tekhna

I am looking at bikes for my girlfriend and she isn't wanting to spend a whole lot, so we're looking at lower end bikes. We've tried a few 52cm and 54cm bikes of various makes, and she's been most comfortable on a 54cm Trek WSD. We'd just grab it for her, but they want MSRP for the Trek 1.2 That works out to 750 for a Sora bike, which is absurd. Anyone know how much negotiation room there is? It's early in the 2008 season, so not much leverage.
I've looked at other non-WSD bikes and she was comfortable on other 54s. I'm looking at the Windsor Willow, and the geometry is a little different, but not radically different. The spec difference looks to me to mostly be in the fork, which isn't carbon on the Windsor. And it's 300 dollars cheaper than the Trek. That's a pretty big difference. Any thoughts? I should just have her register and head over to the women's forum I guess.

BikeWise1

In regards to the 1.2 WSD, since there are only 4 left in the warehouse at Trek at this moment, and it's only May, I think negotiation is out the window. While certain internet companies are good at lowering your expectations of what a bike with X parts should cost, bikes are like martinis-the whole is more than the sum of its parts. The 1.2 WSD rides very nicely, and apparently the general public feels the price is in line with what you get. Otherwise, Trek wouldn't be sold out in May. In short-buying what you already know your wife likes is waaaay better than buying something cheaper that she cannot test ride or be properly fit to. If the bike hurts to ride or she just doesn't like it, well.....she probably won't be heaping affection on you for being such a sharp shopper. Instead, her attitude may be a bit cooler.

theextremist04

And it's often worth it buying it in a store- for example, we have three years free maintenance, whereas online they don't care at all. And if your LBS is decent, they won't mind answering questions either, especially after you buy a bike from them.

tekhna

Yeah, I understand that, I've been riding for years. But I do stand by my statement that the Trek is not worth MSRP. It equivalent bike non WSD is 200 less. In any case, thanks for the suggestions!

Mr. Beanz

https://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=1809

I tried to google the WW but stumbled upon this thread in TE. I read till I read "Customer Service is Garbage". Heck, cf fork $100, Customer service is worth a grand at Trek. I ahd a warratny issue, replacemnt frame was upgraded and no hassles.
Plus my wife has a Trek Pilot 5.2. The WSD in her opinion is gold.