Not sure what to get
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Not sure what to get
Been out of cycling for a long time. Finally thinking about starting up again. I’m considering the Motobecane Cafe Turino. Does anyone have any experience with his bike or brand? Any recommendations one way or the other and why? Any help is appreciated.
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Welcome!
I highly recommend buying a bike locally, from a shop where you can ride several different models to see what feels best to you. Especially if you've been out of the cycling scene for a while, you may not know what size will fit you best and what riding position and style will suit you. One brand's 20 inch frame may feel and ride completely different from another brand's 20 inch frame, and you won't know until you actually get on and try it. Your local bike shop can professionally fit you to the right size frame, and they'll likely also have a variety of brands from which to choose. Trek, Giant, Specialized, Jamis, Fuji; these are all good brands.
Regarding the components on that specific bike, they'd be fine. They're all entry level road components (Tourney group) and the brakes are entry level Tektro mechanical disc brakes. It does have a freehub rear axle with a cassette (vs. a freewheel), so that's good. I think $500 is probably the most I'd pay for it (their price), and I don't think it compares to $1,200 bikes like the website suggests it does.
I highly recommend buying a bike locally, from a shop where you can ride several different models to see what feels best to you. Especially if you've been out of the cycling scene for a while, you may not know what size will fit you best and what riding position and style will suit you. One brand's 20 inch frame may feel and ride completely different from another brand's 20 inch frame, and you won't know until you actually get on and try it. Your local bike shop can professionally fit you to the right size frame, and they'll likely also have a variety of brands from which to choose. Trek, Giant, Specialized, Jamis, Fuji; these are all good brands.
Regarding the components on that specific bike, they'd be fine. They're all entry level road components (Tourney group) and the brakes are entry level Tektro mechanical disc brakes. It does have a freehub rear axle with a cassette (vs. a freewheel), so that's good. I think $500 is probably the most I'd pay for it (their price), and I don't think it compares to $1,200 bikes like the website suggests it does.
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Thanks for the input. My local shop is a small shop and only carries two brands, so they are limited in their offerings but I’ll still check them out.
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Trek is one, but I can’t remember the other. It’s been awhile since I was last in their shop. I just remember them only carrying two brands.
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We’ll forget that. They now only carry Trek, and in the FX3 line, none with disc brakes. That’s why I originally looked online, the wide availability of models without the need to drive everywhere to find a bike shop that had different models to choose from.
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If you are buying an unknown bike from an online retailer, it may or may not fit well, and you may or may not like it. Bikesdirect.com will allow you to buy a different bike if you don't like yours, but you'll need to pay to ship yours back first, and then they'll create a new order for a different bike.
Bikesdirect.com Satisfaction and Warranty
So it's not without risk. Hopefully it'll fit you well and you'll ride a lot of happy miles with it!
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Regarding this from above: “What's the best seat tube length and effective top tube length for you? Do you prefer a bike with a lot of trail, or one without a lot of trail?” I admit, I don’t even know how that impacts me. Does it make that big of a difference? Like I said, it’s been a long time since I’ve been cycling, so that’s new territory for me.
Are you then suggesting instead that I patronize a different not-so-local bike shop in order to ensure a good fit?
Are you then suggesting instead that I patronize a different not-so-local bike shop in order to ensure a good fit?
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Also make sure the shop is nice and friendly, good customer service, and all that. It's very likely that a bike shop will give some free tune-ups and discounts for other accessories to go along with the bike purchase.
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Try the FX 3, btw. I have it without disk brakes and it's fine. If that's a deal breaker for you, your local should be able to order the disk version for you.
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the 4 ppl in my family all have FXs (all non disc) in 4 diff. sizes, all purchased used on craigslist. no complaints
Last edited by rumrunn6; 06-21-18 at 07:52 AM.
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For me, yes, I'd drive to find a bike shop that sells brands you think you like. And try the Trek store. You may find that you like one of the bikes they put you on. Just keep an open mind about you and enjoy the buying experience.
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So my local small bike shop that only sells Trek, has been in business for more than 50 years. When I asked about fit, they essentially said “just so long as we get you in the right frame size, that’s the majority of finding you the right fit. We can make minor adjustments to the headset to raise or lower to what feels best, but unless you want to spend $300 for a fit expert, the right size frame resolves the majority of fit issues.” Does that sound right?
And for those familiar with the FX2 vs the FX3, is there that much of a difference?
And for those familiar with the FX2 vs the FX3, is there that much of a difference?
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So my local small bike shop that only sells Trek, has been in business for more than 50 years. When I asked about fit, they essentially said “just so long as we get you in the right frame size, that’s the majority of finding you the right fit. We can make minor adjustments to the headset to raise or lower to what feels best, but unless you want to spend $300 for a fit expert, the right size frame resolves the majority of fit issues.” Does that sound right?
In terms of physical fit, yes. But there's a lot more to "fit" than just the right frame size, and it's not something that you can really measure. If you ride a "large" Trek FX and then ride a "large" Trek DS and then ride a "large" Trek Verve, they'll all feel like completely different bikes (because they are). Even though they all might be the right frame size for you, the geometry is different among the bikes. The FX frame might have a longer top tube than the Verve frame (for instance), in the equivalent size. Both would be the "right size" for you, but the FX would have you in a lower riding position and the Verve will have you in a more upright riding position.
This is the part that you'll never figure out with an online order, and it's something that we couldn't advise you on, either. This is where you need to ride the bikes to see what appeals to you. You might love an FX and never feel comfortable on a Verve, I don't know. It could be the other way around -- maybe the Verve is your bike and you don't like the FX. Maybe it's something else entirely.
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So my local small bike shop that only sells Trek, has been in business for more than 50 years. When I asked about fit, they essentially said “just so long as we get you in the right frame size, that’s the majority of finding you the right fit. We can make minor adjustments to the headset to raise or lower to what feels best, but unless you want to spend $300 for a fit expert, the right size frame resolves the majority of fit issues.” Does that sound right?
I'd go with bikesdirect. I got my first bike from there, as did my dad, neither of us having ever ridden road bikes before. We just went off the height chart and all was fine, which it will be for almost all people initially. Bike fit isn't rocket science when you're just starting out, as your fit is going to change anyway the more you adapt to the nuances of riding position. Get the frame right and you'll adjust things over time.
#17
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I think you summed it up as well as anyone. Buying a suit off the rack works for most of us.
Besides, if you get the right size bike, then the customization starts ….. the lights, the emergency kits, etc.
Besides, if you get the right size bike, then the customization starts ….. the lights, the emergency kits, etc.
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But only after you try it on in the store, right? I wear different size suit coats or slacks depending on the brand. Sometimes, I might like a 48R coat. Sometimes I might like a 46L. I would need to try something on, and then only after I know the exact size I like from that specific brand, I might shop for it online. I'd want to try a bike on in the store (as with a suit) before I spend hundreds of non-refundable dollars.
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But only after you try it on in the store, right? I wear different size suit coats or slacks depending on the brand. Sometimes, I might like a 48R coat. Sometimes I might like a 46L. I would need to try something on, and then only after I know the exact size I like from that specific brand, I might shop for it online. I'd want to try a bike on in the store (as with a suit) before I spend hundreds of non-refundable dollars.
I think the distinction for a bike is between fit and feel. I can probably figure out by looking at the numbers whether I'll be able to get on the thing and pedal it down the street without killing myself, and even tell if it might be useable, but there's no way I can just look at the numbers and tell if I'm going to enjoy riding on the bike. There's just too many variables that can't be adjusted to tell that without a test ride, and if I'm not enjoying riding it, I just won't.
#20
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Hybrid as a type, Trek FX fills that niche.. DS is their line made around using a suspension fork..
need to change things from the start? point of sale, the shop can do that... ..
need to change things from the start? point of sale, the shop can do that... ..
#21
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Making changes creates what you want
But only after you try it on in the store, right? I wear different size suit coats or slacks depending on the brand. Sometimes, I might like a 48R coat. Sometimes I might like a 46L. I would need to try something on, and then only after I know the exact size I like from that specific brand, I might shop for it online. I'd want to try a bike on in the store (as with a suit) before I spend hundreds of non-refundable dollars.
that's my story. I primarily ride the one that I purchased second, I made the most upgrades to it and now it is a JOY to ride.
Biggest changes were upgraded wheels and tires.
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I have 4 bikes, and they are all different. I bought each of them after trying them out. Granted I only ride 2 of them, but
that's my story. I primarily ride the one that I purchased second, I made the most upgrades to it and now it is a JOY to ride.
Biggest changes were upgraded wheels and tires.
that's my story. I primarily ride the one that I purchased second, I made the most upgrades to it and now it is a JOY to ride.
Biggest changes were upgraded wheels and tires.
That's why I recommend test-riding. As I noted in an earlier post, there's more to bike enjoyment than just the physical fit. If the bike just doesn't "feel" right, you won't enjoy it as much. Cars can be the same way -- two cars might have very similar or comparable headroom/legroom/hiproom numbers, but they may feel very different based on other factors not typically measured. This is what a personal test ride can reveal. I certainly have no skin in the original poster's game -- just a recommendation from a personal experience where I'm glad I had the relationship of a local purchase to resolve my dissatisfaction.
Cheers, all!
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There's really no mystery to this--even more than a car, the physical characteristics of rider and vehicle interact in ways that really can't be captured by a few measurements. Everybody who is, for example 5'9" will have other body variables like butt size, inseam length, arm length, back issues, flexibility, etc. The bike geometry and materials also will vary in subtle ways and it's not easy to predict how things will actually feel when all the variables are combined--e.g., does this combination of frame, fork and position cause me to feel every little bump in the road?