Kris Flatlander

Hey everyone,

looking for a new bike and I've narrowed it down to two. The only thing is its been narrowed down to a Trek 1500 from the LBS or a Motobecane Grand Sprint from Bikes Direct. What should I do? Are there any other bikes I should look into? Any help would be appreciated.

Iron Chef

Buy the one you can't see, touch or try out before you your pay money for. Buy from the internet where what you get may not fit or even function properly since it is coming to you sight unseen.

I don't know anything about the Motobecane geometry but I ride a 56 frame almost always. I tried out a Felt F65 once in a 58 frame. It fit me like a glove the 56 was too small. I would have mail ordered a 56 if I bought stuff sight unseen.

Good Luck

WildBill

Well for what it's worth, I ordered a bike yesterday from the LBS and paid in full and I've yet to touch, try out, fit, etc on it.

Granted I'm sure not only will I like the bike, but the LBS will take care of me if it's just not working out. Still though it seems like you rairly find exactly what you are looking for in stock at a LBS.

Iron Chef

That is too bad. The shop I go to carries Trek, Gary Fisher, Lemond, Felt, Cannondale and few more expensive brands and some recumbent stuff. They try to carry the complete line of the stuff I'm always looking at. Even if they didn't have the size I needed in a certain model they usually a one in a different size. We have a great shop. Only problem is it is way too busy since the Tour de France thingy. Everybody seems to want to buy a bike now.

Raiyn

You can't test ride a bike online

cyclwestks

I'm not in an area where the the LBS can afford to keep several models & several sizes in stock. If you don't like the ride or the fit, do you think they'd take a return? That's my only problem with going with the "local" LBS. Because of this, we just made a 4 hour trip (1 way) soley to test ride different models of bikes.

MelloBoy

i was at the local trek store and they didn't have the bike in the size i wanted (2100/2200/2300). so, they stuck me on a 5200 as the frames were pretty similar and fitted me on that, then let me have a spin on the 2200 to get a feel for the ride and shifting and other details for 20 min or so. they went ahead and ordered it and still allowed me to back off on my decision if it came in, they assembled it and i didn't like it (no deposit taken either).

it arrived a few days later and after being refit on the 2200, and taking it for a spin, i enjoyed it and ended up buying it. the after purchase care has been extraordinary. i had a few problems a few days later, and brought it in. they were busy, but fixed the problem on the spot. bought a pair of shoes for the bike and they went ahead and refitted me again as the sole thickness was different by a huge margin. also recieved a courtesy call this morning saying that i should go ahead and bring the bike back in once i hit the 50-100mi. mark after everything's stretched out and settled in (i guess the brake and shifter cables and such). no charge. i basically have a lifetime fitment for the life of the bike regardless of what components i decide to purchase (seat/pedals/shoes/handlebar stay/etc) free of charge, free bi-yearly or yearly (i forget) maintenance for the life of the bike, and made a couple of friends there as well. something i would have never had with an internet bike...

so...my opinion? LBS all the way. I'd rather pay a few dollars extra for the after sales care and fitting than just getting a bike and nothing else from a net shop.

melloboy

Ebbtide

Kris,

Forgive my curt friends for their smarty pants answers. This question comes up often. The general consensus is the LBS is the best route to go for a first road bike. Too many variables with on-line purchases.

Look at all road bikes in your price range from all the major manufatures (Trek, Giant, Specialized, Cannondale, Bianchi, and the like). Test ride as many as possible and pick the one that fits and feels best. Once you buy on-line, thats it. If you screw it up, you will regret it.

Peace,

ehenz

Tom Pedale

The main reason that the Motobecanes are sold online is that this brand isn't strong enough to make it onto enough bike shop floors. This brand hit its heights in the early 1980's and has been on a downward spiral since then. This should raise a warning flag. In the future, if you need warranty service,
it will be difficult to do online assuming that the company still exists.

Kris Flatlander

Thanks to everyone for all of your help. Just a quick follow-up, will there be anything in need of replacment on my Trek 1500 when i get it? Any help is appreciated.

MelloBoy

saddle?

melloboy

Shadco 

Kris

Buying online can be safe and a good way to go if.

You know exactly what you want and why you want it.

If there is any doubt in you mind about anything I suggest the lbs route.

MacMan

I'm lucky in that I have several LBS near me to try out new stuff. Having said that, I don't think I'd buy a full bike online even if I didn't have the local stores. For the money a bike costs, I'd get in my car and happily drive 100 miles to a shop that carried a line that I could test out. Maybe that's just me though - I drive 100 miles a day to/from work so I'm used to it.

dc70

Kris,
I purchased my first road bike online from bikesdirect. I bought a Mercier. It has the same components,
Aluminum frame, Shimano Tiagra/105/Ultegra drivetrain/brakes,
as many of the LBS name brand taiwanese bikes. I saved myself 150.00 dollars over the
best price of 3 shops in my area. Some
of the bikes had less desirable components as well.
I paid 625.00 flat. 30.00 more to have
the final assy' and adjustments done. 655 total. I thought it was a good deal.

jchet

I have bought many road bikes over the years and have yet to "test ride" the bike. Most high end frames are not going to be built and waiting in the inventory for a buyer. Further most high end frames each buyer is going to want very specific equipment on the frame when its built. Also I take a larger frame size so a LBS isn't going to have a $4k plus bike built hoping someone will buy it. With that said I have never ordered one on line and I doubt I would. I'm less interested in saving money and more interested in doing business with a LBS that will service my purchase. If I have a problem I know they will step up to the plate and make it right. Case in point my last road bike I ordered from a store 3 hours drive from my home. When it arrived they built the bike to the exact specifications I requested. But having never seen the exact frame color in person only in a brochure when I saw it live I was shocked. I couldn't ride the ugly off the bike. The owner of the LBS realized my dislike of the frame and quickly offered to order another color frame and rebuild the bike. I hade to wait for another frame to arrive from Spain but when it did and they built it and I returned for delivery I was very pleased. Had I done this on line I would now be riding the ugly frame. A good quality store that cares about the client will well be worth the money everytime.

jshct

I agree. The safest bet is to buy from the LBS for your 1st bike. This will allow you to 1) establish a realationship with your LBS (you will need them in the future), 2) Get fitted appropriately for the bike you are about to order or buy, 3) If the bike is in stock you can try it out, 3) If any problems with the bike and you have a place to go, 4) Your 1st bike probably won't be your last. Once you've learned more about cycling and what you may want in the future, then you might venture into an internet bike. Good luck.

dc70

What I find interesting is the way people refer or say, how you 'need' the LBS, and how its almost disrespectful not to buy from the LBS. What? Are the LBS
like the bicycling Mafia? For *insert expletive* sakes, just because the LBS exists
means you have to buy from there? What kind of logic is that? Sure its nice to do business with the local shop, pump some dollars back into your community,
but its not the be all to end all folks. If the LBS cannot somewhat compete with
online businesses, guess what? Too bad. There are thousands of businesses
online all over the world, some have brick & mortor stores as well, and commerce seems to thrive very well in spite of the "god aweful" internet discount stores...

I use my local shop for tune-ups, and certain parts, and I don't get any attitude
because I didn't buy it there. If I did, I would tell them straight out, it is poor customer relations and poor business skills to discourage any customer from
purchasing anything from the shop. A customer is a customer doesn't matter if you spend 20 bucks or 2000 the shop is making a sale. Eventually bikes sold on the internet will become even more prevelant and more popular as cycling grows
and the LBS will have to deal with that aspect, whether they like it or not.
I realize that some don't like that line of thinking, but as long as there
are many choices and competition for consumer dollars, a market will be created and usually thrive.

detjr_2000

Amen dc70...I LOVE to put $ back in my community; but Ilove keeping it in my POCKET even more!!!

Brenda

I couldn't agree with you more, dc70. I've had more grief with my local bike shops whining about the internet when I purchase items on-line, yet they won't budge on prices because they may go out of business. Guess what, times change, and so do business' who are willing to adapt to new markets, opportunities, strategies, and consumer choices. I'll choose the internet everytime when I can save 40-50% over list price...we're talking cycling products here, not child care. Just my .2 cents.

jfmckenna

My LBS has the same prices on all the parts I've yet to buy as Performance/Nashbar/Supergo minus the shipping so it is actually cheaper; however there bikes are very expensive.They have no hassle returns what so ever and it's only a bike ride away. Having said that I ordered my bike frame online because I knew exactlly what I wanted and got a good price on it and it fits and feels great. Test riding a bike to see how it fells is BS. You need 500 miles on the bike to know how it feels not a 20 minute ride around a parking lot or a local neighborhood. You need to do your homework and figure out what frame and components you need and put them together for a great bike. Most LBS's don't really fit you to a bike anyway.

crosscut

I agree, I just bought my first bike. I think the service, fitting, and help is worth extra effort, time and money for a newbie. No questions asked, a new relationship is established.

I will say that I shopped several Specialized and Trek dealers before deciding which one to buy from. Final decision was actually the last shop I went in (8 total). Owner spent over an hour with me and went over everything. Couldn't have asked for a better shop.

crosscut

I also wanted to reply to dc70 thoughts. I agree with you that a smarter shopper/consumer is better by far.
Given the information, on the forums, you can't always decide if a newbie has done the homework needed to buy a bike online. I think a fair assumption is to say a LBS, in fairness to the newbie buyer as well as the LBS, would be a better option. Like other have said, leave the internet buying till later when experience and knowledge is far greater than with a first bike purchase.

dc70

Crooscut,
Yes, I tend to agree that some newcomers may be very unfamiliar with any aspect of cycling
and the LBS may be a better choice. It certainly is a preference and individual choice.

detjr_2000,
Me too!

Brenda,
common sense! indeed.

2Rodies

Some questions need to be asked. Kris are you a pretty good wrench? Do you have a decent selection of tools? As a novice buying a bike online can be iffy. Does the fork come cut down? Is the bike basically "tuned" up? If you buy a bike on line and then take it to your LBS they will nail you on the set up. I know my best friend owned a bike shop for years and he really stuck it to the guys who bought their bikes from mail order.

I buy some things off the net but it's mainly brands that my LBS doesn't carry, Castelli clothing for example. There is a very strong argument to made that if we don't support our LBS then they will eventually go under. The thing I love about my LBS is that I walk in the door and the owner knows my name. I go back to the service dpt and the head mechanic knows my name. If I need something and it's the night before a big ride they will get it fixed right then and there. You can't put a $$$$ figure on that.

crosscut

dc70,
Yes personal preference and choice is exactly right. We can only advise as to what we are comfortable with and our experiences.

So Kris did you buy the 1500?