Re: 'good' online fit calculators, IMO that's an oxymoron. The best they'll do is provide the user with a range of fit parameters based only on values inputted. No allowance for a riders fitness level, flexibility, anatomical issues, cycling experiences (among other relevant factors). IME, a knowledgeable fitter can do better working one on one with a rider for ~20 minutes, because they'll see the rider on the bike, in both static and dynamic positions. .
Good point. But that assumes that the shop one is dealing with is quite competent. I've been in shops where they determine one's bike size by inseam/standover height.... [Didn't know any better at the time, myself...but for some reason that always stuck in my memory].
Re: the fits like a glove comment, I'd ask what you're using as a baseline for comparison. What similar bikes have you ridden in your adult life. If none, and the bike fits and feels good to ride, that's fine, but at least qualify your remarks to avoid misleading anyone. Also, others experiences may not mirror yours, and they'll need to tap their LBS for support (at an added cost), which offsets the online 'savings'..
Also a good point. I'm just going by the fract that a)I'm very comfortable; and b)I have no pain or other issues. The reach on my bike is a bit more than optimal, IMO- but it doesn't seem to be detrimental in any way....and had I gotten the next smallest size (4cm's smaller) the bike would be too small; If I go with a significantly shorter stem....it would likely severely affect the handling of the bike. My point being: You can't always have "perfection" anyways...nor do most non-pro riders need perfection. I believe if you get a bike that's "in the ballpark", fit-wise, you can make any necessary tweaks and adjustments that are needed, and be just fine. Maybe not if you're doing the Tour De France....but for the Tour De Neighborhood.....
Re: shops motive to make money and move stock, that's a given. But that doesn't mean that most don't do right by their customers. IME, most do, because they can sell 'that other bike' to another customer who's better suited to it. So yes, most can be trusted to provide good advice..
It depends. Some are incompetent (I'd imagine the pool of experienced, knowledgeable potential employees is quite small in that field...and that many shops just have to hire non-bike people off the street...); Some just don't care; some just want to make a sale...any sale...and then of course, there are good ones- but a noob really has no way of knowing who's who.
Re: a shops ability to size/ fit riders, for certain, that varies. But as you say, this (and similar) forums can help guide a noob to the better shops. And FWIW, most are far better than the assistance you'll get from online retailers, who (coincidentally) also want to make money and move stock.
What assistance from online retailers? I think it's pretty much a given, that online is a do-it-yourself propasition. Make people aware of the option- some will naturally want the service that an LBS offers...while some of us are do-it-yourselfers by nature, or don't even have an LBS within a reasonable distance (I fall into both of those categories).
I think we can both agree that online purchases can work successfully for a good percentage of people...and that some would do better with the assistance of a good LBS.
Sure...if we buy online, we can't test-ride....but that is mitigated by the fact that if we are a noob, we will likely be happy with anything that isn't too radical, and will pretty much acclimate to whatever we get and be happy with it...and if an experienced cyclist, then we will likely knoiw what to expect from certain geometry/frame material/components, eh?
I'm not trying to discount what you say- as I'm the one who comes to you for advice, and have learned a LOT from your posts....it's just that there are options that do work for a lot of people- so the way I see it, I'd like to present people with the facts, and then let them choose the course of action that they are comfortable with.
The things you say are certainly valid- but you also have consider some of us would never have gotten into cycling if we were forced to go the LBS route- I mean, if I had had to do that, I wouldn't have been able to get a decent bike and accessories for much under $1000- and I wasn't willing to spend that much, not knowing if I'd like riding as an adult, or if it was even viable on the roads where I live.
And when it's time to upgrade, I want as much bike as I can get for the money. I could go to an LBS and still be stuck in the entry-level category...or I could buy online and get the twice the bike for the same money.
end bikes!
