LBS Etiquette?

[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.

[Eden]

Just FYI - cyclocross bikes have a shorter seat tube (which is what is listed as the "size" for bikes) than road bikes, because the bottom bracket is higher - so indeed you probably would need a 42 in the CrossCheck if you normally ride a 48 in a road bike.

The attitude from the bike shop I don't understand..... maybe you don't "need" a steel bike - heck, you probably don't "need" another bike at all, much in life we don't truly need, but you *want* a steel bike.... they should be willing to sell you what you want...

[jessmarimba]

I don't know where you are, but if you're near an REI they do (usually) carry some Surly bikes and would probably be more likely to order a smaller size without requiring you to buy it. Heck, you may even be able to order one online from them and return it if it doesn't work, though that would be a big pain in the butt and shipping wouldn't be cheap.

[DebSP]

Just FYI - cyclocross bikes have a shorter seat tube (which is what is listed as the "size" for bikes) than road bikes, because the bottom bracket is higher - so indeed you probably would need a 42 in the CrossCheck if you normally ride a 48 in a road bike.

The attitude from the bike shop I don't understand..... maybe you don't "need" a steel bike - heck, you probably don't "need" another bike at all, much in life we don't truly need, but you *want* a steel bike.... they should be willing to sell you what you want...

I think because it is close to the end of the season, they are trying to clear out their stock and so they want me to buy off the floor. And he had no steel framed bikes on the floor!

I don't know where you are, but if you're near an REI they do (usually) carry some Surly bikes and would probably be more likely to order a smaller size without requiring you to buy it. Heck, you may even be able to order one online from them and return it if it doesn't work, though that would be a big pain in the butt and shipping wouldn't be cheap.

I am in Canada and I don't think I want to try ordering online.

Thanks Kiwi! That is what I kind of figured which is why I don't want to stick a shop with a small bike they may not be able to sell! If I can find some one to help me with the sizing, or find a bike that is similar sizes to try it would be nice. I am not in a hurry because I don't ride much in the winter here. So I may wait until Spring now and try a few bike shows.

Thank you all for your replies! I love coming to this forum for help!

[nuliajuk]

If you aren't stuck on a Surly, there are other good makes to look at in steel bikes. Since you're in Canada, you also have access to Rocky Mountain (Sherpa 30) and Opus (Legato and Largo). And if you're not stuck on a pure touring bike and there's a Jamis dealer in town, Jamis makes the steel Satellite and Quest in women's specific models.
From a geometry standpoint, the Satellite Femme and Quest Femme come the closest to the bike you already have. Their 48 cm model has a top tube length of 50.5 cm and a stand-over clearance of 72.6cm, with angle of 71.5 head tube/75.5 seat tube. This is nearly identical to a 48 cm Dolce.

[TrekDianna]

I don't know where you are, but if you're near an REI they do (usually) carry some Surly bikes and would probably be more likely to order a smaller size without requiring you to buy it. Heck, you may even be able to order one online from them and return it if it doesn't work, though that would be a big pain in the butt and shipping wouldn't be cheap.

And the good thing about REI is that you can order online for Store pick up so if you don't like it, you don't have to leave with it.