Be careful at the LBS's

[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

[Kalidurga]

With all of the options out there, buying a bike has become like buying a car. You really do have to do some research and shop around. I feel fortunate that I love the bike I bought this year, and the guys at Hudson Trail Outfitters (Gaithersburg, MD) were great in advising me on sizing. I was concerned about the top tube being higher than I was used to, but they watched me ride the bike and assured me that it would be fine. Then I was told to ride it for a month or so and then come back for a fitting. If the shop had a Serotta fit system, it would have been an even better experience. I've since had a Serotta fitting at another shop and feel that I made a good, albeit over-eager, choice.

Since then, though, I have to admit to having moments of anxiety about having bought the first bike I tested. Other shops I went to either didn't know what they had, or just stood and talked to me about bikes. HTO was the first place I went where they pulled the bike down and said "Go ride it". Smart guys-- of course putting it in my hands made me fall in love with it. If I had done more research and insisted on test rides at other shops, I may have ended up with the same bike, but I wouldn't have had any second thoughts about my decision.

I'm glad things worked out in the end for Toni, but sorry that her situation was so difficult. Anyone considering a new bike who hasn't already been through the process should definitely read this thread.

[bcipam]

Toni - good story and one I'll tell friends and other newbies.

The biggest piece of advice I can give anyone about buying a bike is be prepared and educated. Do some research first. Check forums such as these for advice. Just know there are some real essentials before buying no matter the price. We have a joke here especially about osme of our larger, national shops "Oh you like the color? Well that bike fits you well!" Can't tell you how many newbies I've told to take the bike back and ask for a different size. Generally the bikes are sold too small. I guess if you pay $400 for a too small bike it's OK (well not really) but $2000? That's criminal! People please - insist that you be waited on by someone who understands fitting a bike before buying!

[HillSlugger]

Kalidurga,

I also live in the MD suburbs of DC and I *really* want a new bike (probably have to wait a while tho ). What other bike shops did you try? Feel free to take this off the board with a private message.

Thanks, Nicole

[mimitabby]

Toni - good story and one I'll tell friends and other newbies.

The biggest piece of advice I can give anyone about buying a bike is be prepared and educated. Do some research first. Check forums such as these for advice. Just know there are some real essentials before buying no matter the price. We have a joke here especially about osme of our larger, national shops "Oh you like the color? Well that bike fits you well!" Can't tell you how many newbies I've told to take the bike back and ask for a different size. Generally the bikes are sold too small. I guess if you pay $400 for a too small bike it's OK (well not really) but $2000? That's criminal! People please - insist that you be waited on by someone who understands fitting a bike before buying!

oh, my goodness you reminded me. We know this poor soul, a 6'4" guy, kind of lonesome, lacking social skills. he invited us to his house so we could see his bike. it was MY size. the poor guy folded up into this bike and rode up and down his street to show us how he was doing. (He knows my husband is
a serious cyclist) his knees were practically to his chest and it looked so awful!
We gently told him the bike was small for him. (they told him at the store that it would be a great starter bike for him) My husband adjusted the seat as much as he could which gave him a few more inches but geez, what were those people thinking when they sold him that bike!!???

[Geonz]

They were thinking ka-ching! ka-ching! we're getting this little bike out of the shop!

[bcipam]

Words so true... we forget a LBS is a business and they have to move bikes. Just know "buyer beware"!