You may want to give them a ring.
1956.4	You REALLY should take a look..	WMOIS::P_MALLETTE		`Thu Jun 06 1991 11:48`	9
	If your not too far from Hubbardston Ma. you owe it to yourself to stop in at Free Motion Cyclery and see what he has to offer...for the money your talking you should be able to get better componentry and some "STUFF" to boot... I bought my bike from Dave for less than the cost of replacing the Shimano group.. My $.02 worth PM
1956.5	Good deals, where?	SALEM::SHAW	Vertical Obsession...	`Thu Jun 06 1991 12:03`	15
	RE:-1 > I bought my bike from Dave for less than the cost of replacing the > the Shimano group.... Wow!! could you please give us a little for detail, on what bike and componets at what price? I have no idea where and how far Hubbardston MA is, but since I am hunting for another bike, (racing/sport), I would be willing to travel any reasonable distance for a good price! ( I live in Southern NH) Shaw
1956.6	It's a ZEBRA...	WMOIS::P_MALLETTE		`Thu Jun 06 1991 14:15`	20
	Shaw I bought my Zebra Ultima, Chrom-moly frame, Shimano 105 equiped with Bio-pace chain rings for a mere $300 +tax. This bike was a leftover model. Nice Chrome & Blue paint with neat detailing on the lugs. Granted it's not a Merlin but for my first real bike I have yet to see a better deal. Keeping in mind that there is only 2 or 3 major frame mfg's and the Shimano group is well respected I couldn't pass it up. If your not prejudiced toward a particular brand name bike, I sure that you would be more than pleased with what you can get from Dave. Dave has also had some good deals on clipless pedals and tires that I have purchased. Judge for your self, drop in and see what he has to offer. Paul
1956.7	Hubbardston MA,	SALEM::SHAW	Vertical Obsession...	`Thu Jun 06 1991 14:32`	6
	Thanks Paul, I might go check him out this weekend, where is Hubbardston MA. I will be in Boston/Cambridge area! Shaw
1956.8	Hubbardston is south of Gardner	WMOIS::P_MALLETTE		`Fri Jun 07 1991 11:22`	13
	For those interested, Hubbardston is about 10 miles south of Gardner Ma. and Free Motion Cyclery north of hubbardston center. From Rt. 2 you take Rt. 68 South...past the (in)famous Reiettas Ranch flea market... about 7 miles and Free Motion is in a small mall on your left... it's a new building just past the apple orchard. Oh by the way...I have no financial interest at all in F. M. C... just that I wish to let others in on a good deal. PM
1956.9	Waht Brand bikes does the shop carry?	AVIAN::KIRSCHBAUM	Have You Hugged a Parrot Today	`Fri Jun 07 1991 11:41`	0
1956.10	TOP THREE AREA SHOPS	USWAV1::FARRELL		`Tue Jun 11 1991 16:27`	11
	Back to the original question. My teenage son is in the process of upgrading his ATB. He has reviewed all the info on many of the leading ATB's and has talked with and visited many of the shops in the area. His top three rated shops based on selection, service, and price are Gamaches Bike Shop in Fitchburg, Cycle Loft in Burlington, and the Lincoln Guide Service in Lincoln. His 4th rated shop is the Chelmsford Cyclery in Chelmsford. Before sinking the kind of money you are talking about into three bikes plus equipment, you might want to atleast give these shops a call. Happy shopping! Kenn