riverc0il
New member
That was damn fun! Been an anxious two weeks for me as I went the BikesDirect.com route and got a Mercier Corvus AL. Having had my old rusted out 20 year old road bike, I was able to take measurements and get the sizing down pretty well. Though the handlebars were a little lower than I had expected. Otherwise, fit and feel are great. $800 for a bike with 105s for the major components is about half what could be found at the LBS. Risky doing an online purchase but overall I am a satisfied customer. S got a Trek 1.2 with the Sora and I was glad I was able to make the 105 happen within my price range.
Box arrived in good time and with everything in perfect condition. I took my time assembling but could have done so in 10-15 minutes easily now that I have done it once. I think even someone without prior experience with bike parts could do the assembly without issue though there were one or two confusing moments. Took it to the LBS for a tune up as wheels were way out of true and brakes and derailleurs need a quick fix.
My last bike was a 12 speed road bike with a rear derailleur that didn't work (only got 4/6 gears reliably) and brakes that were so off the pads often rubbed the wheels. And the frame was slightly "off". Anyways, having three rings up front is quite different and having 10 gears in the rear is a head trip. The amount of micro-adjusting that needs to be done is crazy, but I think it'll be like second nature with some practice.
Due to having very large feet, I ordered shoes online as most online stores don't even have over 48 so I assumed none of the LBS's would. Got a 49 which is still a hair too small so I will need to return and exchange for the 50. Can't wait to try clipless after having used clips for so long.
Any ways, I couldn't wait a week for the damn shoe exchange, so I took the bike out for three miles with my sneakers on clipless pedals. Definitely didn't get the complete feel without having any pull up on the backside, but damn this thing flies. Sweet! So much smoother than my previous bike. And the 105 STI style shifters are so much cooler than reaching down to the tube based shifter. 3 miles felt like 30 though, especially without clips or clipless shoes! And especially since I haven't biked in like 7 years (10 years since I biked seriously).
Of course, now that S and I both have bikes, she just sprained her ankle while out walking the dog.
Box arrived in good time and with everything in perfect condition. I took my time assembling but could have done so in 10-15 minutes easily now that I have done it once. I think even someone without prior experience with bike parts could do the assembly without issue though there were one or two confusing moments. Took it to the LBS for a tune up as wheels were way out of true and brakes and derailleurs need a quick fix.
My last bike was a 12 speed road bike with a rear derailleur that didn't work (only got 4/6 gears reliably) and brakes that were so off the pads often rubbed the wheels. And the frame was slightly "off". Anyways, having three rings up front is quite different and having 10 gears in the rear is a head trip. The amount of micro-adjusting that needs to be done is crazy, but I think it'll be like second nature with some practice.
Due to having very large feet, I ordered shoes online as most online stores don't even have over 48 so I assumed none of the LBS's would. Got a 49 which is still a hair too small so I will need to return and exchange for the 50. Can't wait to try clipless after having used clips for so long.
Any ways, I couldn't wait a week for the damn shoe exchange, so I took the bike out for three miles with my sneakers on clipless pedals. Definitely didn't get the complete feel without having any pull up on the backside, but damn this thing flies. Sweet! So much smoother than my previous bike. And the 105 STI style shifters are so much cooler than reaching down to the tube based shifter. 3 miles felt like 30 though, especially without clips or clipless shoes! And especially since I haven't biked in like 7 years (10 years since I biked seriously).
Of course, now that S and I both have bikes, she just sprained her ankle while out walking the dog.