new bike panic/remorse (mainly panic)

[RoadBunner]

This is going to be long so hang on...

Back story...I spent a whole day at two shops trying out the Onix Dama (with stock bars) and the Trek Madone. I knew the Dama didn't feel 100% comfortable and the woman who was helping me even said that it fit but was on the larger side of a good fit (she recommended the Madone). The Trek felt awesome. If there had been another 1.5 hours in the store's day I would have bought it and spent the time to get all the accessories and jazz added on. Decided I didn't want to rush that process and was going to call in the morning to reserve the Trek and then go back and pick it up.

Overnight I was thinking about it and felt that I didn't really ask good questions about the Dama's fit. The Dama has Ultegra SL which I could definitely appreciate over the Trek's majority 105. I liked the look of the Dama more as well. The prices were pretty close and I really felt the Dama was a better purchase.

Went to another LBS who suggested putting smaller handlebars on the Dama. He showed them to me, and definitely this would bring the reach in about 2 cm. They wouldn't do it without my putting a deposit to buy the bike because of the labor. I asked what would happen if they switched it out and I didn't like the feel. He said they'd just charge about $20 for labor which I felt was fair.

I ended up paying for the bike, went to run some errands, then came back to try it out. It felt pretty good. Here's where I made my mistake...I barely rode the thing! Maybe 10 minutes up and down the street. Declared it much improved (it was, but I guess not perfect) and proceeded into the whirlwind of picking out all things now necessary for the discount price they give you when you buy a bike. I do remember saying I still felt a little bit too far out and they mentioned adding shims, perhaps tilting the handlebars up, and maybe shortening the stem (it's now at 80mm and they thought it would get twitchy below that).

I brought the bike home. Haven't ridden it much because I don't have shoes yet but I've done A LOT of sitting on it and I'm pretty much convinced that as-is it is not the bike for me.

My boyfriend says I look fine on it and I just am not used to road geometry. He says once I get riding it will all be great and I'll be glad it has more aggressive geometry. But in my mind I remember what that Trek felt like and this is not as good.

I called the LBS today and made an appointment to go in Monday to get the shims in and tweak the stem. But the more I think about it, the more I'm scared I made the wrong decision. This is really depressing as I spent a lot of time researching and visiting shops.

The store had a nice "No refunds, store credit only" sign taped on the register (though this was never verbally told to me) but on their website it says 30 day guarantee or your money back. The Onix store does not sell Treks. I'm more than willing to pay a bit for their labor if this doesn't work out and will keep all the purchases (helmet, pedals, etc) I made from them (am also willing to pay back the percentage off they gave me because I had bought a bike from them) so this won't be a total wash for them.

So am I being totally insane? I know I should hang cool til Monday and see if the fit can be improved (I really want to keep this bike more than the Trek), but I feel that if it doesn't live up to what the Trek felt like, I am always going to feel like I made the wrong decision. It probably plays a little into it that I felt the Trek LBS was much more caring than the store I ended up getting the Onix from. I got a better fit for my test-ride Trek than for the Onix even after I bought the bike. The Onix store loves their tape measures and looking at my measurements to set up the bike but they don't seem interested about seeing me on the bike after they tweak it (this may be part of the reason I am freakin' out thinking the thing doesn't fit)

As I sit on the bike, I feel that if they shorten the stem to 60 mm my hands would be in a more comfortable place, but I've read if you have to go too short like that you're probably on the wrong frame and the handling degrades.

Help! Can the Onix fit be salvaged? Should I be thinking of ways to sell it so I can get the Trek because I feel that the LBS won't be taking it back? Hang it on the wall as expensive art! Egad!

[alpinerabbit]

I know the feeling.
I've had it twice now...
I've woken up at night worrying about cassettes...

You can take it back to the store and see what they can do for you, and if you are not satisfied, politely and calmly ask if you can return the bike (seeing there is a different wording on the contract and in the store). If they only give you credit, can they order in a size smaller?

If you can't exchange - instead of a shorter stem, I had a steeper angle installed on my overlong bike #1.

Saddle position - has it been moved enough forward? However, there are limits to this (i.e. when your kneecaps are forward of the pedal axle)

To be honest: after 2.5 years I decided to sell it, mainly because I wanted aerobars for tris - there was no way this was going to work.

[VeloVT]

It sounds like they didn't do a very thorough job of fitting you? A good fitting should take at least 1 -- 1.5 hours, with plenty of observation of you pedaling on the trainer -- on the hoods, on the drops, etc. In addition to their observation, they should be willing to try different stems, etc, as you direct. If you didn't get this from the shop when you bought the bike, you should make an appointment to go back. Most shops will either include a fitting with purchase of a new bike or will at least give you a discount. This doesn't mean that you might not want to tweak things even after the fitting, but it should give you a better baseline than it sounds like you have. Did they have the Orbea in the next size down (or do they have a different model Orbea with similar geometry in the next size down)? Might be worth trying it for comparison.

Good luck .

[Tuckervill]

Isn't there the buyer's remorse clause, where you have 72 hours to return with no penalty? It's worth a shot. Do keep all the stuff and do offer to pay for the labor, and find out if they can order a smaller one. But I think you should return it TODAY to have the best chance.

Karen

[kermit]

You have obviously given the bike purchase alot of thought and research. The bike you got is much nicer, components wise than the Trek. Did you spend as much time riding the Trek as the new bike? Every bike is different, and you just might need a little tweeking. Give yourself some credit and don't second guess your decision. Tell the bike shop your concerns and give them a chance to take it back. If they refuse then work them for the best fit you can get. I think a shorter stem will still give you the handling you need. Saddle position and the pedals will help you get where you need to be. If you absolutely hate it, take pictures of it and have it professionally boxed up. Put it on road bike review classifieds for two bucks, and ebay. Someone will buy it and go get something else. I've gone through two and it's always a work in progress. Good luck.

[KnottedYet]

Can you take the Trek for another test ride before you give up on the Onix?

You mentioned you're going by what you remember the Trek feeling like, maybe another test ride, now that you know the Onix better, would help solidify those feelings.

I get buyers' remorse all the time. (Usually if I take another good look at what I *didn't* choose I end up losing the remorse.)

[KSH]

Hey, that Orbea Onix is a sweet ride!

If it's too large, why can't you just downsize it? Why trade it for the Trek?

Go in today and discuss the fit issues.

Otherwise, that's a nice bike... don't think you bought a bad bike. You didn't. Those are great bikes. Just dial in your fit with the shop.

It will be fine.

[PscyclePath]

This is going to be long so hang on...


Overnight I was thinking about it and felt that I didn't really ask good questions about the Dama's fit. The Dama has Ultegra SL which I could definitely appreciate over the Trek's majority 105. I liked the look of the Dama more as well. The prices were pretty close and I really felt the Dama was a better purchase.

I brought the bike home. Haven't ridden it much because I don't have shoes yet but I've done A LOT of sitting on it and I'm pretty much convinced that as-is it is not the bike for me.


Help! Can the Onix fit be salvaged? Should I be thinking of ways to sell it so I can get the Trek because I feel that the LBS won't be taking it back? Hang it on the wall as expensive art! Egad!

Sounds like you've done a good bit of research...

I've got both an Madone 5.2 (the 2004 USPS team bike, but with 120 carbon) that I've put a little over 6500 miles on in the past couple of years, and I recently got an Orbea Onix TDF... sounds like the non-WSD version of yours, with the Ultrgra SL gruppo. The Onix has about 370 miles or so on it in the past three weeks since I picked it up. I really, really like the Onix and the way it feels on the road. Very stiff, very nimble and and I've tried it from easy group rides to a couple of the alleycat races that the Sunday afternoon group rides have degenerated into...

Go out and ride that Onix a bit... not only will it give you a lot better concept of how it really fits, but you'll get a lot better perception of how it rides in comparison to the Madone. Both are great bikes... but depending on your personal riding style, one may suit you better. But once you get the fit right, I think you'll really like that Onix.

[mimitabby]

sitting on a bike and riding it are NOT the same thing.

try riding it. and if you don't like it take it back. Store credit is better than nothing. good luck

[indysteel]

I'm assuming you feel too stretched out on the Orbea which could be because (a) you are or (b) you aren't quite used to being in that position on a bike. With respect to the former, go to the LBS and try to tweak the fit to the extent that you can. There are limits to what you can do to shorten reach. Too short a stem can make the bike handle poorly. Your saddle should be moved fore and aft to position your knee over the pedal; it shouldn't necessarily be moved to accomodate reach. You also might talk to them about whether a stem with more rise and/or tilting the handbars will help.

Also, here are a couple common "rules of thumb" when trying to figure out reach: Ideally, your upper body should be at a 45 degree angle when your hands are on the hoods. You should have a bit of bend in the elbows; your arms should not be locked. When you're in that position, your handlebars should be obscuring the hub of your front wheel. These are just rules of thumb; like most rules, they can be broken.

Unless they absolutely cannot get the bike to fit you, I would suggest that you riding it for a bit before you decide to chuck the bike. For many, it takes time and increased fitness to get used to road geometry. My bike was arguably a bit too big for me when I started. It wasn't uncomfortable really, but I was near the limit of a good fit. Over time, my reach has changed. Between riding and yoga, my core has gotten stronger and I've gained some flexibility. Now it feels like an extenstion of my body. If I'd gone with a smaller bike, I'd likely feel too cramped now.

Beyond that, you bought a great bike so don't regret it on that count.

[Grog]

Good luck! I have no opinion on the transaction, but I know your feelings and will be thinking about you.

The only somewhat helpful thing I can say beyond that is: check out the FSA Wing Pro Compact handlebars. Not only they come in 38 cm (and perhaps even 36 cm if you're really narrow) but they also have a different shape than most handlebars, making the reach much shorter. That's what I got instead of a change of stem (my bike was a free handout but it never fitted perfectly), and I was really happy.

(You can google them, some other angles show the short reach better.)

I am pretty sure a 60 mm stem would be really short and weird.

Good luck *big hug*

[Harley]

Is your bike the Orbea Onix Dama model? The beautiful black on their website? Looks like a beautiful ride! I can see why you fell in love with it.

I felt too stretched out on my new Bianchi, mainly because my core strength is non-existant. My LBS put on a 80mm stem with a 10 degree rise, made a huge difference. I ended up buying the new stem, they installed at no charge, as I am keeping the longer stem, may want to change back when I get stronger.

Your LBS does not want a dissatisfied customer, go in TODAY, and talk with them about fit. Have them put you on a trainer, on your bike, and see how the fit works. If your still uncomfortable, try the next smaller size. Then buy some shoes (even at another shop) and get out for a ride.

It'll all work out, patience, think of all the fun rides you will be doing soon.
We want photos of your new ride.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Just my personal opinion....
I would do everything possible to take it back immediately and get the more comfortable Trek instead. All the tweaking in the world will never make a frame with geometry that truly does not suit you into a bike that fits like a glove. I've been there....saddle more forward/more back, shorter handlebars, tilting handlebars, shorter/longer/shorter stem, more core muscle strength, etc etc.....they all improve things but do not totally cure the primary problem...at least for me.
Pay no attention to anyone saying you 'look good' on it. I did that with two knowledgeable bike guys both of whom I totally trusted. I may have looked good (I look good off the bike too! ) but my top tube was still too long by several cm's and my center of gravity wound up being a little too far forward no matter WHAT we did over 2 years to tweak the fit better, and believe me, we did everything. This center of gravity problem is subtle but it has been my own little personal demon. I am keeping this wonderful bike because I am 'mostly' comfortable on it and it's a great bike overall...but I have a new custom bike coming now which I hope will be my 'main' bike and will make me better balanced.

If you can find a bike that feels REALLY comfortable to your body right off the bat, then move Heaven and Earth to get that bike.
I bet that if you tell the Trek LBS to swap out all 105 parts on the Trek to Ultegra, they will be more than happy to accommodate and maybe not even charge you for labor....perhaps just the money difference for the components, if you are fairly assertive and they are feeling cooperative that day.

End of personal opinion.

[GLC1968]

You know...I had similiar buyer's remorse after purchasing my second road bike. A year later, I ended up selling it because I never got it quite right and if it doesn't feel right on a ride around a parking lot, it's going to feel REALLY REALLY wrong after 100 miles.

I agree with Knot - go test ride that Trek again and see. Maybe it's not as perfect as you are imagining it and it would be a shame to do anything with the Orbea until you know for sure.

Secondly, it may be worth giving this a little time or at least a 10-20 mile ride. I agree that with flexiblity and strength changes as you get used to a road bike, you may find that you are comfortable on the more aggressive geometry. Some find this is true, others, not so much. It's very individual. And sitting on the bike is VERY different than riding it. Take it out for a spin and see.

[bean fidhleir]

In your place I'd definitely take it back. If it doesn't feel right now, it never will (or that's my experience, anyway). I've been going through all sorts of contortions trying to make my frankenbike work well for me but nothing does any good. The bike's geometry and mine just don't match up. Which might be bearable if it wasn't my everyday transportation, but it is so it isn't.

Get a disinterested witness to what the website says ("30 day money back"), save a copy of the page to your hard disk, and you can hold them to it--via the bbb, the city consumer affairs dept, or even in court if need be. If they dig in their heels and point to the register sign, tell them pleasantly that you relied on the website and you think they should honor that clearly-stated commitment.