Disappointment with buying new bike
Discussion
mk1fan said:
Unless you have stupidly disproportionate limbs the frame should be fine. As said yo maybe on the cusp between frame sizes. IMO I'd prefer the smaller mtb frame if I were on the cusp.
Don't understand your sentence about the seatpost though. I'll assume what you mean is that at the 'minimum insertion' mark on the post there is only 200mm sticking out. This implies it's a 280 - 300mm long item.
Seatposts come in a lot of lengths - Thomson do a 440mm long one that gives 360mm of exposed post - so if the seat post is too short there are longer ones available. Although, they should have sat you on the bike and set up the saddle height for you.
This does sound a terrible experiance though. One that does nothing for the industry.
The seat post is at its lowest it could be and still shows 20cm's. I can raise it a fair bit more, but I dont know what would be safe.Don't understand your sentence about the seatpost though. I'll assume what you mean is that at the 'minimum insertion' mark on the post there is only 200mm sticking out. This implies it's a 280 - 300mm long item.
Seatposts come in a lot of lengths - Thomson do a 440mm long one that gives 360mm of exposed post - so if the seat post is too short there are longer ones available. Although, they should have sat you on the bike and set up the saddle height for you.
This does sound a terrible experiance though. One that does nothing for the industry.
Looking at the photo again a set of 'riser' handlebars would help to. If you need to raise the seatpost by say 100mm then the 'flat' handlebars will be very low.
Sort out the correct sadle height and then look at the front end. A set of riser bars and a higher rise stem maybe needed too.
Sort out the correct sadle height and then look at the front end. A set of riser bars and a higher rise stem maybe needed too.
mk1fan said:
Looking at the photo again a set of 'riser' handlebars would help to. If you need to raise the seatpost by say 100mm then the 'flat' handlebars will be very low.
Sort out the correct sadle height and then look at the front end. A set of riser bars and a higher rise stem maybe needed too.
But wouldn't that just mean I should have got a bigger frame?! If I'm starting to bugger about with the heights etc.Sort out the correct sadle height and then look at the front end. A set of riser bars and a higher rise stem maybe needed too.
I'm home at 4:30, so I will try to get it right. When I cycled on it yesterday, as it is, it felt like I was on one of those monkey bikes.
Simple put, no. I ride a 15.5-inch frame with a small stack of spacers under my stem and riser bars. I could have bought a 17.5-inch and used no spacers and flat bars but the frame would have been too long. To be fair it all depends what type of riding you're going to be doing. You'd be amazed how many people buy an expensive mtb and ride nothing more technical than a canal path.
Modern mtbs 'should' be quite compact and manouverable (ie: that it can move / be moved around underneath you) so that it can takle a broad spectrum of terrain. Now if you're only going to do 'XC' riding - basically high speed is the most important factor - then the next size up would have been a better choice. If you're going to be riding bridleways, local woodand trails, singletrack and Trail Centre trails then the smaller frame would be more comfortable on the technical bits.
There is no perfect bike. People ask all the time 'What bike for X pounds' and worry that they've somehow made a bad choice. The fact of the matter is that what might feel a perfetc bike in the shop or on paper may ride like a pig under you on the trail. Unfortnately, all you can do is make a judgement call on a bike, set it up correctly for you and point it down a trail to really find out if it's for you. Remember though that one man's fillet is another man's rump.
Modern mtbs 'should' be quite compact and manouverable (ie: that it can move / be moved around underneath you) so that it can takle a broad spectrum of terrain. Now if you're only going to do 'XC' riding - basically high speed is the most important factor - then the next size up would have been a better choice. If you're going to be riding bridleways, local woodand trails, singletrack and Trail Centre trails then the smaller frame would be more comfortable on the technical bits.
There is no perfect bike. People ask all the time 'What bike for X pounds' and worry that they've somehow made a bad choice. The fact of the matter is that what might feel a perfetc bike in the shop or on paper may ride like a pig under you on the trail. Unfortnately, all you can do is make a judgement call on a bike, set it up correctly for you and point it down a trail to really find out if it's for you. Remember though that one man's fillet is another man's rump.
I might have blown any chances with a refund, but I took it for a ride, the only way to tell.
My seat was 3cm from the minimum marker, so I was towering over the frame. It felt a bit flinchy.
I cant get into 3rd cog at the front or 8th at the back. I can hold the selector into position for the front, so my thumb is very sore now!
It was a dream to ride though, quick light and easy. I just think I'd be more comfortable with a larger frame...
My seat was 3cm from the minimum marker, so I was towering over the frame. It felt a bit flinchy.
I cant get into 3rd cog at the front or 8th at the back. I can hold the selector into position for the front, so my thumb is very sore now!
It was a dream to ride though, quick light and easy. I just think I'd be more comfortable with a larger frame...
pablo said:
as someone else said, this is why many people now use the internet and wont go near their local bike store. i am convinved bristol has the most uptight, arrogant and useless bike shop staff in the country.
Absolutely. I find the staff in the nautical-themed shop particular feckwits. And possibly the Clifton eponymously-titled shop too... However I have nothing but praise for Garlands in Bedminster.
Dont worry about the Size - I'd say 17.5 inch sounds about right for a 5'11 bloke. I'm 6ft2 and I ride a medium (17inch) Commencal with a 450mm Thomson seatpost at min insertion and its brilliant. I even run a tiny 45mm stem on it now!
There's no definitive guide to bike sizing. Whilst a shop can set up a bike to a reasonable level, personal preferences come into play, as do slight differences with each body - i.e. I have long legs for my height so I run a really long post, longer than other 6 foot-odd guys would run.
The most important thing is to get you leg length/saddle height set up correctly. Ignore the old 'you need to be able to touch the floor with the balls of your feet whilst seated' malarky and set yourself up so that when your in a normal riding position, if you place the heel of your foot on the centre of the pedal, you're leg will be straight. Then, as you move the foot back to place the ball of your foot on the centre of the pedal, you're leg will have the correct bend.
If you feel to low, get some riser bars or a higher stem. If you feel too stretched out or too cramped, get a longer/shorter stem as needed.
On the subject of the gears and etc, take the bike back to the shop and dont accept it back until its running correctly
There's no definitive guide to bike sizing. Whilst a shop can set up a bike to a reasonable level, personal preferences come into play, as do slight differences with each body - i.e. I have long legs for my height so I run a really long post, longer than other 6 foot-odd guys would run.
The most important thing is to get you leg length/saddle height set up correctly. Ignore the old 'you need to be able to touch the floor with the balls of your feet whilst seated' malarky and set yourself up so that when your in a normal riding position, if you place the heel of your foot on the centre of the pedal, you're leg will be straight. Then, as you move the foot back to place the ball of your foot on the centre of the pedal, you're leg will have the correct bend.
If you feel to low, get some riser bars or a higher stem. If you feel too stretched out or too cramped, get a longer/shorter stem as needed.
On the subject of the gears and etc, take the bike back to the shop and dont accept it back until its running correctly
Let me get this right... You want to complain to the bike shop because:-
A. When you picked the bike up the tyres were half inflated. You will be laughed at.
B. When you picked the bike up you say the chain had no oil on it, despite the fact that all chains are manufactured and shipped with oil on them and I have never received a new bike that has had any additional oil on it. This is a good thing as it gives you a choice as to which lube to use.
C. When you picked the bike up the gears weren't indexed correctly, which can usually be resolved with less that 1 minute of your time, and often happens with new gear cables.
D.When you picked the bike up you realised it was the shops fault that you didnt take the bike for a test ride and that YOU chose the wrong size.
May I suggest you should spend 1 minute of your time reading about how to adjust the gears, which you will have to do in a few months anyway, put some air in the tires, oil the chain and get out there and ride the bloomin thing!
R.P.M said:
Let me get this right... You want to complain to the bike shop because:-
A. When you picked the bike up the tyres were half inflated. You will be laughed at.
B. When you picked the bike up you say the chain had no oil on it, despite the fact that all chains are manufactured and shipped with oil on them and I have never received a new bike that has had any additional oil on it. This is a good thing as it gives you a choice as to which lube to use.
C. When you picked the bike up the gears weren't indexed correctly, which can usually be resolved with less that 1 minute of your time, and often happens with new gear cables.
D.When you picked the bike up you realised it was the shops fault that you didnt take the bike for a test ride and that YOU chose the wrong size.
May I suggest you should spend 1 minute of your time reading about how to adjust the gears, which you will have to do in a few months anyway, put some air in the tires, oil the chain and get out there and ride the bloomin thing!
You seem to be missing the point. A. When you picked the bike up the tyres were half inflated. You will be laughed at.
B. When you picked the bike up you say the chain had no oil on it, despite the fact that all chains are manufactured and shipped with oil on them and I have never received a new bike that has had any additional oil on it. This is a good thing as it gives you a choice as to which lube to use.
C. When you picked the bike up the gears weren't indexed correctly, which can usually be resolved with less that 1 minute of your time, and often happens with new gear cables.
D.When you picked the bike up you realised it was the shops fault that you didnt take the bike for a test ride and that YOU chose the wrong size.
May I suggest you should spend 1 minute of your time reading about how to adjust the gears, which you will have to do in a few months anyway, put some air in the tires, oil the chain and get out there and ride the bloomin thing!
I have put air in the tyres and researched into sorting the gear, something I will attempt later today.
I didn't just point at a bike and say "that one" I went in for a professional measurement, which should then tell me what size frame is correct for me. The problem is they said the medium was fine. Yet when I actually got my hands on the report, it compares me to the large frame.
Add to this that they never bothered to check the gears, brakes, tyres means they don't value me as a customer. And considering I've just spend £1000 I find this hard to swallow. You seem to be the odd person out here, most others are agreeing that it's not on. Forget the sizing for a minute (you could put that down to me) but still, they didn't do anything with the bike.
Oh, also I've not heard of a bike shop allowing long test drives on stock bikes either. Some will have used bikes that you can sample, but unlikely to be the one you want, and they probably wouldn't let me out on the one I was buying as it then wouldn't be new. I'd also want a good hour on a good trail to see If I like it. So that would involve borrowing it for 2+ hours. Around the car park wont do, will it? You're told by your measurements that you need a medium, you'd expect that to be true.
It's people like you who allow companys to get away with these kind of things. They're trying to make a quick buck/save time. But it gives a poor image for them. If anyone asks me how they were, they are going to hear how they didnt bother putting any effort in, and they should shop else where.
Edited by illmonkey on Tuesday 21st July 11:15
As someone who works in the Bike Trade I can see both sides of the arguement. First off sizing is not an exact science which is why you shouldnt worry about the Sizing Report too much. There are more versions of Sizing Science than you can shake a stick at and they all contradict one another. As a generalisation for your heigh the size of bike you have, is about right. The geometry on a top end hardtail may be different to bikes you have ridden before which is why it feels different.
Regarding the shops set up of the bike, that is less than satisfactory. Its not a major sin as its easily rectifyable but even still I'm sure if you had a word with the Manager or Owner you would recieve an apology and they would be keen to make amends as best they can.
Nearly all Bike Shops offer a free first Service anyway and I am sure that all of your issues wiould be dealt with quickly and effectively.
Complaining to Cannondale wont get you anywhere, they will do nothing about it and you will put the shops back up who will wonder why you didnt come in a speak to them. Biek Shops thrive on Customer Service and technical expertise, they will not want a unhappy customer. I promise you.
Regarding the shops set up of the bike, that is less than satisfactory. Its not a major sin as its easily rectifyable but even still I'm sure if you had a word with the Manager or Owner you would recieve an apology and they would be keen to make amends as best they can.
Nearly all Bike Shops offer a free first Service anyway and I am sure that all of your issues wiould be dealt with quickly and effectively.
Complaining to Cannondale wont get you anywhere, they will do nothing about it and you will put the shops back up who will wonder why you didnt come in a speak to them. Biek Shops thrive on Customer Service and technical expertise, they will not want a unhappy customer. I promise you.
Admittedly not many bike shops will allow you to take a brand new unsold bike on a muddy long test ride, but they do often let you ride it around the car park/streets to get a feel for the size. Some shops do have demo bikes available for longer demos but I wouldnt say this is the norm.
For what its worth I'm 6ft-1" and ride a medium enduro. I think i probably could have got away with a large but prefer being able to chuck my bikes about, and have always ridden bikes which have had frames that look too small. Im not that bothered about riding them uphill quickly so small works well for me...
For what its worth I'm 6ft-1" and ride a medium enduro. I think i probably could have got away with a large but prefer being able to chuck my bikes about, and have always ridden bikes which have had frames that look too small. Im not that bothered about riding them uphill quickly so small works well for me...
carreauchompeur said:
pablo said:
as someone else said, this is why many people now use the internet and wont go near their local bike store. i am convinved bristol has the most uptight, arrogant and useless bike shop staff in the country.
Absolutely. I find the staff in the nautical-themed shop particular feckwits. And possibly the Clifton eponymously-titled shop too... However I have nothing but praise for Garlands in Bedminster.Sizing a bike is such a personal thing, and it depends a lot on what it is going to be used for.
I used to ride a medium for both my DH and AM bikes, im 6 foot 1, but i preferred having a smaller bike that felt chuckable to a big limousine type effort that was comfy but no fun. Unfortunatley for me, i have long legs and stubby arms, so my bikes always look ridiculous with a lot of seatpost showing on a tiny frame.
If the bike is set up wrong, get them to fix it, if the deraileurs are set wrong etc. then they should fix it for you no questions asked - just to check, when you say you cant get into the big ring, where on the cassette are you - most triple front mechs are set up so that getting a big/big or a small/small combo (crosschaining) is hard to do.
Basically, not having a test ride was your problem - something you cant do with an online shop. If there is genuinley something wrong with it, take it and explain your problem - bike shop staff are humans too, they make mistakes - another thing you dont get with an online store.
I used to ride a medium for both my DH and AM bikes, im 6 foot 1, but i preferred having a smaller bike that felt chuckable to a big limousine type effort that was comfy but no fun. Unfortunatley for me, i have long legs and stubby arms, so my bikes always look ridiculous with a lot of seatpost showing on a tiny frame.
If the bike is set up wrong, get them to fix it, if the deraileurs are set wrong etc. then they should fix it for you no questions asked - just to check, when you say you cant get into the big ring, where on the cassette are you - most triple front mechs are set up so that getting a big/big or a small/small combo (crosschaining) is hard to do.
Basically, not having a test ride was your problem - something you cant do with an online shop. If there is genuinley something wrong with it, take it and explain your problem - bike shop staff are humans too, they make mistakes - another thing you dont get with an online store.
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