Conference noted::bicycle

    This isn't so much a response as another question, although it belongs
    here better than elsewhere:
    
    Who builds L.L. Bean's aluminum-frame, 12-speed touring bike, what
    components does it have, and is it worth the $295 price?
    
    Mac.

>    Who builds L.L. Bean's aluminum-frame, 12-speed touring bike, what
>    components does it have, and is it worth the $295 price?
    
A good guess would be Cannondale, though the cost seems a little low.
They had a Cannondale and a Bean side by side at the Freeport store, and they 
looked identical.  The Bean bikes were selling for half-price, but was that 
half of too much?

I would recommend buying a bike from a bike store, and clothes from an 
clothing store.  

Lincoln Guide in Sudbury has very good service and will sell you a bike cheap 
this time of year (as will most any other store).  

cbs

One of my wife's bikes is a Nishiki Cresta - a loaded tourer that came 
with all the right braze-ons for racks, 3 bottles, cantilever brakes, etc.
We paid $319 for it two years ago.  It has been rugged and reliable.

I have a few years experience pulling two kids around in a bugger-like
trailer and my advise is pay special attention to brakes.  When you get
headed downhill with a load pushing you, you're really vulnerable.  Stopping
distances increase dramatically.  You may even find that a supplemental
drum or disk brake is desirable if the trailer is a heavy one.

John

    If you consider mail order, NASHBAR makes a TOUR XC that has Tange
    Tubes, Suntour XC Shifting Components, and a Sugino Triple Crank.
    The granny gear will get anyone that can still breath up Mont Vernon
    hill and is a real joy on long haul rides.  Canteliver brakes and
    full brazeons in addition to a superior paint job make this a superior
    $400 class machine in my estimation.  There is one caveat though,
    before you buy a mail order bike, be extremely aware of your correct
    size, since unlike a bike dealer you can't try it on before you
    take it home.  It comes unassembled and I'd sure hate to have to
    return it after assembling and then wait for a new one.  The latest
    catalog shows the XC on sale for $365 but theres a $30 three day
    federal express shipping charge.  Good hunting...hope this helps.
    						Jerry

    The L.L. Bean bike appears to definitely be a Cannondale.  The
    components on it are a step lower than what Cannondale puts on its
    own bikes, but the Bean bikes do seem like a pretty good deal for
    the money.  The closest Cannondale is quite a bit more money.
    
    The point about the Nashbar bikes is an interesting one.  I read
    a review of one of their bikes once in a biking magazine and it
    was praised as a super quality bike.  Has anyone ever bought one
    before?  Care to add any knowledgable opinions?  Are they a better
    deal (that is, cheaper) than buying a comparable bike from a store
    during a pre-season sale, for instance?

    re: 215.5
    	I bought a TOUR XC last year from Nashbar last year.  After
    carefully comparing the components, price and aesthetics I thought
    it was the best bike in its price range ($400) for the money.  Even
    the Stem and Crank come thru in anodized black which really compliments
    the deep blue frame.  The pbroblems with mail order though are fit
    and delivery.  You have to know how to put the bike together, which
    isn't too bad because most of the difficult stuff (like the crank)
    is already done for you.  But getting the exaxt stem, frame and
    crank measurements can be a problem.  Also, my bike would have been
    side lined for a week waiting for a wheel which was damaged in transit.
    Fortunately I was able to use the front from my old Schwinn.  However
    I wouldn't change a thing with the way it is set up.  If I were
    buying a new one I might want to investigate the new moderately
    price Shimano 105 SIS Shifting Components, but it seems that Nashbar
    is committed to Suntours Index System and there new bikes all carry
    it, including there new aluminum additions which will probably rival
    the Bean bikes I've been reading about here.  Nashbar's aluminum
    additions state that they are made in Japan so I doubt there Cannondales
    in disguise.
    						Jerry

    
    My roommate was looking for a sport bike, he had $300 to spend.
    I suggested he get the Nashbar. I had checked one out at a local
    training race (Chuck?) and was rather impressed with the quality
    of the bike for the money ($319). 

    Ordering the correct size was easy since he fits the same frame
    as me and I have a lot of experience fitting people to their bike.
    It arrived two weeks later. Putting it together was also easy since
    I have all the proper tools. I had to tighten up the wheels a bit
    since they were a bit wimpy. I also swapped the stem out with one
    I had in the basement.
    
    So if you have the tools and the time, and know your way around
    a bike, and also know ** exactly ** what your proper size is and
    you're willing to spend a little money getting the fit correct,
    it's an alternative. There's NO WAY he would have gotten a better
    bike from a shop even with the 20% discount I get as a team member.
    
    CdH
    

    Many thanks for the responses!  
    
    RE .3  It's interesting that you mentioned the Nishiki, as this
    month's issue of Bicycle Guide shows one on the front cover.
    My wife would like to check them out at some shops.
    
    RE .6, .7  You have me pretty well sold on the Nashbar.  Is there
    a number I can call for a catalog?  I'm seriously thinking of ordering
    one when I get the dimensions straight. 
    
    Another question: Is there any difference between touring bikes
    for men vs. women?  Would you recommend the Nashbar for women also?
    
    Thanks again for the info.
    
    Regards,
    Denis
    

    
    Nashbar phone numbers:
    
    Credit card orders  1-800-345-BIKE
    
    Info/local orders   (216) 782-2244
    
    Phone hours - 24 hours
    

    
   The bike I was referring to was the Road Mk III, not a touring bike.
    
    CdH
    

    
    Hello?
    
    I have been following this conference for about a month, I haven't
    registered since I have yet to own a bike; I was/am/hope to order
    one from Bike Nashbar.  The tour bike that Nashbar is pushing *this*
    year is the "Toure Alpha 5000" @ $329.  It _seems_ to have been
    changed considerably from the "Toure XC(or whatever)" of last year.
    Not the least of which is the price down $90.00 from last year.
    Could someone point out the salient differences for me?
    
    jf

    I called Bike Nashbar today to order the Tour XC.  They are all
    sold out!   Oh well, ya' snooze, ya' lose.....
    
    If anyone could follow up on the previous note, that is, the
    differences between the Tour XC and this year's Tour Alpha, how
    about filling us in?  I still haven't recieved the catalog.
    
    Thanks,
    Denis