I live on a little island (Isle of Man, if you're interested) and there are only a couple of LBS with limited bikes in stock. They both stock medium sized road bikes, and have to order anything else especially. Being 6'4", and having 35.5" inside leg, the bikes in stock therefore don't fit me. They'll let me try them out around the car park, but is it worth doing that? I guess I won't actually find much out that way.
So that leaves me with having to order to one and hope -A- that it fits and -B- that I like it. Once the order's made I'm committed to purchasing - they don't want large bikes sitting in the showroom cos they're harder to sell. Not ideal, but that's one of the drawbacks of living on an island - I don't really want to fly to the UK to buy a bike.
I was pretty much set on ordering a 61cm '07 Roubaix at £1,300 and keeping my fingers crossed. They seem to get good reviews and having had a few Stumpjumpers I like the brand. However, I've just noticed that I can get a '07 Trek 5000 online for £1,000 (£300 cheaper that the shop is selling it at.) Seems like a bargain to me. I guess I'd have to go for a 62cm?
Should I take the chance and order the Trek? Is the Roubaix worth the extra £300, or would I be stupid to do either, and should I get on that 'plane to do some proper shopping? (It's gonna be a couple of hundred for the flights alone)
So that leaves me with having to order to one and hope -A- that it fits and -B- that I like it. Once the order's made I'm committed to purchasing - they don't want large bikes sitting in the showroom cos they're harder to sell. Not ideal, but that's one of the drawbacks of living on an island - I don't really want to fly to the UK to buy a bike.
I was pretty much set on ordering a 61cm '07 Roubaix at £1,300 and keeping my fingers crossed. They seem to get good reviews and having had a few Stumpjumpers I like the brand. However, I've just noticed that I can get a '07 Trek 5000 online for £1,000 (£300 cheaper that the shop is selling it at.) Seems like a bargain to me. I guess I'd have to go for a 62cm?
Should I take the chance and order the Trek? Is the Roubaix worth the extra £300, or would I be stupid to do either, and should I get on that 'plane to do some proper shopping? (It's gonna be a couple of hundred for the flights alone)