The Big Question: Is this bike worth buying?

[pmhuff]

Hello out there!

I'm a novice and need some advice.

The following bike has bee offered to me - used but rarely used - for $599.00AUD.

Specs included and I can verify that the bike is like new. What's the quality of this brand - are there bikes made in Canada and bikes made it Taiwan?

2012 Louis Garneau Touring Bike
FRAME MATERIAL 4130 CR-MO DB
FRONT FORK CR-MO
HEAD SET STEEL THREAD 1"
CRANK SET SHIMANO SORA 50/39/30-170mm
B/B (B/B WIDTH/AXLE) SHIMANO SORA(68mm)
PEDAL WELLGO ALLOY
FRONT DERAILLEUR SHIMANO SORA(28.6mm)
REAR DERAILLEUR SHIMANO SORA
SHIFTER SHIMANO SORA
BRAKE TEKTRO CANTI
BRAKE LEVER SHIMANO SORA
FREE WHEEL SHIMANO HG50 13-25T 9SP
CHAIN SHIMANO HG53
SADDLE VLLG SPORTS
SEAT POST ALLOY 27.2mm(350mm)
HUB ALLOY QR 36H
SPOKE STAINLESS
RIMS ALEX DC19 700C
TIRE 700x35C

Thanks for your help!

Cheers,

Pete

[jacks1071]

Any bike is a good bike. Like anything, you get what you pay for.

For the asking price you're getting a lot.

What were your specific concerns?

[RonK]

Most unlikely it was made in Canada - most bikes are made in Taiwan or China.

But the frame is made from 4130 Cr - Mo and the component spec is good. $599 seems a quite reasonable price.

[Ross]

and the component spec is good.

Sora and Tektro are base level components. Not sure about the rest of the parts listed, I'd be guessing they would be of a similar nature.

[RonK]

and the component spec is good.

Sora and Tektro are base level components. Not sure about the rest of the parts listed, I'd be guessing they would be of a similar nature.

And a quite acceptable specification for a touring bike...

[misterhorsey]

Hello out there!

2012 Louis Garneau Touring Bike

Is it safe to assume that you actually want a touring bike, or are you only considering it as this one has come up in good condition with a reasonable price?

You could do a lot worse than a tourer as an all purpose ride. But have a think about what you might want to do with it (commuter, road riding, trails, off road etc etc) - and then think about the bike that suits those purposes, or your main purpose, and whether a tourer fits those requirements.

[usernameforme]

and the component spec is good.

Sora and Tektro are base level components. Not sure about the rest of the parts listed, I'd be guessing they would be of a similar nature.

And a quite acceptable specification for a touring bike...

+1 apart from weight, Sora gives very little to DA (which is odd, because my Tiagra group (tuned) weighs less than an Ultegra group)

[LM324]

And a quite acceptable specification for a touring bike...

+1 apart from weight, Sora gives very little to DA (which is odd, because my Tiagra group (tuned) weighs less than an Ultegra group)

What makes sora "acceptable to a touring bike" but as some say, not for a road bike? (I think 2300 and sora are acceptable in road bikes btw)

Usernameforme that's good to hear! I am looking at a bike with full tiagra group set. It comes out next year (although members here won't like the brand haha)

I'd agree that for if you plan on touring its a good deal but if you aren't it might be a bit better to buy a bike more suited to your needs.