Buying a bike without trying it first? (Page 2)

Thanks for the info. I KNOW I'm not going to be comfortable on the bike, I'm never comfortable on any bike. Like I said above, I've never been big on cycling but am kinda getting into it since doing my first tri. I know anything I get is going to have a long period of adjustment, I'm prepared for that. I'll take some better measurements and check online calculators and hopefully the shop I visit this weekend will have a bike I can sit on, just to get a feel for heights.

I agree with agarose2000.....you'll likely be fine.  Look for an online calculator, plug in your measurements and it will give you a good set of numbers to be able to start your research.  You can find the geometry/measurements for most bikes (used and new) online at the manufacturers website.  Buying a bike without a test ride is not as high a risk move as some may lead you to believe.  Buthavingsaidthathowevercautionachtung....I have heard you may not want to buy a CARBON bike used/unseen.....something like that.

Um...yea...once you buy it, it's your problem, not theirs.  They'll also be happy to sell you new stems, etc. to try to make it work.  That's how you turn a $1200 bike into a $1500 one...

Competitive cyclist has an online fit calculator that steps you through the various measurements and some perspective on various fits.  You'll want a good friend to help with the measurements.  You can do the basic measurements and get a rough fit all from the comfort of your home.  I'd expect this level of fit to run $50-75 at the bike shop for which you should get the measurements and their list of bicycles.  More involved fits start with these measurements/calculations then set up the desired geometry as best they can and you ride a bit on a trainer or with a simulated load. 

A good shop should be able to get a good estimate of frame size from your measurements, and then fine tune the fit when you buy it.  When we got mrs gearboy's bike a couple years ago, they had to order the frame size for her, but it fits her perfectly.  I think the fitting makes a bigger difference than the 10 minute ride aroung the block

I've done it, but I knew EXACTLY what I was looking for, geometry-wise, and did the fitting myself. I'd say that unless you KNOW the specific size and model you want, and how much it will take to make the bike fit you, it's best to ride before you buy.

While we are talking online calculators I have tried a few and prefer the one at Wrenchscience.  Both are pretty good, though!

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Okay, quick question on the online calculator. I realize that it is only for ball park figures, but does it matter as far as road bike v/s tt bike?

Wow, great info from everyone. More people have bought blind than I figured.

Now I have another question. Is there a big difference with the women's specific bikes? Should I be looking for a women's bike or just whatever fits right. When I used to buy wakeboards they always had women's specific boards and bindings, but usually that was nothing more than the bottom of the line men's boards with pink and powder blue graphics, no functional differences.

I scour all the craigslist posts within a 2 hour drive daily. Tri bikes not all that popular here.

Pretty much, listen to what everyone else has said.  Best option would definitely be to find a way to try it out for stiffness, handling, and all the other aspects that are hard to tell by a product description.  That said it can be done if:

- You know the bike's geometry
- You have been fitted
- Preferably you go with a trusted name and talk to those with experience on them.

Good luck on your purchase!  There are few things as fun as taking a new racing bike for a spin
 

I bought a tri bike without riding it first. BUT it was brand new, and $500. I decided to take the risk and if it didn't pan out, I would just turn around and sell it.

It was also going to be my second bike. Not my one and only bike.

When I went shopping for my road bike, I found a lot of bikes that looked good on paper... just didn't inspire me when I rode them. There is a component to a bike that you are missing when you buy it without riding it... how does it FEEL RIDING it? That's important.

I would only buy it, IF I could bow out of purchasing it when it came in. That's just me... because $1,000 is a lot of money to me.

Otherwise, my $500 (still a lot of money) worked out fine. Although it lives on my bike trainer. I always ride my roadie outside.

Best way to buy a bike is get measured and have measurements that are ideal if you were to buy a custom bike. Then you can go to any bike mfg website and see what size is closet to your ideal fit.  You could use this information to buy a used bike as well. You'd know the bikes you are considering would be a good fit or not. Slowtwitch has many articles on bike fit that are based on stack and reach of tri bikes...very informative.

Then find shops that sell them and see if they have your size, test ride it and make a decision.

Buying a bike that has not been fit to you well may work out or may not. I had to sell a bike that was to big for me. Not all mfg of bikes will fit you well.  You may need a women specific bike or may fit a men's bike. Fit process will help settle these questions. Some brands are longer and others are shorter and taller.

I have a bike fit guy that I've worked with for 6 years. If I wanted a new bike I would trust him to help me pick the one that would fit me well for the task at hand and order it. I bought a custom cross bike this way so it was mine before I sat on it. It fit me perfectly.

Issue is some bike shops do a poor job on fitting. What your local shop did is sub par and bike may or may not fit you. Some shops just want to sell you a bike and the fit they don't care about. What a fit is at one shop can be vastly different at other shop. You may want to post in your State's forum for recommendations of shops to go to and places to get fits or places to avoid for fits.

Many people buy bikes without proper fit. Does that mean it is a good idea for you? If you can afford to buy a bike and have to sell and replace it because it doesn't fit well go ahead. If money is tight, get the fit, then choose a bit that you know will fit you.

If you want to do mostly triathlons, buy a tri bike.