How many bikes did you buy before you got the right fit?

[GLC1968]

So far, 3.

My first was too big and I didn't know any better. My second was better, but not quite right. Size-wise, it was the right choice, but the geometry was just wrong for my body. My third, which is the one I have now, is as perfect as it's going to get unless I go custom. I actually love this bike, so I'm not in the market for a new one, but perhaps someday I'll be able to spare the cash to go full custom.

[atombessy]

really just two, I got my first road and mountain bikes through some kinda deal, mt bike was an end of season sale and the road bike was an ebay purchase. I rode the mt bike for....5 years? and road for about 4 before upgrading, and the second bikes are both better fits. I really didn't have the money to buy a new bike from a shop until then, getting the new bikes was really a financial decision. But going to a shop and test riding really made the different for me, no big struggle. For my road bike I started with a Specialized Allez Sport, it was a TOUCH big for me and started to bother me when I'd worked up to 20mile+ rides, and it was replaced with a Jamis Quest, which so far seems a perfect fit, although I think I've only got about 500 miles on her. Original mountain bike was a Schwinn Moab, I actually thought it fit fine until I got my Santa Cruz Julianna, which I do MUCH better with, although Schwinn has been outfitted with smooth tires and is my current commuter/city bike.

[Trigress]

I think I've been really lucky, but I'm quite happy with the one I have now, and he's my first bike. I just sent a dozen of numbers (they made me measure the weirdest things...) to the factory in Italy, and then he arrived in the mail. I'm really pleased, I think the cockpit fits really well.

[Running Mommy]

TTOOOOO MMANNNYYYY!!!!!

That's why I encourage my customers to make their selections carefully.
Many times I've told budding triathletes to race on what they have for now and save for a real good bike, rather than buy cheap and regret it.

[Meg McKilty]

Heh. One.

Go Serotta fittings.