Any opinions on this bike? I can get this bike from local LBS for $550 including a fitting session by one their technicians.

550 is MSRP. A free fitting sweetens the deal, but only if it involves more than standing over frames and adjusting saddle height.

Wait so I'm going to be paying more? The bike store owner told me it's 550. And by fitting he said he'll take a few measurements and help me choose the right frame size. anyone know how it compares to the kilo tt? Only thing holding me back is the online aspect and not being able to size precisely.

I've never seen one in person, but it looks like a decent bike for the price.

MSRP = Manufacturer's suggested retail price. So 550 is a pretty standard price for it. Just pointing out that you're not getting an exclusive deal here, aside from the fitting. Still, it might be worth it for the fitting and the shop support. I would say avoid buying online if you don't know what size you need.

So could I attempt to bargain the price down? The kilo TT also uses 520 tubing and I think it might be even lighter, the pro also has RD2 cranks compared to the no name cranks on the rush hour. Would things like these help argue the price down?

if this is your first bike, don't go with an online purchase (like the kilo). You'll definitely want the shop support for any maintenance/issues.

I would say that's a good deal, and your lbs will remember you and support you and if you are cool with them maybe they give you small things for free. Also warranty and other factors can be more important than the name on your cranks

^^^Too true. You will be grateful to have some accessible help whenever you have issues. I usually try to hook up nice customers every once in a while to show appreciation. Just don't get obnoxious when asking for a deal.

But isn't the probability of running into a problem on a fixed gear bike low since it's so simple and isn't it good to know how to take care of your bike? Anyone know how much the Raleigh Rush Hour weighs? I did a google search and people said that the Rush Hour was more nimble and precise than the Kilo TT due to the geometry, can someone confirm?

+1 on all counts.

Something is eventually going to come up that you either don't know how to or don't have the tools to fix.

I'm sure the shop you're buying it from has a scale.

Good point Scrod. Do you know how the Rush Hour compares to the Kilo TT? Both are made with Reynolds 520, but for some reason the bottom tubing on the Rush Hour looks rather larger in circumference, I'm worried that it makes the frame a lot heavier in comparison to the TT.

The store doesn't carry it in stock but they are a Raleigh dealer so they can order it for me. So I can't really get the bike weighed.

Unless you plan on carrying the bike around more than riding it, don't worry yourself about the weight.

the differences in frame wieghts will likely be much less than if you ate leftover pizza for breakfast instead of coffee and eggs.

Ok thanks guys! Going to go back to the shop tomorrow morning and hopefully get measured and fitted, and order my bike!

Wait when sean mentioned that the bike is 550 MSRP does that mean I could potentially haggle down the price?

Do you haggle the apple store for the price of your MacBook?

Respect their business

+1

People from the U.S. don't, but it's expected in some countries. Then those people start businesses here and have crazy mark ups because they expect to haggle.

Not saying he should in this situation though, I wouldn't.

And don't worry about the weight. If I could do it again, I would probably have tried for a Kilo TT only because I like the purple. But I went with an 09 Rush Hour, I don't have any regrets really, the bike is just a damn solid and reliable bike.

You can't get a deal if you don't ask for it.
I work in a shop, I don't give deals unless people ask for it.
Just be realistic. You're not going to get $100 off or anything. New stock, or special order you probably won't get a deal. But you can ask for a discount on accessories.

I don't know about Raleigh dealers, but all the lines I deal with have fairly low margins. Most bike shops have not been raking in the dough these past few years... All I'm suggesting is to please be respectful when you discuss pricing with shops.

Yup, not going to even bother haggling, I just thought the MSRP was something like Bikes Direct's bs ones where the kilo is MSRP'd at 900+

That's blatant BS on Bikes Direct's part. They inflate the MSRP of bikes to make it LOOK like you're getting a good deal, ignore that.

For the rest of us, in reality, MSRP is what you would call the "standard and fair" pricing for most things.

Indeed. BD's MSRP is based on nothing, because retailers don't carry their products.

I thought all shops would have a scale too, but the one I work at doesn't. They also don't have any thread chasing tools, or any of the proper inserts for the Park headset press, nor any press-fit bearing install/removal tools.