Is This a Good Bike / Deal

Triathlon Forum
1

Performance is selling these at $1099. It’s full carbon (don’t know enough to know if this is “good” carbon or “bad” carbon in which case would I be better off with alum) and full 105. It’s an 08 that retailed for $1699 (although I see the 09 is $1599). Is this is a good deal/bike or would I be better off going with a Trek 2.1, Giant OCR, etc.

Here’s the specs:

Wheelset:  Formula Shawla 280 Complete Wheelset  Brakes:  Front: Tektro RX-40, Dual-pivot caliper; Rear: Tektro RX-40S, Single-pivot caliper  Seatpost:  Kalloy Carbon Fiber w/ forged micro-adjust head, 31.6mm x 350mm  Chain:  KMC X-10  Rack Mounts:  None  Pedals:  Not Included  Handlebar:  Ritchey Comp, butted Alloy, 31.8mm clamp, width to suit frame size  Stem:  Ritchey Logic Comp, 31.8mm clamp  Headset:  Ritchey Logic Pro Integrated  Tires:  Schwalbe Lugano, 700c x 23 w/ Kevlar bead  Fork:  Schwinn Black Label Carbon Pro Carbon Fiber w/ 1 1/8" Alloy steerer and forged dropouts  Grips/Tape:  Schwinn gel tape w/ embossed star logo  Frame:  Schwinn N'Litened Black Label Carbon Fiber w/ Race Geometry  Saddle:  Selle San Marco Ponza  Rear Derailleur:  Shimano 105 10-speed SS  Levers:  Shimano 105 10-speed STI  Shifters:  Shimano 105 10-speed STI  Front Derailleur:  Shimano 105 10-speed, 34.9mm clamp, down-pull  Cassette:  Shimano 105, 11/23T, 10-speed  Crankset:  TruVativ Elita SL compact forged Alloy w/ 50/34T 7075 CNC chainrings  Bottom Bracket:  TruVativ Giga-X Pipe w/ external bearings
2

link?

3

Its only a good deal if the bike fits you and your purpose!

4

If you’re really not sure, then you’re probably better served going to your LBS. Sure, they can’t cut you as low a price right off the top, but the flip side of the deal is you’re also paying for their service… a decent shop should be able to work with you on fitting, accessories (helmet, computer, pump, etc), and maybe stuff like swapping out the saddle, and maintenance.

Mail order is for people who know exactly what they want and can install/maintain it themselves. There’s nothing worse than buying something off the innernets and then having to turn around and get somebody at the LBS to try and make it work for you because you wanted to save a few bucks by not doing business with them in the first place.

5

I had an alu Scattante from Supergo (now performance). Great deal, great bike, rode it for a few years even at AG Du worlds. I eventually sold the frame since it was a hare too big, and change in sponsorship led me to a good deal to upgrade to a full carbon roadie. But if you’re sure it fits, go nuts, but there are huge advantages to your LBS, youre supporting local business, you get tech support on your ride, and have a human to talk to when you have issues. Mail order can get you great deals, but only if you know what you’re looking for and can put it together yourself (paying the LBS to assemble the mail-order bike typically costs enough to offset the price advantage of mail ordering).