Stuck with a bike?

[Steelchap]

No one is putting you on trial for not liking a particular style of bike or suggesting that it is wrong to regret a purchase, but your whole approach to the matter doesn't make much sense to most of us on here, at least not the way you have described it.

It's because I wasn't expecting to explain why, i just wanted to know if other people had purchased a bike and regretted it so much they wanted shot of it. I am far from being a know-it-all about bikes, but i've ridden all sorts over 35years, and I know what's comfortable. Everyone seems to love Carbon, so I gave it a go because my steel bike is approaching it's waning years. And as described, wasn't happy with it.

 

[hoopdriver]

It's because I wasn't expecting to explain why, i just wanted to know if other people had purchased a bike and regretted it so much they wanted shot of it. I am far from being a know-it-all about bikes, but i've ridden all sorts over 35years, and I know what's comfortable. Everyone seems to love Carbon, so I gave it a go because my steel bike is approaching it's waning years. And as described, wasn't happy with it.

But the reason why you wanted to rid yourself of it is crucial - that is if you seriously wanted advice about what to do. If it is unfit for purpose, that's one thing. If you just changed your mind, suffered buyer's remorse, that's another.

 

[Randomnerd]

Were I contemplating gender reassignment, I might shop for some frilly knickers and wear them round the house a day or two before checking in for vaginoplasty: this doesn't answer your question, but it's what you get on a forum - opinions.

 

[screenman]

So the op is not stuck with a bike at all, that is nice to know.

 

[vickster]

I was wading through the search responses, so will get to it. Although i notice your signature doesn't appear to mention a Ti bike. Do you know anywhere good to test them? (I live in London). I know that FatBirds have some for sale in Hunstanton near my in-laws holiday home.

The Genesis Equilibrium 20 was another bike I was considering.

No I don't have one yet but I'm researching. Hence the thread

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/titanium-disc-brake-frameset.218149/

I went to Enigma HQ in Hailsham, Sussex. It's a pretty easy train journey with a bike from London. Make an appointment in advance (Mon-Fri). Otherwise, you could try one of the Enigma dealers in London, kind of depends what bike you actually want and what they have

Reilly offer testrides, again pre arrange, very close to Brighton station

There's a Van Nic / J Guillem dealer near Epsom, Surrey for alternate brands

I'm very fond of my Genesis, especially the colour. It was built for me from the frameset

Fatbirds are a real Ti specialist, have lots of brands, call and ask about testrides. I've not been, it's too much of a hike

 

[Steelchap]

But the reason why you wanted to rid yourself of it is crucial - that is if you seriously wanted advice about what to do. If it is unfit for purpose, that's one thing. If you just changed your mind, suffered buyer's remorse, that's another.

I was looking for others experiences, not advice. I didn't change my mind, i just didn't like the bike for various reasons.

I went to look at a Honda Civic a few years ago. If i'd have bought it before i'd test driven it, i'd have been left with having to drive a car with my head between my knees as it's got a very low ceiling (i'm 194cms). It's obviously difficult for a few to comprehend on here, or they're professional trolls, but sometimes, just sometimes, a purchase doesn't work out. I can't remember the last thing i took back, as it's a rarity. However when it's a 4 figure purchase, i want it to be mf**kin perfect.

 

[S-Express]

I was looking for others experiences, not advice.

It's just you, by the sound of it. Let us know how you get on.

 

[vickster]

I was looking for others experiences, not advice. I didn't change my mind, i just didn't like the bike for various reasons.

I went to look at a Honda Civic a few years ago. If i'd have bought it before i'd test driven it, i'd have been left with having to drive a car with my head between my knees as it's got a very low ceiling (i'm 194cms). It's obviously difficult for a few to comprehend on here, or they're professional trolls, but sometimes, just sometimes, a purchase doesn't work out. I can't remember the last thing i took back, as it's a rarity. However when it's a 4 figure purchase, i want it to be mf**kin perfect.

You've made the point well, you wouldn't buy a car without trying it, so trying a bike out should be the same.
Evans make it incredibly easy for example, even if you don't end up buying there. No obligation test rides. I did that with the Genesis to check that steel and that bike was for me. I had no intention of buying a stock bike but Evans enabled me to sit on the two possible sizes and then test out the correct one for a good while on the rough roads around their Wimbledon store despite knowing I wouldn't buy. I then ordered the frameset online from another retailer

If you go the Ti route, you might find it difficult to find big enough frames to try out, so definitely check with Enigma or Fatbirds that they have them in store

 

[Mugshot]

I fell off twice in traffic as i was frantically trying to get out of spds.

I'm suprised this hasn't been picked up on, I reckon you've damaged it and that's why the shop won't take it back. As has been pointed out the shop is likely to be under no legal obligation to take the bike back, but if the item was pristine a lot of retailers will try to come to some agreement with the customer, particularly the small independents as customer service is one of the few ways they have to compete against the big boys. However, if the bar tape is scratched and the rear mech is scraped cos you fell off, well maybe it's not surprising that they told you to get on your bike.

 

[Cycleops]

In the past few months I've sold a good few synapses, across the range, and met more people that own them already, never heard a single complaint.
We did have one guy who brought his back with the shoes still attached to the pedals - because they didn't work - turns out he just wasn't doing it right!

In my shop we do allow customers to return bikes they're not happy with after the first ride.
So far I've only met one guy who has returned his, it wasn't a synapse, and he exchanged it for something else. But in general you cant take thigs back after yoiu change your mind about whether they're for you or not. I've got shoes I'll never wear because it turns out they just weren't comfy, and a couple of of pairs of jeans that didn't fit after all - or after a large dinner and bottle of wine!!

I've worked in retail and I'll never forget a guy who brought something back as he didn't like it. 'You've got to give me my money back, it's the law' he wailed. Marks and Spencer have got a lot to answer for.

 

[Gravity Aided]

I made the mistake of buying a 29" Trek MTB, and it was proper heavy. I stuck with it though, but quickly realised it was suicide trying to do mtb trails, so it became a commuting bike

I'm usually happy with Treks' products, but I found this to be the case as well, I bought it used, fixed it up, and sold it on. BB and center of gravity are too high, I think, and also the bike I had was too heavy. I know 29" is supposed to roll over a lot of stuff, but I went to a DS old Cannondale V-1000(One of the first dual suspension bikes, btw) and am quite happy with it. It always amazes me how heavy some of Treks' MTBs' can be. Steel or aluminum, seems to make little difference.

 

[Reynard]

Just be thankful you folks have a good choice of bikes in your sizes... It's a problem that some of us can only dream of having.

When you're my height, you just have to go for whatever fits / works. There ain't many roadies made in a 38cm frame.

 

[Sandra6]

Unfortunately you're wrong. You obviously don't spend much time around women. My wife sends plenty of things back, women in the office send so much stuff back to asos and M&S etc. Thankfully the credit card company agreed with me, as technically they own the bike, and they've gone back to the shop. Putting 'return within 14 days for refund' on the receipt (or contract of sale) and not abiding by it, puts the shop into legal difficulties.

It's all very well saying this and that about it being comfortable 'for you', but everyone is different. I made the mistake of buying a 29" Trek MTB, and it was proper heavy. I stuck with it though, but quickly realised it was suicide trying to do mtb trails, so it became a commuting bike. And eventually languished in the shed as a spare until i sold it for less than half of what i paid for it.

I'm beginning to think I am actually a man.
Do your wife and her cronies wear the things they subsequentlyreturn? I used to do that, when I was younger, but I grew out of it.

 

[classic33]

I'm beginning to think I am actually a man.
Do your wife and her cronies wear the things they subsequently return? I used to do that, when I was younger, but I grew out of it.

And that's when you returned them?

 

[Sandra6]

And that's when you returned them?

Of course -because they no longer fit