RoboCheme

Everyone emphasizes that you should test ride all of the bikes you're interested in and buy the one that feels the best in your price range. That seems like sound advice.

My frustration, however, is that the LBS's only stock a few models of each maker and they are inevitably not the models I'm interested in. For example, I went into a Bianchi dealer today and they had ONE road bike on display.

Then if you get lucky and they have the model you're interested in, it's usually the wrong size.

Now, I can't blame the LBS because they can't afford to stock all models (Bianchi alone has 20 road bike models); I'm just wondering how people actually go about test riding all of their top choices. Do they ask the LBS to order and build the bike that they are interested in? I can't imagine a LBS would do that.

Comments? Suggestions?

jbhowat

I've had LBS's offer to do that, but I know the two that i go to real well - one of them sponsors my team. I was never that serious about it (as in, even if I liked it I couldn't afford it)... so i never had them do it...

incipit

I just cracked out the Phone book and called almost every LBS on the Island asking what they had in my size range... I also spent about two months going out on weekends checking out the different LBS and their stock.

pjbaz

Yep, make alot of calls and don't be afraid to drive. If you're going to spend a bunch of cash you want to make sure the ride is right.

PJ

JBar

I guess we're just lucky here in Little Rock, AR. We have several good, well-stocked bike shops. The ones that I've dealt with all were willing to allow test rides and had a good selection of bikes in my range of interest. I'm always surprised when I hear that some major cities don't seem to have the same class of retailers found here.

ckleps

Go the to website of the brand you are looking at, enter your zip in the dealer locator link and start making phone calls. You also asked if stores would order a bike and then let you try it. I don't know if it is standard practice but my shop let me put 20% down on a bike, ordered it and if I didn't like it I wasn't obligated to buy and could get my money back. I'm guessing that the odd 5 year old bikes you see in the corner at any LBS are ones that got ordered but someone decided not to buy them. Where do you live by the way, since its not listed in your profile. Hope this helps.
Peace

Noddy

It is nice when that works - unfortunately my recent experiences with Bianchi dealers have been a big disappointment. I called a total of 5-6 and visited 2. One that I visited never mentioned Bianchi the whole time that I was there and the only Bianchi that I saw was hanging up in a sort of loft area. Two that I called said that they were no longer carrying the brand and 2 more were absolutely rude on the 'phone. As for the dealer directories on manufacturer web sites - they need to do a much better job on this. Again picking on Bianchi they had dealers in my area listed with the wrong area code - hello? It only changed like 10 years ago. Many other sites have no e-mail or website listed even when I know that the shop has a site.
The other weird thing is when you get to a local shops web site having found them on a manufacturer's directory and they don't even mention the brand on their site. What's up with that? Laziness? Stupidity? Pressure from other manufacturers not to promote competing brands? Very strange.
Another pet peeve: manufacturers / importers who treat their e-mail inbox like some kind of black hole. Spanish manufacturer Kuips claim to be trying to penetrate the US market. Their importer ignores repeated attempts to get any information about dealers - I guess they must sell a lot that way!
Venting over - nothing more to see here.

Steelrider

It's still sound advice - go to some local club newsletters/forums in your area and see who they patronize lbs-wise or sponsors them. Sounds like you either live in a small metro area or haven't done a lot of looking yet. Here in S.J./S.F. Bay Area, there isn't much I couldn't ride as long as I was willing to drive a few miles. Depending on what you want to spend, you should keep an open mind about brands that you may not have heard a lot about, but are good values. Use the search feature of these forums or just throw it out there for comment if you find something interesting. Good luck.

Noddy

Just ran across a perfect example: I'm heading up to Boston shortly so I jump on Orbea's web site and look up their dealers. Come up with Wheelworks who have 3 locations so I head over to their web site to check them out, get directions, etc. Go to the list of road bikes that they carry and guess what? Yup. Orbea is not even mentioned. WTF? I don't get it, I really don't...

Cycliste

Just came from the Boston Bike Show and Wheelworks do host an Orbea stand. I believe their Belmont shop is the largest.
As far as trying their bikes, yes I guess it is possible there, though not more inviting than at most LBS.
There is one local manufacturer who present their line of shaft-driven (chainless) hybrids and trail bikes, the guys are dead on the presentation of their product with components on display and bikes on roller trainer, I almost bought one (I just don't need another hybrid or trail bike ), loads of interested people, why don't road bike retailers don't just simply do that, at least it would give a feel for fit/comfort/function, then ride if you like it at this stage. Most look nice on display .
If you can get to the showhttps://bicycleshows.us/boston/coupon.php, Wheelworks give 5% off all 2005 bicycles and 20% off accessories.