Be careful at the LBS's

[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"!