Hey Guys,
i found a used marioni steel bike that i can probably get for less than 900cdn, da/ultegra mix components, i think the frame itself is circa late 90’s.
anyone have any thoughts on if it’s worth it? is having a second bike a good idea? i currently only have a tri bike, and was thinking about maybe getting a road bike to do some riding on…
opinions?
thanks!
-kevin
Is having a second bike a good idea? No, that’s just a start. I have four and that’s after my wife “helped” me get ride of three.
On the bike your talking about, how old are the components? Are they nine speed? Do they have STI shifters? I think you’ll enjoy a road bike if all you have is a tri. To get the most fun out of a road bike, you should have STI shifters. Your third bike will have down tube shifters.
They are another very good Canuk bike maker out of Montreal. Old world Italian classic style. Many of the people on this forum may not be familar with them since their emphasis was always on the roadie market. It is likely a very good frame if it hasn’t been abused. IMO, Marinoni made lugged steel frames equal to the best of them and better than today’s aluminium stuff. If it is a 9 sp and everything is in great condition, then it’s probably an OK deal. I wouldn’t pay that much for 8 sp and if it has down tube shifters walk away.
Despite the Italian sounding name, the Marinoni acutally comes out of Canada. They are very nicely made, if not strikingly original, frames. I’ve seen several and ridden a few and would not hesitate to own one, particularly as a second bike. IF, it is in good shape, and IF the parts aren’t too worn, I’d jump in with both feet. BUT, $900 (even Canadian) seems a little high to me unless it is pristine.
Before you buy, be sure to check a few simple things like chain stretch, wear on chainrings and cassette. Also, pull the seatpost and stem have a look see inside to make sure there is no rust.
As to having a second bike … great idea. You’ll be amazed at the cycling road that open up to you when you have a pure road bike. You might find that you actually ride occassionally for the sheer joy of it, and not simply for training!
I used to know a few guys who rode Marioni frames, and they were really nice. Solid, well built, and classic geometry. $900CAD is a decent chunk of change however, so I’d make a very careful inspection of the wheels, drivetrain, brakes, etc as well as ask about the maintenance history, etc. When was the last time the PO overhauled the headset? Bottom bracket? Hubs? Pull the seatpost and stem (assuming it’s a quill) and shine a flashlight down the tube, looking for signs of rust. Check the spokes for even tension and the wheel for trueness. Check the brake pads - are they badly worn? If the PO was too lazy to replace brake pads frequently, it’s unlikely that the rest of the bike was well maintained.
It could be a pretty good deal, or you could end up paying a lot of dough for junk - it all depends on the condition of the bike.
Marinoni Frameset w/ Dura ace 56cm Marinoni Frameset with mostly dura ace components. Shimano 600 crank and calipers. Dura ace - large chain ring, chain, front and rear derailleurs, cassette (9 speed), STI shifters. New (less than 300 km) Mavic cxp 33 wheels with ultegra hubs. Shimano R-535 pedals and cateye computer included. Email for pictures. Will throw in 9 speed ultegra cassette. $900 OBO
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewIt...ssPageName=WDVW
the guy is local though, so i won’t buy it off of ebay.