For my upcoming 40th b-day, my most awesome wife is giving me the dedicated tri-bike I have have been lusting after for the last few years. While I know Denver/Boulder bike shops and fitters, I don’t know which ones are good at tri (beyond a little word of mouth and Slowman’s retailer article). Most imprtant for me is finding a good fitter. Selection is second (I would like Ti or custom steel).
Bike Source Multi-sport sounds good-two FIST fitters and a great selection (Litespeed, Kestrel, Serotta). I have heard that Sports Garage has great fitters, but from their web-site, it doesn’t look like thay emphasize tri fitting (although they began showing up at races last year).
Anyone have an opinion about BSMS or SG? Any recommendations for another good shop?
I tried to buy a bike at BSMS last year and it was one of those deals where I had some good interaction with them and some really frustrating interaction. I think in the end they were a victim of the “bike industry” Tom talks about. I wound up not getting a bike there, but really because they didn’t have the bike I wanted and the wait went on too long. I went to Big Ring which is Golden and got my bike and a fitting there. The fitting was good (although I am not a bike fit expert) and they took their time with me to get me right on the bike. The build was quick and overall a good experience. I would try BSMS again if I bought another bike and you may want to chat with the guys at Big Ring too.
I haven’t been fitted there, but I think Campus Cycles (at Washington & Evans) is FIST certified. They’ve always been very nice to me, but I haven’t (yet) bought a bike there… although I’m eyeing the Lucero.
I have bought my last 2 tri-bikes from Big Ring in Golden. The did a great job of fitting me. Both times they were able to set me up to test ride the bikes I was interested in. I highly recomend them. I have had some interaction with Sports Garage (all positive) but I think they are primarily MTB oriented.
Here is my experience:
I bought a Litespeed a few years back at Big Ring - they seemed to know what was going on with my fit but much later I found out it was the wrong size bike.
I have heard great things about SG - they fit using a Compu Trainer and the traditional methods too.
3 years ago I got fitted for a custom Dean www.deanbikes.com - the bike and fit were EXACTLY what I was looking for. The problem is the bike took months to get. So - great bike, great fit, but it took too long to get.
I would check out SG OR go to Boulder Center for SM and talk with Jeff Guerra about a fit, I think he is great at fitting. Problem is you need the bike first.
Thanks. SG’s use of CT for fit was appealing to me as well. Did the good thing s you heard about SG come from triathletes? I am certian they are great fitters, just not sure they are tri savvy.
Mike. I got on the Dean site and didn’t see any mention of tri bikes. Was your custom tri or straight road? I assume tri, but want to make sure before I contact them.
Also, how long did you have to wait? I am rehabbing a disc problem now anyway and have a little time to wait.
Yes, all the good reports I have heard from SG have come from tri-folks. if you contact them, ask for Chris Jacobsen - he is the co-owner I believe.
As far as Dean - they custom make bikes to whatever specs you want - I went with a 74 degree angle seat - and when racing triathlons I use a seat post that gives me a few more degrees - this works fine for me. I like the option of having the slack angle and having a road setup for some parts of the year (like now). How long does it take to get a bike from Dean? hmmm - sometimes a few weeks, sometimes a few months. if you bug them, you will get it sooner. They are very slack with the timeliness, but you can’t beat the quality…I love my Dean, best bike I have ever owned. Ask for John, if you contact Dean, and let him know that I referred you. I don’t think anyone will be able to match his prices BUT you might have to wait a while for the bike.
No sweat. It took me a number of years to find the right bike and anytime I can help someone by-pass the years of misery I went through, I am glad to help. Take care.
If you don’t mind me imposing further… I am quite intrigued by the Dean. It hadn’t even been on my radar. My reservation is that they don’t seem to have much tri specific experience. On this forum, I constantly read about how road buliders don’t understand tri bikes and especially how to make them handle properly (they make it sound almost mystical). I know you had a great experience, albeit with a pretty slack seat tube angle. I want a 76 (not that much steeper I suppose). Do you know how much experience they have with tri bikes? Do you know others that have Dean tri geometry bikes and love them as you do?
Sorry to be so neurotic, but I am in total information overload about tri fit. On top of that, I have had several bad experiences trying to get a comfortable fit using aero bars on my road bike. If I am going to drop this kind of cash, it needs to be perfect.
Shredder - I would call John and talk with him over at Dean. he asked me how I liked the bike to handle and he adjust the fork angle to fit what I wanted and he has built plenty of tri bikes. I also know that he has built bikes for Ryan Bolton as well. Give him a call or even better go into his shop and talk with him, you will get a much better feel for the company than I can give you on a m-board post.
