Buying Online Without a Trial Ride

mab_baker
mab_baker Posts: 45
edited March 2010 in Road buying advice
I'm looking at buying a TT bike and am considering either a Ribble TT Aero frame or one of the Planet X TT bikes. The dilema is, is it a good idea buying a bike that you've never tried from an online outfit? Both companies are obviously geared up to supplying bikes in this manner and provide instructions for getting them your correct dimensions etc, but for some reason it doesn't feel right forking out around £2k for a bike that you've never ridden.

Has anybody else any experiences buying a complete bike from an online retailer without trying beforehand?

Comments

  • nickwill
    nickwill Posts: 2,735
    I would never buy a bike without being fitted for it.
    For me, fit is the most important element in bike choice. Everything is subsidiary to that.
    http://lakescyclist.wordpress.com/
  • chriskempton
    chriskempton Posts: 1,245
    I would. I've never had a problem buying frames or bikes without a test ride. As long as you can choose the right size frame off a geometry chart, all that remains is to set the saddle height and fore and aft and then the bar height and possibly swap the stem if you don't get the right length.

    Especially if it's your first TT bike, you're going to be setting it up to a whole new position (vs drop bar road bike) anyway. It'll take some time and some work on your flexibility. I don't see how this can be achieved on a test ride, or on a one off bike fitting session.
  • Bill-87
    Bill-87 Posts: 155
    I bought my bike from CRC without ever being on one before, checked the sizing on an on-line chart and placed my order. Only thing different I need is a Stem but the rest is a perfect as far as i'm concerned.

    Billy
  • nickwill
    nickwill Posts: 2,735
    I guess it depends on whether you are a 'standard size'. I've got a long back and shorter legs which tends to mean that finding a good fit is not quite straightforward. I would still suggest that all things being equal you are better off buying from a proper bike shop!
    http://lakescyclist.wordpress.com/
  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
    Not for £2k - I wouldn't chance it.

    I could have got my bike £300 cheaper mail order - but it's still a £1400 gamble.

    I would look for somewhere that does a fitting - even if that £2k bike - then costs £2300 !
  • TimoH
    TimoH Posts: 120
    mab_baker wrote:
    Has anybody else any experiences buying a complete bike from an online retailer without trying beforehand?

    I have bought a Planet X SL Pro Carbon w/ Ultegra groupset. The deal was (and still is) so good that even if you had to buy another frame to get your dream bike, the price is still OK if you compare it to the prices you have to pay at your Local Bike Shop.

    The only error I made in the process was that I ordered a stem that was 20mm too long. That would have been avoidable if I had sent my measurements to PX before purchasing. The guys at PX seem to know a thing or two about fitting a bike.

    BTW: BikeRadar reviews of PX SL Pro Carbon are spot on.

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