Mr Haematocrit
msg me on kik for android
- Location
- Out of the saddle
This thread is not supposed to be an all inclusive answer to the 'what bike' question but intended to give you information regarding things which you may wish to consider. Ultimately you are unlikely to be identical to me or ride in the same way as me, this means what is a great bike for me, may be less so for you.
Also when asking for advice on this forum, you have to take it into context: if someone states a bike is great, it may simply mean they are happy with it. If this is the only bike they have ridden they have little to compare it to.
I would advise finding a Local Bike Store (LBS) who is going to support you and give you a great service, then test ride a number of bikes.. Only this way wil you find a great bike for you.
1) Warranty : not all warranties are created equal, some have lifetime warranty for the frameset. These warranties however do not cover the following.
Normal wear and tear
Improper assembly
Improper follow-up maintenance
Installation of components, parts, or accessories not originally intended for or compatible with the bicycle as sold
Damage or failure due to accident, misuse, abuse, or neglect
Labour charges for part replacement or changeover
Bike companies offering lifetime warranty on frames
Cannondale : http://www.cannondale.com/gbr/terms-policies
Cervelo : http://www.cervelo.com/en/support/warranty.html
Eddie Merckx : http://www.eddymerckx.be/warranty
Felt : http://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/Customer-Service/Warranty.aspx
Giant : https://www.giant-bicycles.com/backoffice/_upload_au/Giant-global-Warranty-Policy.pdf
Specialized : cdn.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/pdf/General%20Warranty.pdf
Trek : http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/support/warranty
Bike companies not offering lifetime warranty on frames
Bianchi : http://www.bianchiusa.com/warranty-policy/
BMC : http://www.bmc-racing.com/us-en/service/warranty.html
Boardman : http://www.boardmanbikes.com/boardman/boardman_faqs.html
Canyon : http://www.canyon.com/_en/terms_conditions.html
Cube : http://www.cube.eu/au/service/faq/f...do-i-have-guarantee-warranty-on-my-cube-bike/
DeRosa : http://www.derosanews.com/italian/B412_De_Rosa_Frames_Warranty.html?page=135
Dolan : http://www.dolan-bikes.com/terms-and-conditions
Focus : http://www.focus-bikes.com/int/en/service/guarantee-registration/guarantee-registration-2013.html
Look : http://www.lookcycle.com/warranty.html
Orbea : http://www.orbea.com/gb-en/warranty
Pinarello : http://www.ciclipinarello.com/else/garanzie/garanzia-warrantyPINARELLO.pdf
Ridley : http://www.ridley-bikes.com/gb/en/about-ridley/warranty
Scott : http://www.scott-sports.com/us/en/support/faq/BikeFaq/;jsessionid=861BD74611D309CFCC183689DE34BBDC
Wilier : www.wilierbikes.co.uk/downloads/Warranty%20-%20Wilier%20Bikes.pdf
Bike companies not stating warranty policy on website.
Colnago : http://www.colnago.com
2) Bike Materials : Not all frames are created equal, and just because a frame is made from an exotic material such as Carbon fibre does not mean it is lighter, stronger or has a better ride quality. Each material has its good and bad points and is ultimately only as good as the workmanship which has gone into producing the frame.
A good reference for materials can be found at the folowing URL :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_frame
3) Components : In general the advice is to buy the best frame you can and upgrade components when needed. If you ask what is the best groupset you will get a range of opinions rather than any definitive fact. One thing of note is that some bikes mix components, so that they appear to have a higher specification than in reality - for example great brakes and shifters but a lower specification chain and cassette. Do your research.
4) Buying Online : You can get some great bargains buying bikes online. However if you have an issue or warranty claim you may find shipping costs are your responsibility and that dealing with a company in Europe may be problematic in itself. As before do your research.
5) Unbranded Bikes from the Far East : There are as many wonderful tales of people with these bikes as horror stories, do your research and talk to owners about their experiences.
Finally..... The best bike is the one which makes you smile; it is the bike you want to ride all the time. That is the one you should purchase
Also when asking for advice on this forum, you have to take it into context: if someone states a bike is great, it may simply mean they are happy with it. If this is the only bike they have ridden they have little to compare it to.
I would advise finding a Local Bike Store (LBS) who is going to support you and give you a great service, then test ride a number of bikes.. Only this way wil you find a great bike for you.
1) Warranty : not all warranties are created equal, some have lifetime warranty for the frameset. These warranties however do not cover the following.
Normal wear and tear
Improper assembly
Improper follow-up maintenance
Installation of components, parts, or accessories not originally intended for or compatible with the bicycle as sold
Damage or failure due to accident, misuse, abuse, or neglect
Labour charges for part replacement or changeover
Bike companies offering lifetime warranty on frames
Cannondale : http://www.cannondale.com/gbr/terms-policies
Cervelo : http://www.cervelo.com/en/support/warranty.html
Eddie Merckx : http://www.eddymerckx.be/warranty
Felt : http://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/Customer-Service/Warranty.aspx
Giant : https://www.giant-bicycles.com/backoffice/_upload_au/Giant-global-Warranty-Policy.pdf
Specialized : cdn.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/pdf/General%20Warranty.pdf
Trek : http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/support/warranty
Bike companies not offering lifetime warranty on frames
Bianchi : http://www.bianchiusa.com/warranty-policy/
BMC : http://www.bmc-racing.com/us-en/service/warranty.html
Boardman : http://www.boardmanbikes.com/boardman/boardman_faqs.html
Canyon : http://www.canyon.com/_en/terms_conditions.html
Cube : http://www.cube.eu/au/service/faq/f...do-i-have-guarantee-warranty-on-my-cube-bike/
DeRosa : http://www.derosanews.com/italian/B412_De_Rosa_Frames_Warranty.html?page=135
Dolan : http://www.dolan-bikes.com/terms-and-conditions
Focus : http://www.focus-bikes.com/int/en/service/guarantee-registration/guarantee-registration-2013.html
Look : http://www.lookcycle.com/warranty.html
Orbea : http://www.orbea.com/gb-en/warranty
Pinarello : http://www.ciclipinarello.com/else/garanzie/garanzia-warrantyPINARELLO.pdf
Ridley : http://www.ridley-bikes.com/gb/en/about-ridley/warranty
Scott : http://www.scott-sports.com/us/en/support/faq/BikeFaq/;jsessionid=861BD74611D309CFCC183689DE34BBDC
Wilier : www.wilierbikes.co.uk/downloads/Warranty%20-%20Wilier%20Bikes.pdf
Bike companies not stating warranty policy on website.
Colnago : http://www.colnago.com
2) Bike Materials : Not all frames are created equal, and just because a frame is made from an exotic material such as Carbon fibre does not mean it is lighter, stronger or has a better ride quality. Each material has its good and bad points and is ultimately only as good as the workmanship which has gone into producing the frame.
A good reference for materials can be found at the folowing URL :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_frame
3) Components : In general the advice is to buy the best frame you can and upgrade components when needed. If you ask what is the best groupset you will get a range of opinions rather than any definitive fact. One thing of note is that some bikes mix components, so that they appear to have a higher specification than in reality - for example great brakes and shifters but a lower specification chain and cassette. Do your research.
4) Buying Online : You can get some great bargains buying bikes online. However if you have an issue or warranty claim you may find shipping costs are your responsibility and that dealing with a company in Europe may be problematic in itself. As before do your research.
5) Unbranded Bikes from the Far East : There are as many wonderful tales of people with these bikes as horror stories, do your research and talk to owners about their experiences.
Finally..... The best bike is the one which makes you smile; it is the bike you want to ride all the time. That is the one you should purchase