The problem with buying a high end bike / frame!

nicensleazy

My beef is not about actually taking a bike for a test ride at the shop (although it would be nice) my beef is about the lack of knowledge at these so called 'professional' bike shops. The bottom line is, the sales guy must know about what he is selling. I think its imperative for the likes of Pinarello, Colnago, Cervelo, Time etc etc UK agents to formally introduce their bikes to the shop sales staff. Or have some kind of product learning day or the UK agent takes these guys out on a field day. A great friend of mine years ago use to sell top end champagne, he always said, its extremely important for me to know what's in the bottle, reading the label is not enough!

Smokin Joe

What exactly could a salesman tell you about a bike that would be any use to you? The whole thing is very subjective, you only have to read the differing opinions here or on any other forum to know that one man's comfortable all day frame is anothers boneshaking nightmare.

So you want to know if something is suitable for racing, sportives or audax? All the information is available on the net, and anyone who wants a top end frame and doesn't have a pretty good idea of what he wants or hasn't bothered to read any magazine road tests or doesn't understand the difference between a sharp handling out and out race frame compared to one with mudguard eyes and relaxed angles probably shouldn't be thinking about the top end of the market anyway.

Shop owners would also have to put up with the legions of people who take a five grand bike for a test ride, come back saying they'll think about it then ordering the same thing online at a discount. Enough people already do that with shoes.

Wheelspinner

nicensleazy wrote:

My beef is not about actually taking a bike for a test ride at the shop (although it would be nice) my beef is about the lack of knowledge at these so called 'professional' bike shops. The bottom line is, the sales guy must know about what he is selling. I think its imperative for the likes of Pinarello, Colnago, Cervelo, Time etc etc UK agents to formally introduce their bikes to the shop sales staff. Or have some kind of product learning day or the UK agent takes these guys out on a field day. A great friend of mine years ago use to sell top end champagne, he always said, its extremely important for me to know what's in the bottle, reading the label is not enough!

Wow, you sure don't want much sometimes...

Taking the car yard analogy again... go to your local BMW dealer, and ask about the M6 Convertible, in detail. You will probably get plenty of information, but if every salesman in the place reckons they've actually driven it, hard, they are lying through their shiny white teeth.

Then ask for comparative summary of the performance, driving characteristics and features as compared to the Mercedes AMG SL55, the Audi R8, Ferrari 430 Spyder, and Porsche Carrera convertible. Suggest he line them all up for you on the forecourt so you can peruse. Quiz him mercilessly on the power and torque statistics of each and at what revs each engine does it's best work.

Then go next door and buy a VW Golf GTI because it's almost as quick, does the same basic job most of the time and is a whole lot more affordable.

Remember too that car salesmen, especially ones selling the exotic stuff DON'T have to juggle their time selling to you with wrenching out the back fixing a 20 year old MTB, dealing with folks who want training wheels for their kiddies trike and haggling with spotty kids who really just want keep the shop assistant busy so their mates can nick something.

They are also making waaaaaay more money in commissions that the LBS staffer.

BTW, any decent salesman is absolutely NOT going to flog you an EPS if you didn't already appear pretty damned sure that's what you wanted when you walked in.

By all means, you should expect decent knowledge and support from your LBS, but if

Wheelspinner

oops...

"but if... " you expect them to know more than you about every bike on the market, you are wrong!

Any punter buying a real top end race bike is probably far more interested in the details and comparisons between them than a sales bloke selling them is ever going to be.

APIII

I understand the comfort factor of a test ride, but I doubt I'll get one when I buy my next bike. I know the size I need and the geometry I want, so I've already discounted those frames that don't measure up before I enter the shop. The best option is to find a shop that does have knowledgeable staff, get to know them and you'll find they look after their regular customers pretty well . I've bought a lot of stuff on the net in the past, but eventually realised the value of a good lbs.

Tail end Charlie

The bottom line is - it is one of life's great facts that the more you spend on a bike, the less you ride it !!

ademort

In the Netherlands they have a slightly different approach. For a good quality racing bike you would be asked a number of questions as to you budget, requirements such as colour and what you will be using the bike for. After that discussion they will then give you a tour of what bikes fall into your category. A bike fit is not widely available in the Netherlands so quite often any measurements will be taken the old fashioned way with a tape measure.A test ride is almost unheard of here, no chance. But if you do order a bike then it will be set up for you. Best is to ask a local club who in that area where you are has a good reputation and go to them. You can understand the reluctance of bike shops to offer test rides for the reasons given by other members above. But it does seem a little strange that you may pay 6 or7000€ for a bike that you havent even tried out on a test run.
Ademort

cougie

There are a lot of numpty cyclists out there - who will mull things over and try and ride god knows how many bikes without really knowing what they are doing.

When I had my custom steel bikes made - I was happy to go and get fitted for them - obviously I couldnt ride them until they were made and built up.

Now I'm happy to look at reviews - chat to owners and buy a frame off the peg. Different wheels, pressures and tyres and saddle and bars make such a difference anyway that you cant always compare one frame with another one.

kgsbikes

The equation gets more complicated when you go custom. I have only bikes designed for me in my studio and every one of my custom designs is a one of a kind. Fortunately, I can design in the ride characteristics that are needed, but I understand it is a huge leap of faith to plop down loads of cash on a nice bike.

My clients seem to think it is worth it, and many of you in the forum do too. Don't worry about the test ride so much as the knowledge and expertise of the folks you deal with. There are perceived risks and actual risks and the biggest risk by far in getting one of these fine machines is getting one that doesn't fit. It won't ride any better than a thousand dollar bike with high end components if it doesn't fit.

what brakes

i remember going to wildside in tonbridge many years ago and being able to test ride a bianchi xl carbon without any id and having never been to the shop before! It must have been £3k's worth of bike at the time!

Havent been there since to be honest but i was suprised they let me test ride it. They even size me aswell without paying a penny.. Now that how bike shops should be but i fully understand why alot wont even entertain the idea!

dennisn

Infamous wrote:

Small shops often can't afford to risk a brand new pinarello etc being crashed by a clumsy rider who may or may not buy the bike anyway. For all they know you could be a complete beginner, or even worse a sportive rider.

or a Triathlete.................... Sorry but it had to be said.

nicensleazy

There are very few top end bike dealers around where the staff employed know what they are talking about. It really is down to the buyer to research...however, even if you have digested 50 articles on a bike, you never know until you ride it!

giant_man

Which shouldn't be the case! Mind you, I have visited car showrooms knowing as much as the sales guys.

But you're right, it's all in the ride ...