Rejecting a bike. 24months late!
Discussion
Long story short. In 2009 I went to my LBS and bought my first bike.
I had the benefit of a full measure and set up by them and took their expert opinion in what I should have.
We settled on a Specialized Roubaix Elite. I rode it a few times but just couldnt get on with it, I managed 3 rides totalling 50 miles and gave up trying. I then bought a mountain bike this year which I have used as much as possible. Probably done about 1000 miles so far and loving it.
Last week i decided i should get rid of the Roubaix as it wasnt ever going to be used. I popped it on eBay, and was surprised when every query was to check that the frame size was correct.
I am 5ft 8 (and a half). 174cm. I have an inside leg measurement of 31" 78.74cm.
I have been sold a 49cm frame. Suitable for a person of 5' to 5'3"
So the question is, what are my chances of rejecting this an unfit for purpose. I feel that I have been totally missold a bike that was probably just old stock they wanted rid of, I trusted their judgement as to what i needed based on their opinion and them measuring me.
Thoughts most welcome, I dont want to be a cock about it but finding the bike is totally the wrong size for me, and may be the reason it was never comfortable has really p****d me off!
If this was 2009 then your chances would be excellent.
Did you not look to see why the bike wasn't right? I know you trusted their judgement but when you rode it and it felt all wrong were you not thinking "this bike feels a bit small"?
I honestly have no idea if any time limits apply when rejecting goods but I would assume there are? If not then it would be unfair to retailers.
Did you not look to see why the bike wasn't right? I know you trusted their judgement but when you rode it and it felt all wrong were you not thinking "this bike feels a bit small"?
I honestly have no idea if any time limits apply when rejecting goods but I would assume there are? If not then it would be unfair to retailers.
Im pretty shocked by this
Even my short arsed mate rides a 52cm frame
Its unbelievable that they would have knowingly sold you one that size
I cant begin to imagine what you looked like when sitting on it pedalling
My initial thoughts are that shops love to sell Specialized who have superb customer relations and also demand a lot from the retailers they choose to deal with
It is not completely out of the bounds of reality that you have got your lines crossed with measurements however if not then I would suggest in order of escalation:
a) politely pop to the shop, ask to see the manager and see what they say
then if no joy
b) speak to Specialized UK and say how this shop has been behaving
Good luck
To be honest I had no idea what a road (racer) bike should feel like. I went to the local shop as I wanted to be measured and put on the right bike for me,at 40 yrs old I didnt want to be doing anything silly that could hurt my knees back or neck.
The bike has sat in my dining room ever since as I wanted to get used to riding and give it another try. I got on it a month or so ago, did a couple of miles and was hurting. Hence my decision to sell it.
Swatting up on SOG Act in preperation for tomorrows battle. I would feel for the shop but for the fact I put my trust in them and they took £1779 of my hard earned for a bike that couldnt be more wrong.
shouldbworking said:
I'm more shocked at the decision to buy a £1600 bike as a first bike!
I paid 1500 quid for mineMoney well spend
In 5y I weight a stone less, feel pretty bloody great and the bike has done several thousand miles including 2 trips to the Pyrenees
Do you have the receipt?
If so just relax
I have every confidence that if the shop messes you around then just contact Specialized UK and ask for an opinion
I feel passionately about this
Local bike shops deserve your support but so often just take the mickey
COI: Own 2 bikes, one bought direct from manufacturer and other bought mail order from Germany
Local shop big established name, 1 mile down the road but just cant be bothered and doesnt deserve my custom
GO LOTTO PHARMA!!!!!!
(Poss hint to my loyalty
)Two years after purchase?!?!!
No bloody chance! You could just buy a proper sized frame and swap the bits over.
I can't believe the OP got sold a 49 inch bike if he's 5'8", there must be something fishy going on here, I doubt you'd be able to get the saddle to the correct height, and you'd keep bashing your knees on the bars. A 49 inch bike is like a childs bike....
OP, are you sure it's a 49cm bike. How do you know this; is it written on the invoice or the bike?
No bloody chance! You could just buy a proper sized frame and swap the bits over.
I can't believe the OP got sold a 49 inch bike if he's 5'8", there must be something fishy going on here, I doubt you'd be able to get the saddle to the correct height, and you'd keep bashing your knees on the bars. A 49 inch bike is like a childs bike....
OP, are you sure it's a 49cm bike. How do you know this; is it written on the invoice or the bike?
caveat empor. if you havent done enough research then its your own fault but deciding you bought a turkey two years late is a joke. I'm pretty shocked that you think its acceptable to even try and get your money back to be honest, look at it from the shops perspective....
so you bought a posh bike on a whim, dont like road cycling as much as you thought you would and are disappointed that the secondhand value is far less than you had hoped....how many other shops did you try and how many bikes did you sit on before chucking all the cash on the roubaix? my guess is none and erm....one
so you bought a posh bike on a whim, dont like road cycling as much as you thought you would and are disappointed that the secondhand value is far less than you had hoped....how many other shops did you try and how many bikes did you sit on before chucking all the cash on the roubaix? my guess is none and erm....one
I bought a Specialized Allez Comp a few months back. It's a 58cm and feels just right unlike my Langster, bought a year earlier, which is a 56cm.
The sales guy said that whoever suggested that 56cm was correct for me was a fool.
I pointed out that it was him
Not sure about LBS but don't trust the big chains.
The sales guy said that whoever suggested that 56cm was correct for me was a fool.
I pointed out that it was him
Not sure about LBS but don't trust the big chains.
Wacky Racer said:
Tbh, I don't think you have a leg to stand on.
You should have raised your concerns two years ago when you may have stood a chance.
When i bought the bike and was uncomfortable I thought it was me. Aftr all I am 5.8 and tubby. Maybe I wasnt fit enough to ride this type of bike. It never occurred to me that I was sold a bike that was not correct for me having been measured and set up.You should have raised your concerns two years ago when you may have stood a chance.
pablo said:
caveat empor. if you havent done enough research then its your own fault but deciding you bought a turkey two years late is a joke. I'm pretty shocked that you think its acceptable to even try and get your money back to be honest, look at it from the shops perspective....
so you bought a posh bike on a whim, dont like road cycling as much as you thought you would and are disappointed that the secondhand value is far less than you had hoped....how many other shops did you try and how many bikes did you sit on before chucking all the cash on the roubaix? my guess is none and erm....one
Caveat empor doesnt apply as I took an expert opinion from the seller. he therefore has a duty of care and under the SOG act has to provide a product that is suitable for my needs at time of purchase. This blatantly wasnt as it is 3 frame sizes too small, and designed for someone between 5 and 8 inches shorter. so you bought a posh bike on a whim, dont like road cycling as much as you thought you would and are disappointed that the secondhand value is far less than you had hoped....how many other shops did you try and how many bikes did you sit on before chucking all the cash on the roubaix? my guess is none and erm....one
I actually thoroughly enjoy riding on the roads. I am using my Forme Stag mountain bike with 1.1 tyres as it is comfortable.
You are correct that i didnt shop around. I went to Evans in Crawley but they were unable to measure me. I went to the LBS and they were able to measure and set me up. That was important to me as I accept I know nothing about bikes and needed expert help.
I will buy another road bike as soon as this is sorted. Possibly before if it drags out. I like to look of the Moda Stretto and have been offered an evening mile ride on one after set up to see if it is comfortable.
dudleybloke said:
just buy a longer seat stem and mtfu!!!!!
A longer stem wont move the seat back or change the geometry of the pedals. That is surely a recipe for bad needs and a bent back?SkinnyBoy said:
Rule 5 is in effect.
What is rule 5 please? (or am I being thick?)
For the love of god dont spend 2 grand on a first road bike (lets not count the one you got the wrong size of). You will be the equivalent of a fat guy driving a ferrari with L plates on - great, you end up with a nice looking bike but you certainly wont get the best out of it or progress as quickly as you would on a more appropriate tool for the job.
every time somone starts a what bike thread, the asnwer is always "do your research and get the one that fits" not "get the one withthe best gears or the one with the best paintjob" i'm sorry this is all 24 months too late and i'm sorry if this sounds impersonal but you really need to swallow your pride on this one and accept that you simply did not do enough research before buying the bike.
you bought a bike that must have felt ok at the time but was in hindsight too small, however, claiming that you had an "expert opinion" is laughable. its a bike shop, they are not experts and would not label themselves as such. unless you went in for a full set up and had every limb measured, then a profile of your riding position analysed, i cant see how a bloke saying "you're 5'8, you are probably a medium frame sie" or "is that comfier than the other one" constitutes "expert opinion".
To that extent, quoting the SOGA is unlikely to win you any favours, i'm quite sure that they didnt sit you on that one bike and say, thats the one for you without letting you try another bike, you must have agreed with them that it was suitable before buying it. £1700 isnt the sort of money you spend to take a punt that its going to be comfy...learn the lesson, sell the old frame, buy one that fits, swop the bits over and enjoy the ride...
you bought a bike that must have felt ok at the time but was in hindsight too small, however, claiming that you had an "expert opinion" is laughable. its a bike shop, they are not experts and would not label themselves as such. unless you went in for a full set up and had every limb measured, then a profile of your riding position analysed, i cant see how a bloke saying "you're 5'8, you are probably a medium frame sie" or "is that comfier than the other one" constitutes "expert opinion".
To that extent, quoting the SOGA is unlikely to win you any favours, i'm quite sure that they didnt sit you on that one bike and say, thats the one for you without letting you try another bike, you must have agreed with them that it was suitable before buying it. £1700 isnt the sort of money you spend to take a punt that its going to be comfy...learn the lesson, sell the old frame, buy one that fits, swop the bits over and enjoy the ride...
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