Be careful at the LBS's

[Bikingmomof3]

Toni,
I am glad you went with your gut, were able to return the one bike and took your business elsewhere. Enjoy your new book. Having a good bike store that you trust is crucial.

[DDH]

Well, I am glad you got your money back and was able to get something that you really liked and fit you.

I hope you gave the salesmen at the other store a small piece of your mind, for treating you like that. That reminds me of the salesmen that sell cars or mechanics that try to cheat women because they thing we know nothing. Thank goodness for the internet.

[Toni]

I gave the manager of the store a large piece of my mind over the phone before I brought it back...when I got there they actually wanted me to buy the "right" bike from them...I told them in no uncertain terms that I had already bought it from another bike shop. Yes, thank goodness for the internet!!

[Running Mommy]

And thank goodness for a refund policy!! Some shops are weird like that!
I have to ask tho... Was that a large chain? I've found here that the large chain is HORRIBLE when it comes to fitting a person! I swear any bike shop that does what I call the "standover top tube crotch fit" should be banned from the business forever more!! That was the 70's!!! This is 2006! arghhh!!!
ahhh this just makes me shake my head!! And let me tell you, I've been a victim before! Oh yes I have!! I'm so squat that even the smallest bike is almost too big for me. So before I knew better I got alot of "well if we change out the stem, and shim the brakes.. blah blah blah!!!" NEVER AGAIN!

When it came time to go tri specific I called trisports.com down in Tucson and made an appt. I was measured every which way! Even found out one arm is WAY longer than the other.. who knew??!! But the point being my bike FITS and I LOVE riding her!! Imagine that?? A well fitting bike can make your ride more enjoyable!!

[KSH]

Selling a person a bike without FITTING the bike before he/she leaves the store... it just downright irresponsible on the LBS's part.

This is why we buy $600+ bikes, and not the the $100 Wal-Mart special. We buy a bike that fits our body.

When I first bought my bike, I told them I wanted a bike computer. The LBS sold me on one without cadence saying that only racing pros use cadence. WRONG! Any person who rides a road bike and wants to improve and know when to shift up/down should use cadence. So, I ended up spending $60 on computers, vs. just $40 if I had purchased the one with cadence right off.

[Toni]

The "wrong" bike was bought at Bike Barn in Clearlake. The shop that was so good (and very helpful) was Bike Barn in Rice Village. Same chain of stores, but huge difference in the personel.

[kaybee]

Toni, I had the same thing happen to me last year, except I was lucky that I only bought a $600 Giant (which I will be attempting to sell on Ebay soon). I rode that thing for a year before I ended up buying a Specialized Ruby. I'm so sorry this happened to you, but happy that you got your money back, and that you found TE. You will find a wealth of information here, and very generous, supportive women who are willing to share their knowledge and help those of us who are not so knowledgeable about all things biking. (Hang around here for a while and you'll learn lots! )

Enjoy your new bike!

KB