Conference noted::bicycle

    Buddy,
    
    Where did you see the Giordana frames?
    
    Thanks, rob

>    Buddy,
    
>    Where did you see the Giordana frames?
    
Rob,

I saw the bike (Giordana ECO w/ Campy group) at Buchika's in Salem, NH.
After talking to the salesperson for a while, he gave me a Gita cataloge
which contained info on Giordana, Pinarello, DeRosa, and Merkx (sp?) frames.

-Buddy

    Buddy,
                                    
    I have the Gita catalog too which is the only place I've seen the
    Giordana frames.  I must confess I've been staring more at the DeRosa
    frames though!  I'll have to check out Buchika's.  Do you remember the
    Campy grouppo used on the bikes you saw?
    
    Thanks, rob

Sorry, Rob.  Don't remember which model of the Campy group it was, but it
was the Ergo 8 speed type (shift with the brake levers).  I would assume
towards the low end like Veloce or lower since the bike is on sale for only
$995.  The frame alone sells for $750, according to the catalog.  I'm pretty
sure it's all '94 stuff.

I know what you mean about the De Rosa's, I've been eyeballing the Pinarellos.
I keep saying to myself, if you're gonna spend $750 on a frame, then what's
another $250 for their top of the line?  Then - you're up to a grand now, so
why not spend just a little bit more for a Pinarello or a De Rosa?

It gets out of hand pretty quickly, but I enjoy dreaming!  Some day.

My next bike will be a nice handcrafted, steel frame with stage race geometry
for the comfort on long rides.  I just can't justify it yet.  Got to do some
more riding in the rain and putting away the Paramount while it's still wet!!

-Buddy

    I finally made the decision to buy such a nice hand-made Italian Bike.
    It is a "Chesini-challange" and is made from a little bit oversized 
    Columbus Thron tubes which are micro-fusion fitted.
    
    This type of bikes are a little more expansive but it gives an extra 
    dimension to just riding your bike.
    
    I've this bike for three months know and I can say it's worth evry
    penny I payed for it.
    
    P.  
    

Buddy,

If you are dealing with custom raod bikes at Buchikas, I would suggest you talk
to John Maurice if you are not already. If you are talking to another salesmen
I will just ask for John anyway since we don't work on comission. He is the
manager of the bike department and he will take care of you on te frame order,
Etc... The bike you saw probably have the Veloce' Ergo. We built it up earlier
this year so you will save some money if you decide to purchase that one. If
you decide to order a frame. Go in late March or Early April when we are set up
for bikes so we can custom fit you. We will also have all the new toys in by
then.

Dave

Thanks for the advice, Dave.  I was speaking to John when I was in there
looking at the bike.  He's such a nice guy and really seems to know what he's
talking about.  He told me he wouldn't want to sell me a bike until he fitted
me with his Serrota fitting machine, first.  I agree 100% with that philosophy.

I'm not really shopping for a new road bike just yet, that bike just caught
my eye because of the price and I was wondering if anybody in this conference
had ridden a Giordana XL frameset before.  When I am ready to buy a new bike,
I'm almost certain I'll go to Buchika's and ask for John.  He's a no pressure
type of salesperson who is willing to put in the time and effort to make sure
that the bike is right for the customer.

BTW - he handed me a beautiful Waterford frame while we were chatting.  It was
the glossy black one with the bright multi-colored splashes on it.  What an
incredible paint job!  Oh well, off to buy my lottery ticket...

-Buddy

    	Buddy,
    
    	With you last name, I'd think a custom-made Ouellette would
    	be in order.
    
    	scott

Scott,

Do you mean you know of a frame builder named Ouellette?

-Buddy

    <- Yup, that what he means... I've seen a few (orange?).
    
       Can't tell you where he is though.

    that'd be neat,
    
    though I haven't owned a Fisher yet, myself.
    
    ed

    Ouellette is in western Ma, I believe in Longmeadow (south of
    Springfield).  From the work I saw years ago it was a nice frame but
    the paint job was not exotic.  
    
    My recommendation is to search out some of these small frame builders, 
    and check out their stuff.  The search is fun, and you could end up
    with something more unique than a production frame.  There are a number
    of new metals/alloys and choices of welding/brazing techniques and
    certainly paint jobs that can make you a proud owner.  Last year
    we had a custom made Bilenky tandem, totally obscure design by most
    standards (19/15.5 road frame, 26" wheels) that I can captain (6')
    or my wife (5'2").  Paint was selected by our kids, bright red fading
    to orange and yellow...their favorite colors.  
    
    steve

    	RE: Oullette...
    
    	Yes, I know of a frame builder named Oullette. Ed Kross (famous)
    	RAAM rider) rides a custom Oullette. I'm not sure where exactly
    	the fella is, but I could call Ed and find out. He's had the
    	bike for years and loves it. He rode all of RAAM '92 on this
    	frame.
    
    	Scott

re: .12

Steve,

Do you like your Bilenky?  Is it better than a Satana Sovereign (sp)? My wife & I plan
to get one in the spring depending on Uncle Sam's cash "rebate".

Did you get the Ergos or bar-end shifters?  Did you have to pay "list" price?

Thanks for the info!
Ray

    I answered this off line, however we LOVE our Bilenky.  Our younger
    daughter (got on the bike at age 3 1/2) got up to 17 miles within a
    month.  We are now a tandeming family!
    
    In regards to this note, there are some good frame builders out there,
    you can probably find a production bike as good, but if you shop well 
    especially this time of the year, you can have that custom built suit
    in the color and style you are craving.   (My five year old said her 
    funnest day last year was the day the tandem arrived in the mail, 
    unwrapping 20 lbs of paper and bubble wrap to reveal this beatiful
    frame in the colors we all wanted...then distributing the paper 
    thoughout the house!)
    
    steve