More Test Riding - HELP!!!

[michelem]

Okay, so I just got back from a day of more test riding. Went to LBS #1 hoping to test ride a Trek Madone 5.0 WSD, a Trek Pilot 5.2 WSD, and a Trek Pilot 5.2 WSD spa (I absolutely loathe the pink color of the non-spa bike, but wanted to compare the ride of non-spa v. spa). Anyway, despite the fact that I e-mailed this LBS a week ago asking if they had these three bikes in stock for me to test ride (no response) and calling to ask if I needed to make an appointment (and being told, no just come on in - no big deal) they didn't have any of these bikes in stock. Grrrr. This being the only bike shop in my town to carry Trek, I was beyond disappointed. But, they had the Specialized Ruby, so I decided to take that one for another spin (road it at another shop last weekend). Again, no bike fit. I specifically asked about getting fit and was told they could do it, but it really wouldn't help anything. So, we started with the 47cm like I rode last weekend. He said that looked to big, so we went down to the 44cm. It did feel better.

Then I went to LBS #2. I was treated like I was the only one in the store (I wasn't). I was put on a Giant OCR1w in a 3xs. The guy adjusted the handlebars (completely taking them apart and adjusting several times 'til he got 'em right) and the seat height. It felt really good. BUT, it was last years' model and PURPLE. At least it's not PINK. That would be even worse. And it's only got a double, 105 parts, and an aluminum frame. Of course it's quite a bit less money-wise as well. I got really excited when he said that the OCRcw (as opposed to the OCR1w) comes with a compact crank, Ultegra parts, and a carbon frame and it's black and white. The price is comparable to the Expert. BUT, after all that, it doesn't come in my size!!! The smallest is a 2xs. GRRRRR . . .

So, back to the drawing board. Oh, and LBS #1 did not offer to get the Trek's in for me to test ride. The guy just said the Madone is too much of a racing geometry for me and the Pilot wouldn't give me the bang for buck that I'd get with the Ruby, and then another guy chimed in that the Ruby is their best-selling bike. Who cares? Maybe I will end up with the Ruby, but it would only be because it the best bike for ME, not everyone else!

And now it's pouring, so no outdoor riding this weekend. Back to the fluid trainer. I really need to get another DVD besides the Carmichael mtn. bike training dvd that came with the trainer.

Okay, enough whining. Thanks for letting me vent.

[michelem]

Wow. I just re-read my post from last weekend and realized I test-rode a 51cm Ruby last weekend; the 47cm was the Synapse. So, today I went down to a 44cm. Crazy how each bike shope put me on such a dramatically different size - both without a professional fit. This truly scares me. How am I supposed to know what my true fit is? On a fellow TE members' recommendation, I hope to get in with Davis Wheelworks for a real fitting . . .

[Tater]

Michelem,

After having just gone through the bike trying out thing for the past couple weekends, all I have to say is: hang in there and don't settle for what they want to sell you! I tried several bikes; didn't care for the Trek Madone 5.0, it just didn't feel right to me, neither did the Cannondale, nor the couple other something-or-others that I tried. The Felt wasn't all that bad and neither was the Ruby. Then I found two Giants. One was an OCR with a triple and aluminum, which I wasn't too keen on having decided before hand on a double and carbon. (If I was doing a ride where I needed the triple, I could always use my Dolce.) The second one was a TCRcw, compact cranks, Ultegra all the way, double and carbon. A few adjustments and off I went on a test ride...oops, needed another adjustment to the seat, but the LBS guy didn't mind at all. He even brought out the Felt and let me compare the two bikes. I know I put a couple miles on both bikes, feeling the brakes, running through the 10 speed cassette and such! I ended up with the Giant because it not only was the correct size, but it just felt right. It had the components I wanted, was well within my budget and the service after purchase is hard to beat. I was very pleased.

I hope you find what you are looking for soon. Good luck!

[KnottedYet]

LBS #1 kinda sound like boogers.

LBS #2 might be your buddies.

Don't worry too much about bike sizes, they make about as much sense as clothing sizes.

[michelem]

Thanks for the replies. Made it down to Davis yesterday and the rain let up in time for me to do two lengthy test rides. Got measured, etc. and was put on a Cervelo 48cm - what a nice bike! Full Dura-Ace . . . $4400!!! Way out of my price range. Went for a 30 min. or so test ride and did great until I got to the stop sign across the way from the shop - totally biffed it (first time out with clipless). Very embarrassing. I feel like I have a bruise on my right "saddlebag" area today, but there isn't any visible discoloration. Owie. Oh, I loved the saddle on this bike too. I did have a bit of neck, upper back, shoulder discomfort, but it wasn't horrible and I wonder if it is because this was my first time on a road bike for that distance. Overall, a very nice ride. Then, I got put on a Cannondale Synapse 47 cm. This one is in my price range (some kind of discount for this model). It felt pretty good too, but not perfect - shifting was a lot harder. It was harder to reach the brakes/shifters, especially from the drops. I heard "clicking" in some of the gears, and it was just harder to shift all around. I felt like I had to stretch/reach more for the handlbars as well. Previously, at another LBS, I was put on a 47cm Cannondale Synapse Feminine. Of course, I was only allowed a small spin in the parking lot, so I can't say for sure I totally loved that one, but I do remember the shifting was like butter and there was no difficulty in reaching anything. Of course, it's about $500 more.

So, going back next weekend to try out two more bikes, one being the Specialized Ruby. I will be interested to see what size they put me on. The first one I tried was a 51cm. This weekend I was put on a 44cm. I trust this place to put me on the right size since they took the time to measure me, use the plumb-bob, etc.

I feel much more comfortable with this shop, it's just too bad that it is so far away (45 min.). Also, I have a feeling the price is going to be a few hundred higher for the same bike. Sigh . . .

Thanks to SadieKatie for the referral! She was kind enough to stop by the shop while I was test riding and we got to meet in person. What a gem.

[pepe6599]

Michelem-It took me about a month to finally find the right size bike in my price range. Only a couple bike shops where in live carried the petite sizes, XXXS for me/44 cm. It takes time and patience to find the right bike.

[pooks]

The guy just said the Madone is too much of a racing geometry for me and the Pilot wouldn't give me the bang for buck that I'd get with the Ruby, and then another guy chimed in that the Ruby is their best-selling bike.

Could that have anything to do with the fact that they push it on everyone and don't stock the Treks?

Ya think?

[michelem]

Thanks for the encouragement pepe. Unfortunately, the Giant I'd be interested in (carbon/ultegra) doesn't come in 3xs, but the aluminum/105 and down does.

Pooks, This LBS does stock Trek - but, not the ones I'm looking for! The ONLY wsd road bike they had in stock was the Ruby. You know, I have the same trouble with clothing as well. REI doesn't carry my size shoe and can't even order them (the smallest they carry or order is a 6 and I wear a 5 or 5-1/2). They rarely carry xs clothing either and can't order it (well, they can order straight from the manufacturer and I can pay shipping, but I can do that on my own)! And forget petite sizes! I tried on one of their skirts and it came down to my feet (it was supposed to hit mid-lower calf!). So, I guess shorter women are not worthy of correct size bikes or clothing unless we pay out the nose for special orders or driving all over Timbuktu to find a store that will be accomodating. I do see that REI carries "extended" (plus) sizes now. So MAYBE they will carry smaller sizes sometime in the future as well (fingers crossed).

Okay, that was off-topic! Thanks for letting me rant!

[pooks]

The only WSD they stock is the Ruby?

Well no WONDER they sell a lot of them!

Good luck with the petite thing. I'm on the other end of the spectrum. Being "not average" can be a pain, can't it?

[Kano]

One of the things the bike guy where I bought mentioned was that this is the busy season -- they can't keep anything in stock!

Tater mentioned after-purchase service in her post, and I'm with her! You just can't beat a bike shop where your sales person remembers you three weeks later, including accessories you've purchased! When I walked in with my new bike to have it's "new bike check up" yesterday morning, he was there holding the door for me as I wheeled my bike up, and we discussed what they'd do with my bike. He had one of the other guys (who was already in their computer) check my bike in, and said that we'd adjust the handlebars when I came back to pick up the bike.

Bike was ready in four hours rather than 36, and yes, I went right back to pick it up when I got the message! Bike guy adjusted my handlebars, they put me on the trainer, and three of 'em discussed how things look now -- adjusted my saddle too, then sent me home to spend more time in the saddle (and on the bars!)

I love my new bike -- everything's good, right off the showroom floor, except my hands, and a good chunk of that is likely that my body's got to learn to ride "roadie" instead of upright, and they can't fix that part for me!

I hope all of you who are looking at bikes this spring can find bike love too! (mine calls to me when I come home from work and pull into the garage, and well, even right now, at midnight, I hear the siren song!)

Karen in Boise

[Crankin]

Michele,

I am about the same height as you and am now riding a bike that is much "bigger" in size than the Trek 5200 47 cm I had. So don't let the different numbers put you off; every brand is different. The slope of the top tube made a big difference for me, and customizing my handlebars. My new bike is a 51; I don't know how it fits, but it does.
I hear you on the size thing. I really think short/small people are discriminated against. My husband has the same problem. He is 5' 7", which is not abnormally short for a man, but he has a lot of issues finding shirts that aren't xxxl or pants with a 31 waist.
I have had great luck with Terry for cycling apparel. Their x small fits me perfectly. For other athletic and casual stuff, try Athleta. They have many petite pants and their x small tops are not too long. I get my Sidi shoes from Performance Bike.com, which most people here hate, but they carry a full range of sizes. As far as regular clothes, I am down to about 3 places I can get things: Banana Republic petites (there is one store in Massachusetts), JCrew catalog (they are phasing out a lot of the petites it seems), and Ann Taylor/The Loft (where clothes are sometimes either too old ladyish or too ****ty for my taste).

Good luck!