I’m in a bit of a dilemma. I wish to purchase a new Tri bike and as my last road bike was a Trek Madone I wanted to include the Speed Concept (likely 7.5) in the mix. The issue I have is there isn’t anyone in town who carries Trek Tri bikes! Lots of road and other but no Tri bikes.
The store that used to carry them doesn't anymore because folks would come in and try the bikes for overall fit, find what they'd like and then order a Project 1, getting the components, paint etc that they wanted. The bike store was then left with Inventory at year end they'd have to put on sale to get rid of. Heck, they still have a couple of 2011 bikes - WSDs and smaller so not what I'd be looking for.
So, is this something that is unique to where I am or is this happening elsewhere.
And, what is the consensus of buying a bike unseen, that you can't sit on in advance for sizing. Price is close to $8K the way I have it speced out so this isn't one of those things where I just purchase another.
Do I just rule out the SC and go with a Cervelo, Felt, Argon or Specialized Tri Bike?
I’m in a bit of a dilemma. I wish to purchase a new Tri bike and as my last road bike was a Trek Madone I wanted to include the Speed Concept (likely 7.5) in the mix. The issue I have is there isn’t anyone in town who carries Trek Tri bikes! Lots of road and other but no Tri bikes.
The store that used to carry them doesn't anymore because folks would come in and try the bikes for overall fit, find what they'd like and then order a Project 1, getting the components, paint etc that they wanted. The bike store was then left with Inventory at year end they'd have to put on sale to get rid of. Heck, they still have a couple of 2011 bikes - WSDs and smaller so not what I'd be looking for.
So, is this something that is unique to where I am or is this happening elsewhere.
And, what is the consensus of buying a bike unseen, that you can't sit on in advance for sizing. Price is close to $8K the way I have it speced out so this isn't one of those things where I just purchase another.
Do I just rule out the SC and go with a Cervelo, Felt, Argon or Specialized Tri Bike?
If you know you’re fit and size, can’t the shop order it for you? Maybe just pay up front? My Trek shop doesn’t carry the entire line up but they’ll always order something if you ask for it.
Use fit guide, and just order it. I ordered my 7.5 without having ever sat on one. Its’ not like there are 10 different sizes like shoes. Even after you’re “Fit”.
You may still refine your position over time and if your like most, you’ll have a small box of stems and have cut down the steerer tube and extensions more than once.
Use fit guide, and just order it. I ordered my 7.5 without having ever sat on one. Its’ not like there are 10 different sizes like shoes. Even after you’re “Fit”.
You may still refine your position over time and if your like most, you’ll have a small box of stems and have cut down the steerer tube and extensions more than once.
Yup, I could do that. Don’t have extra stems. But, if I get one of the bikes that a store has, even if they have to order it in, they’ll swap out stems and other parts, to a certain extent, without charging me directly for that.
While I’ve been riding longer than most of you have been alive for, and I started riding with clipons before there was anything else (that would predate any kind of Tri bike), I’m curious about all this new fangled fit / setup. How much different is it on a Tri bike versus my road bike?
I would probably avoid getting an SC if the local shop doesn’t carry it. If they don’t carry it they also probably don’t know how to work on it properly. I bought my SC9 in a city where the Trek shop was the local tri shop and they knew everything about the SC and also had them in stock. If I still lived there I would not hesitate to get another SC. Now that I live in a city where the local Trek store doesn’t stock or routinely work on tri bikes, I wouldn’t buy it again. They just don’t know how to work on it and every time I bring it in they cause more problems than the bike came in with. When I buy my next bike I am going to stick with the brands that the local tri shop has.
Where do you live? Can you find a tri shop within a few hours? Maybe I’m biased because I can get to like 6 within 30 miles of me (no idea how good most are)
Where do you live? Can you find a tri shop within a few hours? Maybe I’m biased because I can get to like 6 within 30 miles of me (no idea how good most are)
I can find Tri shops close, just not ones that carry Trek. The nearest is 180 miles away. And, I’d prefer to deal with a store that can help me with setup and extra parts etc. I can get that with Felt, Cervelo, Specialized and Argon to name a few.
I live in Trek’s back yard and every shop within 300 miles carries Trek. They push them pretty heavy on you too. They must get them at a pretty good price and then make more on them than other brands around here. The customer certainly doesn’t see a break. I’ve compared prices to components a lot and found I can get a better bike for less with the other major brands. Thankfully I fit well on Felt bikes and with them I think you get the most bang for your buck. Just my two cents.
I can find Tri shops close, just not ones that carry Trek. The nearest is 180 miles away. And, I’d prefer to deal with a store that can help me with setup and extra parts etc. I can get that with Felt, Cervelo, Specialized and Argon to name a few.
If I’m reading correctly you have a Trek dealer in town but they don’t happen to have any SCs on the floor? If they are a Trek dealer they can get any part you want. My shop doesn’t sell many tri bikes either but a good bike mechanic will be able to go through Trek’s fit guide and get you set up. All you’ll really have to commit to is the frame size. After that, all the stem, bar, and riser choices can be switched out if need be. The new SC is easier to work on than the previous one so I doubt a good mechanic will have any trouble.
Also, Slowtwitch user “Carl” works for Trek and has been extremely helpful to people with questions about which size frame to get in the “2014 Speed Concept?” thread.
Where do you live? Can you find a tri shop within a few hours? Maybe I’m biased because I can get to like 6 within 30 miles of me (no idea how good most are)
I can find Tri shops close, just not ones that carry Trek. The nearest is 180 miles away. And, I’d prefer to deal with a store that can help me with setup and extra parts etc. I can get that with Felt, Cervelo, Specialized and Argon to name a few.
There’s little I need a shop to do. Mine hasn’t been to the shop for anything other than very minor warranty items. I’ve re-cabled the rear der. once (careful pinching cables). Any Trek dealer can do warranties.
Just because they don;t stock them, doesn;t mean they won;t support them. But ideally you want a shop that can do the fit, refit, swap stems, do full service and otherwise support your hobby. I just don’t need that and being in a rural area and 45 minutes from the Trek dealer and 100 miles to the next nearest shop. Meh… not a priority.
