To buy... Merida 905, Cube GTC Pro or De Rosa R838
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To buy... Merida 905, Cube GTC Pro or De Rosa R838
Postby onthecrusade » Wed Dec 05, 2012 10:00 pm
Am trying to decide between the Merida Scultura Comp 905 (http://99bikes.com.au/bike/merida-scult ... 05/19/6767" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ), the Cube GTC Agree Pro (http://99bikes.com.au/bike/cube-agree-gtc-pro/19/6928" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ) and the De Rosa R838 2013 (http://www.cyclingexpress.com/cycle/de- ... -bike.aspx#" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ).
All are similar spec, a few minor differences here and there. Buying through websites as North QLD prices are inflated.
Any advice??? Not sure how you can tell which frame is better from a quick ride.
Merida apprently have long warranties, De Rosa a better reputation...
Also have to decide tomorrow as the special on the De Rosa will be gone...
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Re: To buy... Merida 905, Cube GTC Pro or De Rosa R838
Postby usernameforme » Thu Dec 06, 2012 9:51 am
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Re: To buy... Merida 905, Cube GTC Pro or De Rosa R838
Postby tripstobaltimore » Thu Dec 06, 2012 12:06 pm
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Re: To buy... Merida 905, Cube GTC Pro or De Rosa R838
Postby Shpox » Thu Dec 06, 2012 1:56 pm
It still burns in the flats. I can't comment on the DeRosa, but the Cube's I road took a !! BAN ME NOW FOR SWEARING !! on the Merida's in terms of ride feel.
Regardless, make sure it fits. Make sure it rides well.
Don't look back. Don't rush on a sale either. I personally would never buy a bike without riding it.
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Re: To buy... Merida 905, Cube GTC Pro or De Rosa R838
Postby jules21 » Thu Dec 06, 2012 3:30 pm
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Re: To buy... Merida 905, Cube GTC Pro or De Rosa R838
Postby usernameforme » Thu Dec 06, 2012 4:14 pm
Likewise, if the Manufacturers spec'ed some nice wheels at a much higher cost, owners might either dislike the brand/wheel or have their own. The price is increased, making the product less attractive and the buyers then have the added hassle of selling these wheels, and will often loose money on them. If the buyer does not have nice wheels, the money they save on the bike can be invested into nice wheels of their choice. Speccing bikes with cheap wheels leaves the buyer alot of freedom with what he wants to do with the wheels.
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Re: To buy... Merida 905, Cube GTC Pro or De Rosa R838
Postby jules21 » Thu Dec 06, 2012 4:25 pm
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Re: To buy... Merida 905, Cube GTC Pro or De Rosa R838
Postby onthecrusade » Thu Dec 06, 2012 10:56 pm
All seem good but I'm not an expert in carbon frames and how they should feel, or how much flex I should be aiming for.
A Giant TCR maybe should be an option too, but who knows what their wheels are like, Giant PS1s I think.
Too many choices and none that stand out, Fulcrum 7s are probably a good solid training wheel but look like that too. I could use my shimano 500s for that. Would rather get some nicer wheels with the new bike.
So I'm left undecided... dammit. Actually just started looking at second hand... might find something there!
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Re: To buy... Merida 905, Cube GTC Pro or De Rosa R838
Postby jdimitri » Thu Dec 06, 2012 11:22 pm
Getting a bike the wrong size is a big and expensive mistake, trust me on that one. Perhaps consider making a weekend driving down to the city or bargaining with your local bike shop.
I'd highly suggest your local bike shop, you'll need them later.
Failing that, the cube looks pretty awesome
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Re: To buy... Merida 905, Cube GTC Pro or De Rosa R838
Postby jacks1071 » Fri Dec 07, 2012 12:07 am
Tell the shop to keep the wheels and put what you saved towards a new set of Pro-Lite Bracciano's, easyjules21 wrote:i'm looking in similar range and what turned me off the De Rosa is the entry level Fulcrum 7s - bleh..
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Re: To buy... Merida 905, Cube GTC Pro or De Rosa R838
Postby TDC » Fri Dec 07, 2012 10:17 am
could you please expand on that statement?tripstobaltimore wrote:not sure how de rosa has a better reputation than merida.....
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Re: To buy... Merida 905, Cube GTC Pro or De Rosa R838
Postby Fixie82 » Fri Dec 07, 2012 11:07 am
The second hand market would likely give you everything you want if you are prepared to do your homework, take on something that may 'need' some TLC and work or replacement of parts such as chain and cassette. There are regularly bike equipped with Dura Ace, Red, Ultergra, Force and nice racing wheels that slot into your budget. It would certainly open up many more options for you.
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Re: To buy... Merida 905, Cube GTC Pro or De Rosa R838
Postby jules21 » Fri Dec 07, 2012 11:39 am
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Re: To buy... Merida 905, Cube GTC Pro or De Rosa R838
Postby Shpox » Fri Dec 07, 2012 12:02 pm
Does investment in wheels in a bike package suggest the rest of the bike is not upto spec? Not necessarily.
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Re: To buy... Merida 905, Cube GTC Pro or De Rosa R838
Postby jules21 » Fri Dec 07, 2012 12:29 pm
nice. will keep those in mind.jacks1071 wrote:Tell the shop to keep the wheels and put what you saved towards a new set of Pro-Lite Bracciano's, easy
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Re: To buy... Merida 905, Cube GTC Pro or De Rosa R838
Postby jules21 » Fri Dec 07, 2012 12:34 pm
i'm unsure i agree. i suspect most buyers in that category are cashed up corporate weekend warriors.Shpox wrote:I think the industry has recognized that the majority of buyers looking at the 2.5k + range aren't your average road bike rider, assuming they might already own a pair of wheels especially if they're look at that price point.
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Re: To buy... Merida 905, Cube GTC Pro or De Rosa R838
Postby usernameforme » Fri Dec 07, 2012 1:07 pm
Fulcrum Racing 7s are decent... whats your gripe against them? Fulcrum 5's are not that much better, and Fulcrum 3's are much more expensive...jules21 wrote:i don't need full on race wheels, just something decent.
anyways, if you're happy with the Racing 7's I agree with Jacks1071, tell the shop to keep the wheels and invest the money saved into wheels that you like/want
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Re: To buy... Merida 905, Cube GTC Pro or De Rosa R838
Postby jules21 » Fri Dec 07, 2012 1:11 pm
heavy - 1850gusernameforme wrote:Fulcrum Racing 7s are decent... whats your gripe against them?
the pro lites jacks is selling are ~1470.
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Re: To buy... Merida 905, Cube GTC Pro or De Rosa R838
Postby BrisVegas » Fri Dec 07, 2012 2:04 pm
jules21 wrote:i'm unsure i agree. i suspect most buyers in that category are cashed up corporate weekend warriors.
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Re: To buy... Merida 905, Cube GTC Pro or De Rosa R838
Postby jules21 » Fri Dec 07, 2012 2:07 pm
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Re: To buy... Merida 905, Cube GTC Pro or De Rosa R838
Postby onthecrusade » Sat Dec 08, 2012 7:53 pm
Although there is a Focus Cayo Limited for $2000 on bikeexchange with Athena and Fulcrum 7s... will have to trial one. I think the frames are pretty heavy though.
I'm in North QLD and the bike shops here don't mark down prices much, largely due to lack of competition. Also a long drive for weekend in Brissy!
Cheers
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Re: To buy... Merida 905, Cube GTC Pro or De Rosa R838
Postby tripstobaltimore » Mon Dec 10, 2012 4:26 pm
Merida may not have the prestige/history of De Rosa, but they are highly regarded in the bike industry as carbon fibre manufacturers. In fact I believe they are the biggest manufacturer of carbon fibre bikes in the world? (Perhaps have been surpassed by giant....). They probably make De Rosa's carbon frames anyway .TDC wrote:could you please expand on that statement?tripstobaltimore wrote:not sure how de rosa has a better reputation than merida.....
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Re: To buy... Merida 905, Cube GTC Pro or De Rosa R838
Postby usernameforme » Mon Dec 10, 2012 5:27 pm
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Re: To buy... Merida 905, Cube GTC Pro or De Rosa R838
Postby onthecrusade » Mon Dec 10, 2012 11:15 pm
Merida also own a lot of Specialized...
Not sure what to buy will keep searching for good deals. Keep coming back to the Merida, better value for money perhaps although not as eyecatching as the de rosa.
Just saw a good deal on a Giant TCR advanced 0 with Di2 for about the same price as the De Rosa. Worth it? This one doesn't have a flash paint job but giant make a reasonable bike.
Cheers.... confusedaboutbikes
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Re: To buy... Merida 905, Cube GTC Pro or De Rosa R838
Postby usernameforme » Tue Dec 11, 2012 10:35 am
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