Local bike shop advice ??? too confusing.

[gmac]

What does your heart say?

Spend spend spend, unfortunatley

 

[Norm]

and does a 10 minute test ride really tell you much?

Sorry, but I get a preview when spending 79p on iTunes, I see no reason to stump up the thick end of a grand without one.

As for 10 minutes, I think I've always referred to a test ride being at least an hour.

The last test ride I did was on the Tricross. I was out for about 6 hours and then phoned the shop to say that they weren't going to get the bike back. I went round the next day with a cheque.

 

[Banjo]

Sorry, but I get a preview when spending 79p on iTunes, I see no reason to stump up the thick end of a grand without one.

As for 10 minutes, I think I've always referred to a test ride being at least an hour.

The last test ride I did was on the Tricross. I was out for about 6 hours and then phoned the shop to say that they weren't going to get the bike back. I went round the next day with a cheque.

To be honest I wouldnt want to buy a bike without riding it either.Not many shops will let you take a shiny new bike away for 6 hours though. More usuall seems to be a 10 minute up and down the street type ride which doesnt tell you much really.

Test rides work from the shops point of view though.I test rode my Trek Valencia Hybrid just to see if it was the correct size for me as I was ordering a different model Trek that the LBS didnt have in stock.

10Minutes later I cancelled the original order and bought the Valencia

Even though I do most of my miles on the road bike the hybrid is not wasted. I do all my local shopping trips etc and my short commute to work on it.

 

[Norm]

Not many shops will let you take a shiny new bike away for 6 hours though.

Indeed. I do have a pretty good relationship with my LBS, though.

 

[runner]

Hybrid or drops....i have both. The only time I think I like the hybrid is in heavy traffic...otherwise for sheer enjoyment...exhilaration...turn of speed..handling...looks..spec...it's great to be alive I would have the giant everytime....I ride a Defy 1 most of the time.....love it

 

[MacB]

I'd add that you can convert a drop bar bike to flat bars quite cheaply and easily sell the drop bar bits, especially if they have integrated drop brake/gear shifters. The other way round is not so good:-

Drops to flats - inc new stem, bars, levers, shifters, grips, cabling etc - top notch for £150 but easily done for £50

Flats to drops - could inc brakes, brake/gear controls, bars, cabling, tape, stem - cheap would be £150 and not hard to creep up to £250+

Having drops doesn't mean you need to race and you don't need to use the drops but they're there if needed. But you get three good positions on the top, the flats, the corners and the hoods. With crosstop levers thrown in you can brake from all 3 positions as well.

If you want more versatility for bigger tyres etc then there're a lot of newer models coming out under the 'cross' bike heading. Seeing more of these featuring drop bars and disc brakes and rims that'll take tyres from about 25mm up to 38mm. Just do a search under disc brake drop bars and you'll find quite a few goodies.

 

[ASC1951]

Spend spend spend, unfortunatley

And that's the right answer! I've just spent £320 getting my humble Astra an 80,000 mile service and an MoT, i.e. nothing to show but a bit of paper, so I never have any trouble justifying bike money.

I would without hesitation go for the better bike from the shop with the bike fit (and I would make full use of that session, which was the best £50 I ever spent on bikes). Most of us start cycling as children and teenagers, so we have to spend a few years at every level because that is all we can afford, but as an adult you don't have to.

Here are my reasons:-
- you are getting better service from a better shop. They want to keep you as a customer and are selling you what you need - a full spec road bike - and within budget.
- IME you get better value for money at £825 than £600. VFM drops off above about £1500 and I wouldn't go below £400, but your budget is exactly where it does matter
- on principle I wouldn't buy a bike from a shop that wouldn't let me do a test ride of at least an hour on something very similar
- you will be able to ride longer, faster and hillier with a full spec bike. You will get more pleasure from riding it, so you will use it more, which is the whole point.

The lower spec bike is much too close to what you already have. If you get it, you will either bimble along as 'Mr Lardy who does a few miles' - I have been there! - or have your hand back in your wallet in three months' time for an upgrade. You can afford the better bike, you deserve a reward for shedding the first load of lard, and it is a sensible investment in shedding the rest. Give it 18 months and you will be Mr Racing Snake, bashing out 100k sportives.

 

[philipbh]

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-GB/dealers/

You can search for other Giant Dealers here - but also filter for the Giant Test Centres

 

[DrSquirrel]

Shop 1. is where I bought the Giant and they recommend a road bike Giant defy 2 Drop bars full entry level road bike.£825 , add clip on pedals, shoes, padded shorts, helmet, bike fitting session costing £50 but refunded if bike purchased. All close to £1000. I was a bit confused by all the information so I took my leave trotted off to next shop.

Shop 2.
Their advice was a specialised Sirrus elite, just over £600, remove the toe clip pedals for standard flat ones and that it. Sounds a better deal. IS it that good? ( I am not too impressed with the brake handles on the Sirrus they look cheapish)

Questions that jump into my mind is.... Shop 1 is really interested in me getting a good setup that I will ultimatley be happy with or cynical old me thinks they are trying it on, sell all they can to me. Shop 2 is just giving it to me straight. Thats the level you will reach, nice fast bike that is the next level up from what i have got.

I went back to shop 1 and they said a flat bar bike is only a minimal sideways move.

Shop 1 - but, ask for more freebies. Also get clipless(and shoes) later if you are only just getting onto a road bike - this will also give you more time to shop around as accessories can be often found cheaper on the internet imo, with more selection specially for more budget end kit as IME bike shops tend to stock higher kit.

Helmet? If you already have one use that, if you don't why do they want to suddenly sell one - just go without if you did before.

Padded shorts? If you never wore them before, don't bother unless the saddle really isn't good for you - again I am not sure why they are trying to sell you shorts when you want a bike.

£50 is too much for a biek fitting - if a bike doesn't fit me im not going to buy it, period. Most will size you up as you buy then adjust it all for you - considering its "free" if you buy the bike then this isn't really a problem. Just tell them you're not willing to pay for fitting regardless.

I got a bike+bits for £545.50 recently, total original cost £661 - granted online a some of the accessories would be a few quid cheaper, but we're still looking at £645-650.

Drops aren't so bad even if you're on the hoods most of the time, so long as you're on the road 99% the time.

 

[ASC1951]

£50 is too much for a bike fitting - if a bike doesn't fit me im not going to buy it, period. Most will size you up as you buy then adjust it all for you - considering its "free" if you buy the bike then this isn't really a problem. Just tell them you're not willing to pay for fitting regardless.

Not if you are getting a proper fitting on a jig, it isn't - it's the going rate.

Maybe Gmac wants an ongoing relationship with a proper bike shop, rather than squeezing them for every penny off the stuff he has to get from them and getting the rest from an internet box shifter?

 

[DrSquirrel]

Not if you are getting a proper fitting on a jig, it isn't - it's the going rate.

Maybe Gmac wants an ongoing relationship with a proper bike shop, rather than squeezing them for every penny off the stuff he has to get from them and getting the rest from an internet box shifter?

Aye - I want an ongoing relationship with my bike shop too, so I will pay them full rates and buy stuff which is overpriced.

And what is wrong with a box? A place has the product I want, in a box... yet I should somehow be paying more to have it handed to me off a shelf.

What of a shop that only has mid-high range gear when budget gear will suit you perfectly?



I think next time I will take your advice and just pay the shop full cost for bike and accessories.

 

[e-rider]

Shop 1. is trying to kit you out fully to be a road cyclist.

Shop 2. is just trying to sell you a bike more suited to your needs than the one you currently have.

SIMPLE - you just need to decide what you want from cycling. Lycra-clad roady, racing around the country lanes at 22mph 4 times per week; OR Sunday afternoon rides to get fit and lose some weight.

From the distances you say you're riding, Shop 1 is a little (a lot) OTT in my opinion

 

[swee'pea99]

You say 'up to £900'? Well once you're at that level, what difference does another cuppla hundred make. Someone hereabouts on another thread I can't remember flagged up this, which looks like an unbeatable deal to me. Go on....you'll never regret it!

 

[BrumJim]

You are evil. I'm trying to ignore the fact that this offer exists.

What colour is best?