When Fitting Includes Swapping Out Parts --

[pooks]

(sorry to bombard everybody with so many questions)

When you're test riding and the LBS starts swapping out stems and such to get a better fit for you, does that mean the price is going up for the new parts?

If you get a great fit but it's because they had to do a lot of swapping out of parts, does that mean you should probably keep testing before you buy, in case you find a bike that fits better without all the extra modifications (but come back to the great fit if necessary)?

I'm trying to figure out how things are done, before I get into the marketplace.

[SadieKate]

A great fit can require swapping out of parts. It is not unusual, but sometimes a bike is just not the right geometry for the person. So don't go overboard in trying to force a bike to work just because you like it aesthically or for some other reason (convenience, price, whatever).

Typically, the shop will give you credit for the part they remove. It could be a direct swap or increase or decrease the cost of the bike.

[pooks]

Oh -- credit for the part removed. That makes sense. I could picture a cash register dinging every time they switched a part, adding to the price.

Which I can see might happen, but if you're getting credit for parts you don't need and not taking them all home with you, that's better.

[mimitabby]

but sometimes yes, the price WILL go up.

[pooks]

I can see that it might, but swapping out is much better than replacing and sending me home with the stuff I'm not using (and having to pay for it, too).

[anakiwa]

I may be wrong- but I think with a new bike the stem is usually something they'd swap-out for free (assuming you're getting the same quality/level stem). Either way the stem is usually not particularly expensive and if you wind up paying an extra $30 for the perfect fit it will be more than worth it.