Originally Posted by haimtoeg
This is not unique to Orbea or to the bike industry. Try buying a rolex online from an authorized dealer.
Companies do this to maintain the prospeity of their distribution channels and ensure that their distributors have a decent chance to make a living.
I'd advise you that in light of the significant expenditure involved in your Orca, you develop a decent LBS relationship, get fitted properly and get advice from the people there about cycling. Being new to cycling this can be the best expenditure you made.
Just purchased this 2007 Orbea Orca. Fit is very important and we preferred working with a good LBS so that we could see what components and wheels look like on the frame. If you do not like it, change it out. Weight as pictured below 15.9 pounds from LBS digital scale.
