Shopping critically - help needed

[canonsue]

I just purchased a Surly Long Haul Trucker, so my advise is to visit several LBSs. I went to six bike shops. I learned something from each shop experience. Even though there are a lot of different bikes out there, each shop has only a couple brands and even models that they push out the door.

I also learned that there is a large range on how helpful and knowledgeable different sales people can be even if the person is the shop owner.

I also found that most shops do not keep smaller frames for shorter women other than the WSD models in the showroom. (which are fine but did not work for me as I wanted a bike for touring and riding on dirt roads)

Good luck with your shopping. It sounds like you are taller and will have many choices to test.

-Sue