If they will have to order the bike since they don't have it in stock, how can I get the right fitting?

I"m not sure what size to get (52, 54, 56, 58)

I'm 5'11" - 155 lbs

I would do a fit calculator at competitive cyclist to give you a ballpark estimate if they don't have your size in the store. The fit calculator was great for me when I bought my bike from CC. I'm guessing you'll prob be around 54-56 depends on what type of riding you'll be doing.

They do fittings at REI. They charge for this. However, when I cracked the frame of my (alu) Novara bike, and they were able to get me another frame, I told them I got the bike used, and wasn't sure if 58 was the right size for me, so they did a free mini-fit, measuring enough to find out that 57 cm is ideal. If you tell them you're about to buy a bike from them, they'll probably help you figure out which size you need.

They don't do anything more than a very basic fitting (seat height and fore/aft, etc.), but they are certainly competent enough to figure out the correct frame size for you, and most REI's I've been to have a large enough stock that you can try a variety of sizes.

I would start with ^. I bought a Scott CR1 Elite from REI and I didn't bother even asking about a fit since I wasn't too confident in any advice they'd give. I told the salesman that I wasn't sure of the size and he actually recommended that I buy two and return the one, I didn't want. I'm sure that his supervisor wouldn't have been happy hearing that.

BTW, REI provides a lifetime warranty, which is nice because the Scott warranty is only 3-5 years.

I'm 5'9.5" with long legs. The Competitive Cyclist calculator suggested a 52, bought I got a 54 and I'm happy with it.

Most places yes. But I don't think any one at Return Everything Insight would care.

I bought my CAAD10-5 at REI. No complaints with them. But, they don't offer any maintenance package with the purchase like some smaller shops would (other than the first hundred miles tuneup.)

They have sales people and mechanics in the bike section, but (at least at the Seattle store) they also have a part time employee whose only job is to do bike fittings. He did a good job fitting me. I wouldn't necessarily trust the advice of anybody who works there, but I wouldn't discount it just because they worked there, either.

That's their policy. His supervisor probably trained him to say it when people can't make up their mind between two things they want. A lot of people will buy things at REI versus other outlets because of their generous return policy. For the money they charge on a lot of things ( $70 for a merino tee shirt, for example ) it's good to have a lifetime guarantee.

buy the 56..unless you have freakishly short legs the rest will be fit fine with a stem.

Yup, exactly what crash said. Lp

I wonder if you can use the 20% off member coupon that is active through the end of the month. That would be cool!!

No. Can only use coupon on Novara bikes. But with membership + REI visa you can get a 15% rebate next spring.

I believe all their bikes are 15% off through May 30. I just picked up a CAAD10-3 for $1700 (MSRP is $2000) and I should still get the 10% dividend back, so that means the bike is a little more than $1,500, and really makes in competitive with the CAAD10-5. You get better wheels, carbon cranks and nearly full ultegra.

This seems very REI-dependent. I would never buy a bike from any of the locations around here.

I'm 5'10" and got a 54. fits great. you really should test ride it before you buy it. Seriously, buying a bike without a test ride first? No thanks.

I also have the 54cm and am 5'10".

Good to know your buying preferences, wherever "here" is. The OP did specifically ask about REI fitting. I don't know about other REI's, but the fitting at the one I worked at was very, very basic. Proper fitting of a road bike is more demanding than most other bikes. The best thing that REI has going for it is that you can return the bike if your not satisfied with it. You should take any bike that you plan to purchase for a test ride first, but this often is not enough. Keep in mind that fine tuning the feel of a bike is often done after the purchase by adjusting the saddle position and/or replacing the stem.

They should be competent enough to get you on the right size frame, but "right" really depends on the type of riding you'll be doing. If you prefer a more aggressive fit then going a size smaller might be the way to go, especially if you want a lot of saddle to bar drop.

how does one get the dividend?

You have to assimilate with the Borg.

You join and you get a check year end. It's not much. I think last year my check was for a couple dollars. If you buy from stoes like that, consider Performance. They give you almost immediate credit equal to 10% of your purchases.

too bad there isn't a close REI to NYC.

i guess the REIs you guys have been to are much better than the one i've been to in west Houston. they had a very limited selection and a somewhat knowledgeable staff, i felt like i was shopping for a bike at wal mart when i went in there. ended up going across the street to Performance instead.

I used to work at an REI. At the time they didn't offer Cannondales (damn! Or I would have gotten a discount). But the particular store I worked for, bicycling was not their forte. They had no dedicated salesman for the department and all the mechanics at this particular REI were a bunch of loafers who constantly had to ask ME questions; and I'm an idiot! I kept telling the managers their cycling department was not up to par with how we advertised but to no avail.

However, if you ride a bike you buy there, and return it folded in half from a crash or "accidentally" beat it with a hammer, THEY WILL TAKE IT BACK. This was the policy as I knew it when I last checked. My mom just returned a 2-year old pair of boots to them last week (I don't think she wore them though). Just make sure you ask if that policy is still in place...it's been a while since I've been there.

May 20-30th is an anniversary sale so I'd go ahead and take advantage of it.

Certain things can cost more there, but for good reason...You can climb Mount Everest and return the North Face jacket you wore to climb it.

Exclusions:
"Offer not valid on bicycle". I think this means all bike brands.

Ah, I see. They've already put all bikes on sale and the coupon is only good on a full price item. Earlier this spring when they sent out the coupon with the member dividend they said you could use it on Novara bikes only.