Picking between two low budget options

thunderloins

I am buying a low budget bike and I have narrowed down my options to these two which conveniently have the exact same price. If someone with a trained eye could take a look at the specs and tell me which one gives me the most for my money, I would be very thankful.

Option 1: Merida Race Lite 900

Option 2: Trek 1.1 C

The websites are in Norwegian, but I think the specifications are plain enough for anybody to understand.

Thanks!

napoleond

Buy the one you like the look of

unixnerd

I hope bikes in Norway are cheaper than cars in Norway! Great place to cycle though.

thunderloins

NapoleonD wrote:

Buy the one you like the look of

I assume the specs are about equal then. Thanks.

unixnerd wrote:

I hope bikes in Norway are cheaper than cars in Norway! Great place to cycle though.

If you buy online the prices aren't too bad, but that creates the problem of knowing if the bike you buy will fit. I live in a smaller town so there are no dedicated bike shops, only general sport shops, and the prices there can be steep. Feels like you are being ripped off if you buy a bike for almost twice the price of what it is online, you know?

Yup, nature here is pretty to look at! You can catch some of it during the Arctic Race of Norway which is from my neck of the woods and right around the corner.

unixnerd

Have seen that race website before, looks great. A lot of folk from my company did a 60 mile ride from Haugesund to Sandnes last month, was hoping I'd be over at the time but I missed it. Would love to spend a week just cycling there instead of working. I often hire a bike when I'm in Stavanger, saves a fortune on Norwegian taxis (there's a reason they all seem to have new Mercedes!).

Maybe take a trip to Aberdeen and take a bike home on the plane in a bike bag? I can recommend a few good shops there.

thunderloins

unixnerd wrote:

Maybe take a trip to Aberdeen and take a bike home on the plane in a bike bag? I can recommend a few good shops there.

If I was buying a high end bike that might be a good idea, I would probably save a lot, but on a low budget bike like this I think the price of the airfare would exceed the savings. Like everything else in Norway, airplane tickets tend to get expensive.

KonkyWonky

Very little in it spec wise so pick the one you like the look of.

Buying second hand would see a significant jump in spec though, these really are pretty low level and your money would probably be better spent on the likes of a Triban 5 if spec is your concern.

Wiggle are also doing a Moser Speed kitted with full Sora and Fulcrum 7's, even with shipping costs it would probably be a match for both of these.