[drkenan]

So I'm looking for a really cheap road bike to make a (less than) 10 mile commute on. I have been scouring Craigslist but can't find anything overly impressive.

Now I've come across the Sette R-3 Road Bike over on Pricepoint. It's on sale for $500 (originally $900). Anyone got any experience with these? I've seen other Sette products but never a complete bike.

Linky:

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/16552-018_SETR37-22-Sette_Products-856-Bikes/Sette-R-3-Road-Bike.htm

Thanks!

 

[ire]

Components aren't that great, but the price is right. I've thought about buying one of their XC or Road frames to build up as a commuter

 

[drkenan]

Components aren't that great, but the price is right. I've thought about buying one of their XC or Road frames to build up as a commuter

That's not a bad idea actually. There are plenty of components floating around on Craigslist.

 

[KavuRider]

I'm surprised it comes with a double, most bikes in that price range come with a triple. Parts aren't horrible.
I think for the price its a steal. Might look into one myself...

 

[drkenan]

Is a double chainring preferable on a road bike? I've never actually ridden one before. Also, how do I know what size to get? I guess I could email Pricepoint for that as well.

 

[KavuRider]

Is a double chainring preferable on a road bike? I've never actually ridden one before. Also, how do I know what size to get? I guess I could email Pricepoint for that as well.

I prefer a double, just because I never use the smaller ring on a triple, even climbing. Lots of lower-end road bikes come with triples, just because they are geared more towards people just getting into riding.

The sizing is what threw me off. Pricepoint doesn't really have a good geo chart for that frame. You could wing it...but road bikes fit a lot different than mountain bikes.

 

[ire]

You might wait till tomorrow...I got an email from Performance today saying they are having a bike sale tomorrow. They have some good buys on Mongoose and Schwinn bikes

 

[drkenan]

So I don't see anything on Performance's website that looks as good as the Sette bike. Any thoughts from you guys who actually know something about road bikes?

 

[James]

So I don't see anything on Performance's website that looks as good as the Sette bike. Any thoughts from you guys who actually know something about road bikes?

Yeah, I'd stay away from Ire, he's kind of a poser on here.
My opinion on that bike is that the shifters kind of blow. The Sora STI design sucks, look for something with the Tiagra shifters at the least.
That's my advice.

 

[CBJ]

Tons of nice used bikes on Ebay.

 

[JRogers]

Yeah, I'd stay away from Ire, he's kind of a poser on here.
My opinion on that bike is that the shifters kind of blow. The Sora STI design sucks, look for something with the Tiagra shifters at the least.
That's my advice.

Agreed. Sora shifters are not good. The rest of the stuff is okay, but the shifters are just cheesy.

And ebay does have some good deals; if you don't mind not having too much warranty backup, then it's a good way to go.

 

[maddog17]

have you figured out what size you need?

 

[ire]

Yeah, I'd stay away from Ire, he's kind of a poser on here.

Whatever, cyclocross bikes are kinda like road bikes!

 

[drkenan]

have you figured out what size you need?

Not yet - I've figured out I need around 56-60cm. I'm right at 6'.

 

[maddog17]

Not yet - I've figured out I need around 56-60cm. I'm right at 6'.

that's a big gap in size.

 

[Serial Midget]

I'm 5ft7 and ride a 53cm, at 6ft I'd suspect you'd fit fine on a 58cm.

Well, unless you've got the legs of an ape...

My advice on a low end bikes is to avoid them - if you are used to mid level or higher mountain bikes you'll hate anything less than Shimano 105 after a very short time.

Its been said before... most road bikes do not hold their value but still make great rides. Check eBay!!!

If you want to find out what the biking community thinks about Sette frames - do an eBay ended auction search.

 

[drkenan]

Its been said before... most road bikes do not hold their value but still make great rides. Check eBay!!!

If you want to find out what the biking community thinks about Sette frames - do an eBay ended auction search.

So do you have any suggestions of road bikes I should search for on Ebay? I really have no idea what I'm looking for. I think the 58cm should be about right for my height. I'm 6' with normal length legs.

Going to search the ended auctions for Sette bikes...

 

[CBJ]

I am 6' 1" and ride 56. I think 58 will be too long.

 

[drkenan]

I am 6' 1" and ride 56. I think 58 will be too long.

Thanks - I think I'll poke around the internet for some sizing additional suggestions.

 

[Serial Midget]

Schwinn Paramount

If you are not overly concerned about STI shifters...

 

[drkenan]

Schwinn Paramount

If you are not overly concerned about STI shifters...

Hhmmm...good find. It's very tempting.

 

[eric strt6]

just .02 from a guy that rides a Colnago road bike on Sette

I picked up one of their All Mt frames just over a month ago and built it up. So far I'm loving the bike and loving the $$ that were left in my wallet after buying it. the welds were very clean and all the pivots were well put together, gussets in the right place. now we wait to see how it holds up to a beating

 

[GravityFreakTJ]

I am 6' 1" and ride 56. I think 58 will be too long.

not entirely true. i am 6ft1 as well and ride a 58 with a 130 stem .

 

[loco-gringo]

not entirely true. i am 6ft1 as well and ride a 58 with a 130 stem .

Euro fag

 

[GravityFreakTJ]

Euro fag

yeah well it is a 17* flipped down

 

[loco-gringo]

yeah well it is a 17* flipped down

That's like the opposite of all the tri bikes around here. What are you riding with a super tall head tube???

 

[GravityFreakTJ]

fuji team issue . head tube isnt that tall. i just like racing with a really agressive position on the bike

 

[GravityFreakTJ]

12345

 

[loco-gringo]

Nope. That's not that tall. Why no SL1 or SST??? I think that SST is f*#king hot. I built one up from a frame last month.

 

[GravityFreakTJ]

i raced a SL1 couple of years ago. there was something about the compact frame design that a could never get comfy on. the SST1 is what i will be on next year Fuji stays on as a sponsor

 

[loco-gringo]

Always wondered about that on an SL1.

 

[GravityFreakTJ]

what are you rolling these days?

 

[loco-gringo]

An 08 Lapierre HM X Lite FDJ replica frame with Red/Force and an 09 Tarmac Pro SL frame with Red/Force.

I like the Lapierre best. Perhaps it's because it's 15 1/4 lbs with 404s, but it just rides nicely.

 

[GravityFreakTJ]

i would love to try a Tarmac, but unless they become a sponsor it aint happen for my broke arse

 

[proglife]

I am 6' 1" and ride 56. I think 58 will be too long.

i'm 6', 6'1 and ride a 59. I was told by a well known fitter here that if anything the bike is a hair too small.

 

[Serial Midget]

Some people have short legs, some people have long legs...

 

[TreeSaw]

A guy I ride with just built up a Sette XC Frame and so far he is really enjoying it. I would thing a 58 would be about right for you, but you might want to consider getting sized just in case. My road bike is a little uncomfortable for me (it might be a little small) and I don't really enjoy riding it as a result.

 

[CBJ]

Some people have short legs, some people have long legs...

I have long legs and short upper body and reach. Gorilla arms and I can see how a 56 would not work plus all bikes are not the same.