Bike Buying Frustration

[LBTC]

Fitting: From what I can tell, there's no one who does professional fitting in Kelowna. They are claim they can fit me, but none are pros who charge for it. You buy the bike, and they tweak it until it fits.

Well, KG, if you want the ultimate in professional bike fit, fly to Boulder, CO, and get fit by Andy Pruit. There are varying degrees of professional fitters. There is someone in the Okanagan who recently visited Vernon and I think he is from Kelowna. He charges about $300 for a fit. I think Pika might have his name. Our guy Martin, would be on the lower end of professional fit, but he still charges and he'll fit any bike for you, not just ones you buy from him. His price is more like $40. He's still very knowledgeable, and I don't know what the difference between the $300 and the $40 fit would be. I just know that the fit Martin did the first time for us, increased our speeds by 10% right away, and eliminated discomfort.

I want to take them out on a 10km ride and see how they feel, see how they climb and how they feel on the flats, before I decide on a bike. This one is supposed to feel 'stiffer", that one has a smoother ride etc - I want to see how that feels. If I'm going to spend $3500, I want to make sure I buy the best bike for me and actually know what I'm getting, ya know?

I do understand what you're trying to do, but I'm not sure you'll be able to accomplish it, even if you have all of the bikes to test ride. The fact is, you'd have to have the same tires, the same tire pressure, the same saddle, the same bike fit (stem length, saddle position, bar size, bar position) etc, on each and every bike to compare the ride and know that the difference you feel is in the frame. Besides, those reviews you read describing things like bottom bracket flex, spongy in sprints, turning faster, etc, are written by professional cyclists who just know this stuff incredibly well. Would any of us really feel those kinds of differences? We're mere mortals, we're not that talented!

No matter which carbon fiber bike you choose, you will instantly find it smoother than your aluminum frame! It's just that, in a case like this, you can't go wrong! Any of the bikes you've mentioned, you are going to love.

Listen to the advice you're getting, from here and from the shops that know what they are talking about (Fresh Air, Bike Barn, Kelowna Cycle, Spoke in Motion) and choose something before you miss out for another season!!

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~