Opinion of Mercier Rode Bike Orion
Mark Cleary
bike. I seem to find the best deal on a Mercier bike from bikesdirect. I
can put the thing together I have the tools and reasonable skills but
how does this bike size up. I know the fit it need at 6"2 I got the 60cm
frame and the only experience I have in the past is with a Schwinn
Traveler I bought 12 years ago and road it for a few years and liked it
alot. My son took it and destroyed by poor handling but it was a decent
bike I did not need the best. I compared the Mercier with a Schwinn
Circuit and Schwinn fastback and this bike seemed a better deal. I all
take any opinions and advice.
--
Mark Cleary plays Hollenbeck Jazz Guitars
Handmade http://hollenbeckguitar.com/
Tom Kunich
news:xFQek.241$6O4.195@trnddc06...
>I am runner who does bike once in awhile and I need an entry level road
>bike. I seem to find the best deal on a Mercier bike from bikesdirect.
The Mercier is a perfectly acceptable bike an unless you turn into a bike
fanatic like me, you'll be able to keep and ride it for the rest of your
life. The only complain I would have about it is that it is a bit stiffer
than I like. Bet you couldn't tell the difference.
Tim McNamara
Mark Cleary <mcle...@verizon.net> wrote:
> I am runner who does bike once in awhile and I need an entry level road
> bike. I seem to find the best deal on a Mercier bike from bikesdirect. I
> can put the thing together I have the tools and reasonable skills but
> how does this bike size up. I know the fit it need at 6"2 I got the 60cm
> frame and the only experience I have in the past is with a Schwinn
> Traveler I bought 12 years ago and road it for a few years and liked it
> alot. My son took it and destroyed by poor handling but it was a decent
> bike I did not need the best. I compared the Mercier with a Schwinn
> Circuit and Schwinn fastback and this bike seemed a better deal. I all
> take any opinions and advice.
Careful, Mark, BAS is just as bad as GAS!
Which Mercier are you talking about:
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/galaxy.htm
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/orion_al8.htm
Mark Cleary
bought the Mercier Orion AL. It sounds easy to put together it has to be
easier than working on a guitar. So tell me this bike is ok?
Mark Cleary plays Hollenbeck Jazz Guitars
Handmade http://hollenbeckguitar.com/
Mike Jacoubowsky
>bike. I seem to find the best deal on a Mercier bike from bikesdirect.
That's because it's likely the only place you can get a Mercier. Bikesdirect
bought up a bunch of expired names from formerly-big-time bike companies and
put them onto bikes they have built for them in China. That in itself isn't
an issue; everybody builds bikes in China these days. What *is* an issue is
the manner in which they market the product, claiming they're comparable to
others at greatly-inflated prices. They're not offering something at half
off.
> I can put the thing together I have the tools and reasonable skills but
> how does this bike size up. I know the fit it need at 6"2 I got the 60cm
> frame and the only experience I have in the past is with a Schwinn
> Traveler I bought 12 years ago and road it for a few years and liked it
> alot. My son took it and destroyed by poor handling but it was a decent
> bike I did not need the best. I compared the Mercier with a Schwinn
> Circuit and Schwinn fastback and this bike seemed a better deal. I all
> take any opinions and advice.
If you've got the expertise to properly assemble a bike, and have gone over
the geometry and know the sizing will work for you, it could be worthwhile.
What you miss by buying on-line is the expertise of a local shop to set it
up properly, take care of warranty issues, and, most important, make sure it
fits properly and is an appropriate bike for how you're going to use it.
That's more important for some people than for others. I wouldn't even allow
somebody to buy one of our bikes without test-riding it first, but some are
far less picky about subtle, and sometimes not-so-subtle differences between
bikes.
>
> Mark Cleary plays Hollenbeck Jazz Guitars
> Handmade http://hollenbeckguitar.com/
--Mike Jacoubowsky
Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReaction.com
Redwood City & Los Altos, CA USA
"Mark Cleary" <mcle...@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:xFQek.241$6O4.195@trnddc06...
Tom Kunich
news:3oSek.15405$uE5....@flpi144.ffdc.sbc.com...
>
> If you've got the expertise to properly assemble a bike, and have gone
> over the geometry and know the sizing will work for you, it could be
> worthwhile. What you miss by buying on-line is the expertise of a local
> shop to set it up properly, take care of warranty issues, and, most
> important, make sure it fits properly and is an appropriate bike for how
> you're going to use it. That's more important for some people than for
> others. I wouldn't even allow somebody to buy one of our bikes without
> test-riding it first, but some are far less picky about subtle, and
> sometimes not-so-subtle differences between bikes.
Mike is completely on target here and this is the reason that you should
always buy from your local shop. Unfortunately not all local shops are
thrifty, trustworthy and kind. But just between us - Mike's is.
Mark Cleary
for in this case $595. How does that compare with a Schwinn I had a
chance to buy local for $635 Schwinn Circuit tax included. That is the
only comparison that matters other than the schwinn is a ride out the
door all put together. Remember all things equal I am runner and Lord
willing this bike is a once a week ride for 30 miles at a time not
everyday. I do know the benefits of a local shop not issue here. I sell
guitars and repair them and basically I don't repair guitars worth less
than about $500 since they are not worth repairing in most cases. A
beginning guitar for $150 is junk is this bike junk is my question? A
mail order $600 guitar may not be junk but you better know a few things
to deal with it later. They are much more complicated than bikes I am
sure of that at least for the high end stuff.
Mark Cleary plays Hollenbeck Jazz Guitars
Handmade http://hollenbeckguitar.com/
Tom Kunich
> A beginning guitar for $150 is junk is this bike junk is my question? A
> mail order $600 guitar may not be junk but you better know a few things to
> deal with it later. They are much more complicated than bikes I am sure of
> that at least for the high end stuff.
I haven't seen one for a couple of years. When I looked at them a couple of
years ago they looked passably good.
Tim McNamara
Mark Cleary <mcle...@verizon.net> wrote:
> Thanks a bunch fo rthe quick reply a good newsgroup. Hey it Tim, well I
> bought the Mercier Orion AL. It sounds easy to put together it has to be
> easier than working on a guitar.
Easier than setting up an archtop, IMHO.
> So tell me this bike is ok?
It oughta do the job just fine and it'll weigh way less than your
previous bikes. You'll be surprised. Looks quite well spec'd for the
price. Bike manufacturing has improved so that mid-range bikes are very
well made.
Congratulations! Jeez, next time I'm down to Elmhurst I'll have to
bring a guitar and a bike!
Tim McNamara
Mike's shop is also in California and Mark is in Illinois...
andre...@aol.com
> I am not so dumb as to realize they are selling at 1/2 price they sell
> for in this case $595. How does that compare with a Schwinn I had a
> chance to buy local for $635 Schwinn Circuit tax included. That is the
> only comparison that matters other than the schwinn is a ride out the
> door all put together. Remember all things equal I am runner and Lord
> willing this bike is a once a week ride for 30 miles at a time not
> everyday. I do know the benefits of a local shop not issue here. I sell
> guitars and repair them and basically I don't repair guitars worth less
> than about $500 since they are not worth repairing in most cases. A
> beginning guitar for $150 is junk is this bike junk is my question? A
> mail order $600 guitar may not be junk but you better know a few things
> to deal with it later. They are much more complicated than bikes I am
> sure of that at least for the high end stuff.
>
> Mark Cleary plays Hollenbeck Jazz Guitars
>
> > --Mike Jacoubowsky
> > Chain Reaction Bicycles
> >www.ChainReaction.com
> > Redwood City & Los Altos, CA USA
>
> >news:xFQek.241$6O4.195@trnddc06...
> >> I am runner who does bike once in awhile and I need an entry level road
> >> bike. I seem to find the best deal on a Mercier bike from bikesdirect. I
> >> can put the thing together I have the tools and reasonable skills but how
> >> does this bike size up. I know the fit it need at 6"2 I got the 60cm frame
> >> and the only experience I have in the past is with a Schwinn Traveler I
> >> bought 12 years ago and road it for a few years and liked it alot. My son
> >> took it and destroyed by poor handling but it was a decent bike I did not
> >> need the best. I compared the Mercier with a Schwinn Circuit and Schwinn
> >> fastback and this bike seemed a better deal. I all take any opinions and
> >> advice.
> >> --
>
> >> Mark Cleary plays Hollenbeck Jazz Guitars
> >> Handmadehttp://hollenbeckguitar.com/
The bike has an aluminum frame, shimano sora components and some low
end no name components. In a local bike shop a bike with similar frame/
components will likely cost you anywhere from $700-$1,000.
As Mike and you say, you are saving on the customer care, advertising,
etc. If you know how to care for a bike yourself, the bike will be
more than adequate to ride 30 miles a week or 300 miles a week.
This bike is certainly better than your Schwinn traveler. It is
lighter with much better components. You should have a blast with it.
What you save on a bike shopping online is what you save on anything
you buy from an outlet w/o seeing the object, testing it first and w/o
needing tech expertise that a local shop can provide. If you need the
love and care that is supposed to come from shopping locally, then an
online purchase is not what you want. I take care of my own bikes and
am very picky about my own repairs maintenance etc. I personally have
little use for the customer care for bike shops but recommend them
highly to beginners or anyone who doesn't like to work on their own
stuff and who need that kind of support.
Andres
Mark Cleary
Interesting comment thank you very much. I feel the same way about
guitars and I would never take my guitar to a local shop to have
anything done. I cannot do everything but only some serious guitar
makers could do what I need done. I too enjoy the aspect of taking care
of my own bike I plan to get tech up on maintenance and repair.
Mark Cleary plays Hollenbeck Jazz Guitars
Handmade http://hollenbeckguitar.com/
bigji...@gmail.com
> Andres- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
Tom Sherman
--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
"People who had no mercy will find none." - Anon.
Tom Sherman
> ...I am runner and Lord
> willing this bike is a once a week ride for 30 miles at a time not
That is crazy talk!!!
Art Harris
>
> I bought the Mercier Orion AL. It sounds easy to put together it has to be
> easier than working on a guitar. So tell me this bike is ok?
>
The description says it has a Shimano 8-speed cassette. Is that true?
May be hard to get parts for that.
Art Harris
Peter Cole
FUD time. You need to get out more.
Tons of 8-speed cassettes are still sold -- the only problem he'll have
is what to do with the leftover money.
Art Harris
> > The description says it has a Shimano 8-speed cassette. Is that true?
> > May be hard to get parts for that.
> > Art Harris
>
> is what to do with the leftover money.
>
Cassettes maybe. But what about 8-speed brifters? Even 9-speed
brifters are getting hard to find.
Art Harris
pm
If the 8-speed brifter breaks, nothing stops you from getting a 9-
speed. Run the alternate cable routing until you want a new cassette,
then replace it with a 9sp cassette. Still comes out ahead.
pm
Tom Kunich
news:7d078f09-1f98-4923...@z66g2000hsc.googlegroups.com...
The 8-speed stuff is now spaced to use 10-speed levers.
Tom Kunich
news:g5k91k$938$1...@registered.motzarella.org...
> Tom Kunich wrote:
>> "Mark Cleary" <mcle...@verizon.net> wrote in message
>> news:mVSek.331$jS4.52@trnddc07...
>>> A beginning guitar for $150 is junk is this bike junk is my question? A
>>> mail order $600 guitar may not be junk but you better know a few things
>>> to deal with it later. They are much more complicated than bikes I am
>>> sure of that at least for the high end stuff.
>>
>> I haven't seen one for a couple of years. When I looked at them a couple
>> of years ago they looked passably good.
>>
> The Mercier bike or the guitar?
Never heard of a Mercier guitar.....
A Muzi
>> I bought the Mercier Orion AL. It sounds easy to put together it has to be
>> easier than working on a guitar. So tell me this bike is ok?
Art Harris wrote:
> The description says it has a Shimano 8-speed cassette. Is that true?
> May be hard to get parts for that.
For an eight, a plenitude of aftermarket cassettes, cheap too; Shimano,
SRAM, SunRace, SuntourSR, etc and the CS body is nine/ten compatible for
later 'upgrade' when you replace the shifters. Eight is still used on
many new bikes, not rare or orphaned by any means.
--
Andrew Muzi
<www.yellowjersey.org/>
Open every day since 1 April, 1971
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **
Tom Sherman
question to what was being referred to.
Mark Cleary
the job I do and makes for comparison and explanation easier. I just
think off the handle when I am in a newsgroup and need to watch my
writing. I must say this is a decent group most are full of spam an
useless these days but I really liked all the response. BTW the bike is
suppose to be delivered tomorrow do you want a report or is this not
something of interest.
Mark Cleary plays Hollenbeck Jazz Guitars
Handmade http://hollenbeckguitar.com/
Tom Sherman
> Tom Sherman wrote:
>> Tom Kunich wrote:
>>> "Tom Sherman" <sunset...@REMOVETHISyahoo.com> wrote in message
>>> news:g5k91k$938$1...@registered.motzarella.org...
>>>> Tom Kunich wrote:
>>>>> "Mark Cleary" <mcle...@verizon.net> wrote in message
>>>>> news:mVSek.331$jS4.52@trnddc07...
>>>>>> A beginning guitar for $150 is junk is this bike junk is my
>>>>>> question? A mail order $600 guitar may not be junk but you better
>>>>>> know a few things to deal with it later. They are much more
>>>>>> complicated than bikes I am sure of that at least for the high end
>>>>>> stuff.
>>>>>
>>>>> I haven't seen one for a couple of years. When I looked at them a
>>>>> couple of years ago they looked passably good.
>>>>>
>>>> The Mercier bike or the guitar?
>>>
>>> Never heard of a Mercier guitar.....
>>>
>> If the indefinite pronouns had been avoided, there would have been no
>> question to what was being referred to.
>>
[Top posting corrected]
> I think faster than I can type and I always use analogy it comes with
> the job I do and makes for comparison and explanation easier. I just
> think off the handle when I am in a newsgroup and need to watch my
> writing.
I was commenting on Kunich's indefinite pronouns.
> I must say this is a decent group most are full of spam an
> useless these days but I really liked all the response. BTW the bike
> is suppose to be delivered tomorrow do you want a report or is this
> not something of interest.
>
Why not.
A Muzi
>>> The description says it has a Shimano 8-speed cassette. Is that true?
>>> May be hard to get parts for that.
> Peter Cole wrote:
>> Tons of 8-speed cassettes are still sold -- the only problem he'll have
>> is what to do with the leftover money.
Art Harris wrote:
> Cassettes maybe. But what about 8-speed brifters? Even 9-speed
> brifters are getting hard to find.
Really? We seem to replace a lot of STi shifter sets in seven, eight,
nine with no trouble from any of several distributors. They are fairly
high volume service parts now.