fair price on this bike for total beginner? - Triathlon Week

10-18-2004, 11:11 PM

I've been lurking for about a month- starting to train for my first tri,
scheduled for the summer of 2005. New to the sport... hell, new to sports,
period. I have an opportunity to purchase a Quintana Roo Special Edition
with Shimano 105 components, decent pedals & aerobars. What's a fair price,
assuming it's in good condition?

As far as I can tell, this bike is pre-Internet, and therefore there's
almost no information available on it. Anyone have resources, links,
photos, reviews?

Right now I'm commuting & training on my much-loved Bianchi Boardwalk (w/
recently upgraded cassette). Concensus among local shops is that it would
cost less to buy a good used bike than to swap out the appropriate
components on the Boardwalk.

Thanks in advance for yr sage wisdom,

o

10-19-2004, 06:58 AM

Just for me, I've done better buying new at my local shop despite the
higher price. My favorite bike shop offers a free fitting and two years
free maintenance. I just ride the thing and can't do maintenance other
that change tires and minor adjustments. To me the proper fitting was
worth its weight in gold. My old bike was the wrong frame size, wrong
settings... the new one is MUCH easier on my old decrepit body

I think most shops will do fittings for a fee, but I just trust my folks
to do the best work. And with as much time as I spend in the saddle I
figure it's worth it. Previously I'd done business with shop that
marketed towards casual riders... not good for my racing habits. Now I
favor one that caters to cyclists and triathletes Oakley cycles in
Cincinnati (just to give them a plug)

just my opinion and really all it's worth is 2 cents :)
Eric

10-19-2004, 10:19 AM

Thanks for the response!

> Just for me, I've done better buying new at my local shop despite the
> higher price. My favorite bike shop offers a free fitting and two years
> free maintenance.

Everybody's different. :)

Maintenance costs aren't an issue to me, since I can handle 99% of it on my
own and have friends who are eager to get at that 1%. I checked around, and
a pro fitting will cost me $50-$100 (which is considerably less than the
savings in buying used).

Meanwhile, I work a very rewarding job that pays almost nothing. It took me
six months to save up the $500 that is my top budget for this. It would
take me two more years to afford a new triathlon bike, or another six to buy
a new entry-level road bike. I don't expect to win any races, just want to
be safe, legal, and not embarrass myself.

> My old bike was the wrong frame size, wrong
> settings...

I was under the impression that frame sizes fit a range of body heights/leg
lengths? The "LeMond formula" as recommended all over the web (inseam
length * .67), suggests that this particular bike is just the right size for
me.

> Oakley cycles in
> Cincinnati (just to give them a plug)

Might as well leave that in.

o

10-19-2004, 07:28 PM

> Meanwhile, I work a very rewarding job that pays almost nothing.
I had one of those. although the pay was low I preferred it to a job
where I got up every day hating to go to work.

THEN I decided to go back for my masters and Doctorate. All so I can
return to a higher level of rewarding, low-paying work. I don't think
there's anything worse than hating my job.

Eric

10-24-2004, 08:11 AM

>I have an opportunity to purchase a Quintana Roo Special Edition
>with Shimano 105 components, decent pedals & aerobars. What's a fair price,
>assuming it's in good condition?

I wouldnt pay over $500-600 for it. Check the prices of used bikes on ebay to
get a good idea of what they are going for. Beware, there are fraud sellers.

10-26-2004, 10:04 PM

> I wouldnt pay over $500-600 for it. Check the prices of used bikes on ebay
to
> get a good idea of what they are going for. Beware, there are fraud
sellers.

I bought it, locally, got a (more than) fair price, and am completely in
love.

Thank you, all.

o