General Cycling Discussion - I really envy you guys!

Do you know if bicycle manufacturers read these forums?

I’m sorry, I know that I had repeated this over and over but last weekend I visited two more LSB and few minutes ago finished a phone call with another one and it was the same old story. They will not let you test ride the bikes and all sale are final no money back as soon as the bike get out of their door. The only exception that I found was the Giant dealer and he probably said yes because the model that I was looking for was not available. Then I read all your posts where you said that the LSB must let you test ride a bike before a purchase and I get MAD!

For my case and in these days where you can buy easily through the Internet, Why bike manufacturers insist in the MANUFACTURER-DISTRIBUTOR-DEALER-CONSUMER model? At the end they are simply penalizing the end customer!

Is this something that happens only with dealers in Puerto Rico? Do you know of any other dealer in the mainland with the same mentality?

On the other hand, what happens if you take a bike for a test and you crash it? Is that a risk that the LSB must take? Who pays for that bike that nobody bought the dealer or the manufacturer?

I don’t know if it was better to remain ignorant and blindly follow what the salesman tells me. Knowledge is power but is so frustrating when you can not use it! So, the more I know the more I suffer. At this point I’m really considering buying and plane ticket to Florida or Wisconsin (where I have friends and family) and buy my bike over there.

P.D.: These forums are so good that you can even vent your frustrations!

Taking a test run is so important in selecting a bike; it is too bad they will not let you do it. I find it strange when I do a test run and the bike shop lets you ride off on $1500.00 bike without a security deposit or even asking your name!

Just post your bike options and maybe you will get some help on the technical side and the bike shop you deal with can help with the fitting.

First of all its LBS (local bike shop) not local shop bike. A shop that dosent let customers test ride bikes isnt a very good shop. I know all of the shops here let you test ride bikes. Maybe they dont let you because of high crime?

Ohhh!!! now I understand.

So, in those states where crime rate is higher than in Puerto Rico you can not test ride bikes either? :crash:

Sorry to hear, but that's just probably the policies of the LBS's down there.

Maybe you can call an online store and get your measurements over to them and have your bike shipped. Perhaps if you build a relationship with an online bike store, they will work to ensure you get the right bike.

Good luck!

Koffee

When I bought my road bike, the LBS was insisted that I test ride the bike so that they could adjust everything and make sure it worked OK before I took it home. And that is how it should be, IMHO.

When Puerto Rico becomes the 51st State of this Union, your LBSs will start allowing test rides...

I went to a couple shops here before buying my first bike. They both allowed a test ride, but just in the parking lot (a very small lot!). I bought from the shop that gave me the most time and help.

When I later was looking to buy my first road bike, a decent test ride was critical as I had NO experience with them. I knew that to be really useful, you'd have to ride repeatedly and over an extended distance, but I don't expect a bike shop to let me go out on a 50 mile ride!

However, all but one of the shops I checked only allow a parking lot ride. The other let me out on the road in the neighborhood. When I came back again, they suggested I ride it out over Diamond Head (I'm in Hawaii). That involved something like 8 miles. I went back again and rode a bit further - probably about 15 miles.

The owner also had me take out a very expensive bike - not because I might buy it (it was thousands more than my budget and he knew that), but so I could see how things differed.

Guess where I bought my bike?

Bob

Yeha my LBS let me ride all kinds of bikes I was new to biking so they had me ride a mtb, comfort, hybrid, and road just to see the differences and see what felt comfy with me. I went with a roadie, but like a month later bought a mtb too, they knew me at that point and siad to just take whatever I want out and see what I like. You can't buy a bike without riding it.

Originally posted by EdilCS

On the other hand, what happens if you take a bike for a test and you crash it? Is that a risk that the LSB must take? Who pays for that bike that nobody bought the dealer or the manufacturer?


You pay for it. The deal is, basically, you agree to take the bike for a test ride, and you damage it, you buy it. No dealer is going to take a damaged bike back from you with a simple apology.

I have bought only one new bicycle in my life (1971 Nishiki Competition). If I ever do buy another, I will not do so without a thorough test drive.

Wow!!! this really feels like group therapy, but George you hurt my feelings really bad :( I hope that what you said happens soon.

My girlfriend tells me that I take things to seriously and that I should relax a little... Wait a minute I'm spending more than a thousand bucks on a bike. Why should I feel relaxed? :crash:

By the way TheRCF I heard that local government in Hawaii considers a little frog called coqui, a pest. Ironic over here the coqui is an icon!!! :D

Originally posted by EdilCS
By the way TheRCF I heard that local government in Hawaii considers a little frog called coqui, a pest. Ironic over here the coqui is an icon!!! :D

I know very little about this controversy and apparently I don't live where these frogs are. Anyway, apparently a lot of Hawaiians don't like the noise - and there is always a major concern anytime a new species shoes up on the island (you never know what might happen over the years).

Meanwhile, I gather some peple here who came from Puerto Rico like them. So there is some friction over this. I have to side with those who don't like them though. After all, if I leave a place, I don't have any right to bring whatever critters and plants I like to whethever it is I go to.

Bob

Originally posted by EdilCS
Wow!!! this really feels like group therapy, but George you hurt my feelings really bad :( I hope that what you said happens soon.



You mean your LBS allowing test rides??...

Originally posted by George
You mean your LBS allowing test rides??...

No George, I mean both things!!! :crash:

Our shop is at the bottom of a good steep hill and right on the route of a very nice bike path. We not only let our customers test ride bike, but we insist on it, and let them take out the two or three they are chosing from. We ask that they leave ID and a major credit card, of course, but it's not unusual for a customer to take a bike out for a 20-30 minute spin on a bike they're considering buying. Most of the time, they buy the one they take out for the long ride, incidentally.

Once they've decided on the bike, we spend about an hour getting the fit dialed in. This is a labor intensive business.

EdilCS

You should have already bought a bike by now. You sound like me-too much talk and research and not enough risk-taking. You must hate buyers' remorse as much as me. Sometimes nagging girlfriends are good motivators.

Anyway, decide first what type of bike you want. The big two extremes: mountain versus road. Which side of those two extremes does your preferred riding fall into. If the extreme doesn't fit, then you are into hybrid/comfort versus cyclocross (or maybe even a cruiser) (or tourer or recumbent). Dang, it is a tough choice but that is the most difficult part and if you screw up you can always modify or sell.

Then decide what the absolute maximum price you are willing to pay and add $300 to that figure.

Sounds like you have been to all the local shops so buy from the one who spent the most time with you. The differences between bikes at any given price range isn't that much.

I'll throw some more sympathy your way by agreeing that your LBS's policies of no test rides/no returns sucks badly. Ask yourself this though, do you have the skills and tools required to safely put together an internet purchased bike? And how much is the 6 month to one-year free service/adjustments worth to you? And how much extra will it cost to ship to Puerto Rico?

Good luck and much courage

Rob

Hi Rob!


Originally posted by tbobby
EdilCS

You should have already bought a bike by now. You sound like me-too much talk and research and not enough risk-taking. You must hate buyers' remorse as much as me. Sometimes nagging girlfriends are good motivators.

I'm in no rush because I already have a bike and guess what? It was an uninformed purchase and it was a bad choice. I don’t want that happening again.


Originally posted by tbobby
Anyway, decide first what type of bike you want. The big two extremes: mountain versus road. Which side of those two extremes does your preferred riding fall into. If the extreme doesn't fit, then you are into hybrid/comfort versus cyclocross (or maybe even a cruiser) (or tourer or recumbent). Dang, it is a tough choice but that is the most difficult part and if you screw up you can always modify or sell.

Then decide what the absolute maximum price you are willing to pay and add $300 to that figure.

Sounds like you have been to all the local shops so buy from the one who spent the most time with you. The differences between bikes at any given price range isn't that much.


I totally agree with you. Take a look at this post:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=32066



Originally posted by tbobby
I'll throw some more sympathy your way by agreeing that your LBS's policies of no test rides/no returns sucks badly.

Thanks for agreeing with me, I wish some of them are reading this and maybe give a second though to their policies.


Originally posted by tbobby
Ask yourself this though, do you have the skills and tools required to safely put together an internet purchased bike? And how much is the 6 month to one-year free service/adjustments worth to you? And how much extra will it cost to ship to Puerto Rico?
[/B]

No I don't have the knowledge... wait a minute you said from 6 to 1 year of free service. Dam! most of them told me that adjustments are free for one month only!!!


Originally posted by tbobby

Good luck and much courage

Rob

Thanks!

I want to add that I have been talking with other cyclists and they told me that LBS do give test rides but only if you are an athlete or you are member of a club know by them that practice the cycling sports seriously even if not competitive.

Every LBS I have been to in this area (suburban DC/Baltimore/Annapolis) has INSISTED on test rides, (with the exception of one triathlete shop which would not talk to me even when I was trying to buy a pair of shoes, shoes and credit card in hand) sometimes even pushing me to ride bikes I clearly was not interested in. If you get to the mainland you will find shops much more willing to help you.