Please help deciding which bike to get/use!

[greta]

I have a giant avail 3 with sora components. It's an 8 speed triple and I love the bike but basically I can never use the drop part of the bars and have to use only the hood area to shift from.

giant avail:
http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/B...6778&Type=bike

I found a 2006 raleigh cadent 2.0, new in a bike shop that's xxs and seems to fit me very well. It has tiagra shifters and front derailer and 105 rear derailer. I could use the drops on this bike comfortably and still enjoy the triple like on my giant.

raleigh:
http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/B...0934&Type=bike

I can get the raleigh for $700. To help buy it I can sell my giant sedona (mountain bike I got in October)because I don't really use it. Then I was thinking I could either sell my giant avail if I buy the raleigh, or take all the components and switch the better ones to my giant and put the sora's on the raleigh and sell it?

The problem is the 8 speed and what it would cost to change it I might as well buy a new one. Wish I'd just spent the money in January for the avail 1 with the better components. I'm not sure what to do. Any suggestions?

[MartianDestiny]

I'd look into WHY you can't use the drops before just jumping to a new bike (again! in 4 months!).

I have a Giant OCR3 (the 2008 version of the Avail). Nice bikes; though yes, the gearing starts to get to you when you start riding in groups. I've had no problems with the Sora components, and I've beaten the heck out of this bike over the past 2 years.

What's the problem that prevents you from getting into the drops? I spend most of my time on the hoods anyway (most people do), but I can get into my drops. The Giant's handlebars are not the best for riding in the drops with my hand shape, but replacing handlebars is a much cheaper fix than replacing the whole bike (Giant also wraps with pretty thick tape; a simple tape change could do it). The levers can also be adjusted for reach (either via a shim or a reach adjust screw) if that's the issue.

So what's going on that's making you uncomfortable in the drops on the Giant? You need to figure this out whether or not you spring for the new bike, or you could just be addressing the issue all over again and be out a lot more money.

[Zen]

I'd look into WHY you can't use the drops before just jumping to a new bike (again! in 4 months!).

Because you can't shift from the drops with Sora.

The other option is to keep the bike, ditch the Sora and upgrade to shifters you can use from the drops.

[greta]

that's why i'm considering buying the raleigh. use the components and Sell the raleigh, that's my question. it's the only way i can see to recooperate any money, hence i wish i had bought the upgraded to start with. thanks for your comments. ZEN those are great pictures from your picture gallery! Where are you located?

[Zen]

ZEN those are great pictures from your picture gallery! Where are you located?

Latitude 39.42N
Longitude 77.4 W

In Maryland (and thanks)

[greta]

I grew up in Boulder, it is better! Not sure what to do, if I upgrade maybe I should just buy them separate rather than buying the bike and switching components. Thanks for the help.

[MartianDestiny]

Because you can't shift from the drops with Sora.

The other option is to keep the bike, ditch the Sora and upgrade to shifters you can use from the drops.

Well, I guess it's obvious how much that disadvantage bugs me since I'd forgotten it was there (and my nice bike has Ultegra, so you'd think I'd know the difference)

OP:
Personally, I'd look into how much it would be to upgrade the levers, unless of course you are already noticing the gearing oddities of the drivetrain. Might be worth it, probably won't be, but definitely worth looking into IMO.

I don't see you coming out in a great position $$$ wise no matter how you go about buying/switching bikes out. You may just have to eat it though. My advice, should you go with the new bike route, is to deal with the Giant long enough to get the bike you know is right for you. Take your time shopping and don't settle or you'll just be in this position again.