Originally Posted by
Inpd
OP.
Just go ride a few bikes. Ride some cheaper performance bikes where $2K will definitely get you a 2016 CF bike. You say your been offered a 2012 bike for $2K. I think some LBS will have older similar stock that can be had for $2K in good brand names.
I'm sure your friend is genuine, but I would take that "free lifetime service" claim with a grain of salt. I severely doubt the blanket nature of such claims. What does service exactly mean here? If your wheels go out of true he'll true them? If you need FD/RD adjusting each season he'll do them for free? Also, what exactly is free I'm guessing just the service but some bike stores really inflate parts prices.
Have fun!
A) His post was in 2012 so a '12 model was new at the time.
B) After reading his post, I realize he's actually talking about the bike shop I ride on the race team for in Richmond. I wonder if he ever bought the bike? Small world. They are the largest BH dealer in the country, apparently.
Here's the link in case anyone is interested, good shop with a good charitable mission-
http://www.richmondbicyclestudio.org/