Conference noted::bicycle

    
    	Ask for Harry.
    
    	I'd like a trip down there again, but it wouldn't cost you lunch.
    
    	Reg
    		{Oh, before some wise acre suggests it, *DON'T* say I sent
    you, Harry has a phobia about losing money on people that I take
    in there}
    

    Having bought my bike at International I can agree with asking for
    Harold.  But be aware, He's often quite gruff and he ticks off a
    lot of people.  He's really a nice guy, but not always on first
    impression.  Guy really knows his stuff too.  
    
    I got a free Fit Kit when I bought my Bike last year, I don't know
    if they still do it for free.  I think you get it for free if you
    spend over $500.00
    
    Don't forget about WheelWorks in Belmont.  Doug is a great guy and
    they offer a good selection too (though not as good as Int'l). 
    John Allis does the Fit Kit but I'm pretty sure they charge.
    
    Dave
    

         Another positive vote for Belmont Wheelworks and Doug.
    They tossed in a free fit kit when I bought my Cannondale there last
    Summer.
    
    Nick B...

    re .1 .2 - Agree, Harry and I go way back, we went to high school
    together and played on the same basketball team for two years. 
    (I won't tell you what his nick-name was in high school)
    
    He does really know his stuff, but he is a bit gruff.  Say hi to
    him for me.
    
    BTW, the New Balance factory store is right down the street from
    his store in Allston.  It's usually a good place to pick up some
    shoes or clothes.  (They had tri suits in there for $10 last time
    I was in.)
    
    Bob 
    

Wheelworks even threw in a second 30-day overhaul after I had about
2500 km on a bike I bought there last May.  Of course, the bike was
a bit expensive, but I did appreciate the extra servicing.

ed

    Wow!  I've received a lot of good information and some offers to
    go with me to help during the process.  thanks! 
    
    One other question, do you think I can keep the cost of the bike
    and the accessories to under $1500 ?  Remember, this is my first
    competition bike and I want a good one, so I'm sorta not looking
    at price too much right now .... but there are limits.
    
    How much have you folks paid ?

    
    For $1500 you can get a heck of a bike!!!!  Custom frame.....  The
    works!!!!  Accessories = helmet, shoes, pants, shades (cool),shirt
    = $200.  $1300 for a bike!!  You should be able to put something
    real nice together
    
    Stew
    

    What do you mean..... custom frame?  Parts put together specifically
    for my size ?
    
    Gee, and I thought I was being cheap!
    
    Well, what DO/HAVE you paid?

    The cost of a bike can be split into two general areas--frame and
    component group/wheels/accessories.  Cheaper bikes package everything
    together, but as you go over $1000, you start buying "separates."
    
    Unless you have unusual needs (one leg shorter than the other), wierd
    body proportions, or uses (TT, track...), I'd caution you against
    spending the whole wad on your first competition bike. For the grand
    majority of people, the performance difference between a $700 bike and
    a $1500 bike will be indiscernable.  Everything above that is to suit
    your quirks, to make it more unique.  You'll be more familiar
    with your special interests after a year or two of competition. 

    For example, I decided rather arbitrarily that I wanted longer 
    crank arms on my road bike.  I spent the extra money to do it,
    but I wouldn't recommend that anyone else go out of their way to
    make the change.  It's just one of the things that makes my bike
    my bike -- esoteric and silly, like expensive audio, cars, wine
    -- you name it.  Within a year you'll be craving something along
    those lines, if you ride a lot.
    

    MATT

    PS-- Even if you only spend $700 now, "accessories" such as clothes
    component upgrades, spare tires, wheels, DH bars, etc, will add
    up to well over $1000 over the course of the year.
    
    

    
    
    $1500 for a custom bike sounds alittle cheap. I'm having a Marinoni
    custom built and the frame alone will cost about $850. Then you
    add nice components and the complete bike will cost about $2000
    
    Joe

        What you'll find is that you can easily spend all the money you've
        got, and then some, if that's what you want to do. It's a lot like
        car racing, except that most bikes cost less than most race cars. 
        
        You can probably keep the basic investment to under $1000, and
        have a slush fund left over to cover ongoing expenses during the
        season.  The initial purchase can be just the tip of the iceberg.
        
        Tom

    I agree with Matt that you would be better off spending your money on
    things other than a custom frame UNLESS you have good reason to want a
    custom frame. Most people can get a bike to fit them perfectly by
    selecting the frame size with care and adjusting the seatpost and
    handlebar stem length. Perhaps after a lot of competition you might
    discover particular needs, and spend more money. I would guess that for
    most riders, correct setup of an off-the-peg frame and accessories is
    of much more value (and much less cost) than a custom frame. 
    
    Perhaps spend the money on very good wheels instead.
    
    How much do US riders spend on good quality bikes? And what is "in" at
    the moment? Dural frames have really caught on here in France. I would
    guess that the most common quality setup is a Vitus Dural frame and
    Shimano 105 equipment (often Biopace crankset), Mavic rims and hubs.
    Carbon fibre frames are selling too. People don't wear helmets (helmets
    have already been discussed here at length - I am just stating a fact,
    not an opinion) except in triathlons, where they are compulsory.
    
    The above Dural and 105 setup would cost about 5500 francs (550 pounds:
    900 dollars). How much in the US?

    John

    
    My initial point in stating that you could buy a custom frame, was
    to say that $1500 is alot of money for your firts competition bike.
    If you know what you want then by all means go out and buy a custom.
    If not experiment with something in the $700 price range.  You could
    easily buy a custom bike with $1500 though.  A friend of mine is
    buying a marinoni, and putting shimano ultegra on it, and I believe
    the cost is around $1200.  You have to decide for yourself if you
    would be able to feel the difference.
    
    I think your money would be better spent on the $700 model and a
    set of good racing wheels!  They make a real big difference!!
    
    Stew
    

  This seems like a good place for me to ask advice too.
  I've been looking everywhere for a Bianchi Super Leggera 51cm.
  Nobody has it.  Belmont Wheelworks told me June.

  My quest took me to the Bicycle Exchange yesturday where Bruce
  and Paul showed me an '87 Bertoni Professionale.  Now I'm confused.

  Both bikes are the same money and outfitted as follows:

  Bianchi =>  Columbus SL frame, hand built at their pro-frame shop.
              Campy Chorus (full group)
              Ambrosis Super Elite rims (36 hole)
              3TTT Bar and stem

  Bertoni =>  Columbus SLX frame, hand built at Bianchi's pro-frame shop.
              Campy Super Record (full group)
              Mavic GL-330 rims (36 hole)
              Cinelli bar and stem

  Has anyone heard of Bertoni?  I was told they're more popular on the
  west coast.

  How 'bout Super Record vs Chorus?


  Thanks,

  /John       

Surprise, surprise!  Bertoni's are really just Bianchi's with a a
    different name.  However, they may have different frame geometry
    which can make a big difference.  Ben Lawee (who gave us Univega)
    is the man behind Bertoni.  They are nice bikes, I almost bought
    one last year.  Harold at International Bikes in Boston can fill
    you in more.  They carry the full Bertoni line.   As to your particular
    needs, the two bikes have enough differences to compare one to
    one.  Personally I think riding the two is the best way too choose.
    
    
    On the original subject I agree with Stew.  For a first competition
    bike $1500 is a lot to drop without really knowing what you want.
    There are a lot of very good bikes in the $700 range.  That leaves
    plenty left to exchange components, put on Look pedals, get some
    really nice wheels, etc. etc.  I think she should find a good road
    bike for all around use and then use it in competition.
    
    Dave
    

    I finally bought a bike ... thank you for all the information that
    really helped me during the process.
    
    And the lucky vendor was .... ONEIL'S in Worcester.  I went down
    last Saturday morning and talked with Jim.  At first, he was going
    to do exactly what I thought he would (with an experienced buyer)
    do as far as fitting me and my partner.
    
    We asked that famous question "How do you ensure a good fit?"  Then
    he popped astride the bike and said "Well, you should have about
    an inch clearance from the frame to your crotch".  We told him that
    for the money we were planning to spend, that didn't seem like a
    very good way to fit a rider.  We then asked him about the fit kit.
     Then he must have realized that we either knew more than we let
    on or had read a lot about fittings.  He said it was out of the
    shop but to come back at 3pm and he would fit us.
    
    We returned and were put through two hours of rigourous measuring,
    re-measuring, instructions on what to/not to do with the bike, a
    mini series on riding cadence.  You name it and they did it.
    
    We both bought Cannondale SR500 bikes with Shimano groupo (sp?),
    and shoes.  The price for everything was $1500 (that included the
    discount of 10% on the bikes and 5% on parts).
    
    I can't say enough good things about Oneil's and Jim in particular.
     But I'm glad I was forewarned about getting properly fitted.
    Otherwise by bike would have been too big for me and my partners
    would have had grips too small (they had to get a special handlebar
    width that was larger than the model originally on the floor.
    
    Thank you for all the help !
    
    (p.s.  We rode for 20 miles on Saturday, and let me tell you ...
    this bike can fly!)
    
    Jane