Bike Buying Frustration

[shootingstar]

Takes time to find a bike that you love/fits.

Hope you get bike before the summer.

[sundial]

Does the Cyclepath store not carry what you're looking for? If not, maybe you can shop in the Seattle area where there are several shops to choose from according to our TE'ers.

[KnottedYet]

My LBS (Recycled Cycles www.recycledcycles.com) has a lovely steel Terry right now... but you want carbon, right?

I didn't get to fondle it much, cuz SKnot was not pleased to be there. But it looked like it was in good shape. $750 or so, I think.

Wanna come to Seattle?

(BikerHen did, and went home with a black cherry Surly Long Haul Trucker!)

[kelownagirl]

Does the Cyclepath store not carry what you're looking for? If not, maybe you can shop in the Seattle area where there are several shops to choose from according to our TE'ers.

Cyclepath carries Giant and Masi. I think one other. I don't know anything about Masi.

I think if I leaev town to shop, I'll go to Vancouver - it's closer, and I don't have to deal with the whole "crossing the border and having to pay duty" issue.

[kelownagirl]

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!

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

I guess the reason I keep thinking I need to try out a bike before I buy it is because that's the advice I've been hearing here at TE for the last 2 years. Everyone says the most important thing is the fit. If a bike fits you well and you can ride it comfortably, then that's the bike you should buy, regardless of whether it's a Trek or a Specialized or whatever. Now that I'm actually attempting to do that, I'm being stymied. But that's ok. I appreciate all the advice and suggestions. I WILL find a bike. I will just have to skip a few of the possibly good ones because I can try them out.




And wouldn't that be nice to be able to fly to Boulder and get a pro fit! but uh, no, don't gots the money for that.

[silver]

hey KG, a friend of mine is getting a Valdora bike. They are custom carbon. I was checking it out and happened to notice that they have a dealer in Vancouver.....Bad Boyz bicycles. The price is amazing.....carbon with ultegra sl for $3,000 US (I suppose) (Oops...I see this is Vancouver, WA not BC, sorry!)

Anyhow, you oughta check them out.

http://www.valdoracycles.com/valdora...components.asp

I looked at Guru and it doesn't look like you could get one for less then $4,000.

[Wahine]

I guess the reason I keep thinking I need to try out a bike before I buy it is because that's the advice I've been hearing here at TE for the last 2 years. Everyone says the most important thing is the fit. If a bike fits you well and you can ride it comfortably, then that's the bike you should buy, regardless of whether it's a Trek or a Specialized or whatever.

It is always best to ride a bike first if you can. That is what works. But what you're telling us is that it's not possible for the most part where you are. So the next best option is to get measured up, decide on your frame material and components and start searching for a frame with the best possible geometry for you - online, check out the specs on geometry. Then once you find it, read the reviews, see if you can locate one to try and if you can't... you might have to take a leap of faith.

I cheked online and I haven't found someone who does a ground up fit in Vancouver yet.

BTW - I did a bike fit this afternoon for someone, I determined that she needed less reach. Out of curiosity we put her numbers into the wrench science to see what it came up with and it predicted her reach almost exactly at what I thought it should be based on my observations of her on her bike. So I would again encourage you to put your numbers into wrench science, it will at least allow you to narrow down your search.

[spindizzy]

KG:

If you want custom, get a Guru. http://www.gurubikes.com/enCA/

Aluminum, carbon, titanium. Made in Canada.

I bought my Cannondale because it was built in North America, but I am sold on the Guru technology. I'm going to have to save a lot of pennies to get one, but it will be worth it!

[kelownagirl]

OK thanks Wahine - I'll do that.

Spindizzy - I was looking at the Guru bikes. Very nice! The ones I liked were a tad too expensive though ($4500+). I'm wondering how they do the fit if you don't live in Montreal. Do you just send in your measurements?

[kelownagirl]

Wahine - I took some quick measuerments on my own but I'll need to get it properly when DH is around to be more accurate.

That being said, once I input the info. I', not sure what it means or what I should do with it. Assuming my measurements were accurate, what does this mean?

WS Recommended Sizes
Frame Size center-to-center: 46 cm
Frame Size center-to-top: 48 cm
Overall Reach: 60.83 cm
Saddle Height: 62.80 cm
Handlebar Width: 38 cm

[Mr. SR500]

Since the Silver's are chiming in, I'll add another Indiana connection. Roark builds beautiful custom titanium bikes. They are competitive and you can complete the process without coming to Indiana in person (although you are always welcome). Check them out:

http://www.roarkcycles.com/default.asp

Mr. S, who did you fitting?

[silver]

Mr. S, who did you fitting?

It was me....silver....Frank Radaker at BGI. Very interesting. Just resulted in some small tweaks, new saddle (wider), recommended smaller handlebars....38cm Salsa Poco (have 44cm bontrager).

Overall he recommended that I get rid of my 58cm '07 trek madone 5.0 and get a 54cm trek Madone 5.5 pro fit. I liked that recommendation, but alas, have not the funds.

Hey, thread drift but....is there a big advantage to getting carbon handlebars over aluminum? website is showing same weight?

KG.....you have got to look at the Valdora!

[LBTC]

Hey, thread drift but....is there a big advantage to getting carbon handlebars over aluminum? website is showing same weight?

Carbon will have better shock absorption, so a more comfortable ride. Odd that they would be the same weight, have you checked Weight Weanies?
http://weightweenies.starbike.com/

H&B
~T~

[LBTC]

WS Recommended Sizes
Frame Size center-to-center: 46 cm
Frame Size center-to-top: 48 cm

You'll want a 46 or 47 cm frame

Overall Reach: 60.83 cm
Saddle Height: 62.80 cm
Handlebar Width: 38 cm

Reach will be adjusted both by stem length and saddle position, however, saddle position must be determined first, based on knee placement over the pedal spindle.
I'm sure you understand saddle height and handlebar width.

My assessment of this: you will likely need to change out some of the same parts that I have had to when you buy your new bike. I don't have a perfect fit on any bike straight out of the box. I usually need a shorter stem, narrower bar, and sometimes different seatpost in order to get the fit that works for me. You may find the same thing.

H&B
~T~

[Mr. SR500]

It was me....silver....Frank Radaker at BGI. Very interesting. Just resulted in some small tweaks, new saddle (wider), recommended smaller handlebars....38cm Salsa Poco (have 44cm bontrager).

Overall he recommended that I get rid of my 58cm '07 trek madone 5.0 and get a 54cm trek Madone 5.5 pro fit. I liked that recommendation, but alas, have not the funds.

Hey, thread drift but....is there a big advantage to getting carbon handlebars over aluminum? website is showing same weight?

KG.....you have got to look at the Valdora!

Opps sorry. I know Frank well, he fit both Kim and I and was on our trip to Italy a couple years ago. Made similar recommendations for for Kim, she still struggles a little with saddles, although likes the RaceXLite WSD that was stock on our tandem the best. She did switch to the smaller bars, and made the adjustment, but she is keeping the 40's on the new madone. A little bigger bar lets your chest open.

Wow, that is a big size difference from a 58 to a 54, I thought the new pros shared geometry with the older series of Madones. Are you running a very short stem? I'm guessing top tube length would drive the recommendation, but with your long legs, you would get some serious seat/handlebar drop. Did you ride a new one - Kim's feel great!

I have carbon bars on my Madone, and like them. I like the shape, I think they absorb a little more vibration, and they look great. Downside is you are not suppose to mount aero bars to a carbon bars. I've heard people say you could, and seen it done, but not-recommended. I'm not sure if you run aero bars or not, but might be something to consider.

The Salsa bar is nice, but very shallow drops.