bigbrad73

I just bought a new allez elite double from my LBS. They told me they were going to start charging for fitting people for bikes. Like $200.00. Now I may can see them charging if you didn't buy the bike from them. but if you buy the bike from them I think it should be free. Correct me if I'm wrong. I have been buying bikes in there for years and never have been charged for it before. Whats the point of buying from LBS and not the internet if that kind of stuff isn't in the deal?

RadioFlyer

Start? Sounds like they haven't started yet and the fit should be included.

While they can set any policy they want and charge what they want, but charging is iffy and $200 is stupid.

MONGO!

A basic fit at the very least should be free.

My fave LBS includes a full fit, measurements taken, computers used etc.

That's why I'll go back to that store but the one that barely even set the saddle height?
Not so much.

Time to find a new LBS

0_o

Wow that is so wrong, the bike fitting should be free if you're buying a bike from their shop.
I would think if you're running or owning LBS you'll want to bend over back wards for your clients if they are going to drop cash on a bike in your store ...
The LBS near me likes to help people out for free on small adjustments and minor bike stuff. Almost 2 years ago when I was clipped by a car while riding I asked him what he would charge to borrow his work stand to do a quick adjustment so I can get my bike home to really do some work on it. He said sure you can use my workstand but not let me do it for you ... so he just took my bike did all the adjustments for free. I had never set foot into his shop before that day but now I stopped by when ever I need something for my bike , just been to lazy to do anything myself these days.
Anyway that LBS needs to put down the crack pipe / needle and get off the smack and return to the real world before he find himself loosing bike sales for being greedy...

Pharmr

tell them how you feel...see if they'll do it for free as they have in the past....if they value you as a customer they will try to accomodate you....if not, start taking your business elsewhere

bigbrad73

he said this one's free but next time it will cost. he has a new manager i guess up there. and things are a changing. There is only one bike shop in town. I told him if they started charging, that would be the last bike I would buy from him. Not to mention all the other stuff i get from them. shoes, pedals, computer.

FIVE ONE SIX

so let me get this straight, were you told about the $200 fitting charge before you went through with the fitting, or were you told about it after you were fitted?

as far as being charged for a fitting, i don't see it being out of the ordinary, after all there is a service being provided that is a benefit to you. as far as $200 though, that should be a complete pro fit and every last detail should be covered...

i would certainly ask for a discount on the bike though, considering you're a dedicated customer and have been buying bikes there for years. almost every LBS in my area would give you at least a 10% discount on the price of a new bike, to show their appreciation for the sale, even if they never saw you before.

Phantoj

Maybe you misunderstood him? I can only hope!

bigbrad73

I asked him over again to make sure I heard him right.

kuan

Go Colorado Cyclist Fit Page

or

1) Adjust the saddle back and forth until you get an approximate knee over pedal (KOPS) position and comfortable seat height. Use your riding shoes/cleats and shorts if you have them already.

2) Figure out the stem part, longer, shorter, too cramped, higher, lower? This is more time consuming compared to the saddle.

I don't think it's rocket science nor is it worth $200. All those formulas can't tell you how you feel.

timmhaan

it's amazing all the things that various LBSs do to make themselves obsolete.

indygreg

An example here in Indy at BGI (the biggest and honestly best LBS in town):
Basic fitting - frame, stem, seat adjustment - free with purchase

Full fitting with certified guru . . $120-200 depending on options. $100 less I think if you buy the bike there. Understand this . . . this is a 2-3 hour fitting that will A) fit you to your bike the best you possibly can and B) a spec sheet of what a custom frame would be for you. using computers, measurements, power output, etc. All the way down to shims in your shoes. I did this and it was more complete than I could imagine.
To me, an LBS cannot offer this for free on a $1000 or even $2000 bike. Just would not make sense.

bigbrad73

all im wanting is a basic fitting. he acted like that would not be free in the future

indygreg

Then this LBS should not be on your visit list.

oilman_15106

Contraire, most likely have had it with people getting fitted to a bike and then backing out to order the same thing on the net. There are a lot of folks who think the LBS is akin to the public library. Someone else will pay for your benefit.

$200 seems a bit high but the shop that does a pro fit here charges $75 an hour and usually takes a couple of hours.

indygreg

But the issue with this concersation is that I think we are talking two different things. One that takes maybe 20 minutes and one that takes a few hours. If an LBS does not do the 20 minute thing for free they can go pound sand. This is a post sale thing anyway, so it has nothing to do with the internet.

All LBS have to do a frame sizing as soon as someone is interested. period. that takes 1 minute. If that person goes to the net, oh well. You cannot put people on a bike to test ride without giving away this info.

Then someone buys and you help them with their seat and stem. 20 minutes and maybe a part swap or two. Nearly anyone at a LBS can do this.

The complete fitting cannot be done by anyone in an LBS. An LBS probably only has a few folks (maybe just one) that should do this . . . for that money and time you want someone that knows what they are doing. This is a paid service and should be. If I want to do this and get an internet bike, the LBS should be fine with this - I paid for the service. Most will give a discount if you buy there.

Siu Blue Wind

I've had this kind of fitting when I got my bike. It did in fact take two+ hours. Consultation, measurements of my body and time on the "fit bike" was all part of it. He had me pedal for a length of time to watch how my knees, foot, back, shoulder, head, and hands position were after intervals of varying times. Discussion of different frame materials, power transfer, blah blah blah. Calculators, computers and a drawing of the bike were all included. Plus verification with the frame maker on what would be best for my application.

I've also had the kind of fitting where the guy says to me to straddle the bike and lift the front wheel. "Yeah the bike should fit". When riding the bike from this guy I was in pain after 15 mins.

With the bike I got the proper fitting on, I can now ride a road bike when I previously couldn't! (due to back injury)