Time Spent Bike Shopping

Research? About six months. Actual in-the-store time? About 15 minutes to verify the fit.

It never stops...

Research, about a month and a half. Checked out two different LBS's and test rode the two bikes that I had narrowed it down to and then bought the one I wanted in the first place after the test rides confirmed my choice. The actual shopping took maybe 2 hrs.

For my first bike, I was stupid and ended up buying the first bike I looked at...which was a HUGE mistake because I was sold a bike that didn't fit me properly. 

The second time around, I took several months researching online and visiting shops before I decided on what to buy. 

Just curious regarding your friend and her S2...what is it that she is not liking about the bike?  Reason I ask, is because I have that same bike (but a 2008 model, when it was called the Soloist Carbon) so naturally, I'm interested in hearing other people's experience with it. 

Linda

I'm still relatively new to cycling, but have learned a lot both about buying and riding.

I wish I knew the following simple things:

1) Fit is really critical. Don't settle for an ill-fitting bike, regardless of the deal. That said, there is some leeway in the fit factor; a pro-fit is the best, but not absolutely necessary. At the least though, the bike should fit without discomfort.

2) Your body will provide 95+% of performance. No matter how tricked out your bike is, as long as it's a true road bike, you will likely have the exact same race results. For real.

3) Cervelo is one of the most popular hi-end tribikes. The Motobecane Nemesis is perhaps the cheapest, if not the cheapest new bike. Anything in between is by choice. You can win on both. 

4) You don't need a tribike to win the bike in most races. If you're comfy on a road bike, it's an excellent choice.

5) There is a 100% probability that if you took all the time you spend choosing your specific road bike and devoted it to riding or running, that you'd be a better triathlete, regardless of what road bike you end up with.

Edited by agarose2000 2009-07-15 7:06 PM

You mean there's supposed to be a time when we're "done" shopping for it, even after buying one?

I spent quite a bit of time just researching options before I dropped the $$$ on my new bike (this was 2 years ago).  My budget was around 1200-1500 which is serious cash for me. I decided on getting a road bike vs. a tri-bike as I could only afford one bike, and I felt the roadie would be way more versatile.

I narrowed down which bikes I was interested in, mostly by looking at websites for the brands and spec geometry. I then went and test rode all of them - about 5-6 bikes that fit into the budget I was looking at. I really wanted to test-ride an Orbea, but I couldn't afford it, so that one was out. I probably spent a month just test-riding bikes. The final 2 contenders I test rode twice. I went to 4 different bike shops, as they each carried different brands.

I've been extremely happy with the bike I bought - it wasn't the one I thought I would like the best, but it was the one that felt the best by far. It's been really great.

I may not have stopped bike shopping since I bought my first.  It's now up for sale so I can buy a cyclocross bike. 

For me it goes like this.
1.) Get online at work, look at every bike company I can imagine (usually months - years at a time)
2.) Get reviews/info on said bikes
3.) Go to bike shops, test ride bikes
4.) Repeat steps 1-3
5.) Buy Bike
6.) Happy for 3-5 days
7.) Start again at step 1.

I've always been that person that was always in love with something until I got it though.

Research, probably a couple months or so, on-and-off.  The day I bought, test rode 3 bikes, by the time they put my pedals on each bike, adjusted the seat, I did my ride, decided, got my fit done, I think I spent 6 hours in the shop total.  They did give me beer while I was waiting for the mechanic to get the next bike ready to test ride, ended up with 3 beers. 

I actually found bike shoping hard.  I was looking for my first road bike.  I had a budget of$2500 to $3000, but that was for everthing. (bike, shoes, pedals, computer, etc). 
But because I have never owned a road bike before I didn't know what a good fit was or what to look or feel for on a test ride.
So I went to 6+ LBS and settled on the one that seemed to be the most knowledgeable about their products and pulled the trigger. I love the new speed of the bike and think it is a good buy.
The whole process took way to long at about 4 to 5 mths.

i dont step into a LBS unless I'm going to buy something.

but I spend a lot of time researching on-line.

plan on buying a bike in jan/feb/march, and I've been researching all year....

i should just go buy a P2 as thats what i'll probably end up with based on price and my research...but I  gotta wait and see what the 2010 colors are going to be

I too would be interested to hear why she doesn't like it.

When I bought my Cervelo S1. I went in and asked do you have a S1 in a 56? They said yes, Then I said I wanted a 11-23 on the back and a 120 stem.. They swapped em out and off I went. Though I ended up with a 130 stem.

However I had been looking at a new road bike for a good bit.

Back when I first got a road bike I laughed at people that had more than one... silly silly people...  

After buying my 3rd bike last week.  (mtn bike)  I think my shopping experience is like most people..

research online of the different bikes,,
 get opinions of people that ride those bikes,
Figure out what options I really need vs really want.. as compared to my budget
start shopping prices online..
Look at bikes, Ride a few... then wait a few days to figure out if this is really a good choice.
Look at prices again...
go into store, think what looks really cool  and buy it.

My friends and family only hear about the last step so to them it's an impulse purchase,  but in reality it's 6 months or longer.  It took my over a year to get this mountain bike

Good to know that I'm not alone

I spent the better part of 4 months reading BT, bike websites, reviews, adds, and everything in between. I looked up fitting, style, colors, sizing, and all the terminology.

I went to a bike shop and started shopping. Got some suggestions, a test ride and a price.

I researched the bikes and prices.

I went to a second bike shop and continued shopping. More suggestions, another test ride, and a price.

I researched the new bikes and prices.

Asked local groups about their bike shop of choice and why. Went to who I felt was the better shop and made my purchase.

I'm starting to do the same again though. It's almost time for another roadie

zackly!  when I stop I'll let you know...

Two years ago I watched my wife spend a couple months trying to decide on a bike.  She must have went to almost every bike shop within an hour of us.  She was new to the sport and was to begin training for IMLP 2008.  She finally found a bik and had a LBS fit her but still always seemed to be adjusting it and getting some various aches and pains.

 This past year I was in the same situation, I was new to the sport and decided to sign up with her for IMLP 2009 on a whim (That's a different story).  I didn't have a lot of spare time to waste searching and researching for a bike.  Normally, I research things to death but I didn't want to waste a lot of time when I felt my time would be better spent training or doing other things.  It was now mid Sept and I'm still using my MTB.

  I knew how important fit was as last year I tried to do the Lake Placid course with her about a month before the race.  I rented a bike at one of the LBS in Placid instead of trying to ride my MTB which I had been doing some 50-70 rides with her on.  I only mad one lap.  My knee hurt for a while after that and it clicked for a month after using that rental bike, not to mention my shoulder blades and butt.  To the LBS credit they tried to do a quick fitting, plumb lines and even changed the stem.

I made an appointment at a PRO bike fitter (Fitwerx, one of the sponsors here).  They are a few hours away from us.  I spent 4-4 1/2 hours for the fitting so they could find my dimensions, range of motion, flexibility, power, etc.  At the end of the fitting they gave me recommendations of which of their bikes could be made to fit me or I could have one built with a custom frame.  You can also get the dimensions if you want to research bikes yourself from other brands they don't carry.  I chose one of their bikes and they set it up for me.  And I have been happy since.

 My wife was surpised that I just went with what they recommended, not my usual MO.  I told her everyone stressed how important fit was and I have zero road/tri bike experience except for that one rental.  So I wanted an expert to fit me.

She ended up getting a fitting from them as well and bought a new bike from them.  She is so pleased that she did this now and really sees the value in it.

If someone is serious about being competative in this sport or planning on longer distance races I'd really consider having a PRO fitting and getting a bike that will fit you.  Instead of buying a bike and then trying to have a fitter make it as best as possible for you. 

Bob

I've been looking/saving for months. I promised myself after finishing IM on my roadie, I would look into buying a tri-bike. I have ridden a few and know what I like now. I know I'll be spending a HUGE amount of money on the bike so I want to KNOW I will love it. I hope to custom paint her as well.