Hmmm, have you called and explained your situation? Maybe there is something they can do like a used test bar until the new stuff is ready.

Seems their service is spot on from what I read.

Honestly, I would wait...

Why are you furious? Do you think they specifically singled you out for the delayed delivery? Do you realize that they kind of have a JIT supply chain, and the cockpits are likely on a slow boat from China? They probably have no direct control over the manufacturing or shipping timelines.

There are other good products, but why not wait for the best product. You will quickly forget about this TT and will enjoy the cockpit for many years ahead.

I did explain my situation, even asked if they had an Alpha 1 I could buy, but they have nothing! (They offered to throw in one of their bottle cages if I chose to wait) I asked for a refund, which they have already processed.

Too late...they already processed my refund. Why should I accept their business model? They took money from who knows how many people without a product available to ship?

Understood. That is unfortunate for sure.

Seems like they should have been able to do something for you. Too bad.

Ummmm, you don't have to... They do this to control costs and working capital. There are a few niche, specialty innovative product vendors like this with truly best-in-class products. This is one, and they are as transparent as they can be about timeframes.

This reminds me of a used car I bought many years ago with a rare combination of features. I did not like the sales manager, and I walked out. But, when I got home, I thought about it further and realized it was an excellent car I might not find again. So, I separated the car from the sales manager and bought the car. It brought many years of pleasure.

You would vent your anger on a second-tier product and be slower than your potential. Or not. You may be a better customer for traditional, high-volume retail channels.

I hear you, but that ship has sailed. What about the 51-Speedshop bars?

The new vision metro TFA aerobar looks the business.

I can't seem to find on line retailers selling it, but here's an eBay deal for $900

Those look nice...thanks. What about Enve SES?

The other options often in the same conversation with the Alpha X are ENVE SES, Profile Design Aeria Ultimate, and Pro Missile EVO.

Are all those UCI legal (excluding the Alpha X which is not)?

And yet people can not overcome their LBS not having “X” product and having to wait a week to get it. So they stop shopping there.

The product isn’t great, unless it can be delivered.

. But you knew this going in, right? They produce in batches as possible. Small boutique vendors are not to be dealt with in the same mindset.

I am blown away with the quality of the parts that, yes, I waited a bit for.

The Enve bar looks like a decent option. Not as integrated as the vision tfa bar and likely costs more. I’d go with the vision bar myself, but to each their own.

So there has been a delay and you have received a quick refund?

In such a small sport with boutique providers this sounds like a good news story.

I myself have had the best customer service from TriRig in the past.

Kent

I think there was already a thread for you to post on about this.

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Benjamin Deal - Professional - Instagram - TriRig - Lodi Cyclery
Deals on Wheels - Results, schedule, videos, sponsors

this. 10000x

Same here... I have purchased an Alpha X, two Alpha Ones, and numerous extensions and brakes over the years. It is a bummer this didn't work out for the OP... but Tririg ships some the best parts out there and they are worth the wait. Customer service has been the best in the business for me...which is why I haven't hesitated to keep ordering more.

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Team Zoot

Have you looked through the classifieds? There's usually a few available.

Personally, I have to say that my first experience with Tririg a couple of years was dismal from the customer service perspective. However, they've massively improved since after a litany of complaints here on this forum. Having a bought quite a few pieces ever since from them - the experience has been great. They are actually very transparent and proactive nowadays.

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Next races on the schedule: none at the moment

Too bad. I ordered an Alpha X for Black Friday and was quite blown away by the quality and versatility. A really, really impressive system.

Might give these a shot.

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Tech writer/support on this here site. FIST school instructor and certified bike fitter. Formerly at Diamondback Bikes, LeMond Fitness, FSA, TiCycles, etc.
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One of Europe's biggest e-tailers:

https://www.bike24.de/1.php?content=8;product=307216;menu=1000,4,133,31;pgc%5B20537%5D=20540

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ZONE3 - We Last Longer

I have to say as someone who (noted on the currently active Alpha 1 thread) is getting closer to making an order that this thread and the OP's frustration did impact me to some degree yesterday. I've been frustrated like the OP before on purchases so no dig at him. I remember trying to get a set of Flo wheels back when they started. It took many months to get a set based on how Flo first started out with opening up an order time and then as potential buyers we had to race to get to get the wheels selected with the decal options into the cart and hit purchase. If you were not fast enough, like me, you lost out and had to wait weeks for another opportunity. I kept with it until I finally got a set.

Thanks to all those who chimed in with reasonable advice. I do think I would rather wait to get what I really want. Still mulling it over. The other thought is just sticking with the stock aero bars that came on the IA16.

The IA16's stock cockpit is excellent for the bike's price point. It is very fast in general and probably the fastest on a sub-$5K bike. But here's a nice side tidbit... My IA16 cockpit original weight was 1,636g, including the brake levers, shifters, and extensions. When I went to the Alpha X, the weight dropped to 1,212g. That was nearly a 1 lb. weight savings off the front of the bike. Oh yeah, and it is more aero too.
I timed my FLO order to the second a couple years ago when they were opening up a batch. I was terrified that I would miss the order. I had plans for them in a race. It was fantastic. I got the wheels, and through trading a few emails, I got early shipping to have them in time plenty early for the race.

Yeah, I can understand the OP's frustration. Some of us only do a few events a year and something like this really throws a wrench in the plans. But I personally have had good experiences. Alpha X and front brake came in within the expected delivery after the Black Friday sale (shipped within 5 days). Then bought another brake for the rear which had a wait, but they were up front with that. Always respond within a day to technical questions, etc.. A lot of times they will respond on this board.

So it's a tough spot. I see wanting something for a big event you have maybe waited a year for. But I also advise to be patient because the product is good and easy to work with.

...except they've been 'out of stock' for quite some time now:(.

I agree 100% with your comments.....It baffles me how so many on this forum and in triathlon don't understand the basics of supply chain and inventory management. It is simple to understand a manufacture requires minimum order quantity to start a build and a small boutique shop like tririg isn't going to pay for a MOQ when there current demand is 50% of that.....I may be biased as I have worked in manufacturing and global supply chain my whole career but it always frustrates me when you see posts that gives a black eye to a company that doesn't deserve it.

Why not buy direct from Vision? Unless the available quantity of 9 is not up to date

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My YouTubes

great suggestion!

  I feel your pain as I also had alpha one bars on order and with great disappointment I had to cancel my order due to time contrast as I have a tri camp and just bought a new ventum and need to have it built. I ended up buying the new vision metron bars as I get a killer discount because Im on the Andy potts racing team.. so all has worked out.

What bike did you put the bars on? I'm likely going to be getting them for this year as well.

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Benjamin Deal - Professional - Instagram - TriRig - Lodi Cyclery
Deals on Wheels - Results, schedule, videos, sponsors

I'm sure Tririg is doing their best to fulfil the order, but it's not working well somehow. I've ordered three items from Tririg and everything arrived in a timely manner and I didn't have to contact them or ask. I think someone from Tririg posts here sometimes, so he/she better chime in and explain what's going on. There's 'TRIRIG' in the title, so I'm sure someone will chime in.

You have to remember it is Chinese New Year right now and EVERYTHING shuts down. It’s unfortunate you didn’t receive your shipment but a business is at the mercy of the manufacturer.

Hmmm, everyone flames Love the Pain (and I'm not debating that they shouldn't) for long delays but now seem to be giving Tririg a pass. I'm sure there is a legit reason for the delay, but 6-7 weeks is a long time to wait, let alone 10-12 weeks. I think for most of us, we realize that its not as easy as "well, you know what you signed up for" and "just go get a bigger name brand with more availability". The OP probably planned his entire bike, fit, and early season racing around the Tririg set up--and should have felt comfortable doing so when he ordered in December, and now is in a tough spot. That sucks. The refund is great, and I'm not sure there is much more Tririg can do, but I think its totally fair for buyers to be aware of these severe delays moving forward.

To answer OP, your options are (1) buy Tririg used as you have tried to do in classifieds but do so at your own risk as Tririg appears to be backing away from their previous representations that they will honor warranties on second hand products ; or (2) buy another brand--I think PD or 51 Speedshop would be at the top of my list

Thanks to all those that have offered help, and especially to a follow slowtwitcher that tipped me off to a used Alpha X on eBay. I spent the past 12 hours researching cockpits and as some of you have said, Tririg is the only one that ticks all the boxes. I still wish I could have purchased a new one and am frustrated but have simmered down since last night. Excluding this additional and unexpected delay, Tririg customer service has been top notch. But, at the end of the day, it takes more than great customer service, there must be a product. Hopefully they can get this resolved for others because they do have some special products.

Thanks for the update dhoose. We agree, the additional and unexpected delay is frustrating. To you and us.

To be clear, it is not "too late" to order as you have said earlier. If you ordered today, we still anticipate the order would ship within the same timeframe of a few weeks, for orders today. We usually try to be conservative, and the site usually estimates longer than we think the orders should take to ship. We cannot ever guarantee a ship date, unfortunately, but we try really hard to maintain consistent expectations, and this batch of bars is a rare time when we were unable to meet those expectations. We try to be as transparent as possible, as soon as we know when something will be amiss.

Thanks again for your feedback, we really do appreciate it from happy and unhappy customers alike.

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TriRig.com

I dont agree with the people trying to defend to the point of saying one should know how difficult manufacturing is, etc.. If a company advertises something and doesnt deliver what they advertise, it is their fault. OP has a right to be upset. It's not his responsibility to know or care what goes into something. He has a price he's willing to pay based product quality and delivery time frame offered. Tririg fell short of that this time.

The reason so many still come to the defense is that unlike situations like Love The Pain, this appears to be a rare occurance for Tririg. Most of us have had great experiences and are willing to speak up in case it changes the OPs mind about waiting (if that is the best option for them)

If you think delays are rare you mustn’t have much experience ordering from Tririg; i have ordered several products from Tririg; other than Omega X brakes, everything else took a long time to deliver. I knew what I was getting into and was willing to wait for a niche product, but nonetheless they were, indeed, lengthy waits. So this is hardly a new phenomenon for Tririg. But, candidly, smaller companies like this are good for triathlon and should be given some slack.

My bars took a long time. But it was a long time that was stated clearly and up front when I ordered.

Right and in my situation, both with LTP and Tririg the delay was communicated up front but delivery was even longer. I tend to cut companies like this some slack because they are smaller and offering us something unique. But, such a buying experience isn’t for everyone. And, when you are promised delivery in 6-7 weeks, and just hope for delivery in maybe less than 10 weeks, I can certainly appreciate the frustration despite the up-front communication. And potential buyers have a right to know that 6-7 doesn’t necessarily mean 6-7.

I think the other reason people said something is because of the attitude given about the product, that they were unwilling to give TriRig business. They gave you a time frame, they communicated up front, and they gave a refund when asked. It's frustrating but not worth an attempt at slamming them

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Chasing PB Podcast Latest interview with Eli Hemming on Targeting a US MTR spot in Tokyo

Agree and I tried to say that. I don't defend them if they do this often. Diesnt batter hiw small, diesnt matter circumstances. If you offer something (delivery time frame), back it up or be prepared for the reputation of falsely stating things. I dont think one bad experience should hurt the company image. Not saying this is in fact the only bad experience now that I see yours.

From my experience (several orders, but others were brakes) and what I read into this thread, delays outside of stated timing seemed rare. Fair game for the OP to be upset and I have never denied that.

Well yes, but then it didn’t deliver on that communicated promise. I think each person can decide individually when you are (1) like OP and frustrated by such a situation or (2) ok with a Tririg’s response. Personally I would be annoyed but also understand there is little Tririg can do now except (1) offer the refund ; (2) promise the product will be there soon (and maybe tack on a discount or coupon code). Either way, OPs thread and a Tririgs response here are both fair.

Sorry - they communicated up front when they weren't going to deliver. Which in my experience is more than I can say for Canyon when my bike got delayed. Which is why I don't see this as a huge issue, they did the "right" things in a shitty situation where they couldn't deliver

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Chasing PB Podcast Latest interview with Eli Hemming on Targeting a US MTR spot in Tokyo

No I can’t rven grant you that. Site said 6-7 weeks and Nick has frequently posted (including above) that they are delivering far quicker than that. A reasonable reader would construe that as 2-7 week delivery.

Knowing the wait period issue upfront and contemplating the Alpha 1 since I bought my IA16 as a future upgrade I placed my order this morning. I have the etap aero group arriving today so I will just put it on a shelf where I don't see it and get anxious. :-)

My situation is very different from the OP where I don't have any events coming up and most of my training will likely be done on a dedicated road bike/kickr setup. I am also content training with the stock IA16 as well and have more training work on me than I do for the bike upgrade. Meaning my current fitness level is well below the capability of the bike. ugh

On another note I was very tempted yesterday by the 51 Speedshop mono post. I had never seen those before, but the Alpha 1 still has some attributes that I prefer.

I was in the same situation but didn't cancel my order. I thought I'd give an update so people know how this delay panned out. My order arrived yesterday, 3 weeks after the initial delay as promised. 10 weeks total from placing the order. I read a comparison in this thread to Love The Pain but would have to disagree. My order had one delay the Tririg communicated with an option for refund, I accepted the delay and then they delivered right on the revised timeline. Not ideal maybe, but I am as happy as I could be considering a delay. Tririg threw in a token of gratitude for my patience as well.

Reading the Love The Pain thread(s) is a whole other animal...

Based on my experience with Tririg, I would (and will) order from them again.

Worth the wait!

Comparing them to Love the Pain is meant to be a blow to their character...I don't think you can compare a company to LTP unless you've been an LTP Customer. There is ZERO communication from LTP, ever.

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Washed up footy player turned Triathlete.

Ive been a customer of both. Tririg is better now at responding now, but they have a history of terrible to nonexistent communications too. And their communications are often filled with vitriol. Tririg is certainly not as bad as LTP but the comparison isn’t unfair.

My experience with Tririg tells me they are a stand-up company. I don’t suspect Nick minds thoughtful criticism where they have fallen short. It’s a small company with great, well-designed products. Supply chain and logistics are difficult to do well with, consistently, even for the biggest companies. That’s not to excuse delays. It’s just a recognition that where it might demand a critique of delivery capability, it doesn’t warrant a blanket “this company sucks” or “can’t deliver”. Here, that is out-of-character with the experiences of most customers, me included.

Speaking ONLY for myself, I’m far more willing to tolerate delays, even if they impact my personal plans. Yes, it’s frustrating. But if I wanted something immediately, I would not be looking to small companies. I’d stick to products from Trek, Specialized or the like if I’m so averse to delivery issues.

I agree re: delays...far more tolerable from a small company like Tririg.