New bike

That looks like a thoroughly practical and sensible bike. Probably the sort of thing us skinny lycra boys should actually have in our collection and could enjoy a lot if we are honest. Fine value too.

Enjoy. The best bike is the one you get on and use rather than just admire and polish. That style of bike means you cannot use the excuse of bad roads and bad weather (with maybe mudguards too). it also looks like you should be able to adjust the stem as well as saddle height for a comfy position that does not kill your back. Personally I would have slightly higher volume tyres for a bit of squish but a rigid fork if mostly on the road but if more on rutted bumpy tracks keep the suspension fork.

I just ordered a new Ti road frame to use as a durable do it all, winter trainer and generally forgiving road bike when the conditions suggest leaving my fancy bikes at home. Nowhere near as sensible as yours though; and a heck of a lot pricier!

Bruce

Thanks for your exhaustive and kind reply,Bruce.Just got back from a week holyday and soon got to the hospytal for a  planned TAC to check out my protrusions...Tomorrow I'm purchasing the byke.It helps me not to think...!Ciao e grazie!

Nice looking bike but I wouldn't want the suspension fork. You don't need it and all it does is add weight.

I got one of these last year. It's a Felt Verza Speed 10. I didn't want a suspension fork, but it has a carbon fork and seat post, which makes it a bit more forgiving. It also has Shimano's Ultegra gears, which are really nice to use. It's a bit more expensive though, costing £1,100 in the U.K.  It's very nice to ride though, so may be worth considering. But if your mind is set, just go ahead and enjoy it. 

Drewy posted:

Nice looking bike but I wouldn't want the suspension fork. You don't need it and all it does is add weight.

Ditto that.

Also, at the price point of €600 for the whole bike, the suspension folks will be cheapo engineering and may become the most unreliable part on the bike.

Whatever you do buy, make sure it's the correct frame size.

Debs

Hungryhalibut posted:

I got one of these last year. It's a Felt Verza Speed 10. I didn't want a suspension fork, but it has a carbon fork and seat post, which makes it a bit more forgiving. It also has Shimano's Ultegra gears, which are really nice to use. It's a bit more expensive though, costing £1,100 in the U.K.  It's very nice to ride though, so may be worth considering. But if your mind is set, just go ahead and enjoy it. 

That's a nice package for the money. It's much more worthwhile paying a bit more for something like this.

Just for info, the optimum number of bikes to own is given by the following formula:

Optimum number of bikes = n+1

Where 'n' is the number currently owned.

Further IMPORTANT info. The maximum number of bikes to own is given by this formula:

Maximum number of bikes = d-1

Where 'd' is the number which leads to divorce.

You are now fully equipped to go bike shopping!

Bikes and hifi. Add the two together and you're on a very sticky wicket.

Drewy, one has to fight a little to get what he likes!Thanks for the replies so far:I'm considering a rigid fork. 

Ok I got it today.They're setting it and I will pick it up at 6.It's not the one I posted yesterday.Also, it's not Italian...it's Deutsch.Merkel is happy and Gentiloni is sad.The retailer told me this model was better than the Bottecchia.It has Shimano Deore gear instead of Alivio,the fork is better and I can lock it gradually.It has a very good overall value for money.I added an original Cube rack.It cost 750 Euro.Any opinion? Danke.

Fabio 1 posted:

Ok I got it today.They're setting it and I will pick it up at 6.It's not the one I posted yesterday.Also, it's not Italian...it's Deutsch.Merkel is happy and Gentiloni is sad.The retailer told me this model was better than the Bottecchia.It has Shimano Deore gear instead of Alivio,the fork is better and I can lock it gradually.It has a very good overall value for money.I added an original Cube rack.It cost 750 Euro.Any opinion? Danke.

It will do just fine. The bike market is pretty competitive and mature, and it is hard to wrong provided that you are reasonably accurate about the use the bike will get, and you get the right size. As others have said, the suspension fork is unnecessary, heavier than a rigid fork, and potentially a source of extra maintenance, but otherwise it's a pretty versatile looking ride.

Just look out for Don on those shared-use paths.

Fabio 1 posted:

Hi guys,I think my"investigating"for a new bike has come to the end.I'm purchasing this Bottecchia Lite Cross 320 for 6oo Euro or so.It has all the carachteristics I'm looking for:the main one is the position on the saddle which is way better then my MTB.I'm suffering for a protrusion of an L vertebrae and a little hernia in the cervical zone...But I also think this bike will perform well  on easy cross-country as well on the road ,that are the usual conditions in most of my rides.A frien told me he would prefer a fixed fork instead of a suspended one,like the one this bike.Shimano gear Alivio is not at the top but not so bad either.What you think?Ciao.

 

A bike like this isn't going to be left alone for long in the wild. But if it was what would be recommend as a secure chain/locking device to ward of the little Fxxking hoodlums ?

Kryptonite New York lock, expensive but one of the best.

Karl

If they want it they will take it. I never leave my bikes where they may be stolen. Locks only as secure as what you attach them to anyway.