LBS Etiquette?

[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.

[Sky King]

We are a Surly Bike Shop, we are super small so we don't keep the cross check in stock as we just don't have the room. We stock every size of the LHT and usually size someone and then order their bike, we try to avoid selling the bikes we have in stock - may sound weird to some but it works for us. We also will not ship a complete bike unless we have met the customer and personally fitted them to a bike.
Having said that, a true Surly shop (and sorry REI doesn't count) should be able to measure you and feel confident in ordering the right size cross check for you.
While I shop at REI for many things I have yet to meet someone at REI that knows enough about bikes to do a good job selling the correct bike.
The guy who tried to talk you out of steel is probably sitting on to much inventory and wanting to clear his floor, don't think I would be going back there.

Good luck in your search, stick to your guns and get the bike that works for you!

[DebSP]

Oh My Goodness! I did it! I ordered a Surly Cross Check in my size in Robin Egg Blue! OK, now that I got that out I will tell you what happened. I must make amends for my earlier statement! I called the bike shop that wanted to sell me a 2009 bike that I didn't really want off the floor and told them that I had my heart set on a Surly Cross Check. I asked when I could start looking into getting one for 2013. It was a different guy and he looked it up on the computer and said that he could get me a 46 if that was what I need (size wise) in a week! I feel maybe I was not assertive enough with the first guy. I have never been assertive enough and I should know better by now. (Thanks Sky King!) The shop was great. I was there for an hour this morning and Neil sent me out on different bikes and he looked at the geometry of my current road bike and the seat position and handle bar position and made recommendations based on that. We decided on the 46 and it will be in a week from Monday! And I tell you the guy who served me last time was there and we chatted about the Surly's and he was great too. (Must be assertive! Must be assertive!) Or at the least be clear about what I want and what I don't want! I am so excited!

[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.