Conference noted::bicycle

    
    Jonathan, 
    
    Giant bikes usually offer better components for the same money,
    'cause they make their own frames and can afford to do so. 
    However if the components are the same, then the differences 
    would be very minimal. Either one would be good. What should help
    you/your wife make the decision is the ride. 
    Ride both bikes, change gears etc see which one is more comfy and
    which shifters are more user friendly for you. Go with the feel. 
    
    Shaw

    
    Jonathan,

    My suggestion is to save up another $50-100 and go for a $300-$350 model. 
    Even though she is just going to ride is around the block, another $50 
    will get you alot more bike for your money.

    At the $250 range, The bike is probably made out of straight gauge steel 
    and generic components with thumb shifter and possibably only 6sp.

    At the $300 - $350 range, You will have your choice of under bar, grip
    or thumb shifter, the bike will be a few pounds lighter and stronger
    because the 3 main tubes and maybe the fork will be made out of 
    Chromoly. The components will be at least Shimano Altrus C20 group
    (7sp) with Hyperglide. 

    Try jumping on a $300-$350 model ad compare it to the $250 model the next
    time you stop in the shop. YOu we notice there will be many more selections
    and see if you could justify the $50-$100 upgrade afetr the ride.

    I think you will be suprise what you will get for the extra money.

    Dave

      

    At FREE MOTION you can get a Double Butted Cro-Moly frame, Shimano
    Altus C10/20 group, with rapid fire shifters, 21sp SCOTT USA for $250.
    
    
    Dave

    As a follow-up to my original basenote, we ended up going to Milford
    Cycle for their Trek Fest sale. My wife really like the ride of the
    Trek 700, which on sale priced out at $279. These bike has a Chro-moly
    frame, Shimano Altus group of components, quicj release front and rear.
    
    My only question is:
    
    The '92 model has 21 speeds using the Shimano 200 CX deraullier
    The '93 model has 18 speeds using the Shiman Altus C20 deraillier
    
    For mostly road riding, is the difference between 18 and 21 speeds
    significants? What do people recommend based on quality of component
    groups and model year difference??
    
    Thx,
    
    Jonathan 

    Jonathan,
    
    What are the front forks made of?
    
    Greg

    I don't know about the Trek 700, but my wife has the 1993 Trek 720 and
    I have a Schwinn Crisscross, both have 21 speeds. It seems like we use 
    them all. 

    Jim

    RE .5
    
    Front fork on the Trek 700 is Hi-tensil steel.....the rest of the 
    frame is is Chro-moly.  For $299 ($30 more than 700) we could buy
    the Trek 720 which has a Chro-moly front fork as well. Since we were
    not buying with heavy-duty trail riding in mind....we decided to go
    with the 700. 
    
    The question seems to be Shimano 21 spd 200CX group or  ('92 model)
    
    Would appreciate additional feedback on this question.....is the
    difference in "3 gears" going to be in th mid-range or at the top and
    bottom end of the gear range??
    
    Thx,
    
    Jonathan
                             Shimano 18 spd Altus C20 group ('93 model)

>    For mostly road riding, is the difference between 18 and 21 speeds
>    significants?

depends; i use the full range of 21 speeds on my bike (and it has an even
wider range than when i bought it, because i replaced the smallest gear on
the front with one that had 2 less teeth), but sometimes on the road i wish
i could have another gear in the back that was even higher; 21 speeds doesn't
necessarily mean that the range is greater - it could just be that there's
less of a gradation between the gears; if that's the case, then it probably
doesn't matter that much; but if an 18 speed is just like a 21 speed without
the highest set of gears (smallest ring in the back), then you probably would
want the extra gears for road riding; of course, if an 18 speed is just like
a 21 speed without the lowest set of gears (largest ring in the back), then
it probably wouldn't matter; i'd pay more attention to the range of the gears
than just the number of them

- rich

    re -.1
    good answer!
    
    The idea behind having more gears is to provide smaller 
    gradations between gears.  This allows the rider to match
    the gear to the terrain in order to most efficiently transfer
    power from the body to the bike (depending on weather, terrain,
    rider strength...)  Range is definitely the important 
    consideration.  You need to get gears which are low enough 
    so that you can climb all the hills that you want to climb,
    and gears which are high enough so that you can go as fast
    as you want to (like down hills or with a tail wind).  You 
    can accomplish by playing with combinations of larger and 
    smaller chainrings and cassette cogs.  
    
    You probably won't notice or miss the extra three gears. 
    You'll get used to what ever you have. (now if the jump 
    was between 14 to 21 gears, then you might have to worry...;-)
    
    good luck!
    

   RE: 2585.2 <STRATA::HUI>

   >At the $250 range, The bike is probably made out of straight gauge steel
   >and generic components with thumb shifter and possibably only 6sp.

       The DIAMONDBACK CrossCountry that I just purchased for 250 DOES have a
   ChroMoly frame and Shimano components...18 speeds.  I'm picking it up this
   afternoon from O'Neil's in Webster Sq, Worcester.

   Tony