Originally Posted by not2blu

I'm looking to get my forst real road bike- a 2007 Orbea Orca. I am relatively new to the road cycling world, but have heard a lot of positive things about this bike. I'm an architect and also happen to appreciate the slightly different design direction taken by the Orbea in the new Orca frame.

Anyway, I've seen this bike on a number of web sites for around $4700-$4800 for the Orca w/ Sram Force compnents. Then I noticed the fine print on these sites where it states they cannot ship the bike to you. Apparently, if you want an Orbea you have to configure the bike oyu want on their web site and then have you local bike shop order it that way. Why is this? I'd like to order the bike online and avoid paying $400 in sales tax if I could.

I live in Los Angeles so if anybody has any info to share I'd greatly appreciate it. I've already been to Helens in Manhattan Beach and their pricing is the same as the MSRP listed on Orbea's site. I guess nobody is making deals on these bikes?

Thanks in advance!
not2blu