A bike dealer whose advice I can rely on 1000 % ?

Ezy Rider
Ezy Rider Posts: 415
edited August 2011 in Road beginners
I think the LBS I bought my bike from where not as good as I thought they were. By looking at my build , shortar5e of 5 feet 9 inches and 29 inch inside leg, I dont think I should have been so readily sold my 56cm trek 1000 when I bought it :( and instead I think somebody should have said it will be a bit big for you :idea:

Ive had a 90mm adjustable stem fitted to it and the degree of tilt back to me certainly helps, the mavic open pro handbuilt wheels I purchased where another good purchase, but when I asked for a suitable compact double, the shimano hollowtech double I was given was 175mm which Im thinking might be way too big for my 29inch inside leg. Surely a seasoned bike seller can see when bike parts are to big, or are they more interested in sales commission.I think the seller was more interested in commission the day I went in and bought my 56cm bike, I was as green as the grass and I think he knew it,

Id be grateful if somebody could give the name of a seller whom I can source the phone number of online and whom I can ask should I be selling my 175mm double compact and should i be buying a 170mm or 172.5mm type, I really need somebody I can totally trust and who wont be treating me as somebody who is not technically knowledgable and sell me any ole stuff and be only too happy to talk to me at length.

From sites like this, ive been gradually building up bike know how, but ive got such a long way to go , your help with this will be greatly appreciated :)

Comments

  • Pseudonym
    Pseudonym Posts: 1,032
    by the sound of it, you would be better off on a 54cm, and a 29 inside leg should suggest a 170mm crank, certainly not 175.
  • optimisticbiker
    optimisticbiker Posts: 1,657
    I'm 5'8" and 29" inside leg and I ride a 51cm frame with 170mm cranks - 54 was also possible but I found the 51 more comfortable.. 56 def too big, unless it has a very low top tube, 51 - 54 depending on manufacturer sounds more reasonable...
    Invacare Spectra Plus electric wheelchair, max speed 4mph :cry:
  • Ezy Rider
    Ezy Rider Posts: 415
    im having to put ice on my right knee as I am getting pain on the inside left of my knee cap. my seat is in the correct position, that i do know, but could a crank that is too big contribute to this ?
  • MountainMonster
    MountainMonster Posts: 7,423
    Ezy Rider wrote:
    im having to put ice on my right knee as I am getting pain on the inside left of my knee cap. my seat is in the correct position, that i do know, but could a crank that is too big contribute to this ?

    As far as the knee pain, a slight drop of 1 or 2mm should solve that. That is, if your seat is already at the correct height.
    My London Road
  • Ezy Rider
    Ezy Rider Posts: 415
    appreciate all the help fellas, but the name of a dealer whose advice I can trust impliclitly ?
  • MountainMonster
    MountainMonster Posts: 7,423
    Noone can ever be always trusted, especially in retaiil.

    You may actually want to try Chain Reaction Cycles as a first point of call, as well as maybe Merlin. They have quite good customer service, and from what i've heard through other posts on here, they are quite decent with advice as well.
    My London Road
  • Pseudonym
    Pseudonym Posts: 1,032
    Ezy Rider wrote:
    appreciate all the help fellas, but the name of a dealer whose advice I can trust impliclitly ?

    you're better off asking on here, because nobody is trying to sell you anything - unless of course you don't trust the advice you are being given....
  • desweller
    desweller Posts: 5,175
    Your best bet is someone who has no vested interest in flogging you a bicycle, i.e. a bike fit specialist. You can go and get fitted and then usually you'll have all the numbers you need to select any bike you buy in the future.
    - - - - - - - - - -
    On Strava.{/url}
  • merak
    merak Posts: 323
    Ezy Rider wrote:
    im having to put ice on my right knee as I am getting pain on the inside left of my knee cap. my seat is in the correct position, that i do know, but could a crank that is too big contribute to this ?
    It could be seat height, but that pain on the inside of the knee in my experience is more often down to cleat set-up on your shoes. The correct set-up isn't necessarily straight ahead for both feet. I had a bout of very bad pain in my right knee on rides above 100km till I realised that my right foot naturally toes-out; once I set my cleats up, left foot straight, right foot toe out, the pain went and I haven't had any for the last 15 years. If you sit on a table with your legs dangling over the edge, with legs and feet relaxed, they'll tend to fall into their natural position (that's how I did it anyway). But this is somethoing else a proper bike fit should help you with.
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Maybe show us a picture of your bike set up and you riding it with full extension on the leg ?

    I don't think the cranks are a deal breaker. Wrong frame size is more crucial.
  • davenice
    davenice Posts: 72
    Also worth mentioning where in the world you are if you'd like recommendations of people to help you in person :-)
  • Ezy Rider
    Ezy Rider Posts: 415
    ive been looking at those carbon frames from carbonzone in china on ebay. ive no clue what top tube size i should be buying or frame size or cranksize, so ive booked a bike fitting session to get more information to make the right choices
  • ride_whenever
    ride_whenever Posts: 13,279
    DesWeller wrote:
    Your best bet is someone who has no vested interest in flogging you a bicycle, i.e. a bike fit specialist. You can go and get fitted and then usually you'll have all the numbers you need to select any bike you buy in the future.

    This, get a proper bike fit and be more comfortable with your bike. From the sounds of things you'll probably need a new bike to attain your ideal position.
    Neeermad
    Carbon 456
    456 lefty
    Pompino
    White Inbred
  • Wacky Racer
    Wacky Racer Posts: 638
    I use Echelon in Pershore, I didn't buy my bike from them but I do spend money on othere things there. They have always offered totally impartial advice without pushing a sale, and are VERY knowledgable and helpful. As someone else has stated, it depends whereabouts you are situated?
    Ridley Orion

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