schwager@uiucdcs.UUCP (schwager ) (01/27/84)
#N:uiucdcs:38200002:000:1065 uiucdcs!schwager Jan 26 08:40:00 1984 Hello out there. I'm condsidering getting into some touring and am currently looking for a good bike to do it with. I'm willing to spend about $400, give or take 50 bucks. Here in beautiful Urbana we've got a bike shop, Paul's, that really impresses me. My problem: There are two bikes there that might suit my needs- the Nishiki Cresta and the Miyata 610. I've also scoped out the Trek line, however, and the 520 looks pretty nice to my novice little eyes. But Trek is carried at another dealership that doesn't impress me in the slightest. Are there any opinions out there in net.land? I've heard that it's very important to get a bike from a good dealer- it should be a prime consideration. Should I just stick to the one dealership (Paul's) even if I like the Trek a bit more? Will the differences between the three bikes given above be inconsequential, nitpicky little things, that I won't even have to worry about? Reply to the net; perhaps someone else might be interested. Thanks in advance for any advice. -mike schwager ...uiucdcs!schwager
gek@ihuxj.UUCP (Glenn Kapetansky) (01/27/84)
This is in response to the guy who is vacillating between a Miyata 610 and a Nishiki Cresta and a Trek 520. I used to live in Urbana, and I had a similar choice: Nishiki Internat'l from Paul's Bike Shop, or Trek 520 from Champaign Cycle. I bought the Nishiki from Paul, and a year later I'm still positive I made the right decision. Firstly, the workmanship on the (no-longer-available) Nishiki International frame is tops, the Cresta's is still better, and the 25-year guarantee is hard to beat. Secondly, Paul virtually rebuilt the bike to my specifications for a net charge of $15! Only the frame, seatpost, and pedals remained from the stock bike. This is my chance to advertise what a good dealer Paul is, and repay him a little. Sure, the Trek is gorgeous and the Nishiki is a little heavy. But Champaign Cycle officially loves the Sekai bike, and how can you have respect for a shop like that?! The Miyata is nice, but I got a better $$$ value from Nishiki. Did you consider a Lotus from the bike shop on Main St.? glenn kapetansky