I need advice...

[kat_h]

3. Is it a really bad idea to buy a bike that is intended to become one's "primary" bike over the internet, without the benefit of a test ride? Having helped my boyfriend test bikes last year (and having ridden probably a dozen bikes in the process) I do realise that even high end bikes have very significant differences in handling and road feel.

If it doesn't fit you can always sell it again. If you get it for a good price then you should be able to sell it for close to the same. Depending on your perpective it's either a hassle to resell or it's a great opportunity to experiment with a new bike.

[anakiwa]

I'm not sure what your bike budget is, but you might want to consider going to Fit Werx (in Waitsfield) for a fitting (with or without the new bike). For $200-300 they'll spend a lot of time figuring out exactly what your position should be, and then help you adjust your bike (stem, seat position etc) to get as close to ideal as possible. I know it made a world of difference for me.

[suz]

I agree you should get a fitting first, or at least ride something similar.

A size 54 bike with a 54.5TT combined with a steep SA (74.5) is an awfully long reach, even with a 90* stem, for someone 5'6". Do you know if your position over the BB is correct on your current bike? Is your saddle in the middle of the rails or is it pushed forward? And, if so, is it pushed forward to help shorten your reach (this is a bad idea)? These answers can help determine if you would benefit from a slacker SA. In all probability, the shorter TT, taller HT and slacker HTA would be a much better fit for someone your height. You also might want to consider whether or not this bike will have any toe overlap issues, if that matters to you.

I am 5'6.5", have an 80cm inseam, long arms/shortish torso, and also sit in a more forward position, requiring an ~74.5 SA to put me in the correct position over the BB (the tip of my saddle is 4.5cm behind the BB) with my saddle centered on the rails. The top tubes on my bikes vary, but 53cm is about right for me with a 100mm stem.

Without seeing you in person and watching your riding style, it is almost impossible to say with any certainty this bike would be a sure fit. Probably much better than what you are riding now, though.

Good luck!

[VeloVT]

Thanks everyone. Good advice all.

LIke a good girl I restrained my enthusiasm and didn't bid until the last three minutes of the auction, but I was outbid in the last 56 seconds.

Shortly after the auction ended, though, I got an email from ebay saying the auction had been cancelled by ebay and all of the results were null & void... so... ???

[suz]

Maybe that was lucky for you. I looked at that auction and it seemed a little fishy to me, something about the wording/sales pitch being used.

[VeloVT]

Maybe that was lucky for you. I looked at that auction and it seemed a little fishy to me, something about the wording/sales pitch being used.

Maybe. The bike was relisted with a disclaimer that the previous winner insisted his bids were "unauthorized" account activity. Ok, sounds plausible I guess. I put the relisted bike on my watch list and have been idly watching it, and just noticed that the seller ended the auction two days early to sell the bike to the highest bidder, for $660. It would definitely have gone for more than that if the auction had been completed normally...the first auction ended at around $1500. Ebay can be a strange place.

[smilingcat]

NO SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG!!! WHY WOULD HE ENDED IT EARLY AND FOR LOT LESS MONEY? ITS NOT ADDING UP.

Don't go looking for trouble. When you sense something isn't right, RUN AWAY!!

Smilingcat