Anybody has the FireFox RoadPro bikes

[Murali Krishna]

Hi All,

Does any of you ride the Firefox RoadPro 2200 or the RoadPro 0050? Any feedback on these bikes?

Since my budget is a little on the lower end, I was considering the RoadPro 0050. Any suggestions?

Rohan,

I see only the 2200 link on BOTS.. u sell only this or both the models?

- Murali 

[Rohan Kini]

Yup. we do deal with both. (have just the 2200 on the site, btu the Firefox 0050 is around 14,620)

The Firefox road bikes are not great - but then road bikes dont come cheap. These do come with aluminium alloy frames and some basic components. I have personally not used a Firefox roadpro, has anyone else ?

Am guessing they are no where close to the Meridas and the Treks, but much better compared to the Heros and BSAs.

[Vishy]

Agree with Ro.
Initially when I was struggling to decide between a good MTB or FF
Roadpro 2200 (I know, am comparing apples and oranges :))., I posted
the same in BZ and after reading the responses about FF 2200, I was
sure about its "performance", and later bought a Merida TFS 100.
Now, am one happy biker :)

Cheers!!

[Murali Krishna]

Thanks Vishy. I already have a California Apple, so looking for a lower end Orange as I have a constraint on my budget (if the economy was good I wouldn't have settled for anything less than a Trek-1200). So until the industry bounces back into track and decides to give us some hikes, I need another bike urgently so that me and my better-half can go on weekend cycling. I will surely consider an upgrade few quarters down the line. :)  

- Murali

[Vishy]

Hmm... I can understand that. Even am waiting for my next upgrade (to
a roadbike, a Merida or a Trek), hopefully the global industry settles
soon and avid bikers like us have a ball to go.
And by the way, why dont check some MTB's out in the market. There
are plenty of them (local and imported).

Happy riding.

Cheers!!

[Murali Krishna]

I already have a high-end MTB (the California Apple I mentioned?). Forget the brand.. nobody will identify it here...

Thats why I want to go for a road bike this time... btw, I used to use an MTB from 1994-1998 (Hercules), then a road bike (Hero-Hawk) from 1999 - 2006, then moved to a cool MTB in 2007.., now looking for another road-bike in 2009..  :)  

- Murali

[Ravi Ranjan]

Murali,

Please .. please .. please.... tell us the brabd name of the bike :-)

We all are deparate to know the name of the bike you have!

~Ravi

 

[Rushi Bhatt]

Being a road biker, I'll take that as a compliment. Others on this
list might not be so kind.

[Murali Krishna]

oye.. u took a test ride on my bike near hebbal fly-over and u forgot the name? 

Here you go.. : http://www.anyangmtb.co.kr/index.php?var=Good&Good_no=1008

- Murali

[Ravi Ranjan]

;-)

An indian .. could not remember the name .. but do remember the ride

It is a nice bike!

~Ravi

 

On 1/28/09, Murali Krishna <murali....@gmail.com> wrote:

oye.. u took a test ride on my bike near hebbal fly-over and u forgot the name? 

 

Here you go.. : http://www.anyangmtb.co.kr/index.php?var=Good&Good_no=1008
 

 

- Murali

On Wed, Jan 28, 2009 at 10:35 AM, Ravi Ranjan <raviranj...@gmail.com> wrote:

Murali,

Please .. please .. please.... tell us the brabd name of the bike :-)

We all are deparate to know the name of the bike you have!

~Ravi

 

On 1/28/09, Murali Krishna <murali....@gmail.com> wrote:

I already have a high-end MTB (the California Apple I mentioned?). Forget the brand.. nobody will identify it here...

Thats why I want to go for a road bike this time... btw, I used to use an MTB from 1994-1998 (Hercules), then a road bike (Hero-Hawk) from 1999 - 2006, then moved to a cool MTB in 2007.., now looking for another road-bike in 2009..  :)  

 

- Murali
 

 

On Wed, Jan 28, 2009 at 10:16 AM, Vishy <br.vis...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hmm... I can understand that.  Even am waiting for my next upgrade (to
a roadbike, a Merida or a Trek), hopefully the global industry settles
soon and avid bikers like us have a ball to go.
And by the way, why dont check some MTB's out in the market.  There
are plenty of them (local and imported).

Happy riding.

Cheers!!

 

 

--
Tour of Nilgiris
http://www.tourofnilgiris.com

--
Tour of Nilgiris
http://www.tourofnilgiris.com

[Murali Krishna]

ok.. i paid a visit to the FireFox station, and after having a good look at the RoadPro bikes, frame and the fittings they come with... my brain told me its not worth the money I need to shell out... (any fire fox road bike fans out there.. no hard feelings.. its my personal view..) and especially the lower end Road Pro, 0050, its break fittings doesn't even seem to match the Hero Hawk quality...

The RoadPro 2200 looked ok... but the only thing good abt the bike was Shimano gears... but I was not sure if the derailer was of high quality stuff and can last for long...coz that is a good 25k... 

all this based on my first look at the bikes... I may be wrong.. correct me if so...

So now my sheach gets complicated... coz I don't have a high budget yet to go for a Trek/Merida.. but I need another bike asap.. 

- Murali 

[Ravi Ranjan]

Bad luck dude... I just sold my Merida880 to Sharath :-)

~Ravi

 

[Prad]

Hi Murali.

You might want to check out the Atlas Totem....close to (sub)
10K.shimano 3*7, disc breaks, shock absorber (could be a
drawback).....I havent done any long distance biking on this
though.....

Prad

On Jan 29, 4:03 pm, Ravi Ranjan <raviranjan.ku...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Bad luck dude... I just sold my Merida880 to Sharath :-)
> ~Ravi
>

> On 1/29/09, Murali Krishna <murali.mall...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > ok.. i paid a visit to the FireFox station, and after having a good look at
> > the RoadPro bikes, frame and the fittings they come with... my brain told me
> > its not worth the money I need to shell out... (any fire fox road bike fans
> > out there.. no hard feelings.. its my personal view..) and especially the
> > lower end Road Pro, 0050, its break fittings doesn't even seem to match the
> > Hero Hawk quality...
>
> > The RoadPro 2200 looked ok... but the only thing good abt the bike was
> > Shimano gears... but I was not sure if the derailer was of high quality
> > stuff and can last for long...coz that is a good 25k...
>
> > all this based on my first look at the bikes... I may be wrong.. correct me
> > if so...
>
> > So now my sheach gets complicated... coz I don't have a high budget yet to
> > go for a Trek/Merida.. but I need another bike asap..
>
> > - Murali
>

> > On Wed, Jan 28, 2009 at 12:05 PM, Ravi Ranjan <raviranjan.ku...@gmail.com>wrote:
>
> >> ;-)
> >> An indian .. could not remember the name .. but do remember the ride
> >> It is a nice bike!
> >>   ~Ravi
>

> >> On 1/28/09, Murali Krishna <murali.mall...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >>> oye.. u took a test ride on my bike near hebbal fly-over and u forgot the
> >>> name?
>
> >>> Here you go.. :
> >>>http://www.anyangmtb.co.kr/index.php?var=Good&Good_no=1008
>
> >>> - Murali
>
> >>> On Wed, Jan 28, 2009 at 10:35 AM, Ravi Ranjan <
> >>> raviranjan.ku...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >>>> Murali,
> >>>> Please .. please .. please.... tell us the brabd name of the bike :-)
> >>>> We all are deparate to know the name of the bike you have!
> >>>> ~Ravi
>

> >>>>   On 1/28/09, Murali Krishna <murali.mall...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >>>>> I already have a high-end MTB (the California Apple I mentioned?).
> >>>>> Forget the brand.. nobody will identify it here... Thats why I want to
> >>>>> go for a road bike this time... btw, I used to use an MTB from 1994-1998
> >>>>> (Hercules), then a road bike (Hero-Hawk) from 1999 - 2006, then moved to a
> >>>>> cool MTB in 2007.., now looking for another road-bike in 2009..  :)
>
> >>>>> - Murali
>

> >>>>> On Wed, Jan 28, 2009 at 10:16 AM, Vishy <br.vishwan...@gmail.com>wrote:
>
> >>>>>> Hmm... I can understand that.  Even am waiting for my next upgrade (to
> >>>>>> a roadbike, a Merida or a Trek), hopefully the global industry settles
> >>>>>> soon and avid bikers like us have a ball to go.
> >>>>>> And by the way, why dont check some MTB's out in the market.  There
> >>>>>> are plenty of them (local and imported).
>
> >>>>>> Happy riding.
>
> >>>>>> Cheers!!
>
> >>>>  --
> >>>> Tour of Nilgiris
> >>>>http://www.tourofnilgiris.com
>
> >> --
> >> Tour of Nilgiris
> >>http://www.tourofnilgiris.com
>
> --

> Tour of Nilgirishttp://www.tourofnilgiris.com- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

[farhadtarapore]

Yaar, I have a firefox fusion MTB and I have not been using it for
mountain biking. I only use it to commute to work and back which is
like 4kms. I also do about 20kms on weekends.

Recently while I was coming back from work, the pedal fell off!!! The
way to fix the pedal is that there is a nut that turns on a screw
inside the pedal. But the plane of rotation of the pedal is the same
as that of the rotation of the nut. And the nut is inside a hollow in
the pedal. This makes it impossible for me to tighten using standard
tools. This is pretty crappy design if you ask me since pedaling will,
over time, loosen the nut and cause the pedal to come off.

I'm surprised at the poor quality of the bike considering that its so
hyped. That is why spending 36000 on a merida or trek sounds totally
absurd to me. Like enfields, I think the BSAs and Heros of the world
are much simpler to fix and even if they break, I won't spend
sleepless nights coz of the money I spent on them.

Farhad.

On Jan 28, 3:12 am, Rohan Kini <rohan.k...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Yup. we do deal with both. (have just the 2200 on the site, btu the Firefox
> 0050 is around 14,620)
>
> The Firefox road bikes are not great - but then road bikes dont come cheap.
> These do come with aluminium alloy frames and some basic components. I have
> personally not used a Firefox roadpro, has anyone else ?
>
> Am guessing they are no where close to the Meridas and the Treks, but much
> better compared to the Heros and BSAs.
>

[B.M.]

Hey Hold on... Hold it right there...

 

Did you just compare a Firefox with a Trek/Merida?? or am I sleepy??

 

Coz if you did, then I suggest you will have to go back and do your homework again.

 

With all due respect to the proud owners of Firefox's, a firefox is miles behind a Trek/Merida.

 

Thanks,

-Vasu

[farhadtarapore]

I was not trying to compare brands here :) The point I am trying to
make is that these bikes are ridiculously expensive. I'm trying to
question whether it is worth shelling out 36K for a road bike (add 9K
and you can get a Sym Flyte!!!); whether the bike's rims will sustain
the pathetic conditions of our roads.

I have ridden a gearless hero ranger (atb) with a modified (huge)
front crank well beyond 40kmph on the roads, so speed is not an issue;
effort required to get to that speed is the advantage that a road bike
provides along with the improved aerodynamics and what not.

If you're into professional cycle racing, then it absolutely makes
sense to go for the most cutting edge technology and splurge on these
bikes; but where I'm coming from, I'm just an average city cyclist who
just likes to tour around on the bicycle for hours together. I'm sure
these kinda folks form majority of the population here unless I'm on
the wrong community :-P So, hype, hysteria and irrational cult-
mentality aside, and considering the *application* of these bikes, I
don't see any difference in riding a hero hawk and any of the other
exalted road bikes. :)

Just wanted to explain my point; no intentions of trolling here.
Please do not pounce :-P

Cheers.

On Jan 30, 4:29 pm, "B.M." <mr.b.mis...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hey Hold on... Hold it right there...
>
> Did you just compare a Firefox with a Trek/Merida?? or am I sleepy??
>
> Coz if you did, then I suggest you will have to go back and do your homework
> again.
>
> With all due respect to the proud owners of Firefox's, a firefox is miles
> behind a Trek/Merida.
>
> Thanks,
> -Vasu
>

> --
> Tour of Nilgirishttp://www.tourofnilgiris.com

[Sameer Panchangam]

Hey!

Wouldn't you have to fill petrol to use a Sym Flyte? :)

--
Thanks!
Sameer Panchangam
Status Updates: http://twitter.com/psam
Mobile: +91 988-531-2104 / 995-955-1518

[varun murthy]

And wait in the traffic..
And grow more unhealthier..
And screw up the environment..
And wait in those huge petrol bunk queues when theres a strike..
And go from point A to B without noticing whats in between..

[Rushi Bhatt]

Go for the hero hawk! Go for whatever makes you happiest!

On Mon, Feb 2, 2009 at 8:57 AM, farhadtarapore <farhadt...@gmail.com> wrote:
>

[sriram.bmsce]

farhad..

mate am assuming you have actually ridden the aforesaid bikes..36k 45k bikes etc etc before just rubbishing them on this forum..i understand ur point of view,but do understand that even 36k bikes come nowhere close to what professional cyclists use,those start at lakhs..so..? a basic roadbike costs 40k simply cos it takes that much to build one to perfection..a good one can even go beyond 100kmph..so u see i can go on & on..i feel paying 40k,50k for roadbikes is justified..u cannot compare themto hawks,firefox roadpros..if u still do ..god save u.. firefox roadpros are totally flawed..there are some major design flaws in them..i know a friend who suffered usin them..hawks don no..no comments as i haven't used them..

 

regards

Sriram

 

[Farhad]

Ok. point taken :)

[Shree Kumar]

On Mon, Feb 2, 2009 at 8:57 AM, farhadtarapore <farhadt...@gmail.com> wrote:
>

> I was not trying to compare brands here :) The point I am trying to
> make is that these bikes are ridiculously expensive. I'm trying to
> question whether it is worth shelling out 36K for a road bike (add 9K
> and you can get a Sym Flyte!!!); whether the bike's rims will sustain
> the pathetic conditions of our roads.

Whether you want to shell out or not depends on you ! As you say - any
bike is good for riding.

The rims should be good - but I've seen that most people don't
willingly ride potholes with them - so we can't find how good they
are. The cycles are expensive because they are just imported, the USD
prices converted to INR (I'm simplifying here) and then sold. Let me
note that this applies to all things imported -e.g. Laptops, Digital
Cameras, ...

Note that cheap bicycles are available in the US as well (contrary to
popular local perception). I have personally ridden a 100 $ Mongoose
bike in New Hampshire (US) and it was very similar to a Hercules WoW.

> If you're into professional cycle racing, then it absolutely makes
> sense to go for the most cutting edge technology and splurge on these
> bikes; but where I'm coming from, I'm just an average city cyclist who
> just likes to tour around on the bicycle for hours together. I'm sure
> these kinda folks form majority of the population here unless I'm on
> the wrong community :-P So, hype, hysteria and irrational cult-
> mentality aside, and considering the *application* of these bikes, I
> don't see any difference in riding a hero hawk and any of the other
> exalted road bikes. :)

Sorry I need to disagree with you - first about the "professional"
part. We tend to equate "expensive" with professional, which is not
correct. Most bicycles sold locally are not, I repeat not,
professional bicycles. They are bikes for regular road/MTB riding. The
proof ? Look at their cost. E.g. a Trek 1.5 is 1099 $ compared to a
Top End Trek Madone which may cost all the way up from 4000 $ - 9000
$. So, most folks here aren't buying professional bicycles (owners :
sorry if I destroyed any illusions here!)

Now, given that these bicycles are not "professional" bicycles, it is
not necessary to be a professional to afford these - even in the
"developed" world. Ironically, software engineers here are in a much
better position to afford these rather than *professional* cyclists.

The problem(or opportunity depending on where you sit) is : more and
more people are willing to pay here !

If all one needs to do is ride, then the bicycle doesn't matter -
which is what you mean to say I think. Most imported bikes are better
quality for sure, but one doesn't need them just to ride. Sometimes, I
feel that people get an impression looking at the forums/mailing lists
"to ride you need a phoren bike". I know many will venture to tell me
that it's not true, and that's my personal opinion.

>
> Just wanted to explain my point; no intentions of trolling here.
> Please do not pounce :-P

Point taken - and differences explained I hope !

Regards
-- Shree
http://www.shreekumar.in/

[Jagannath Moorthy]

I think Farhad has a point, which is that there is a niche here that
is not being met with the current bikes on offer. Either the bikes are
too expensive (imported roadbikes) or not good enough (or atleast the
perception is such). As a result, most of the people on the group end
up buying MTB's, which may not be the best solution for their needs.

Maybe, its an opportunity for people like BOTS/Wheelsports to cater to
this niche.

Jagan

[ramakrishna nalam]

I have been wondering for quite some time about the speeds that the high end (say Trek/Merida) road bikes can get you. 100kmph is like crazy! (even with the best of legs i guess)

There would be many differences between the ordinary bikes and the high end ones. One very obvious point is the gears. The trek and Merida road bikes seem to have a very high gear ratio (I have'nt seen one, but what appeared just from the pics).

And if the above point is valid (please do correct me if it's not), Anybody ever tried to port the gear system to other bikes?? and does that make any sense to do that to - say a hawk / mach??

Also Sriram, it would be nice if you could point out the exact flaw / what was the kind of problem your friend faced so that other people keep that in mind while making purchases??

On Mon, Feb 2, 2009 at 12:41 PM, sriram.bmsce <sriram...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Sudhir P]

My experience with the Hero Hawk: Its way too heavy to be called a respectable road bike. Just the shape of the handlebar and tirewidth does not make a good road bike. I was more comfortable on my Ultima-DX and Rockshock than that. the rockshock was lighter than the hawk too.

But, ever since i upgraded to a Merida Crossway, i don't feel like going back to them. And mind u, i'm no rich techie. I'm still a strugglin-to-make-ends-meet student. And the Merida does make complete economic sense to me, compared to goin for a motorbike. And it makes sense sppedwise too, in bangalore's traffic.

A roadbike for daily commute still doesn't look like a great option to me (from my economic standpoint atleast), but definitely looks like it makes a huuuge difference on long rides (looking at all the roadbikers at TFN). Its not just abt the speed, its abt the energy economy at those speeds!

Anyway, if all u wanna do is ride around for fun on short rides, and u don't have a heavy budget, riding the cheapest bike is still good. All that matters is that u enjoy it.

On a  slightly different note... Are there no home-made frame makers in this group? Might be we should try and experiment with something. I bet there are ppl with all the expertise (Nelly et al). This looks really tempting: http://www.bmeres.com/carbonframe1.htm

Regards,
Sudhir

--
================================
Sudhir.P
Blog : http://roastedneutrons.blogspot.com
Photoblog : http://roastedphotons.blogspot.com
Comic strip: http://ktpdq.blogspot.com

I do not suffer from insanity......
I enjoy it!
================================

[sriram.bmsce]

sudhir has told exactly what i am trying to tell...farhad mentioned he wants to do long rides..not just ride around city..rite? reliability is a major factor then,which i think indian bikes totally lack..even i am a student and not a rich kid trying to show-off to his buddies...roadbikes(good) make more sense  whilst on smooth tarmac..not that its easier to ride and touch 100kmph,we still need to pedal and be superfit,yep..all i meant is comparison..

 

also i think we need to change our existing mindsets that roadbikes are expensive..yes they can get very expensive(8 lkhs) but a 40k roadbike should not be considered expensive..comparing amount equivalent to motorised 2 wheelers is absolutely ridiculous..there is no end to that,we could go on..on.on..i urge everybody to take decisions based on personal experience instead of just seein price tags..soon u will understand..am not here to persuade anyone to buy roadbikes..i feel mountain bikes(like trucks/buses) make good sense  for city commute and touring in off road conditions..roadbikes are like cars for ridin on tarmac..

firefox roadpros have problems in their rim designs which leads to frequent punctures,not what u would expect for payin 25k somethin..not sure about present scenario

 

regards

Sriram

 

[nilesh dhumal]

hey, for the first time sriram is talking sense(:-)  ), i agree with him again for the first time :-) , but only about road bike.
Indian bikes are hopeless i mean have tried to work with one of the known Indian company to develop good bike but it's just not practical for them to mass produce them, its the demand what they serve to not the passion, its mass but no class there are many reasons for this not that they cant but also looking at the demands and the awareness happening among the Indian's, it will change for sure
all i say is keep riding results will show development will happen.

Nilesh
RED ROOSTER RACING

[Rohan Kini]

yup. Thats the problem - not whether 40K road bikes are expensive or worth it (they are expensive and they might be worth it, depending on what you are looking at).

Unfortunately its not that simple to roll out a simple bike with a simple frame but with good components.
Multiple reasons
- spares/accessories are still diff to source in India to put together a bike like this. Try a custom bike build experiment, its Hard, expensive and time consuming !
- this 'simple' bike will still cost you a lot of money. Are you willing to pay around 15 - 20K for a unheard brand ? I looked around bike stores in NY which were catering to the exact segment that we speak about here. And the simple bikes were all around 15K INR. Good components and a decent frame cost money folks. If you start compromising, you get into a Firefox situation ! At the other end are the better know brands (Trek, Giant, Specialized, Merida .. whatever)
- design and manufacture of frames are not that simple. As far as I am aware, even Hero 'manufactures' its aluminium frames outside the country. Dont think any serious bike frame manufacturing happens in the country, yet.

Which leaves you with the choices on hand :) Trek, Merida (and the bunch of others entering the market in the next 2 - 3months).
And mostly its going to be a MTB (cause road bikes are too pricey, too uncomfortable, bad roads ... )

whos picking up a nice shiney MTB next ? :)

But at the same time we do recognize the niche and the way we plan to solve it is to let someone who knows their stuff solve it rather than reinvent the wheel.
The Trek 7100 should be getting into the market sometime soon ! Not exactly what the doctor recommends, but something along those lines.

[Unni]

Rohan, will BOTS supply Trek Lime or other urban bike?

Unni

> On Mon, Feb 2, 2009 at 8:40 AM, Jagannath Moorthy <jaganm1...@gmail.com>wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > I think Farhad has a point, which is that there is a niche here that
> > is not being met with the current bikes on offer. Either the bikes are
> > too expensive (imported roadbikes) or not good enough (or atleast the
> > perception is such). As a result, most of the people on the group end
> > up buying MTB's, which may not be the best solution for their needs.
>
> > Maybe, its an opportunity for people like BOTS/Wheelsports to cater to
> > this niche.
>
> > Jagan
>

> > On Mon, Feb 2, 2009 at 12:52 PM, Shree Kumar <shree.sh...@gmail.com>
> > wrote:
>
> > > On Mon, Feb 2, 2009 at 8:57 AM, farhadtarapore <farhadtarap...@gmail.com>

> > >http://www.shreekumar.in/- Hide quoted text -

[asw...@gmail.com]

damn, I kept thinking Giant was not a great bike till I saw Rohan's
mail ! I have a Giant Attraction MTB which is probably 10 years old.
It was passed on to me after 3 owners, my cousin being the last. I
absolutely love the bike for its (light)weight, it is super
comfortable to ride too. But, the gears aren't working perfectly and
it is beginning to rust here and there. Whom should I take it to in
(South) Bangalore to get such minor issues fixed?

TIA,
-Aswin.

[Rajat Agrawal]

DIY, U will need:
screwdriver set
plier
allen key set
wrench/spanner set
oil, degreaser, sandpaper, flat/circular file
water, soap, sponge, rags,
rope
internet access
time and patience
partial deafness and a thick skin (in case you are married/committed)

-Rajat