Mountain Biking - What to expect when buying from LBS?

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g3ck0
05-01-06, 11:21 AM
My LBS is selling the Rockhopper 06 base for $499. Is this a reasonable price and should I bargain for anything extra, or should I just be happy with just the bike itself?


Chone
05-01-06, 12:05 PM
Yes its a reasonable price (MSRP 520$), you might want to haggle if you get a discount with a one time cash payment or something like that but apart from that I wouldn´t push it, as far as extras go, hmm you could probably get the LBS to install you a water cage and bottle or something little like that and maybe swap out minor components you might not like like grips, saddle, etc.

Don´t be a jackass above all.

ScareyH22A
05-01-06, 01:24 PM
Yea.. and remember that less expensive bikes have less markup to begin with. On a $2200 bike, I got $400 off. That's about an 18% discount but on a $500 bike, for them to make a respectable profit, I'd expect less than 10% off. Plus different brands have different margins.


g3ck0
05-01-06, 01:35 PM
I heard that many people have asked to swap out the SX4 shifters to X.7's. Is that ok? How much should I expect to pay extra, if at all?

LowCel
05-01-06, 01:44 PM
You can ask but I wouldn't expect it to happen. The shop I deal with most likely would not do it for free, they would probably upgrade them for you for around $40 - $50.

Chone
05-01-06, 02:16 PM
I don´t know what the deal is with Rockhoppers and X.7 shifters, they are supposed to be SX4 but the Rockhopper on display at my LBS had an SX5 derailleur and X.7 shifters.

g3ck0
05-01-06, 05:10 PM
Why is that? Did they run out of SX.4's?

RhinoRiot
05-01-06, 06:14 PM
specialized has been equipping the newer batches of rockhoppers with the x.7s...the other day i pulled one out to start assembling it, and in the box was a note with another set of shifters...basically said that they've decided to upgrade the shifters free of charge, the shop can either put replace them, or sell them. when purchasing the rockhopper, inquire if the upgrade is available...

Chone
05-01-06, 06:28 PM
specialized has been equipping the newer batches of rockhoppers with the x.7s...the other day i pulled one out to start assembling it, and in the box was a note with another set of shifters...basically said that they've decided to upgrade the shifters free of charge, the shop can either put replace them, or sell them. when purchasing the rockhopper, inquire if the upgrade is available...

Heh, finally the mystery is solved!

nm+
05-01-06, 07:39 PM
Specialized sells at *** of MSRP or at least tehy did 4 years ago when i worked at a bike shop.
On as sub $1000 biek thats a small margin and you won't get much. However, expect some swag and fair swaps on many parts (no labor, and using msrp of the part replaced v msrp of new part). Also, a good shop will give you a discount on other shops. My shop gave me *** off anything in the store for a year afterI bought my ***.

Mod Edit Do not post mark up.