roadweary

I’m shopping hybrids pretty hard right now. I’m currently riding a 25 year old Klein Rascal that I’ve had since it was new. I bought the frame and components from mail order and had my LBS build it. It’s been a wonderful bike, seen Moab many times and spent day after day in the mountains around Park City. I’m taking this bike to the grave which will keep the afterlife colorful with its purple/pink fade. Now I’m 65 and my rides often never leave asphalt. I’ll still do single track once in awhile but I’d like another beautiful bike—this time built for comfort. I hate drops so I’m looking at the Trek 7.7 FX and Specialized Carbon Comp or Expert. I’ve ridden the Specialized Elite and really liked it. Here’s my problem: I know Trek is an excellent bike and my local dealer is an excellent guy. He spends lots of time with me and pours over sizing geometry. He wants to know every dimension of my Klein as clues to what I’ll like. Unfortunately, all he has for me to ride is a 7.2 FX rental bike and it seemed very ordinary to me. If I can’t ride something very close to the 7.7, how can I know if I’ll like it? Do I just trust that it’s a fabulous bike and this shop owner will make me happy?

Triaxtremec

I personally don't like spending large amounts of money "sight unseen." I have a Sirrus, although not carbon, it has been a great all around bike. Its got some cx tires for some gravel riding and some road tires for leisurely riding.

quicktrigger

Go with the one you know IMHO.

QT

roadweary

I think you've both confirmed what I was feeling. I know the Trek 7.7 is a wonderful bike and I've read a number of threads about people loving it. But I'd sure like to at least sit on one. I'm headed out on a summer road trip and maybe I'll be able to find one in a city like Portland, OR. I hear they have lots of good bike shops.

Wanderer

The dealer won't order one without a prior purchase********** Can he arrange a ride thru a factory rep?

I wouldn't buy without riding, either!

Orange Gato

I think your LBS should order the Trek you want in your size for you to try out, without a commitment from you to buy it. Or find a LBS that will do that. That is what I did for my Jamis.

dumans24

Agree with Orange Gato. My Trek dealer ordered the bike I wanted (DS 8.5) in my size with no commitment to buy. I did put down a refundable deposit, tho. I got to try it out on a local trail for a few hours ... ended up buying it. I'd think any decent LBS would do the same.

roadweary

I didn't really press my dealer to order in a bike I could try out--maybe I should have. In the area I live in they probably don't turn over the more expensive bikes very quickly. Although the Specialized shop told me that when they started carrying hybrids a few years ago they couldn't keep them in stock. Perhaps in the bike business, ordering in models that the customer decides not buy is part of the business. I'd just hate to feel a moral obligation to purchase a bike I wasn't thrilled with. Maybe that's my hang up and I shouldn't project it to the shop owner (who has been in business for 30 years).

MRT2

Touchy situation. I would not buy a $2,000 bike site unseen. Then again, not a huge market for $2,000 hybrids.

roadweary

I think you're right about the market size for expensive hybrids. But they're right for me. Just for fun I tried a $4000 road bike today. It was pretty sweet but my feelings about drop bars were confirmed. I'd try a $4000 Mt. bike but I'm afraid I might buy it.

Orange Gato

I wonder if there are any LBS owners on this forum? Surely there are people who have worked in shops. I just wonder their opinion on ordering bikes for serious and knowledgable customers in this type of situation.

And I would not feel pressured to buy out of guilt if the LBS ordered a bike for me that I did not like. The customer is always right and I'm am sure that anyone would know that you are not playing around.

BTW, I am curious to know which carbon bike you buy and your review of it. Keep us posted.

roadweary

I rode the Specialized again yesterday and probably the biggest takeaway is that I've fallen in love with disk brakes. The Trek 7.7 has some beautiful dual pivot brakes I'd probably be O.K. with but I'm officially sold on the disks. On my morning ride today I saw mostly road bikes until I headed up a pretty rough road. There's a reason people like road bikes and I don't want to be too stubborn to understand it. I want a very light, reasonably fast bike that's comfortable to ride. With my hands on the hoods of drop bars I think I might be sitting more upright than even a hybrid. I'd be frustrated if it wasn't so much fun shopping for a new bike!

ColdCase

I find that LBSs are happy to special order any bike they can get their hands on. But special order requires a 50% deposit and is no returns, so the expectation is the buyer better know what he is doing.

roadweary

Bike shops are in a tough spot. Shops in all but the biggest cities probably can't afford inventories to carry every model of bike--especially on the high end. But I understand that manufacturers sponsor demo days at shops so customers can try everything out. If I could hit a Trek demo event somewhere who knows what I might bring home....

ShortLegCyclist

Bike Shows are a good option for that too, if your city has any. Here's a link to Seattle's: Seattle Bicycle Expo | Cascade Bicycle Club

roadweary

Thanks for the link. I'll see what's out there.