Buying a Tri bike (Page 3)

Digging up an old topic here, thought I'd try and keep all this info in this thread so maybe later on if someone searches and ends up here, they've got what I've been looking for.

In regards to buying a tri bike, it's been mentioned that both Gear West and Urban Tri are good local shops to buy a bike from.  How does everyone feel about their pricing?  Or pricing from Erik's, Penn Cycle or anyone else?  Reason I ask is that when I look at Gear West, for example, they're location itself lends itself to customers for whom money is no object.  They're not looking for a deal, like you or I are.  So I'm assuming that their prices may not really be that great, and 2nd to finding a bike that fits me best, I want to feel like I'm getting a good deal.  My bike knowledge is not excellent, so if a sales guy starts throwing around the names of the components I'm already lost, and he could tell me anything he wanted and I'm going to agree.  And let's face it, the bike manufacturers and the variety of component groups available out there is just mind boggling.

Thanks!

ps - reason I'm asking is that I'm thinking about buying a tri bike after my last big race (10/23), and I'm hoping to score a deal on a 2011 bike now that the 2012's are coming out.

What do you all think about Valley Bike and Ski in Apple Valley? They have a bike i'm really interested in.

I bought my '11 Felt B16 at Valley in 2010.  I would say their fit process leaves a bit to be desired compared to some more tri-focused shops, but they got me in the ballpark at least.  Pricing is going to be better than Gear West in my experience.  Case in point they will not try to get ridiculous prices on previous model years.  In 2010 GW had some 2009 B16s that they would not budge on from $1899 (the 2011s were already coming out at $1999 with full Ultegra vs 105 on the 2009/2010).  At the same time, Valley was selling their remaining 2010 B16s for $1699.  I believe they support at least one tri group (FCA?), so they should get a decent amount of traffic from triathletes.

If you're comfortable dialing in your own fit or going somewhere else to get that, I'd say there's no reason not to shop there.

Funny you should mention that.  In 2010 I was in your shoes.  I found a bike I would like to have bought down in AZ, but I couldn't buy online.  It was such a good deal that I pursued it a bit and they would have allowed me to have a courier come in with a cashier's check and then they would have shipped it to me.  It was just that the sale had to be in-store.  I didn't end up going that route, though.

Perhaps you could find someone in MN that would buy the bike for you and then ship it?

rhvonlehe

I just spoke with one of the managers there and they can sell it to me over the phone and box it but someone has to pick it up and mail it or they break their agreement with Felt. I don't suppose that you live anywhere near there do you? Want to make a few $$

After much research and deliberation, this bike somehow ended up in the back of my car on the way home from the airport (Austin 70.3) last night.

Cannondale Slice 3 w/Ultegra components.  Super excellent price, 2011 bike heavily discounted from Erik's.  I've done enough research to know it fits me, now I'll look into getting in to see the Fit Guru dude.