I have mountains all my life and now wanted to get into road bike. I was wondering is the IBEX vantage 5500 a good bike for a beginner. I don't want to buy a 3-400 dollar bike and 6 months from now knowing I gonna want something better. I waqnt to spend less than $1k.

I have mountains all my life and now wanted to get into road bike. I was wondering is the IBEX vantage 5500 a good bike for a beginner. I don't want to buy a 3-400 dollar bike and 6 months from now knowing I gonna want something better. I waqnt to spend less than $1k.

I actually ride an Ibex Team frame outfitted with DuraAce & Ultegra components. I am pretty pleased with it. It slighly heavy but so am I. I have been a little disappointed with the paint quality but I've seen worse. The AL frame seems to be doing pretty well with no problems. I would recommend for the price and value. Although I have only logged 3k miles this year with it, so we will be seeing. Hope I could help.

Thanks for the info, The vantage 550 seems like the one to get for me or should I wait a little longer and get something better.

Thanks for the info, The vantage 550 seems like the one to get for me or should I wait a little longer and get something better.

I would goto an lbs and try out some bikes in your price range. You may get a better deal and also some customer service which will help out also.

I'm not sure how you'd find a better deal at an LBS. With IBEX you buy direct from the manufacturer and cut out the dealer profits involved in most brands. The 2004 Vantage 5500 (http://www.ibexbikes.com/Bikes/VTG-5500-Details.html) under discussion is on clearance sale at www.ibexbikes.com (http://www.ibexbikes.com) right now (as of 10/15/04) for $799. That's a Shimano 105 equipped bike that would normally sell in the LBS for $1200. About the best you're going to find in the LBS is a clearance price $1100 on a 2004.

Yes, some bike shops will throw in tune-ups with a new bike purchase, but for $10 you can buy a good service manual and do it yourself. That still leaves $290 in savings! On top of this very few bikes shops will send a mechanic out with you on every ride. If your bike starts ghost shifting 15-miles into your century run you can:

a) End your ride, take your bike to the LBS and leave it for 3-days to get it tuned.

OR

b) Stop, spend about 3-minutes tweaking your derailleur, and then ride-on.

I think most folks who get serious about their riding tend to want to do their own tuning and minor maintenance. No doubt, the LBS is great for major repairs, but they're going to charge you for it whether you bought your bike there or not.
http://www.ibexbikes.com/images/Bikes/2004/VTG-5500-720.jpg

I've been riding an Ibex classic 3300 for a bit over a month and I can't get enough. I am new to biking and get better every time I ride. currently 15-18 miles, approaching avg speeds of 18 mph. As far as assembling it myself, I learned a lot about how to set the bike up just from the internet and from doing it. The only things that really concern me maintenance-wise while riding are flat tires (cause I haven't had to fix one yet) and broken spokes.
moreover, their customer service was great, the bike was shipped right away and got to me two days later. From my experience and from the reviews i read before buying, this is a high quality company that is still small enough that they are easily able to give great customer service.

i was gonna pull the tirgger on the vantage 5500, but my LBS has a '03 fuji roubaix for $599 + 10% off on top of that. It has alot of the same components as the vantage 5500 for a little less, I guess with the money I saved, I can put a carbon handlebar or something. Thanks for all your help!!!

I walked out the door with an Allez Comp brand new 2004 early this year for $1300. Shop around at the LBS's and online.

Kyle

[QUOTE=ibexbikes]I'm not sure how you'd find a better deal at an LBS.

Let me say first that I bought a low-end Ibex for my son and we're very pleased with it. It's a good bike for $350.00, w/16 speeds and downtube shifters.

But today you can buy new Treks w/105 components for $700.00.