Ok, so I go this weekend to buy a total of 4 bikes (for myself and my kids) from my LBS. The kids' buying process goes relatively smoothly, so I've got no real complaints there. However, when it comes to buy one for dad, things get very uncomfortable. The shop is a Specialized and Giant dealer. I'm 6'4 and he guesses at an XL frame (although I was never measured).
Tell him I want a hybrid no suspension and 700cc tires or maybe a Hardrock. He says they don't make unsuspended bikes except with drop bars, as they're obsolete (even though I'm not 5 feet from a Sirrus when he says that-which, he opines, that they don't make in my size). Further, I don't want the Hardrock if I'm not doing trails. :rolleyes:
He shows me... a Giant Sedona and Specialized Expedition... I explained to him that these are both comfort bikes and not what I want. (front suspension, suspension seatpost, MTB tires).
I'm just frustrated right now, and not sure what to do, other than NOT buy a comfort bike that's not what I want. This shop is a well known local chain, and is the only real LBS with 50 miles. So, I am trusting them to know their stuff, and am wondering if I'm off base here, or is something wrong with this picture? I've had and posted about other issues with this shop in the past (fool me once, etc...). But am wondering what my next step should be.
Any suggestions appreciated,
Mike
KingTermite
10-22-07, 01:37 PM
I'm not familiar with any of their bikes at the moment, but did you research before going in to have an idea of what you wanted? To know it existed?
kchunks
10-22-07, 01:40 PM
I think that you are spending enough money to warrant a 50 mile trip. How long do you plan on owning the bike? A couple of hours doesn't seem like too great a sacrifice for the purchase. It seems obvious that the person you were dealing with is not the brightest (standing next to the Sirrus). Now, if the bike store had what you were looking for in stock and the others that he recommended and price difference was negligible, I would be more inclined to listen to him say, "have you considered a Sedona or an Expedition?" Too many times have I trusted a local bike (or insert whatever you want) store that sold what they wanted to sell, not what I was after.
luv2cruz
10-22-07, 01:45 PM
Drive a little and find an LBS that wants to help you. Those guys just want to sell you something.
luv2cruz
10-22-07, 01:47 PM
Drive a little and find an LBS that want to HELP you, not just sell you something. My "LBS" is 90 miles from my home, but they rock!
Tom Stormcrowe
10-22-07, 03:31 PM
In answer to the issue of nothing that doesn't have drops that's unsuspended? I call BS! If nothing else, they can switch out to a set of flats or North Road bars and a different saddle on a road bike ;)
I agree, find a different shop!
Look at Montgomery Cycling in Erlanger, right across the river! I don't know your budget, but you can get very high quality upright and unsuspended rides ;)
That gets you in a range from $429- $1100.00 for a bike. Wide range and assortment and they may have some 07 models at sale price ;)
rideorglide
10-22-07, 05:52 PM
Doesn't sound unreasonable to me. Sounds like they want to sell you what they have.
Do yourself a favor. Try to ride a few different things and see if you can get the best possible idea of what you want. I wouldn't be in too much of a rush to commit while you are in the research phase.
Here's one of many urls that provides some helpful info.
http://turinbicycle.com/page.cfm?pageID=43
tigereye
10-22-07, 06:19 PM
KT, I've done lots of research, built a spreadsheet, etc. I thought I had it narrowed down to a couple of models (Dew, Coda, Urban Xpress, Sirrus), none of which is similar to what I was shown.
I don't necessarily mind driving a bit for the purchase (although a quick google shows me there are more shops around here closer than I realized), my concern was more for post-sale support. I'd hate to need a 45 minute one way drive every time I need something adjusted.;)
Tom... I'm "right across the river" as it were. Kinda funny that it's on their web site, but they are trying to tell me it doesn't exist... ;)
Thanks everyone for the advice..
doghouse
10-22-07, 06:25 PM
Look at the Specialized web site.
flip18436572
10-22-07, 06:36 PM
Find a different LBS. I went to three and was ready to give up. Went to a small shop that wanted me to have a bike. They dropped their price and added some things on. I have no purchased two more bikes from them. One for the wife and another one for me. I also sent two other people there for different bikes. They have my business. They are an hour away from me and they have earned my business.
If the place you go to doesn't know the bikes they have and doesn't want your business, there is always someone else better and wanting to gain your business and get more because of your appreciation. It is worth looking elsewhere.
Mobiker50
10-22-07, 07:08 PM
Tell him I want a hybrid no suspension and 700cc tires or maybe a Hardrock. He says they don't make unsuspended bikes except with drop bars, as they're obsolete (even though I'm not 5 feet from a Sirrus when he says that-which, he opines, that they don't make in my size). Further, I don't want the Hardrock if I'm not doing trails. :rolleyes:
Any suggestions appreciated,
Mike
Mike, I had the same experience last year when I went to a bunch of shops looking for an MTB with solid forks (as I am a man of a certain stature). They tried to do everything but put MTB tires on a road bike, but finally I met a little long-haired Beetle Bailey looking kid at a shop who said, "Oh, that's no problem, we'll just switch out the Rock Shock fork for a Surly. No charge." I bought the bike right then and there. I'd never even thought about the concept of customizing a new bike.
Also Mike.
pdq 5oh
10-22-07, 09:02 PM
Take a look at the Trek FX bikes. These are just what you spec'd.
Tom Stormcrowe
10-22-07, 09:17 PM
Well, you can now go in and say hey! These are there on the site, or you can look elsewhere. If they really want to sell you a bike, they can get one in quite quickly, by the way.KT, I've done lots of research, built a spreadsheet, etc. I thought I had it narrowed down to a couple of models (Dew, Coda, Urban Xpress, Sirrus), none of which is similar to what I was shown.
I don't necessarily mind driving a bit for the purchase (although a quick google shows me there are more shops around here closer than I realized), my concern was more for post-sale support. I'd hate to need a 45 minute one way drive every time I need something adjusted.;)
Tom... I'm "right across the river" as it were. Kinda funny that it's on their web site, but they are trying to tell me it doesn't exist... ;)
Thanks everyone for the advice..
ceiph
10-22-07, 09:51 PM
i think its know what you want i went into my first lbs wanting an entry model roadie but i told the guy i wanted a specialized. so he showed me the sirrius (which i dont see as a roadie...., and the entry raligh) so i left went to specialized web site saw i wanted the allez, and than found a shop and asked for one...
i mean i may be off but ive always found its best to know what you want before you go into a purchase. i still goto the first lbs and just pay them if i need something done now and close. but in the end know the model you want and than demand it.
rickyaustin
10-22-07, 10:58 PM
My closest LBS did the same to me when I was looking this summer for a cyclocross bike.
One guy tried to sell me a road bike, another tried to sell me an FX series hybrid (a bike you should look at), and a third guy wanted to sell me a 29" mountain bike. Noone wanted to help me with what I wanted.
So I left, and spent $1600 at another shop 20 miles further away - and couldn't be happier.
I keep giving this other shop chances, and I always leave feeling unfulfilled. I'll stick to the shop that actually helped me.
I'd say find another shop... I can't believe they didn't get you what you wanted when you are buying four bikes. I'd think they'd bend over backwards for you, because you're actually spending money there.