new bike panic/remorse (mainly panic)

[indysteel]

[QUOTE=RoadBunner;299943]I knew the Dama didn't feel 100% comfortable and the woman who was helping me even said that it fit but was on the larger side of a good fit (she recommended the Madone).....

Went to another LBS who suggested putting smaller handlebars on the Dama. He showed them to me, and definitely this would bring the reach in about 2 cm.

These two statements stand out for me a bit. First, I'm not completely sure how "smaller" handlebars, i.e., narrower, would necessarily change your reach. I suppose it depends on the design of each set of them, but my eyebrows raised when I reread this.

Second, two centimeters is a lot when it comes to fit. If the first saleperson thought the Orce fit but was on the larger side of a good fit and the new handlebars did indeed shorten your reach by two centimeters, I'm surprised you still feel that stretched out. I wonder if there's another difference in the geometry of these two bikes that is affecting how you feel on the Orca. You may want to take the dimensions of the Trek into the LBS with you and let them compare them to the Orca. It might give them some idea of what could be tweaked.

Notwithstanding my previous advice, I do agree that if the bike just doesn't fit, then you should try to return it. Bike fit can be tweaked. To a degree. Flexibility can increase. To a degree. If your gut tells you that this isn't the right bike, then by all means, try to return it and buy the Trek.

Also, remember that you may have some rights under your credit card--if that's how you paid for the bike--if you're not satisfied with the purchase. You might contact them to challenge the charge.

[alpinerabbit]

I would keep it polite to start with.

[VeloVT]

I would keep it polite to start with.

I agree. I'll bet the shop will be willing to work with you. It may be that they aren't ultimately willing to go far enough... but they have a reputation to keep, so they probably won't want to leave you angry. I would give them a chance.

[sandra]

I'd return it. I'm without a road bike this very moment because I was never totally convinced my bike was the best fit for me. I sold it this week and now I'm shopping.

[RoadBunner]

Thanks, everyone for your opinions. Basically everyone here is saying what I think and I go back in forth between "run now!" and "this could work out!"

On the same day I rode the stock-Onix and the Trek for about 30 minutes each. I knew that as-was the Onix wasn't for me, and the Trek felt fantastic. This same-day riding was when I decided perceived value in the frame was the same, but component-wise the Onix had an advantage I could appreciate. I've also ridden both models on different days, but definitely overall spent more time on the Trek than the bike I eventually bought (I know, shoot me now).

indysteel, the new handlebars definitely brought in the reach (I love the new handlebars...salsa poco). The LBS guy showed me the stock ones and the salsa side-by side and it was pretty obvious that since the curvature started sooner, the reach was shortened. However, I am thinking the same thing you are in regards to that change should be enough if what the original LBS said was right about it being okay but not an optimal fit. Maybe there is something else going on that I'm not pinpointing.

All this talk about going in TODAY is making me panic but I'm going to hold off til Monday. The man who helped me out doesn't work Fri/Sat (I'm working right near til their closing time today) and he requested I come in Monday because Sundays are busier and he wants to be able to spend a lot of time with me. I'm sure he has a superior who has the final say if things don't work out, but I'd like an advocate there who is familiar with me.

I don't want to make the LBS sound bad because they were really very helpful and it isn't their fault I bought the bike. I do feel that the reason they don't do a very comprehensive fit upon purchase is because they have a supposed fitting guru working there who charges $150-300 for a super high-tech fit session. This rubs me the wrong way, but shame on me for not making sure I'd be getting a comprehensive fit before I purchased. To their credit, they never tried to sell me this session, either.

I've worked in a retail setting before and know that even with a no-refunds policy (and I worked at a place that made you sign saying you knew of this) loud, angry customers usually get their money back. I don't have the personality to raise such a stink, though, so I'm really hoping this will work out fit-wise or return-wise with things staying civil.

I'm going to go on Monday and hope they can dial in a fit for me then go from there. Right now, I can have a slight bend in my arms, but it is more comfortable to keep them straight. I'm not sure if this is fit or my lack of strength in this position.

I've read about that bar-obcuring-hubs thing and with my hands on the straight portion of the bars, it lines up perfectly. If I'm on the hoods, it doesn't. I searched this forum and read somewhere about someone saying you should extend you arm from elbow to fingers from the seat and this should bring you within 2 cm of the middle of the bars. I'm about an inch off from that mark now.

The Onix does come in one size smaller, but that model has 650cc wheels. The woman who originally helped me with the stock-onix thought I wasn't "that short" to warrant trying that size (I'm about 5'2").

Again, I'm new to this so am not entirely sure what to look for. Maybe the Onix does fit but is more aggresive. Maybe the Trek feels great now but I'd "outgrow" the geometry down the road.

I am totally stressing, though and this isn't fun

[GLC1968]

Don't stress! You'll get it worked out eventually. I'm sure they want you to be happy too! Waiting until Monday when he's got time to work with you is a good idea.

And just as an aside, I'm 5'4" and ride 650's on my road bike. There is no such thing as not short enough for 650's! A woman I used to ride with is taller than me (I'll guess 5'6") and she also has 650's on her bike...so it's not unheard of. As a short person who's first bike was too big and who's second bike was too small, I'd say that too small is easier to work with than too big. But now that I have 'perfect' I say "why settle?!". You'll get there!

[KSH]

I'm 5'4" and my Cervelo One has 650's on it.

Who cares if the wheels are 650's if the bike fits? The smaller Orbea that is.

[KnottedYet]

Over the weekend (while waiting for your Monday meeting with your bike salesguy) can you test ride the smaller Onix and the Trek?

[conurejade]

I boutght the Onix Dama (although Campy and not Ultegra) 3 months ago and I couldn't be happier with mine. With that being said, no matter how great the specs, if the bike doesn't fit you'll be miserable. I too would recommend trying the next size down, but whatever you ultimately decide to do, let the LBS know and see what they can do for you. My LBS bent over backwards to get me the right bike (we're still tweaking the stem length) and I think most quality LBS's want you to be happy with your purchase. After all, most of their prifit comes from accessories and your repeat business so it's not in their best interests to ignore an unhappy client.
+1 on changing the bar - I went with the Salsa Short'n'Shallow and it made a world of difference in the reach - and my ability to reach the brakes while in the drops!

The Onix Dama is an absolutely beautiful bike - if I do say so myself
For those who haven't seen it, this is mine before changing the handlebars.

[RoadBunner]

Both shops so far as I know did not have the smaller Onix. I will call and ask, though. I'll be honest here, I'd hate to go back and bother the poor Trek LBS again. They have been so good to me and I hate to keep going back. Bottom line, if the Orbea isn't the one and I can return it, I'll start at square one again then. That would likely start back at Trek, but at least then I'd have a clear conscience about taking up their time.

Conurejade it is a beautiful bike! I can't believe they don't put a smaller handlebar on it to begin with. I'm not sure of the exact model of salsas that were put on mine (they have an ergonomic "bump" in the drops which is so comfy), but I have to say they are great and I'd consider getting them for whatever bike I end up with.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I'm not sure of the exact model of salsas that were put on mine (they have an ergonomic "bump" in the drops which is so comfy), but I have to say they are great and I'd consider getting them for whatever bike I end up with.

Both the Salsa Short N Shallow bars and the Salsa Poco bars will shorten your reach a little bit, but the Salsa Pocos shorten it most...I think by about 2cm. I switched my Nitto Noodle drop bars last year to Salsa Pocos- it did make an improvement.

[RoadBunner]

Both the Salsa Short N Shallow bars and the Salsa Poco bars will shorten your reach a little bit, but the Salsa Pocos shorten it most...I think by about 2cm. I switched my Nitto Noodle drop bars last year to Salsa Pocos- it did make an improvement.

I see, Poco is the model

[SouthernBelle]

I 2nd the vote for Pocos. Love mine.

[indysteel]

I 2nd the vote for Pocos. Love mine.

Good to know--for when I eventually build my dream bike!

[Mr. SR500]

Sorry about the bike, buying a new bike should be a fun experience. That said, I think a 60 mm stem will be too short. So if that is what it takes to fit the bike, get a different bike.

If you are unhappy, the shop should do whatever they can to make you happy, either fit you correctly on the bike you have, order the smaller size, or accept the bike as a return. If you return the bike they might screw you over with a store credit, but you could call your credit card company and I'm sure you would prevail.

I'm a Trek fan, and the new Madones are wonderful. It's no surprise you liked the ride. Frame technology and the best warranty in the business make Trek a great value. I'm not sure which Trek you were looking at (4.5, 4.7, 5.1), but you should be able to buy a 5.1 WSD for under $2700, with basically full Ultegra, US built frame and all the new tech.

Best of luck, and do what feels best!