triOK's group - The best group - Closed (Page 33)

I think Giants make great bikes... here's why.  Giant is the only brand that makes their own frames... that means a direct cost savings to you.  You can usually get a better bike with Giant at a given price point than with Trek, Cannondale, etc.  Spend the extra on a helmet and some bike shorts.

I have been in this sport for 3 years and I STILL ride a rode bike.  Hopefully, that will change within the next 2 weeks.

OK.. I think I posted this before, but I am going to throw it out again in case you guys missed it.  Test riding a bike means nothing.... and I mean absolutely nothing.  You can't tell if the bike fits in 3 minutes riding around the parking lot of the store.  If they allowed you to take it on a 40 mile ride up the hill, then that might be a little different.

A proper bike fitting should consist of a bunch of measurements.  No bike involved.  They crunch a bunch of numbers and spit out a bike at you.  "You can have THAT one."  Granted, I don't know a lot of bike shops that do this fit properly, and the only place I have been that do it is the Bike Sport here in Michigan.

When buying my first bike, I walked into the shop and they said, "oooooo, a woman... lets put her on this 48 cm that we can't get rid of."  Little did I know that I should be on a 53 cm.  Now I have nagging hip flexor issues that will not heal.

That is great advice, Robyn.  I'm going for a fitting soon and am a little nervous not knowing much at all about bikes.  So they should basically take measurements and then point to a few that fit, right?  I say "a few" because I'm hoping that at least one that fits will be in the low price range. 

There's a shop in my area that does a quick fit (free) and then a custom fit ($150).  While I don't want to spend a fortune on a bike right now, I don't mind spending the money for a fitting because I know a bike isn't worth anything if the fit is all wrong.  From your experience, would the quick fit give me all I need?  Here's a link to their description.

http://www.wheeliefun.com/fitdescriptions.html

Thank you so much!

IMHO.. if you are buying a bike from them, they should give you a custom fit for free.  That is usually standard.  And most bike shops know that if they give you good service (ie.. good bike fit) you will be back over and over again for everything you need for your bike... including clothes, helment, shoes, socks, pedals, wheels, tires, service, more bikes, etc... you get the point.  Custom fit should be free (unless you don't buy the bike from them).

And usually, all bikes from the same manufacturer should fit close to the same way, regardless of price point.  There might be tweaks here and there, but the overall fit should be the same.  In other words, a Giant might fit you but a Trek might not.  Price point doesn't matter when it comes to fit.  And all major road bike brands (Trek, Cannondale, Giant, etc.) have bikes that fall in relatively the same price ranges.  They might have a bike that is around $1000, and across the board they will all have the same components, they will all be made from the same material, and generally perform the same way.  When you get to the higher prices is when you start to see the different in bike manufacturers.  Guru makes a custom bike, Specialized has a really cool looking bike that is really expensive, Cervelo is... well, Cervelo.  But even then at the higher prices, you are going to get a carbon fiber frame, Ultegra or Dura Ace components and a few additional bells and whistles.

I've read that paying for a fitting was kind of expected, so I was prepared for that possibility, but I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who thinks that's a little odd.

I can totally understand bringing in a bike you already own for a fitting and being charged, but paying for a fitting where I'll be dropping several hundred dollars afterwards doesn't make sense.  It's kind of like paying for a movie ticket, sitting in your seat and then the usher coming by to collect from you a "start the movie fee" before he can draw back the curtains.  (OK, that's really bad analogy.)

I'm buying running shoes tomorrow.  You don't have to pay for shoe fittings do you?

Thanks a lot for your advice, Robyn.  I know you've got a lot of us on here so I'll try not to hog anymore time.

Lora

Pay for shoe fittings?  No way... but shoe fittings work a lot like bike fittings.  They measure your footsie, stick you on a tready, and say..... "You can have this shoe or that shoe.  Sorry they are ugly."

Hey cool, same bike I have!  What year is yours?  Got mine last fall, and though I LOVE the bike, I don't really care for the paint job.  Haven't come up with a name for her yet either...  (And yes, it's gotta be female, no way I'm riding a guy. )

I called another shop in another major city around here and they want $125 to do the fit.  Sounds like I'd better plan on ponying up.

LOL.  Thanks a lot, Robyn.

Hey Lynn, yep I live in SoCal.  I got my Giant at Two Wheels One Planet in Lake Forest.  Worked with Kristin (who's the owner I believe), and she was extremely nice and knowledgeable.  They do offer a free fitting once you've selected a bike, too.

24844 Muirlands Blvd
Lake Forest, CA 92630
949.581.8900
http://twowheelsoneplanet.com/

I was choosing between the Giant TCR C2 and C3, and the Trek Madone, and went with the Giant, since it just felt better to me. 

I think to get a full carbon frame and Ultegra components, you'll end up paying a minimum of $2k.  My Giant is full carbon and mostly Ultegra, but the brakes are 105, and out-the-door with a cycling computer and various accessories, plus tax, it came to $2200.

Worth every penny.

Oh, and most bikes will come with a fairly decent saddle, but no pedals, so expect to add another $50 to $100 for that.  Plus you'll need biking shoes and a helmet.  It all adds up pretty quick!

If you don't mind me asking, what is your price point?  Because if it is anything north of $500 dollars, there is no way you should be paying for a fit if you buy from the shop you are being fit at.  It is in their best interest to develop a relationship with you, and charging $125 for a fit is no way to to that in my opinion, if you are buying the bike from them.  Visit more shops.  You will find one that is right for you.  I think you should keep looking.  Just my two cents.

I agree that you should not have to pay for a bike fitting... why would a bike shop sell you a bike that you won't be able to ride because it doesn't fit?  Look for a shop that fits for free...

As far as price goes, you really can choose your own price... but you pay for what you get.  At the lower end of the spectrum you'll get an aluminum frame with Shimano components.  That's pretty standard across the board.  As you go up in price, they will tweak it a little by adding a carbon fork, upgraded components (shifters, brakes, F&R derailler, etc).  But as you jump price points you get a whole new bike.  There is a massive difference between Shimano and Ultegra, Ultegra and Dura Ace, etc.  There is a huge difference between aluminum and carbon fiber or titanium...

But the above posters are correct... its not just a bike you need.  Keep in mind that you will need shorts (seriously, don't skimp on this one), helmet (I will hurt you if you walk out of that shop without a helmet), pedals and shoes (yes, this is a must, especially for a road bike), extra tubes, and a tire pump.  So, yes, it adds up quickly.

You might want to check the local bike shops in the area to get a feel for what you are looking for.  Also scope them out to see which one will give you the best service (that is very important, especially when buying a bike).  Once you have seen all of your options, decide what it is you want on your bike, knowing what everything is going to cost.  You want a bike with Dura Ace?  Well, expect to pay $3k, but if you can make it happen with Shimano then the price will be significantly lower than that.

When looking, keep in mind that the price of things has a lot to do with how much it weighs.  If you want to know why aluminum is cheaper than carbon, well, the answer is:  its lighter (and more difficult to manufacture).  The lighter your bike is, the more expensive it will be.  When looking at pedals, the "its lighter" answer is always the correct answer.

Good luck and happy shopping!

My price point is low, but I do expect to pay more than $500.

I could not agree with you more, Bennet, and I've already started a list of other shops in the area.  Thanks for you opinion.  I appreciate it.

It's Official .... I am an @ss!!!!

My grandmother passed away this morning after a very extended illness. I was just sitting here thinking, " Work today, and in a meeting until well after six, then back to the station where I had to pass along the info from the meeting to my crew. I have Brodie all day Saturday and Sunday becuase Monica has her 12 hour shift x 2 this weekend, The Funeral is Monday and then I'll be back here at work after the funeral. Geex when Am I gonna train????" Then  I realized what an @zz I must be to be worried about my training, my grandmother and I were very close gorwing up...and here I am worried about when I can ride my bike again.  

thanks to those of you who the kind words in my log. It is greatly appriciated. My mother offered to watch Brodie today so i could get a ride in. The weather is supposed to be really bad around here tomorrow so I am glad i could something in today. I may try some Yoga tomorrow ( from On Demmand TV), while Brodie takes a nap...we'll see. Hopefullyu after the funeral Monday I can get a run or short swim in...Hope evry one has a GREAT week!!!! As we say here in the south..."YA"LL ROCK, YA'LL!!!!!