O/T- Merida Road Bikes
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Banter
Forum Discription: For all those non-sailing related discussions
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9848
Printed Date: 28 Jun 25 at 8:02am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: O/T- Merida Road Bikes
Posted By: pondmonkey
Subject: O/T- Merida Road Bikes
Date Posted: 21 Sep 12 at 11:44pm
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Hi folks, For my sins I appear to have been entered into a team triathlon next year to do the cycling bit (and possibly the swimming too). There's no way I'm going to take an MTB with mud tyres along, so looking for cheapish road bike to a) train on and b) ride in the event. I honestly don't want to spend much- £500 would have been my max, but it appears from the LBS that's a £100 shy of their entry level 'Merida' bike. Never heard of them, any good? Or shall I stick with Trek/Spec and find a nearly new on ebay for similar dosh? cheers Jimbo
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Replies:
Posted By: ex laser
Date Posted: 22 Sep 12 at 1:53am
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hi james. they are a big taiwanise company, think they also make bikes for other better known brands. their own brand bikes are fine and good value. if you only want to spend £500, i would try and find something second hand as you would get more bike for your money. but you do risk buying a dog( and there are a lot of scams in on line bike buying) its up to you if want to take the risk. good luck with it all. regards duncan ps if you want more advice, try posting on bikeradar. ------------- |
Posted By: Wee Man
Date Posted: 22 Sep 12 at 8:04am
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I'm doing my first Triathlon tomorrow, with a borrowed road bike. Ask around some mates, you'd be surprised what is lurking around peoples sheds. I'm using a Giant (Ali frame, carbon forks) but was offered a £2.5k carbon bike (turned that one down as I believe I'd look a pillock coming in 2nd to last on a stunning bike). ------------- Nacra Infusion F18 |
Posted By: JohnW
Date Posted: 22 Sep 12 at 9:26am
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If you look around, this is a good time to get a discount on Last year's model now that the 2013 models are out. Entry level Trek at £475 http://www.southdownsbikes.com/m1b0s6p9809/TREK-1-1-C-H2-2012 - http://www.southdownsbikes.com/m1b0s6p9809/TREK-1-1-C-H2-2012 |
Posted By: Neptune
Date Posted: 22 Sep 12 at 9:34am
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Pauls cycles if your on a budget James. Lots of previous years models at great prices. ------------- Musto Skiff and Solo sailor |
Posted By: pondmonkey
Date Posted: 22 Sep 12 at 10:41am
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Cheers Guys, thanks for the advice. I don't want to waste money on something really turd, but similarly don't want to look like a fool with a tooled up bike either... Basically what I need is the road bike equivalent of the dinghy you'd have actually recommended to Graeme a few years ago... ------------- |
Posted By: Lukepiewalker
Date Posted: 22 Sep 12 at 3:46pm
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How are you for shoes and pedals? ------------- Ex-Finn GBR533 "Pie Hard" Ex-National 12 3253 "Seawitch" Ex-National 12 2961 "Curved Air" Ex-Mirror 59096 "Voodoo Chile" |
Posted By: Lukepiewalker
Date Posted: 22 Sep 12 at 3:47pm
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And don't worry, looking like a fool with a tooled up bike has never stopped any triantelopes so far...
------------- Ex-Finn GBR533 "Pie Hard" Ex-National 12 3253 "Seawitch" Ex-National 12 2961 "Curved Air" Ex-Mirror 59096 "Voodoo Chile" |
Posted By: G.R.F.
Date Posted: 22 Sep 12 at 6:31pm
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There are copious opportunities for the would be road bender on ebay right now, it doesn't matter what you get, the moment you pour that great bulk into lycra and attach spd's to your plates then ride it down to the sailing club and slither into that Solo, all hope is lost. ------------- https://www.ease-distribution.com/" rel="nofollow - https://www.ease-distribution.com/ |
Posted By: pondmonkey
Date Posted: 22 Sep 12 at 6:38pm
I shall shave my legs for you GRF especially...  ------------- |
Posted By: Strawberry
Date Posted: 24 Sep 12 at 10:36am
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Jimmy, at that price point this is the only bike you should consider: http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-id_8167038.html ------------- Cherub 2649 "Dangerous Strawberry |
Posted By: alstorer
Date Posted: 24 Sep 12 at 11:11am
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Oh no, you've recommended something from Decathlon, you'll bring the wrath of GRF down on you! ------------- -_ Al |
Posted By: pondmonkey
Date Posted: 24 Sep 12 at 11:21am
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Cheers Stu, but for two hundred quid more I'll avoid being seen on anything that sounds remotely like the ill-fated 'V-Twin', I don't think my dignity could take that... (not in combination with a new Solo in a month's time) ------------- |
Posted By: Strawberry
Date Posted: 24 Sep 12 at 11:31am
Shaking in my boots... ------------- Cherub 2649 "Dangerous Strawberry |
Posted By: alstorer
Date Posted: 24 Sep 12 at 11:43am
 he has disdain for all things decathlon, born out of nothing more than pure snobbery  ------------- -_ Al |
Posted By: pondmonkey
Date Posted: 24 Sep 12 at 11:51am
sounds a legitimate reason to me  ------------- |
Posted By: G.R.F.
Date Posted: 24 Sep 12 at 5:18pm
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Decathlon are the closest thing to legalised counterfeiting ever to trade. And they are French. So if it's cheese and white cloth you're after and/or someone else's intellectual property knocked off and knocked down, then go ahead, but just don't wear, ride, copulate with it near me.. ------------- https://www.ease-distribution.com/" rel="nofollow - https://www.ease-distribution.com/ |
Posted By: alstorer
Date Posted: 24 Sep 12 at 6:17pm
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...anyway, in an idle moment I was looking at Ribble bikes. Mm. They look nice for the money.
------------- -_ Al |
Posted By: Lukepiewalker
Date Posted: 24 Sep 12 at 8:28pm
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Ah... Ribble... Yes... Mixed reports on them, google is your friend (or enemy I suppose, depending how you view it...) ------------- Ex-Finn GBR533 "Pie Hard" Ex-National 12 3253 "Seawitch" Ex-National 12 2961 "Curved Air" Ex-Mirror 59096 "Voodoo Chile" |
Posted By: r2d2
Date Posted: 25 Sep 12 at 10:22am
| will be at the cycle show at the weekend - looking for a good cross-country mountain biking waterproof - what brands should I be looking at? |
Posted By: pondmonkey
Date Posted: 25 Sep 12 at 10:48am
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fleabay is my friend... barely used trek being viewed tomorrow. I'll report back when/if I go for it, but thanks Duncan, definitely getting more bike for my money this way around. ------------- |
Posted By: ex laser
Date Posted: 25 Sep 12 at 11:14am
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cheers james, if you have no luck with fleabay, might be worth looking at the for sale section of bike radar. there are always good bikes on it, have been tempted myself. but no need now, as elaine is going to buy me a van nichalas mistral for my 50th birthday!  ------------- |
Posted By: pondmonkey
Date Posted: 25 Sep 12 at 11:29am
ouch... I could buy a fifth of a new Solo for that  ------------- |
Posted By: dogslife
Date Posted: 25 Sep 12 at 1:32pm
Been very pleased with all the Endure stuff I've bought, it's not the cheapest, but seems good quality & well designed. ------------- |
Posted By: alstorer
Date Posted: 25 Sep 12 at 1:38pm
Also
"the frames are bascially Pinarello with a different sticker on them" ------------- -_ Al |
Posted By: Ruscoe
Date Posted: 25 Sep 12 at 3:03pm
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Jimbo, I will send you a mail tonight. Road biking is what I spend most time doing of late. But check out used bikes on bike radar. You will pay through the nose on eBay ! ------------- |
Posted By: r2d2
Date Posted: 25 Sep 12 at 3:20pm
thanks - I'll look at those as well. I was thinking Polaris but its so long since I bought any new cycling kit
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Posted By: Lukepiewalker
Date Posted: 25 Sep 12 at 5:40pm
I think 'bear striking similarities' is the usual statement. But as ever, what you see on the surface doesn't tell you what's underneath. But lets be honest, in the great scheme of things, most of us aren't going to be putting them through the level of use/abuse that a pro would. Of course often the advantage of more expensive 'name' brands is a better warranty, crash replacement discounts etc etc... ------------- Ex-Finn GBR533 "Pie Hard" Ex-National 12 3253 "Seawitch" Ex-National 12 2961 "Curved Air" Ex-Mirror 59096 "Voodoo Chile" |
Posted By: Ruscoe
Date Posted: 25 Sep 12 at 6:13pm
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I got one of the Chinese carbon frames. The quality is immense. Although yet to ride it. Just finishing the build and current spec'n my custom graphics. ------------- |
Posted By: alstorer
Date Posted: 25 Sep 12 at 10:49pm
At least one source was indicating that they're coming out of the same moulds, using the materials, layup and cure schedule, somewhere in the far east. ------------- -_ Al |
Posted By: Lukepiewalker
Date Posted: 26 Sep 12 at 5:07am
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Proving it is the hard bit, but it's always possible.
------------- Ex-Finn GBR533 "Pie Hard" Ex-National 12 3253 "Seawitch" Ex-National 12 2961 "Curved Air" Ex-Mirror 59096 "Voodoo Chile" |
Posted By: pondmonkey
Date Posted: 27 Sep 12 at 4:46pm
OKay all sorted, 20 miles use only (allegedly), either way, looks in shop condition, £400 cash  Thanks for the advice guys, I don't think I got a steal, but it seems good value enough and has a gizmo to tell me how far I've gone. Triathlon entered... bugger. ------------- |
Posted By: Lukepiewalker
Date Posted: 27 Sep 12 at 5:33pm
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Wheels, pedals, gear and stuff...that'll do! The thing to watch with the speedo is whether it was set up properly in the first place. ------------- Ex-Finn GBR533 "Pie Hard" Ex-National 12 3253 "Seawitch" Ex-National 12 2961 "Curved Air" Ex-Mirror 59096 "Voodoo Chile" |
Posted By: Lukepiewalker
Date Posted: 27 Sep 12 at 5:39pm
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What tyres are on it, Bontrager T1?
------------- Ex-Finn GBR533 "Pie Hard" Ex-National 12 3253 "Seawitch" Ex-National 12 2961 "Curved Air" Ex-Mirror 59096 "Voodoo Chile" |
Posted By: Lukepiewalker
Date Posted: 27 Sep 12 at 5:43pm
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Lots of scope for lowering the front end if you so desire too.
------------- Ex-Finn GBR533 "Pie Hard" Ex-National 12 3253 "Seawitch" Ex-National 12 2961 "Curved Air" Ex-Mirror 59096 "Voodoo Chile" |
Posted By: pondmonkey
Date Posted: 27 Sep 12 at 7:59pm
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Erm- rubber ones Luke, not really sure tbh
I'll get the gadget checked out and calibrated by someone who knows what they're doing, cheers for the tip! ------------- |
Posted By: Ruscoe
Date Posted: 27 Sep 12 at 11:14pm
Jimbo, download Strava mate. brilliant training aid and your be trying to get KOM on your local stages. Also Drop the stem dude, riding position looks all wrong at the moment. Nice bike though pal, you will be pimping her up in no time knowing you!!! Ribble have a deal on Pro4 tyres atm. Changing them will speed you up straight away. Welcome to the world of Lycra pal.  ------------- |
Posted By: pondmonkey
Date Posted: 27 Sep 12 at 11:35pm
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Welcome to Lycra.... Hmm, never had such an open minded offer outside of Amsterdam (or the time I got approached in Soho by a scout for 'gents on the other wicket' mag...) I declined whilst feeling very awkward in front of female boss, it was a meeting with the FA that got us there, and no, We weren't found guilty of racism. ------------- |
Posted By: alstorer
Date Posted: 28 Sep 12 at 7:09am
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http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/ - The Rules do have something to say on appropriate attire
------------- -_ Al |
Posted By: G.R.F.
Date Posted: 28 Sep 12 at 8:29am
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http://www.youtube.com/user/missveraacademy - Handy youtube instruction video ------------- https://www.ease-distribution.com/" rel="nofollow - https://www.ease-distribution.com/ |
Posted By: pondmonkey
Date Posted: 28 Sep 12 at 9:47am
Bontrager T2 or T2L, I can't really tell from the graphic ------------- |
Posted By: Lukepiewalker
Date Posted: 28 Sep 12 at 12:48pm
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Just looking at reviews, only good for 115psi, decent for puncture protection, but heavy, and some question marks over grip in the wet.
------------- Ex-Finn GBR533 "Pie Hard" Ex-National 12 3253 "Seawitch" Ex-National 12 2961 "Curved Air" Ex-Mirror 59096 "Voodoo Chile" |
Posted By: G.R.F.
Date Posted: 28 Sep 12 at 3:05pm
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Grip? In the wet or dry, Pondmonkey needs to get one... ------------- https://www.ease-distribution.com/" rel="nofollow - https://www.ease-distribution.com/ |