What do you guys think?

[FlyingScot]

I have a friend looking for a bike. She's brand new to cycling. She's looking for an entry to mid-level bike. Because she is in her mid=forties this may be the last bike she ever owns (of course we all know better don't we:p). The area we ride is hilly but not mountainous. I ride a triple...I need a triple and I am in better shape. The question isn't about triple vs compact double. She went to an LBS which happens to be a Trek store. The salesman showed her some bikes. She asked if they were triples. He told her that Trek doesn't make triples. WHAT!!!!! Should I tell her to run? I'm kinda pissed to tell you the truth.

[malkin]

There's another recent discussion about compact double vs triple around here somewhere...

I'd tell her to ride some bikes from the Trek store and then ride a bunch of bikes from other places.

Found it. some good info here: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=48594

[FlyingScot]

That's not the issue. The issue is the guy lied to her and told her Trek does not make triples. I think he was trying to push a sale and that is just so shady. She knows to try out several different makes and models. I'm going with her tomorrow.

[indysteel]

A lot of manufacturers have stopped specing their road bikes with triples in favor of compacts or standard doubles. It wouldn't surprise me at all if Trek is one of them. Just take a look at their website to verify one way or another.

You say you don't want to discuss compact versus triple but the fact is--and I urge you to read some past threads on this--that a compact can easily be set up to replicate the climbing gears offered by the average triple set up. So I have to take issue with the assumption that someone needs a triple versus a compact for climbing. There are other benefits to a triple (and draw backs) but I think it's important not to perpetuate misconceptions about what those benefits are.

[indysteel]

I just checked for myself. I could not find any Trek road bike speced with a triple. Their Lexa line, in particular, all come with compacts. There's one bike in their FX line that offers a triple, as does their touring bike. But if the LBS was speaking strictly of road bikes, I do not think your friend was lied to.

[trickycoolj]

My 2011 Lexa SLX is a triple (great in Seattle!) so unless that was a 2012 change that guy was mistaken.

[FlyingScot]

I don't care if she ends up with a triple or a compact if someone takes the time to evaluate her needs and makes a suggestion based on that. I did go to the website and Trek has triples all over the place. What I do care about is a salesperson lying about availability of requested equipment instead of perhaps discussing with her the pros and cons of each and letting her make the decision. It makes me wonder if they are otherwise trustworthy.

[Possegal]

The Domane 2.0 comes as a triple too. As does the Madone 2.1
This one too. I've not seen it at the store I was in, but it's kind of cool.
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/fitness/crossrip/crossrip/# They call it a 'fitness' road bike, so I could see how they maybe didn't consider it as a road bike. But no way the Madone isn't a road bike by anyone's definition. I'm more inclined to think the guy is ill-informed rather than lying, but who knows. I can see how it would alter your opinion. I was helping a friend bike shop and the Cannondale shop kept trash talking Treks. It turned me off a bit from them. I wanted to say - you have an amazing bike, it stands fine on its own without you trash talking your competition.

I've started looking around for a new bike and I did see that there were no triples in the Trek store I was looking at. I need to test ride and am trying to not convince myself I need a triple, based on all I've learned here. But I need to pedal up some hills to really convince myself. :)

[FlyingScot]

I just checked for myself. I could not find any Trek road bike speced with a triple. Their Lexa line, in particular, all come with compacts. There's one bike in their FX line that offers a triple, as does their touring bike. But if the LBS was speaking strictly of road bikes, I do not think your friend was lied to.

There are 4 models in the Lexa line. All but the cheapest one have available triples. I'm looking at the website right now.

[trickycoolj]

Armed with the info that Trek does make triples, I don't know if I'd go with that LBS. Or I'd proceed with caution, go with your friend and start quizzing the guy and see if he's reluctant for some reason or just completely unaware of the product (maybe he's the new kid?). What I would worry most about is if the guy is telling an inexperienced customer "oh hey no Trek doesn't make triples" because the store only carries the compacts and just wants to make a sale on what they have in stock. I had a rude experience today after work at a not so local BS and it's the second obnoxious encounter I've had at that particular location and I'm about to write them off my list even for quick grabs of basic supplies (tubes/tires/whatever). I'd rather go to their location across town where I hadn't gotten attitude in the past. (The attitude was totally reminiscent of a woman trying to buy a car, go sell used cars if you want to be that way! amirite?)

[goldfinch]

There are 4 models in the Lexa line. All but the cheapest one have available triples. I'm looking at the website right now.

Yeah, I see the Lexa line gives the choice of a compact double or a triple in those bikes. The Madone 3 and 4 series is only offered in a triple.

The salesman was careless at best.

[FlyingScot]

Thank you Tricky. That's what I'm getting at. I think he was just trying to make a sale on what they have in stock without really trying to help her make the best decision. I just want her to get a bike she's happy with and comfortable on and can handle the terrain. If it's pink and purple with a flowered basket and she's happy so be it.

[Owlie]

Yes, a lot of manufacturers have stopped spec-ing bikes with triples. But Trek does make them, and it is possible to get one. The salesperson is either ill-informed at best, or lying (to sell what's in the shop) at worst.

She should walk away.

[FlyingScot]

The salesman was careless at best.

That's what worries me. I understand it's a business but you should at least care a little that you are doing right by your customers.

[FlyingScot]

Interested in hearing other opinions on the shop guy's behavior but I have a 6 hour drive to a regatta in the AM and need to go to bed. Will check back in tomorrow.

[indysteel]

Interested in hearing other opinions on the shop guy's behavior but I have a 6 hour drive to a regatta in the AM and need to go to bed. Will check back in tomorrow.

I am sorry. You are correct. When I was pulling up the details under each bike, it lists a compact, but I did not see the option on the left (at least on their mobile site this is the way it appears) for a triple. My humble apologies. :o

[OakLeaf]

I agree, look for another bike shop. If she's really interested in a Trek, maybe even try another location - I know the Columbus stores are all under the same ownership but the personnel might be different from store to store. Otherwise I don't really have personal experience with any of the LBSs there, but there are several independent shops - whenever I go in Baer Wheels they seem to know what they're doing, and Paradise Garage and B1 both seem to have good reputations.

[girlontheroad]

I agree with the posters who say find another shop. Doesn't really matter if the salesperson was mistaken or saying it to make a sale--either way he probably is not knowledgeable enough about the bikes he sells to be very helpful. I've had this problem at a Trek store before and bought a bike from them only to wonder later if it was the best purchase. I have a Trek Lexa and I love it and as many have mentioned it has an option for a triple. Good luck and let us know what she ends up getting! :)

[Skierchickie]

I mentioned this to a friend today. She and her husband are the local Trek dealers. She said Trek DOES still make triples. She was just in Madison for the Trek show last week.

I'd avoid that place, if it were me

[kajero]

this is kind off the subject a little, but still about bike dealership personnel. When I bought my bike, the salesperson fitted me for a 44, which had to be ordered from the factory because there wasn't one that size available in the other stores. I kept telling him it was too small and that I needed to the next size up which was on his sales floor. He could have walked away with a sale that day, but he told me the next size was up was too big and he wanted me to try the smaller size. He explained why and what I needed to know about the bike. The shop kept the bike there for 6 weeks after my accident as well. When I finally went to get it fitted, he told me how I was supposed to position my body to ride it and what to look for. No one has ever done that!

Well, I have the smaller size and it is perfect and I love it. I stop and buy stuff from him and I told him how happy I was he didn't listen to me. He said he couldn't have comfortably sold me the wrong size bike!

[FlyingScot]

It's all good Indy. And thanks to all of you for your input. I just got this hinky feeling about the whole situation and was worried that she wasn't going to get the info needed to make a good decision and ultimately would end up unhappy. Since I am the one who introduced her to cycling I have a sense of personal responsibility as she takes this first step and as a novice (4 year rider) I'm relying on the experts to educate both of us.

[FlyingScot]

So she ended up with a Giant Avail 5...beautiful bike. I'm totally jealous of the teal and silver combo. I don't fit WSD bikes so I can't get pretty colors. Mine's basic black and grey. As far as I know she ended up with a double which confuses me a little since the website lists it as coming with a triple but it doesn't matter. She is thrilled and I'm thrilled for her. We're going for her first road ride on Tuesday after work.

[FlyingScot]

Update: we have been on 3 rides now. The first one was 8 miles on the bike path. She did so well that the second was upped to 20 miles on the road with mild rollers. Dropped her chain twice but otherwise she did great. Our last ride was 30 miles bike path/road combo with rollers and two rather challenging hills. She's getting the hang of shifting and has increased her speed from about 8 mph to a solid 12-13. I think I've created a monster! LOL. She'll soon be smoking me on the road.
The bike goes to the shop on Friday for some adjustments and slight fit issues but she is so excited and her family is in total shock!

[thekarens]

That's awesome! Glad you've made a convert :-)