Bike Recommendation!

[KnottedYet]

How much more is it going to cost you to switch out all these components?

Do you already love this bike?

If all this switching doesn't work for you, will they switch it back?

[quint41]

The bike with the swapped out stem, bar, crankset, and saddle = $865. This guy will seemingly do anything to make sure I have a great ride. Tells me that he will, of course, fit me when I pick up the bike, and wants me to come back a week or two later, tell him what's working, what's not, if we have to tweek it, we will tweek it until we get it right. I'm not concerned about any of that at all, these guys have a great reputation.

I have not even ridden the Etape WSD yet. I think 07 is the first year for an Etape WSD (Lemond had a couple other WSD models last year). I have only tested one Lemond so far, and actually that was a bust. The guy at that shop set the seat way too high for me, and it was butchering my private parts! I went about 50 feet on that bike, attempted to dismount and twisted my ankle trying to get down off the too high seat. The salesman was off helping other customers so, needless to say, I brought the bike back into the shop and LEFT!

I plan to call other shops to see who has an Etape WSD that I can test. I certainly would not purchase without testing the bike first.

[Kathi]

The bike with the swapped out stem, bar, crankset, and saddle = $865. This guy will seemingly do anything to make sure I have a great ride. Tells me that he will, of course, fit me when I pick up the bike, and wants me to come back a week or two later, tell him what's working, what's not, if we have to tweek it, we will tweek it until we get it right. I'm not concerned about any of that at all, these guys have a great reputation.

I have not even ridden the Etape WSD yet. I think 07 is the first year for an Etape WSD (Lemond had a couple other WSD models last year). I have only tested one Lemond so far, and actually that was a bust. The guy at that shop set the seat way too high for me, and it was butchering my private parts! I went about 50 feet on that bike, attempted to dismount and twisted my ankle trying to get down off the too high seat. The salesman was off helping other customers so, needless to say, I brought the bike back into the shop and LEFT!

I plan to call other shops to see who has an Etape WSD that I can test. I certainly would not purchase without testing the bike first.

How much will it cost you to bump up to the Tourmalet which is the next level?

I did a quick check and the Tourmalet is all Shimano 105 with a 10 speed cassette. The Etape is a combination of Sora and Tiagra with an 8 speed cassette. My concern is the cassette. Because a friend was looking at a bike with an 8 sp, I asked my LBS about them and he said "it's planned obsolence, eventually 8 speeds won't be available.

Of course, it depends on how long you plan to ride the bike. Will you keep it long enough to have to change the cassette or do you plan to upgrade to a better bike after a year or two?

The shop might be willing to upgrade to a 9 speed but I wouldn't spend extra money doing it. I'd go for the Tourmalet instead.

[quint41]

The Tourmalet retails for something like $1200. If he swaps out anything on that bike, add to that price. I can't even afford to spend what I'm spending on THIS bike! But I need to get off my hybrid so badly, I'll find a way. The plan is to keep this bike as long as possible, and as components need replacement, I'll upgrade. My goal is to ride with decent groups for fun and fitness and be able to keep up with them, not race or tour.

So far, nobody seems to have an Etape out there. Nobody can give me a review of this bike?

[dianne_1234]

So far, nobody seems to have an Etape out there. Nobody can give me a review of this bike?

I have a Lemond Alpe d'Huez which I think has a frame very similar to the Etape (all aluminum, what Lemond calls "Performance Aluminum"). It's my favorite handling bike.

Sounds like the bike shop guy is really determined to get you riding and happy!