Help me buy my first road bike

[ilima]

Hmmm, something tells me this is substantially older than an '08 model. The 2008 catalogue on their website doesn't have a single road bike. There are some comfort bikes, and hybrids, but no road. Diamondback is owned by Raleigh and when I chatted with them at Interbike it was explained to me that they made mountain and bmx under the Diamondback name, and road bikes under the Raleigh name, and it all just worked out better that way.

I just searched through our catalogues at work and the last time Diamondback put out a road bike was 2006. I'm going to venture a guess that you're looking at the Podium 3 and it's red with perhaps some silver accents? High retail was $1300 3 years ago if that's that case. I don't want to dash anyone's dreams, but if it is that bike, you're doing them a favor and I think you have more wiggle room on that price. And, what's really raising my eyebrows is do you want to buy from a shop that is trying to sell you a 2006 as a 2008? Reminds me of Legally Blonde when the gal at the boutique clothing store tries to sell her last season's dress. If memory serves both Ultegra and 105 have had upgrades since then too.

Buuut, if you love it go for it. I'd just wiggle a little bit more.

I totally agree with this advice. A shop that sells a 2006 (with 9 speed 105 components while all the stuff since 2007 has been 10 speed) as a 2008 isn't a shop I'd want to buy from.

Edit: Looks like it does have 105 10-speed components, at least according to BikePedia (assuming it's the 2006 Podium 3). Prolly a fine bike; see if they'll take off a bit more when you point out it's a 2006.

[mama2tri]

That's great information. Thank you.

I do like the bike, but knowing it's a few years older, I will ask for a lower price.

Do you all think the warranties and service plans that come with a new bike are worth it? For example, I could buy a Specialized Dolce Elite from 2008 with a full warranty for $1000, or a Trek 2.1 WSD for $1200, both with the full warranty and with 1 year service plans from the shop.

Compared to a 2-3 year old used bike in good condition for maybe $600...?

[tulip]

I'd be interested in their reaction when you call them out on the model year. Either they honestly didn't know (but should, being a bike shop) or they were trying to pull one over on you. Either way, it makes me suspicious of the shop. Not that they aren't a good shop, but just proceed with caution.

Plus, if you call them out on it, they likely won't try to pull a fast one on you again because they will realize that you know your stuff.

[smurfalicious]

I have a really, really tough time believing that they thought it was an '08. Come on, you haven't been able to order DB road bikes for 3 years but you thought that bike was an '08? There's a shop under our office that is really small and as a result has some aging bikes in there, but they know how old they are. I just don't know how anyone could look at a bike for 3 years and forget that's how long it's been around.

As for a warranty I do believe you'd still have one. It's from date of purchase by the consumer usually. If anything happened though I imagine you'd receive a Raleigh as a replacement. Better deal in my book, but if this shop is already being dishonest I imagine they might tell you there's a warranty where there isn't as well.

If it were me, I'd get the Ruby Elite. That's the cute little black and blue one, right? Awesome older gal on my group ride the other day had that bike and she was pleased as punch with it. Components wise they're about the same as the DB you're looking at, but I'd rather have Specialized's in house components than DB's.

If you're still set on it, offer them $600. Worst that can happen is they say no, but if I inventory that old that wasn't moving, and someone was finally interested, I'd cut my losses and sell it.

[mama2tri]

So yesterday I checked out a new local bike shop. Nice, knowledgable sales guys and a whole bunch of specialized and jamis bikes from 2008 in my size!

The top three bikes I want to ride:
Jamis Ventura Race ($880 from $1350)
Jamis Quest ($1100 from $1650)
Specialized Ruby Elite (about $1500 from $2000)

Good deals on all, plus we get an additional 10% of the price of the bike back in free accessories. I need a helmet and bike computer.

The Jamis Ventura Race has exactly what I think I want in a bike. The Quest is steel, so I'd like to see how it feels. The Ruby is all carbon, could be sweet. It's a little above my price range, but we just discovered the tax rebate is going to be a little bigger than we thought this year. So maybe...

[tulip]

You can't go wrong with those three. Get the one that fits you best. Can't wait for a ride report.

[mama2tri]

So after riding the bikes at Veloce Velo (the new local bike shop), I was very happy with the Jamis Ventura Race. It has components similar to many bikes in the $1200-1500 range, but was on sale for $880. Overall it fit well, and the shop swapped out a few parts to make it fit even better. The shop gave me $88 in store credit towards other accessories (I need a computer, new helmet and pedals).

I'm so excited to get out and ride...and so bummed it's raining cats and dogs today!!