Bike buying advice · Public discussion

What's wrong with bike shops?

Mike Lief · 2006-09-03T06:02:51+00:00

I've gotten back on my Trek 790 after a l-o-n-g break from cycling, a result of 50 extra pounds gained over a decade of desk work. Anyhow, I dropped 30 pounds and have started cycling again. A new bike is in the works, and I've been visiting bike shops, LBS, REI, Performance and "concept stores." Today, I told a salesman at a Trek shop that I was interested in a Pilot 2.1 spa, but wanted to ride one before I committed to buying. He said that would be a problem, 'cause they wouldn't order a bike for me to try. "Well," I asked, "how am I supposed to know if I'm going to like the way it rides before I drop $1,500? How can I tell what the ride is like?" The salesman replied that he's tell me to lower the tire pressure on a Pilot 2.1 non-spa to approximate the feel of the suspension. Needless to say, I spoke with the manager, who said he's see about getting me a ride during a factory tour, when a rep brings a bunch of bikes around. But really, c'mon. Who the hell buys an expensive bike sight unseen? Every thread I've read on buying a bike advises to ride the bikes under consideration. This strikes me as a key flaw in the entire market; I ain't buying if I can't go for a test ride. Car dealers keep inventory on the lot; maybe bike manufacturers need to subsidize dealers to do the same. But I was just astounded by the nonchalant attitude of the salesman, his assumption that some half-assed tire tweak would suffice. So far, I'm less than impressed with the bike shopping experience. Am I missing something here?

Started by Mike Lief · 3 September 2006 · Last activity 4 September 2006 · 6 posts · 3,201 views

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Original section: Bike buying advice
Published: 3 September 2006
Last activity: 4 September 2006
Original author: Mike Lief
Posts: 6
Discussion status: Public discussion
Total views: 3,201
Views / 30 days: 0
Topics: Frame sizing Aluminium frames Carbon frames Returning after a long break Tyre pressure

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Original post
Mike Lief
Archived post

3 September 2006, 06:02 UTC #1

I've gotten back on my Trek 790 after a l-o-n-g break from cycling, a result of 50 extra pounds gained over a decade of desk work. Anyhow, I dropped 30 pounds and have started cycling again.
A new bike is in the works, and I've been visiting bike shops, LBS, REI, Performance and "concept stores."
Today, I told a salesman at a Trek shop that I was interested in a Pilot 2.1 spa, but wanted to ride one before I committed to buying.
He said that would be a problem, 'cause they wouldn't order a bike for me to try.
"Well," I asked, "how am I supposed to know if I'm going to like the way it rides before I drop $1,500? How can I tell what the ride is like?"
The salesman replied that he's tell me to lower the tire pressure on a Pilot 2.1 non-spa to approximate the feel of the suspension.
Needless to say, I spoke with the manager, who said he's see about getting me a ride during a factory tour, when a rep brings a bunch of bikes around.
But really, c'mon. Who the hell buys an expensive bike sight unseen? Every thread I've read on buying a bike advises to ride the bikes under consideration.
This strikes me as a key flaw in the entire market; I ain't buying if I can't go for a test ride. Car dealers keep inventory on the lot; maybe bike manufacturers need to subsidize dealers to do the same.
But I was just astounded by the nonchalant attitude of the salesman, his assumption that some half-assed tire tweak would suffice.
So far, I'm less than impressed with the bike shopping experience.
Am I missing something here?

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willocrew
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3 September 2006, 09:31 UTC #2

Dude, no need to double post..

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lumpy
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3 September 2006, 14:53 UTC #3

You can't expect a shop to keep a huge fleet of bikes in stock do you? How many Treks in all the various sizes would that be?
What would the shop do with a bike you ordered to test ride if you didn't want it? They can't send it back dude.

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BikeBloke
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4 September 2006, 13:01 UTC #4

No bike shop can please everyone all the time, especially as there are so many makes and models and... SiZeS! And then there's other differences like tyres, pedals, seats, shifters... etc, all those things that make a bike what it is.
Most bike shop staff do their best to provide a reasonable level of service. In fact, I can think of a few who actually provide a whole lot more than what most shoppers expect.
The test-ride experience doesn't always automatically convert to a sale though. Many bike shops sell products without relying on test-rides, hence they can afford not to provide a test ride on something special and lose a sale, when there's always going to be sales to customers who haven't test-ridden a bike.
Recently, I test rode a couple of Bianchi's; a Bianchi SL3 (alloy frame / carbon fork) and a Bianchi 928 (carbon frame throughout). The shop was located almost in the centre of a city, hence you can imagine what the streets & traffic conditions would be like. As it turned out, there was no major difference in the 'feel' of either of these bikes, apart from the fact that the 928 had Ultegra shifters and the SL3 had Campagnolo Veloce gear. Due to the location & traffic conditions, it was really hard to get a proper feel for either of these bikes. I'm sure the bikes were good, but the 'environment' just wasn't right, hence I couldn't get in the right mood. I can't blame the weather, as I personally elected to only go on a sunny day with no wind.
What's the answer to this? It's hard to say, but I would think that if you're fortunate enough to know / meet someone who already owns a bike like the one you intend purchasing, then perhaps they may be kind enough to let you ride it for a while. And if you get the chance, it's probably a good idea to ride in on a familiar road, so you can make a fair evaluation.

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RussB
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4 September 2006, 16:39 UTC #5

My bike shop is OK when it comes to having a variety of bikes. They tipically stock at least one bike of each model. Such as a TREK 1200, 1500, 2.1, 2.1 spa, 5000. And of these dozen or so bikes, you can find a TREK of each size.
This allows you to try a 2.1 spa, although it may be 1 size too small. But then the 5000 or the 1500 is in your size. So you can try the 5000 for size, and the 2.1 spa for feel.
As for lowering the tire pressure, I wouldn't buy that line. Tha s.p.a. has 1/2 inch of movement in the rear only. The front of the bike is the same as the non-spa. You really need to test ride.
My shop had quite a variety. You may want to call a few other bike shops in your area to see if they have the model you want to try. Like you, I would not BUY without a TRY.
signed:
A proud owner of a 2006 TREK Pilot 2.1 s.p.a😄
Russ B

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Mike Lief
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4 September 2006, 18:49 UTC #6

RussB said:
... As for lowering the tire pressure, I wouldn't buy that line. Tha s.p.a. has 1/2 inch of movement in the rear only. The front of the bike is the same as the non-spa. You really need to test ride.
My shop had quite a variety. You may want to call a few other bike shops in your area to see if they have the model you want to try. Like you, I would not BUY without a TRY.
signed:
A proud owner of a 2006 TREK Pilot 2.1 s.p.a😄
Russ B
Thanks for the words of support; most of the replies here and here are less sympathetic.
The local manager is doing what he can to arrange a ride, but I think the basic problem is with the structure of the LBS-manufacturer relationship -- and the expectations of the bike community.

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