wjhet

What does one do when the LBSs within a 30 minute drive never stock the bike you want to test ride? I know that fit is extremely important, but I'm beginning to think that I need to order a bike online and just pray she fits. I've never owned a decent bike and I'm looking for a steel frame, road/cyclocross/touring, commuter bike that will double as a cardio ride on weekends (or more), on the road mostly.

I've wanted to test ride the Jamis Aurora, Jamis Coad Elite, Surly Crosscheck, Surly Karate Monkey (built), Salsa La Cruz, and others. None of my local shops stock any of these models within the brands they carry. So, do I guess at fit? Buy without having ridden?

I know what I want. I just can't pull the trigger considering all of the advice I read here about the importance of "feel" and "fit." With a top end at $1000 I'm able to buy a few different bikes, but I'd sure as heck like to see them in person first. My LBSs won't order any of my choices without my commitment to take it home.

This thread may just be a tirade, but I'd love some advice.

Matt1972

The guy at the LBS asked me my inseam (32) and said I could get away with either a 58cm or a 56cm. He called the Jamis distribution center, I think, and got a second opinion. 56 it was. I just like the silver and black color of the Jamis Satellite, and, darn it all, I like the name, too...

AEO

You can try out fit with other bikes they have in stock. Similar sizes are pretty close geometrically on most brands.

check what the LBS has
test ride something similar
check the size of what feels "right"
look the model up online and check the geometry chart for that model, check for "effective/horizontal Top tube" length
Get one of your favoured models with a similar "eff./horizontal top tube" length from LBS or online.

or you can go with the chart below, it generally will fit you if you have average proportions.

mandovoodoo

https://www.prodigalchild.net/Bicycle6.htm#FrameChart might help

lil brown bat

I'd drive to a shop that had what I wanted to test. If I was spending that much money, for something I planned to use that much? Hell yeah. I'll buy shoes online, if it's a brand I know, because I know my sizing. Otherwise...not so much, anything where sizing really matters.

d2create

I would test ride several of the bikes they have, having them fit you to those.
Pay attention to which bike(s) fit you best, and what size they are.
Then you can go home and look up each bike on each manufacturer's webpage. They will all have the geometry listed.
Now you can compare the geometry of the bike that fits you to the bike you want.

It would also be a good idea to take note of what bikes didn't feel good at all just in case the bike you want has similar measurements.

Once you've decided, you may want to check with your LBS to see if they can order the bike you want.

bsyptak

As said above, I think it's all about effective top tube length. However, I'd also want to have some control over fork steerer length. Hate to get a bike that had too much saddle to bar drop. Pity Surly doesn't leave more steerer tube like Jamis does. Kudos to Jamis for that one.

Unfortunately, almost no shop carries the above bikes. You could ask the shop to put the geometry onto a fit bike to make sure it's OK. Not a full fitting, just enough to make sure you're not getting one too big or too small. No fit, no bike.

JustBrowsing

For some reason I was under the impression that Surly ships their steerer tubes uncut. Or maybe that's only for certain models.

nick95673

I just got back from an lbs that had a "test bike." It was a fully adjustable bike that could replicate any bike.

wjhet

Thank you all for your advice. I think I'll try out similar bikes form the same company, then check the measurements online and then have the LBS order the bike for me. Thanks again.