Costco's MOTIV SMOOTHIE AND/OR MOTIV VORTEX - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

07-16-2003, 03:22 PM

****Your opinion would be appreciated:

Consumers Reports magazine current issue ranks GIANT BRAND "comfort"
($300)
and "fitness" ($650) bikes as number 1 in either category.

COSTCO has the MOTIV SMOOTHIE (comfort) at $160.I need a "start all
over again" bike now that I'm in my high 50's age bracket.

Which bike would you buy ? Money is NOT the major factor. Thanks for
your
reply.****

07-16-2003, 05:22 PM

x-no-archive:yes

> ****Your opinion would be appreciated:
>
> Consumers Reports magazine current issue ranks GIANT BRAND "comfort"
> ($300)
> and "fitness" ($650) bikes as number 1 in either category.
>
> COSTCO has the MOTIV SMOOTHIE (comfort) at $160.I need a "start all
> over again" bike now that I'm in my high 50's age bracket.
>
> Which bike would you buy ? Money is NOT the major factor. Thanks for
> your
> reply.****

Do not buy the Motiv. Weighs a ton. ANY Giant bike would be better.

Just my .02 worth

Pat in TX

07-16-2003, 09:59 PM

In article <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] >,
lionsign <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].com> wrote:
>****Your opinion would be appreciated:
>
>Consumers Reports magazine current issue ranks GIANT BRAND "comfort"
>($300)
>and "fitness" ($650) bikes as number 1 in either category.
>
>COSTCO has the MOTIV SMOOTHIE (comfort) at $160.I need a "start all
>over again" bike now that I'm in my high 50's age bracket.
>
>Which bike would you buy ? Money is NOT the major factor. Thanks for
>your
>reply.****

If money is not the major factor, then you definitely want to go
to a good bike shop and have them spend some time determining the
proper size and customizing the fit to match what you need, selecting
a bike with suitable geometry, changing the handlebars, stem, seat,
and tires if necessary to make the bike match you and the type of
riding you will do. Bikes that fit properly get ridden; bikes that
fit badly are torture devices and end up gathering dust. Sometimes
the best way is to make an appointment with the shop by phone so you
get the attention of an experienced person.

There are often few differences between low-end city bikes at
a given price point, but in general bikes that come from bike dealers
tend to be better than what you can get from a big chain retailer.
The quality of the assembly is a major reason for that, and often
the equipment is better as well.

Which brand to get is not very important. Locating the best local
dealer is the hard part. Ask local cyclists (or clubs) for a shop
that does good fitting work.

--Paul

07-16-2003, 10:02 PM

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] (lionsign) wrote:

> Consumers Reports magazine current issue ranks GIANT BRAND "comfort"
> ($300)
> and "fitness" ($650) bikes as number 1 in either category.
>
> COSTCO has the MOTIV SMOOTHIE (comfort) at $160.I need a "start all
> over again" bike now that I'm in my high 50's age bracket.
>
> Which bike would you buy ? Money is NOT the major factor.

Within a reasonable "starter bike" price range, the most valuable
thing you can get with your purchase is a relationship with a
genuinely helpful and competent bike retailer. You give up that
benefit if you buy from other than an owner-operated bike shop in your
local area. It's not worth any possible savings to buy elsewhere if
your local bike shop is helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable. Such a
shop will help you find a bike that fits your body and suits your
intended purposes.

In the $250 to $750 price range, bikes are commoditized by intense
competitive pressure, and you are likely to get about the same quality
of bike at any given price (regardless of brand) as long as you go to
a real bike shop.

Real bike shops do not have fancy showrooms; you can roll in your old
bike and prop it anywhere. At a real bike shop, the person who sells
you a bike also works on bikes. A real bike shop does not use
commission sales staff. A real bike shop smells like oily bikes, not
oily salespeople.

Motiv bikes are junk, along with *all* department store bikes and all
bikes sold on TV, without exception. It's not prejudice, it's a fact.
Just avoid them all and be glad you did. The "red flag" that lets
you know a bike is crap, is that it is only offered in one size.
That's like offering pants in only one size-- it makes proper fit
impossible for almost all prospective buyers. Such a bike is designed
to be purchased, not ridden.

Chalo Colina

07-17-2003, 08:43 AM

lionsign <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].com> wrote:
> ****Your opinion would be appreciated:

> Consumers Reports magazine current issue ranks GIANT BRAND "comfort"
> ($300)
> and "fitness" ($650) bikes as number 1 in either category.

> COSTCO has the MOTIV SMOOTHIE (comfort) at $160.I need a "start all
> over again" bike now that I'm in my high 50's age bracket.

> Which bike would you buy ? Money is NOT the major factor. Thanks for
> your
> reply.****

Department store bikes only come in one size. That one size may not
be the right one for you. Giants come in several sizes. Make sure the
bike you purchase is the right size for you, even if it requires a special
order. A proper fit is essential for comfort.

07-17-2003, 11:09 AM

x-no-archive:yes

>
> In the $250 to $750 price range, bikes are commoditized by intense
> competitive pressure, and you are likely to get about the same quality
> of bike at any given price (regardless of brand) as long as you go to
> a real bike shop.

"commoditized"? can't find this work in the dictionary. <G>

> Motiv bikes are junk, along with *all* department store bikes and all
> bikes sold on TV, without exception. It's not prejudice, it's a fact.
> Just avoid them all and be glad you did. The "red flag" that lets
> you know a bike is crap, is that it is only offered in one size.
> That's like offering pants in only one size-- it makes proper fit
> impossible for almost all prospective buyers. Such a bike is designed
> to be purchased, not ridden.
>
> Chalo Colina

I agree with your assessment of cheap bikes.

Pat