Wanted

[trigurl]

I hope i got someones attention! I just bought my first tri bike and am now officially broke, I also had to buy some bike shoes.

I need some cycling shorts probably size L, I have a pair of men's M now. I also need a shirt, tho I am having a hard time justifying the cost of "cycling" shirts.

Anyone selling some stuff or know where I can get some good "cheap" items?

I still have to buy a tri suit too.

Thanks

[doc]

You can get some real deals on ebay. Make sure you check the seller's previous record.
Performance Bike (performance.com) is currently having a huge sale.
And I love nashbar. (nashbar.com) there is always tons of stuff on sale there.
Happy hunting.

[sarahfixit]

I really like Performance and Pricepoint. So far my performance shorts are the best ones I own.

[trigurl]

Thanks ya'll! I watch ebay some but I always get out bid

[CorsairMac]

Also, Primal Wear has "attic" sales and factory seconds that you can look into. I bought a LS jersey from Primal for $35. (www.primalwear.com) Also, try some of the off the wall places, like ClifBar Jerseys for $35. I'm in the same boat you are right now - kinda broke but trying to build a biking wardrobe! I have tried ebay - but I'm guessing I'm 'ebay challenged". I can't seem to figure out how to move around in their site! (yes, I was a blonde as a child!) Also, keep on eye on your LBS and let them know your shopping. Sometimes they'll call you when they're having sales.

[trigurl]

I am not thrilled with my LBS, I spent a lot of money on a bike and shoes, told them I would be using my trainer until the weather got better - I get home and my new bike won't work on my trainer! seems they forgot that I needed a piece to replace the quick release so it would work!!!! they should have thought about that when I was there ( in my opinion). They did tell me to come by and they would give me one, that was good of them.

I also felt the person helping me didn't do a great job fitting me, when I told him what felt good he kept pushing me to try a bigger bike when I did I felt like I was having to sit on the tip of the seat to reach the bars, he said it looked like a good fit I am 5'7" with long legs and ended up with a 52cm bike, the saddle is up pretty high but I don't have that long reach to the bars. OH, they also told me there really wasn't such thing as a "woman's" bike. I wish I had found this site before I bought it - which was last Fri. There are only 2 bike shops in my area both very expensive and the other store has the higher priced bikes than this store did.

My tax refund wasn't enough!

[doc]

Oh boy. I sure would be ANGRY. It sounds like you got lousy service from people who know NOTHING about cycling. Several manufacturers make women specific design (WSD) bikes. Terry and Trek to name a few. The top tube is shorter than on a man's bike which is good for those with long legs and short torsos. That is opposite of most men - long torso and relatively short legs. Plus they have redesigned brakes so that a woman's smaller hand can grab it easier.
How long have you had the bike? Have you used it inside on your trainer only? If that is the case I would demand a refund (assuming the bike really doesn't fit you) A repectable LBS wants a satisfied customer on a bike that truly fits. Good luck.

[adkoch]

For tri clothes, I've seen a number of good deals on Sportsbasement.com or all3sports.com and the occassional close-out bargain at Athleta.com. Good luck! I actually bought many of my bike shorts off of eBay that were new with tags for the very same reason - the sports of two-wheeled variety can put a hefty dent in the ole pocketbook!

~Angie

[SadieKate]

Have you checked the tri specialty shop on Team Estrogen? A bunch of stuff is marked down.

[trigurl]

I have a bid on a pair of shorts on ebay right now. I did check team estrogen's sales, and I checked some of the others out yesterday, I guess I just need a better job! Working in a small town sucks!

[pedalfaster]

or "How to Be a Better Customer."

Just a view from the other side of the fence, so to speak. I've been working in bike shops off and on for 10+ years.

Aquaint yourself with some basic bike terminology. Saying "I plan to use this bike on the stationary trainer, so I'll need an extra skewer" is a good way to make sure you get what you need. Bikes, by the way, do not *come* with that extra skewer, so the LBS, in this case, did not *owe* you one. Most bike shops have some inexpensive and/or used skewers about that make good trainer-skewers. They'll toss one in with a purchase or sell one for a coupl-a bucks. If you do get an extra skewer, it's usually packaged with the TRAINER.

On bike sizing: I can't be sure without seeing you in person, but I have a hard time believing that a 52cm for someone 5'7" is too large. You go by the name "trigurl" and mention that you bought a tri-specific bike. I would assume you went to the shop and told them that you planned to race triathlons.
Personally I would fit someone who came in and said they planned to race way WAY differently than a person who came in and said they just wanted to ride for fitness...or to the local coffee shop

What it appears the LBS emplyee did was...he set you up to race tris! Triathletes tend to be more concerned with aerodynamics than with comfort. The stock tri-position is low and long (very stretched out) with the saddle waaaay over the bottom bracket. In fact many triathletes will run a "foreward" set seatpost.

As far as "womens bikes" yes many brands now have a WSD line. I can't speak for other brands, but since I work at a Trek dealer, I can vouch for the fact that Trek does not currently offer WSD-specific Tri or Time Trial bikes. The whole WSD concept kind of runs counter to the tri geometry (remember: long, low, stretched out).

Hope this helps clarify a few things!

[Jennifer Gallow]

Thanks for that point of view, pedalfaster. Very interesting.

[SadieKate]

or "How to Be a Better Customer."
Saying "I plan to use this bike on the stationary trainer, so I'll need an extra skewer" is a good way to make sure you get what you need. Bikes, by the way, do not *come* with that extra skewer, so the LBS, in this case, did not *owe* you one. Most bike shops have some inexpensive and/or used skewers about that make good trainer-skewers. They'll toss one in with a purchase or sell one for a coupl-a bucks. If you do get an extra skewer, it's usually packaged with the TRAINER.

I agree with everything you said about bike fit. A good shop will always go to the smaller side for racing. Sounds like they did a good job.

Having bought several trainers over the years - not a one came with a skewer and I don't think someone new to trainers will know they need a skewer. I do think that a good customer should always ask if the bike and the trainer are compatible and does she need anything to make them work together. They may have assumed that since she owned a trainer already, she had a skewer that would work. Some of the skewers in my bikes work just fine in the trainer, but I buy cheapo/used ones so my fancy ones don't get chewed up by the trainer. I just swap them back when I'm going out on the road.

Good customers ask lots and lots of questions and listen, listen, listen!

[bikerchick68]

another good place to try is

www.velowear.com

I've ordered a bunch of stuff from them and have been very pleased with the quality... check their clearance stuff too!!! Smokin prices... congrats on the new bike

edited to add that they carry lots of traithlon specific wear too!

[spazzdog]

I use Tri-Zone, http://www.tri-zone.com They have sale page that usually has some great stuff.

I'm not a triathlete, but I get most of my "onboard" bike equipment from them 'cause it's so light.