LBS Etiquette?

[Owlie]

You're obligated to buy an ordered bike in most shops that I know of. I have the same problem--I can almost never find the size I need in stores, so I'm guessing, and in my case it's complicated by the fact that my bike doesn't fit.
You've got a bike that does fit, so I'd let the shop compare. Good luck!

[DebSP]

Thanks ladies! I think it just got complicated because one store wanted to sell me a 2009 cyclocross bike that they had reduced (it was a nice aluminum frame with carbon forks but not what I wanted) and I got the impression that they weren't going to help me get a Cross Check. One store showed me one bike that was not steel and then ignored me. Another store had just moved the week before and was a little disorganized and a little busy, but said he didn't think I needed a steel frame. And I actually went to a fourth store but didn't count them because it was just a bunch of kids in the store and no one even talked to me! So then I felt I had to figure it all out on my own and just order what I want! I have some holidays coming up in a few weeks, maybe I will try to get into a store during a week day when they may not be so busy and will take the time to listen to me!

[Owlie]

Do you have a shop in the area that actually sells Surly? That would be the best place to start.

[Trek420]

It depends on the shop. Several shops I know in the Bay Area when I was just looking, really just looking said if "If you want to test ride a bike and do not see your size just let us know, we'll order it." Just to test ride! I suppose they knew another small rider will come along and buy once they have it there.

Helps if it's your regular shop and you bring them beer.

[Irulan]

It depends on the shop. Several shops I know in the Bay Area when I was just looking, really just looking said if "If you want to test ride a bike and do not see your size just let us know, we'll order it." Just to test ride! I suppose they knew another small rider will come along and buy once they have it there.

Helps if it's your regular shop and you bring them beer.

Or cookies. Not everyone drinks, and some of the nicest shop guys aren't always over 21.

[Kiwi Stoker]

To further clarify why most stores don't do "order in and try- no obligation" for strange sizes. Most bikes from manufacturers are shipped partially or not at all asembled. It normally takes a mechanic about 1 hour to assemble the bike (wrapping handlebar tape, running cables, fitting parts together) so that is a cost to them.

Once out of the box- cannot be returned to the warehouse, even if they manage to get it back in the box! So the store or the company's rep will have to find another store to take the bike off the orginal store's hands if they cannot find anyone else to buy it- and to keep costs down that means it cannot really be shipped to the other side of the country- probably just within the rep's territory (of course extreme circumstances will mean a bike MIGHT travel across country for a determined buyer).

There could be more flexibilty in stores that are "sole brand". Eg concept stores for one brand of bike only. That means they are considered the "elite", top rung store and probably have special priveliges that other multi-brand stores will not. But of course this is really only for big brands. Small brands are less likely to take the "hit" of an unsold bike.

Hope this clarifies things a bit more for everyone.

[azfiddle]

I can't advise you on the bike- but I am also small and when I was test riding bikes last year, one thing that sealed the deal was that the shop was willing to order the bike in my size (44) without obligation to buy, because they said it was early in the season and they said they could sell it. I think they were also pretty sure I would love it, which I did.

So it can't hurt to ask.

[DebSP]

Do you have a shop in the area that actually sells Surly? That would be the best place to start.

Yes two of the shops I went to advertise Surly lines. The one that had the 2009 bike to sell had a 52 Cross Check that they said was too big for me before directing me to the other bike. And the shop that said he didn't think I needed a steel bike has Surly listed in their ad but I didn't see any Surly bikes there. I was willing to look at other steel bikes if they carried a different brand but no luck! I will try a couple of different shops a bit further away on my holidays.