To me there is a big difference between a shop ordering in a bike for you to test ride vs. a real "purchase" of a bike. Since you worded your original post to say, "The shop ordered the bike at my request" and "I know I'm not necessarily obligated to buy it," I am assuming they are bringing it in for your approval.

If the dealer is a Jamis dealer, and they're ordering in a pretty common bike (like the Coda) early in the riding season (like now), I would not think you would be under *any* obligation to buy the bike -- unless the dealer said, "I expect you to buy this when it comes in." In my mind, what you *owe* the dealer is an investment in your time to come back and test ride the bike, give it an honest evaluation, and buy it *if it's the right bike for you.* I think it's poor form if you were to then reject the bike and order it for another dealer for $25 less, but I don't think that's what you intend to do. While I understand it might make you a little uncomfortable not to go through with the purchase, if you don't like it, or it doesn't fit, walk away, or see if they will order the right size that does fit.

In other cases -- such as a rare or expensive bike, or something that is truly a very special order -- I would expect the dealer to "sell" you the bike out of the manufacturer's stock, and perhaps to even collect part or all of the money up front. In that case, the dealer ought to make it clear that you *are* buying the bike, and also make it clear whether you have any flexibility to return or exchange the bike if it doesn't fit. However, from the way you worded your post, it doesn't sound as if that is the deal.

You asked for advice. My advice would be to be polite, give the bike a serious look over, and be honest with the dealer about what you think. Of course the dealer would love for you to buy the bike but if you say, "it's just not for me, can you help me with something else," the dealer ought to respect that.