Can I have opinions on this please? Ladies road bike..

[hepburn]

Sill searching for my road bike! I have found this which I am hopefully going to have a tryout on, on Saturday:-

http://www.discovercycling.com/bike...HRkQ68ZGezz071x8hlXPxGH0xfwqXRqOxGRoCXpPw_wcB

I have been told that I could get the cassette changed to 11-32 - is this OK to do? Would it be expensive?

I have seen another Merida (Ride Juliet 400) for the same price which already has the 11-32 cassette but I prefer the colours on this one..

 

[vickster]

You should be able to do it, but you'll need a different dérailleur like the one on the other bike, plus the cassette. The LBS can do it for you. The parts should be around £50 online (higher RRP potentially from the shop, around £90 but ask if they can fit FOC)

Have you ridden the bike, are you comfortable braking off the 105 hoods. You might also want to consider secondary cross lever brakes. I use SRAM levers which are slimmer but even those hurt my hands between thumb and forefinger braking coming down a big hill on Sunday!

Personally I prefer the colour of the 400

 

[Milkfloat]

The Juliet 94 is a 2014 bike, which is not a big issue, but it does have last years Shimano 105 equipment (10 speed compared to 11 speed this year)). I don't think I would want to pay full RRP for last years bike, I would expect a minimum of 20% off.

Changing the cassette would incur a cost if you were to do it after sales, you would also need a new rear derailleur. Parts cost would be about £50 for both. However, if you were to do it as part of the sale then I would expect it to be free, factored into the discount you will negotiate.

Personally - I would start off asking for 30% off RRP and the cassette/RD swap, but compromise on 20%.

For the 2015 bikes, one of my local dealers will give 20% of the price back in accessories or 13% in cash.

 

[Levo-Lon]

A powerfull and speedy road bike? Must have an engine somwhere...lol

not a bad bike and im a merida fan..they own a large stake in specialized and make their frames, on the cassette thing I just changed the 32 on the wife's new spesh Dolce bike for a 28 as the 32 was a little bit troublesome to index ..capacity was maxed with 30 acording to head mechanic .

cassette is not a big outlay and worth getting it swapped at point of sale if poss as it will be new for new so should be free..

 

[jack smith]

i dont think thats very good spec for the money, looks nice though but as above you really want to be haggling if its a local shop as the new 105 is such an improvement over the old one which im guessing thisyears model will have. The things said above about the mech needing changing too is also correct so try and get a bundle deal

 

[hepburn]

Thanks for all the advice. I reckon it would be better to go for the 400 then - was just thinking the 94 would be easier as they actually have that in the shop. Although I am also going to look at the Giant Avail 1 on Sunday. As someone said on the other thread I started 'eventually you just have to pick one'. I think I am starting to drive myself (not to mention my daughter and my work colleagues) mad with it all...

 

[yerteasoot]

The 400 is the bike I'm after from LBS. It's a lovely bike. Just need to get some money now!! I will get this bike for 20% off as I'm a member of the local cycling club. Well worth my £26 annual membership. I really like Merida bikes.

 

[buggi]

Go with the colour you love!!! Everything but the colour can be changed. You won't love the other bike, it will just be a tool for the job.

 

[Tojo]

I would say shop around a bit more there are lots of bargains out there considering your spending 1K, the manufacturers are just starting to be bringing their 2016 bikes out, there will be bargains to be had on 2015 bikes....

 

[Cyclist33]

i dont think thats very good spec for the money, looks nice though but as above you really want to be haggling if its a local shop as the new 105 is such an improvement over the old one which im guessing thisyears model will have. The things said above about the mech needing changing too is also correct so try and get a bundle deal

What is so much better about the new 105? I've got both types and the old one works far better, always
has...

 

[SteCenturion]

Possibly spend a little more time looking, trying out *especially important* & considering your options.

I would also look at the Cube Axial range & Liv for womens specific (if I was a lady), Cube spec per £ spent is generally far higher than most brands.

Giant & Merida collectively manufacture a huge % of the worlds frames & are highly respected, generally.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

What is so much better about the new 105? I've got both types and the old one works far better, always
has...

It's newer, therefore, it must be better. You should know this.

 

[hepburn]

Welllllllll......I have bought this one. I tried it out on Saturday and it just felt right. And it looks even better in RL too The man in the shop was really helpful and spent a lot of time with me checking out the fit was good against other sized bikes he had in. It had already been reduced and I explained about changing the cassette and he said he would do that within the price, along with a new rear derailleur and chain. So as I had a little bit of leeway in my budget I decided to get matching black SPD-SL pedals (mine atm are silver) and for peace of mind and as I am such a wimp with changing tyres he is going to put some gatorskins on (which he also reduced by £10).

I'm really happy with my purchase and can't wait to ride it. I am also so pleased that I found this shop as for the first time I actually felt that I wasn't wasting someone's time. He also runs maintenance courses that I think I will go along to, as I really want to look after this bike and I clearly lack a lot of basic bike know-how.

Thanks again for all the advice and opinions, no doubt I will be back soon with another dilemma..

 

[Nigelnaturist]

It's newer, therefore, it must be better. You should know this.

But not a triple, and you know this is better.

 

[mustang1]

Congrats Hepburn! Post some photos when you have time. (This coming from someone who never posts photos ).