kp3509

I am buying an 08 madone 4.5 triple. I want a compact, but they are all sold out. (said it will be months before anyone can get one). The shop said they could swap out the parts and make it a compact for $180 while they keep the triple parts. What I want to know is:

Will it be exactly like a new 4.5 compact? (or will anything be slightly different?)
What exactly needs to be swapped?
Is this a reasonable price considering I don't keep any parts?
Is there any reason I shouldn't do this? (considering that I do want a compact)

Thanks

foresthill

unless they're upgrading you to a better crank or something, this is a $180 rip-off.

I was in a similar situation. My LBS only had a triple left. They swapped me to a double (standard in my case) at no charge. The only thing they have to swap is the crank and the FD (and maybe give you a shortcage RD.) The new parts don't cost any more than the old ones.

*Maybe* it could be understandable for them to charge you a little labor. But no more than maybe $20 worth.

entukay

$180 is bogus, make them do it for free

Retro Grouch 

Are you sure that you want a compact?

I've got a compact crank on my road bike and I like it OK but I can't think of anything that a compact crankset does better than a triple.

ILUVUK

like foresthill said, I can maybe see a little labor (maybe), but that is it. I'd look elsewhere.

kp3509

They did have to special order it for me since they were all sold out of instore ones. I don't know if that makes a difference. But besides the price, what is involved in the swap and will it be any different?

theextremist04

It depends on how much they're swapping- it's possible they're doing the brifter as well, in which case the price isn't so bad.

kudude

i'll play devil's advocate here:

1) You've special ordered the bike. You want what you want. You are a customer who will pay for things you want. You're getting charged. It's no hard feelings, but you're keeping them in business

2) The parts they pull off may have been ridden, or at least may be hard to sell as "New". Not necessarily since it'll be special ordered and give right to you.

3) Labor. They'll replace your RD, FD and crankset. Crankset is easy, FD and RD require R&R of chain. New chain pin, adjust B screw. All of this isn't hard, but will take ~30-40 minutes (or 5, depends on who you are).

4) Compact madone's are sold out, you want one, so does everyone else (I guess). They may fetch a premium, and that's what they're charging. I'm guessing another shop can't get it, so you're SOL.

5) If you don't like it, do it yourself. Sell the used ones on ebay (they are used now, dontcha know). Total cost to you AT LEAST $100, plus your time


your call.

mr handy

for 180 I would ask for...
Crankset. (maybe upgrade)
Front cage.
short cage rear.
whatever cassette gearing you want.

105 is double/tripple, so no need for a lever swap.

johnnychimpo

ill buy the triple cranks from ya

wrobertdavis

When I look at the Trek webpage for Madone 4.5, the triple vs. compact configuration includes changes in the rear cassette gears as well. The "compact" choice implies a set of gearing choices that goes beyond just changing the crankset. If they really intend to do all the work and parts swaps to convert to a factory compact, the $180 seems reasonable, considering they have to order the parts for you. Some bigger shops who have higher volume sales would do this swap for free to make the sale. They will always find a use for the parts. A smaller shop has to make every sale profitable by itself.

What is your reasoning for wanting a compact?

Bob

wrobertdavis

Factory packages like the Trek are not purchased as a set of custom selectable parts, so your proposal that the parts cost the same is not relevant. The dealer has to buy the extra parts separately and gets no credit from the factory for the parts removed.

The fact that your dealer did the swap is governed by market conditions in your area. He obviously was willing to take the cost hit, in order to make the sale. The other part which we don't know is how skinny the price on the factory madone triple is. The dealer may have already trimmed the price to the bone. If there are no 2008 madone 4.5 compacts available in the OP's market area and none coming, the dealer has the upper hand in the negotiations.

Bob

theextremist04

The margin isn't all that skinny. But depending on size, they are completely out of 4.5 compacts.