ALza Posted October 24, 2017 Author Posted October 24, 2017 Couple things I have noticed... - If you a buy a "cheap" bike (under 30k - ridiculous that 30k is considered cheap - but I won't get into that), the urgency is not really there to sell. - Bike shops are scared to quote because many consumers will take that quote to another shop to get pricing down where they guarantee they will beat any price (nothing wrong with it - we live in a capitalist society, I just think shops feel quoting is a waste of time). There are still many shops out there that will get back to you in a matter of minutes, so in my opinion, take your business where it is wanted Agreed on the cheap vs non-cheap. It's been a bit of an eye opener. Oh - in terms of arrivals of 2018 bikes, and the LBS's not being sure. That's not entirely surprising, to be honest. Lead times can be a difficult thing to manage, and pricing isn't always worked out until they actually land in the country. Where are you based? A location would help some of us in recommending a good LBS. Sorry, based in Johannesburg. I can understand on the timing being uncertain, but I would have thought most importers/agents would at least have a rough sense of pricing? or am I being too optimistic here? and yes it is probably a BMC roadmachine/Giant Defy/Spec Roubaix/Trek Domaine/ Cannondale Synapse sort of choice. The Cannondale, Giant are proving hard to track down to try, the Specialized doesn't seem to be in stock in my size and I still need to do a bit more work on finding the Trek in a store.
Matt Posted October 24, 2017 Posted October 24, 2017 I'm a bit late to the party, but welcome to Bike Hub ALza! As others have mentioned please forgive some of the Hubbers who hadn't yet had their morning coffees. The community here can be a lively bunch and banter is common, but in between a few inside jokes you're likely to get some great advice from others who've been in your position. Good luck with the search! And Hubbers - go easy and let's welcome this newbie (and others) into our great sport.
pe3nguin Posted October 24, 2017 Posted October 24, 2017 Cum for the bike advice. Stay for the bants.That's what I always say.
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted October 24, 2017 Posted October 24, 2017 Agreed on the cheap vs non-cheap. It's been a bit of an eye opener. Sorry, based in Johannesburg. I can understand on the timing being uncertain, but I would have thought most importers/agents would at least have a rough sense of pricing? or am I being too optimistic here? and yes it is probably a BMC roadmachine/Giant Defy/Spec Roubaix/Trek Domaine/ Cannondale Synapse sort of choice. The Cannondale, Giant are proving hard to track down to try, the Specialized doesn't seem to be in stock in my size and I still need to do a bit more work on finding the Trek in a store.yeah, the stock of test bikes is an issue at this point (in the move from 2017 to 2018 stock) but the pricing... not really, eh. Bear in mind that if a bike shop QUOTES you, and their input cost isn't set, they're setting themselves up for a potential boatload of hurt if the wholesale / distributor price is different than what they've based their projected retail pricing on. That quote is essentially a ransom for the LBS. Which, in my opinion, is why they're not prepared to quote for 2018 stock just yet. But then if I was the LBS owner in question, I'd have been discussing that with you at the point of interaction so that you get an idea as to WHY they're not quoting.
Pure Savage Posted October 24, 2017 Posted October 24, 2017 Think the OP is currently ordering his Giant Defy...
pe3nguin Posted October 24, 2017 Posted October 24, 2017 Think the OP is currently ordering his Giant Defy...Suppose you are going to take all the credit for that huh?
Paul Ruinaard Posted October 24, 2017 Posted October 24, 2017 I feel you - its like chicken and egg here. You dont know what you dont know, its a big investment and you are asking for help. then you get dissed. I am amazed you hung around for so long without this degenerating in to a shouting and handbags at dawn thread. Having said that the bikes you are really looking at don't matter i.e. brand IMO. Cannondale, Giant, Specialized, all of them look the same Look for a groupset i.e.Shimano 105 with a nice wheelset and then go from there. All of the brands really are the same - they are really trying to accentuate minor differences. If you want to start getting technical you can add discs, wider rims for bigger tyres (more comfortable) and sloping geometry or even shock absorption aka like the Roubaix and Trek Domane. Giant Defy is a really good winning option. Your first bike needs to be comfortable so get it set up properly and make sure you get a good saddle i.e. it will be expensive, and that it fits. Do not mess with this believe me. You can and will change everything about it later - wheels, tyres etc...
ALza Posted October 24, 2017 Author Posted October 24, 2017 <snip> But then if I was the LBS owner in question, I'd have been discussing that with you at the point of interaction so that you get an idea as to WHY they're not quoting. If the shop just said to me that they are waiting on the distributor, then I'd have no issues with that as an answer. or even if they were telling me that they only expect 2018s in a few week's time. It is the silence that is the concern.
Pure Savage Posted October 24, 2017 Posted October 24, 2017 If the shop just said to me that they are waiting on the distributor, then I'd have no issues with that as an answer. or even if they were telling me that they only expect 2018s in a few week's time. It is the silence that is the concern. If I owned a shop, I would deny that there was a 2018 bike coming out anytime soon until all the 2017 stock was out the door.
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted October 24, 2017 Posted October 24, 2017 If the shop just said to me that they are waiting on the distributor, then I'd have no issues with that as an answer. or even if they were telling me that they only expect 2018s in a few week's time. It is the silence that is the concern. yeah, I understand completely. I suppose that from their angle, they don't want to appear uninformed, but it's a double edged sword. Feedback (even with a bit of an apology - sorry, we can't get the pricing yet 'cos x/y/z) would be far better than silence.
ALza Posted October 24, 2017 Author Posted October 24, 2017 Think the OP is currently ordering his Giant Defy... If I could find a store that has a small size in stock for me to go try... I feel you - its like chicken and egg here. You dont know what you dont know, its a big investment and you are asking for help. then you get dissed. I am amazed you hung around for so long without this degenerating in to a shouting and handbags at dawn thread. Having said that the bikes you are really looking at don't matter i.e. brand IMO. Cannondale, Giant, Specialized, all of them look the same Look for a groupset i.e.Shimano 105 with a nice wheelset and then go from there. All of the brands really are the same - they are really trying to accentuate minor differences. If you want to start getting technical you can add discs, wider rims for bigger tyres (more comfortable) and sloping geometry or even shock absorption aka like the Roubaix and Trek Domane. Giant Defy is a really good winning option. Your first bike needs to be comfortable so get it set up properly and make sure you get a good saddle i.e. it will be expensive, and that it fits. Do not mess with this believe me. You can and will change everything about it later - wheels, tyres etc... Appreciate that advice, thanks. and yes, I'll go for a proper fit after purchase to sort out any of the small setup bits.
pe3nguin Posted October 24, 2017 Posted October 24, 2017 If I owned a shop, I would deny that there was a 2018 bike coming out anytime soon until all the 2017 stock was out the door. Bikes aren't audit clerks.
Patchelicious Posted October 24, 2017 Posted October 24, 2017 If I owned a shop, I would deny that there was a 2018 bike coming out anytime soon until all the 2017 stock was out the door. Typical KPMG response
ALza Posted October 24, 2017 Author Posted October 24, 2017 If I owned a shop, I would deny that there was a 2018 bike coming out anytime soon until all the 2017 stock was out the door. I've tried that route and asked what 2017s the stores have in stock. They all keep saying that the size is an issue and 51/52cms don't get large amounts of stock brought in and then get sold quickly. So that has proved to be somewhat of a limitation.
lechatnoir Posted October 24, 2017 Posted October 24, 2017 yeah, I understand completely. I suppose that from their angle, they don't want to appear uninformed, but it's a double edged sword. Feedback (even with a bit of an apology - sorry, we can't get the pricing yet 'cos x/y/z) would be far better than silence. it's all about communication and expectation management. I've encountered LBS's that have no clue about that, yet others are awesome. No guess where I spend my money... To the OP - keep looking. You'll find a store that wants to help. It'll also leave you with a list of stores to avoid.
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