Major disappointment while bike shopping

So I finally got a chance to stop at an LBS to look at some bikes today (fully recovered from my 2-week bout with chickenpox...yay!). The shop I went to is a Cannondale, Giant, Specialized dealer...so I already knew what I was looking for before we arrived - Cannondale Synapse Carbon Fem 3, Giant Avail Advanced 1, Specialized Ruby Expert. They had NONE of the bikes I wanted, but did have a lower-end Synapse and Giant Avail, that I was able to sit on for sizing. The Giant was a size small, which is supposedly where I fall based on the Giant Women's sizing chart...yet I felt stretched out (hubby said I looked stretched out). They had an extra small, but it felt like a little kid's bike when I straddled it...just not for me. So...not sure at this point, if a Giant will work for me. They didn't have any Specialized bikes in my size for me to even sit on, so no luck there. On to the Cannondales...they did have a lower-end aluminum Synapse in a 51cm. It felt great, and my hubby said I looked comfortable on it..not stretched, elbows weren't locked. The salesguy said it looked like a "perfect fit", so he went to his computer to check on availability of the Synapse Carbon Fem 3....NONE! With no chance of ordering one for 2010...Cannondale is done with production for the 2010 model year. ACK! I am SO bummed. Never did I think that production of high-end bikes would be finished before the riding season even starts!!! :confused: And I'm hearing the same story with many other manufacturers, too. It's so frustrating to go bike shopping only to find that every shop you go to has no bikes in stock, and can't even order the one you want! This dealer was even nice enough to call up a nearby competitor, to see if they had my bike in stock...still no luck.

The only "bright side" to all of this, is that according to the dealer...the 2011 Cannondales are due to start arriving at his shop sometime in June or July. So if I can wait, I'll have first dibs on a 2011 model. I figure, at this point...I might as well continue to ride my old too-big-for-me Trek for a few more months until the 2011's come in and I can get what I really want. So I suppose in the end, it will all work out...but I feel a little better now that I've had a chance to whine. :D

Linda

There aren't any other shops you can try out?

I've called a few others in my area, and I'm getting the same story - none of the bikes I want in stock, nor can they order anymore for this year. I guess it's similar to car dealers...once they hit a certain date, they stop production for the current model year. Plus...another LBS told me that bike shops get their inventory based on "allocations". A smaller bike shop may only get 1 allocation for a certain bike...once that allocation is met, they get no more of that particular bike for that year. And since the bikes I am looking at are considered "higher-end" bikes (in the $3k range), most smaller shops don't keep inventory of high-end bikes. There is one high volume shop (Trek dealer) that does keep a stocked inventory of high-end bikes, but it is a major PITA to get to, no parking in the area, and they don't allow outdoor test rides...so, I have a hard time bringing myself to go there.

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Originally Posted by nscrbug

and they don't allow outdoor test rides...so, I have a hard time bringing myself to go there.

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:eek::eek::eek:

How in the &$*% do they sell bikes? That seems very odd to me...

I work for a Trek/Felt/Gary Fisher dealership and it's the same for almost every bicycle manufacturer. The numbers that were forecast for 2010 fell way below the actual demand.

Dealers weren't putting in large orders so they cut production short for most lines.

If anyone is in the market for a bike I would highly suggest buying as soon as you can because most shops won't be able to even order another in your size/color.

I've heard that 2011 bikes are being released earlier than expected if the demand keeps coming and dealers can't keep enough product in stock.

It's funny to say that this is actually a GOOD problem to have. It shows there are a lot more people getting back into cycling :)

nscrbug- Good you are over chickenpox! You are probably itching for a new bike after that! From what I understand, the Giant bikes are a bit longer in the toptube than the 'WSD' offerings of some other manufacturers. If you can find an LBS with a Spec Ruby, you might like it as the top tube is a bit shorter. I've got shortish arms and tend to feel stretched and kinda hokie on most bikes, but my Ruby Expert fits great and soaks up the chatter. I splurged on a CF handlebar (got a frame and built it up) and the Ruby plays nice on my tired old bones while going fast! Love it.

In 2008 when I went looking for a Felt, Specialized or Giant that fit me, (I'm only 5'1.5") I was lucky to find one Ruby that was maybe a bit big (48cm) but it was ok. I replaced it early last year after a crash, and the dealer had no trouble getting a 44cm 09 Expert frame in a week from Spec. Dealers had stock of WSD bikes, a much better selection than 08 when I drove all over town and found nothing. Now it looks like 2008 all over again. I went looking for a commuter on a tight budget, and just was looking about, and didn't see much WSD. I thought it was due to the economy and had no idea that bike sales were climbing.

I don't know what shops you tried, but Alberto's in highland park is a connondale dealer.

There is also Kozy's, the pony shop, and get a grip.

I'd just start calling around.

REI has the Cannondale Synapse Fem 5 Carbon in a size 51, and they'll ship it to your local REI. I didn't look up the difference between the 5 and the 3.

A friend of mine just bought a bike. During bike shopping in the past couple of weeks she was also told that bike inventories were very low. She looked at and tried a 54cm Trek Madone at LBS. She liked it but wanted to try a Specialized out too the next day. When she went back to buy the Madone it had been sold. They could not order another one.

She looked all over the state and found another Madone in Denver and put it on hold. We did a road trip over there and she bought it.

I had this same problem with not being able to find small bikes in stock to test ride or even buy when I was looking to replace my first road bike.

For the budget you're talking about, it might be worth checking in with some custom builders and asking what kind of delivery times they are estimating for new orders.

When I ordered my Rodriguez I could have taken one home the same day but since I wanted a different color they said it would be about a 4 week wait. Four weeks later, I had an awesome new bike!

I started shopping for a new road bike about a month ago. After a ton of incredibly fun research, hours of debating whetherit should be wsd or unisex, the componentry type, new or ebay, fueled by an enormous case of bike lust, I settled on the Bianchi Infinito. I confidently looked up dealers and assumed I could run down and buy the bike of my dreams with the components I wanted in the color I HAD TO HAVE. Hah! I wanted the celeste color Bianchi is famous for. I quickly found that there was one very small (48cm) one in the US. I must have called 30 dealers around the country. I finally found a frame in Ireland.

Then I took stock. I was turning a $2300 bike into a $5000 one. (My husband consolingly said...Everyone has a talent.) So I then talked myself into the blue color. And I'm really happy.

But I also could not believe that I'd have as much difficulty. I actually was willing to wait until the fall for the color I wanted, but my LBS said I was not guaranteed even then to get the color in the size frame I needed. I came away from this realizing that this economic downturn has retailors truly scared. With the strong demand, things should balance out by next year. A good thing.;)

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Originally Posted by AMP

I came away from this realizing that this economic downturn has retailors truly scared. With the strong demand, things should balance out by next year. A good thing.;)

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This is what I have heard also in addition to other posters on this thread. For my new Dahon, things got complicated because there was change in business ownership for Canadian Dahon distribution point-- the new distributor, was scrambling to find sufficient storage space and couldn't fill our order via local bike store.

So bike had to be shipped from the U.S.

However I think the underestimated demand and hence, "problem" is probably for the more expensive bikes ie. over $800.00 or $1,000. I see signage for discounted bike prices here in some LBS.

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Originally Posted by nbynw

for the budget you're talking about, it might be worth checking in with some custom builders and asking what kind of delivery times they are estimating for new orders.

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+1!

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Originally Posted by chicagogal

I don't know what shops you tried, but Alberto's in highland park is a connondale dealer.

There is also Kozy's, the pony shop, and get a grip.

I'd just start calling around.

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Kozy's was the shop I went to over the weekend that had nothing available in my size and could not order me a bike. They also called Get A Grip, and they too had nothing. Have not tried Alberto's (although that is a bit far for me to travel) or The Pony Shop yet.

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Originally Posted by Pedal Wench

REI has the Cannondale Synapse Fem 5 Carbon in a size 51, and they'll ship it to your local REI. I didn't look up the difference between the 5 and the 3.

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The difference is the components. I'm riding Ultegra right now, and do not want to downgrade in components. Hence, the reason I want the Fem 3...it is full Ultegra.

It definitely has been a difficult season for everyone. What started all of this is the abundence of bikes leftover from last season. The direct result of that is lots of bike shops either didn't write preseason orders OR wrote very small ones. With that in mind, bike manufacturers made fewer bikes. Now that is coupled with Shimano and everyone else making less inventory as well. Needless to say, after 18 years in the bike business, I can honestly say that this was the worst season for getting anything!

I feel your pain about not being able to get what you want, my bike didn't come in either. And it's been very difficult to buy LOTS of items for the shop this season.The other side of that coin is that most of the older inventory will be flushed out, and perhaps they'll be more a level playing field next season. And with a spark that people want to buy again, perhaps the manufacturers will up the anty a bit.:o

I had the same problem and had to drive all over Southern Cali to try out different models. Finally settled on the Specialized Ruby Pro. I just got her back from the bike hospital after a terrible accident. I T-boned a car (his fault) doing about 17mph and Ruby came out much better than I did. No cracks in her frame and the Roval wheels didn't even bend. The bike mechanic couldn't believe it. He actually dismantled her on two different occasions convinced he had missed a crack in the carbon. I did have to replace the crankset and shifters but the frame and wheels are amazing. I have unfortunately witnessed many bike-to-bike and bike-to-car accidents and their bikes looked like they had been run over by a mack truck. Not my Ruby, she's as solid as they come. So I can attest that the Ruby is a well built machine. Do try to find a Ruby and give her a test spin. It is a good chunk of change so you better LOVE what you buy.

Safe riding

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Originally Posted by miamibiker

being a women in a male dominated sport sucks

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I agree that some areas/shops need to work on their availability of smaller bikes and/or women's models, but I've been seeing lots of improvement in this area over the last few years.

That's not really what's going on here. Averaged sized men aren't getting the bikes they want this year either. Manufacturers just didn't make enough of really anything, and the shops can't stock it (whether they want to or not) when it doesn't exist :(

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Originally Posted by miamibiker

I had the same problem and had to drive all over Southern Cali to try out different models. Finally settled on the Specialized Ruby Pro. I just got her back from the bike hospital after a terrible accident. I T-boned a car (his fault) doing about 17mph and Ruby came out much better than I did. No cracks in her frame and the Roval wheels didn't even bend. The bike mechanic couldn't believe it. He actually dismantled her on two different occasions convinced he had missed a crack in the carbon. I did have to replace the crankset and shifters but the frame and wheels are amazing. I have unfortunately witnessed many bike-to-bike and bike-to-car accidents and their bikes looked like they had been run over by a mack truck. Not my Ruby, she's as solid as they come. So I can attest that the Ruby is a well built machine. Do try to find a Ruby and give her a test spin. It is a good chunk of change so you better LOVE what you buy.

Safe riding

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I found a bike shop roughly 40 miles away from me, that "supposedly" has 2 Ruby Pro's (2009 models, they're asking $3,600 for these) in stock, in my size...one is DA, the other is SRAM. I am planning to make the trek out there this weekend to check 'em out. This same dealer also "supposedly" has a Giant Avail Advanced in my size, too...so I'm excited about that. However, the guy did tell me that they do NOT have the Cannondale Synapse Fem 3 that I'm lusting for, in stock and won't be getting anymore for this year...so that's a bummer. Oh well...I'll go there anyway and keep my fingers crossed that I find something that I LOVE. :D

If you already know what size and model fits you, you could ring up my local cannondale dealer to see if they have it in stock and would be willing to ship it to you. Bicycle Heaven in San Antonio is the shop. They sold me my cervelo and are great people. Good luck! Tell them Eileen who bought the 48cm cervelo RS recommended them.

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Originally Posted by Triskeliongirl

If you already know what size and model fits you, you could ring up my local cannondale dealer to see if they have it in stock and would be willing to ship it to you. Bicycle Heaven in San Antonio is the shop. They sold me my cervelo and are great people. Good luck! Tell them Eileen who bought the 48cm cervelo RS recommended them.

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Cannondale's policy does not allow dealers to ship bikes. If your shop did so they'd risk their dealer relationship with Cannondale and the warranty on the bike would be void.

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Originally Posted by nscrbug

...keep my fingers crossed that I find something that I LOVE. :D

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one word: LUNA

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Originally Posted by tulip

one word: LUNA

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:D

nscrbug, if you're feeling like you have to compromise on selection because of the whole supply/distribution situation, it REALLY would be worth your while to look into custom.

For one thing, they'll appreciate your business more and you won't be some statistical probability that they may or may not make/deliver a bike for next season (and depending on who you go to, more of your hard-earned $$ will stay local/domestic);
Two, they can estimate pretty well how long it will take them to make your bike and they WILL make your bike; and
Three, you'll get exactly the components you want.

I totally understand the reasons for going "custom", as many of you have suggested. However, I have this unreasonable "fear" about a custom bike. This will probably sound silly to most of you, but...somewhere in the back of my mind, I have this notion that IF I were to go to a custom builder...go through the entire process of measuring, fitting, picking components, and what not...have the bike built up to MY specs...only to discover that it doesn't fit perfectly and I will still have some little annoying pain issues anyway. I would be SO majorly disappointed if I had spent all that time, money, and waiting...only to end up not LOVING the bike. Weird, I know...:confused:...but that's how my brain operates. :D

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Originally Posted by nscrbug

However, I have this unreasonable "fear" about a custom bike.

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Now that's just crazy-talk.

Luu-NA!Luu-NA! Luu-NA!!

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Originally Posted by nscrbug

I totally understand the reasons for going "custom", as many of you have suggested. However, I have this unreasonable "fear" about a custom bike. This will probably sound silly to most of you, but...somewhere in the back of my mind, I have this notion that IF I were to go to a custom builder...go through the entire process of measuring, fitting, picking components, and what not...have the bike built up to MY specs...only to discover that it doesn't fit perfectly and I will still have some little annoying pain issues anyway. I would be SO majorly disappointed if I had spent all that time, money, and waiting...only to end up not LOVING the bike. Weird, I know...:confused:...but that's how my brain operates. :D

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I've had this fear myself as well. Up until my current shop (GO SG and the Jedi Master Chris!!!!) and I'm excitedly awaiting my new custom frame.

It seems that for you, right now, you may not be loosing any time you haven't already lost given the lack of bikes available.

A custom bike won't really cost any more than what you were looking at stock either, which is nice.

That just leaves the nagging problem of trusting the fit.

I chose to go to an experienced, trained, expert, amazing fitter who then worked with the bike company (well, is working with). But regardless of whether or not you go that route or to a good, trusted, educated builder; you aren't going to mess the bike up by it being "your" specs. Yea, you get exactly what you want, but the pros make sure it's going to fit and not hurt.

In my case that meant a 3hr fitting session with Chris the Jedi Master and another 30min to an hour discussing further what I wanted out of the bike and other little details. He's spent the last few weeks with the builder honing geo and other specs to be just perfect, not me. No doubt in my mind that the bike won't be everything I ever dreamed of.

It may be worth chatting with some builders/fitters and seeing if you don't end up finding someone you trust/are comfortable with. You might be surprised; I was (I'd previously sworn I'd never get a custom bike).

MartianDestiny makes a good point about being comfortable with your fitter. If you are having any pain issues, a good fitter will want to know about them. Mine wanted to know what I liked/didn't like about my previous setup. If it had not been stolen he would have wanted to watch my form on the trainer.

If your fit is causing you pain or aggravating injuries, your fitter should be able to tweak things, so long as you are on a frame that is appropriate for your body. Technically, I am not on a custom frame; I would call it a stock frame made by a specialty framebuilder. With a custom paint job :cool:

I don't think bike fit is necessarily a static thing. Your ideal fit might change based on your overall health, fitness, and goals. As an example, when I was measured for my bike I had limited ROM in my hip & lower back due to an injury but I was also experiencing slow but steady improvement since I was still working with my PT.When they built the bike up initially, the fitter put me in a more upright, less aggressive position. Several months later I was ready to have the fit adjusted and all we had to do was remove a spacer.

It is now two years later and I just had the fit checked again, since my toes were feeling uncomfortable at the end of last season. Turns out one of my cleats had moved out of place. Could also explain some lower back pain I was experiencing. So he fixed that, and also adjusted my alignment and moved my saddle down and forward a tiny, tiny bit -- in theory he says that should improve the power transfer through my foot. So I'll try this out for a little bit and see how it goes.

I think it's fair to ask what you can reasonably expect from a custom fit vs. having expectations beyond that which will lead to the disappointment you speak of. Some people will talk about custom fit like it's the Holy Grail of cycling. But not everyone needs a custom frame.

When I brought up the idea of going to a custom builder, it was more because I know how frustrating it can be to play retail roulette if your body isn't in the middle of the bell curve. A shop that is building their own frames will tell you if you'll be waiting 6 weeks, 6 months or 6 years. And since they tend to be small, you can bet they will work hard to make sure you are happy with their product.

Those custom bike issues never occurred to me. I would get another custom bike in a second, and I probably will one day. And as NbyNW said, you're going to be waiting for a stock bike anyways. Custom might at least be worth exploring.

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Originally Posted by AMP

I started shopping for a new road bike about a month ago. After a ton of incredibly fun research, hours of debating whetherit should be wsd or unisex, the componentry type, new or ebay, fueled by an enormous case of bike lust, I settled on the Bianchi Infinito. I confidently looked up dealers and assumed I could run down and buy the bike of my dreams with the components I wanted in the color I HAD TO HAVE. Hah! I wanted the celeste color Bianchi is famous for. I quickly found that there was one very small (48cm) one in the US. I must have called 30 dealers around the country. I finally found a frame in Ireland.

Then I took stock. I was turning a $2300 bike into a $5000 one. (My husband consolingly said...Everyone has a talent.) So I then talked myself into the blue color. And I'm really happy.

But I also could not believe that I'd have as much difficulty. I actually was willing to wait until the fall for the color I wanted, but my LBS said I was not guaranteed even then to get the color in the size frame I needed. I came away from this realizing that this economic downturn has retailors truly scared. With the strong demand, things should balance out by next year. A good thing.;)

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Nice choice ! All the modern bells and whistles too.

Hey, totally off-topic, my cherished road bike that was stolen in '98, fit me like a glove and I rode so well, was a 48. I later impulsively bought used, a 50 touring bike, having thought I'd never want such a responsive sport bike again, but only a relaxed 'KickedBack' bike, and amazingly I got some centimeters clearance... But yeah, we're both 48 girls. :-)