Trek policy for returning one size bike for another?

Triathlon Forum
1

I purchased a 2012 54 cm Trek Madone 4.7 April 18 from my LBS. During the initial test rides, I went back and forth between a 54 and a 56 cm Madone from last year’s stock.

After riding it five times since getting it May 4, I feel as though I should have went with the 56 cm. I’m 5’8", with a 32" inseam, and ride two other bikes - a 56 cm 2010 Trek 2.1 and a medium 2009 Giant TCX 2 cyclocross bike (for riders 5’7" to 5’11"). I feel very comfortable on both.

When I ride the 54 cm Madone, my neck, upper back between my shoulder blades and lower back gets very stiff and uncomfortable. I feel more cramped to the point that my breathing is also a bit more constricted than when riding the other bikes. I feel like I need to be a bit more stretched out. I’m leery of trying to put a “band-aid” on this by installing a longer stem.

Has anyone ordered one size of bike, then realized after riding it that you needed to go up or down a size? What did you do? I emailed Trek with my concern, and will talk with my LBS about my options. I really enjoy the ride of the Madone. I just think I need to go up one size.

2

I would imagine this would be between the shop and you, not Trek. Check your receipt regarding returns. If the shop is anything like the ones around my way, they MAY take it back assuming there are no signs of wear. However, you will have to pay a restocking fee.

For reference, I’m 5’10 and ride a 54 Madone. The 56 felt too sluggish under me during the test ride. I threw on a longer stem and it fits me the way I want.

3

I am 5’11 and I ride a Madone 6.9 in a 54 with a 130 stem.

4

My shop has a 30 day exchange policy. As noted earlier, it would be between you and your shop.

5

A 56 would be really big for someone only 5’8". I have to think you’d need a really short stem and the bike would be twitchy. Even a 54 could be considered on the edge of being large for someone that height.

IMHO test rides are pretty worthless unless you can keep the thing for a week and make all the fit tweaks you need to make.

I’d guess that between stem size, rise, and spacers you could make a 54 fit well.

6

At 5’8’‘, there is no way you belong on a 56 cm Trek. You might belong on a 52. I’m 6’0’’ and I have a 56 cm Trek 5200 that fits me perfectly. If the shop didn’t fit you on the bike, go back and have them do it.

7

ok I got curious and looked at the Trek site and the geometry page for that bike. I’m 5-9 and couldn’t imagine fitting on the 56 in that bike. It would be 54 or 52. Even 54 might be big (hard to get the stem low enough). I’d likely be on a 52 with a 120mm or 130 stem or a 54 with 110 or 120. (depending on stem rise)

8

I agree with the others; it is unlikely that a 56cm trek would be appropriate for a guy who is 5’8".

Having said that, if your trek 2.1 fits you well, I would start by trying to replicate the coordinates of the touch points (saddle, handlebar and pedals) on your madone. In this case, you have an excellent reference point to start with. I’d take your 2.1 into the shop and say “What do we need to do to get my madone to fit like this”. (The CX bike is a different beast and I wouldn’t use that as a reference point of comparison.)

I’ve built up a few bikes for myself and friends and in each case, I have used their current ride as a starting point as to how their bike should be built up. We have done some tweaking here and there, but overall, It’s worked out well as a way getting a fit that is familiar and comfortable.

9

I would imagine this would be between the shop and you, not Trek. Check your receipt regarding returns. If the shop is anything like the ones around my way, they MAY take it back assuming there are no signs of wear. However, you will have to pay a restocking fee.

For reference, I’m 5’10 and ride a 54 Madone. The 56 felt too sluggish under me during the test ride. I threw on a longer stem and it fits me the way I want.

Thanks for your comments. I agree that I need to start with my LBS. I have no complaints with their service (bought two bike from them and a wheelset). I was fitted at their flagship store with a “profit” by one employee who was trained at Trek headquarters. All of them noted that I had the right amount of seatpost exposed on the 54 cm. But, in the end, I know it’s going to be about how I feel. A 15 minute test ride is not an accurate barometer of how the bike will fit compared to a few two hour ones.

I’ve read on Trek’s website that if a person is between sizes, it may be better to go with the smaller one. They cited it’s easier to fit a smaller bike than a larger one. From their numbers, technically, I belong on a 54 cm.

10

FWIW I am 5’11" and ride a 56cm Trek Madone 5.1. I would guess at 5’8" a 54cm should be the right size in most cases.

11

FWIW I am 5’11" and ride a 56cm Trek Madone 5.1. I would guess at 5’8" a 54cm should be the right size in most cases.

Thanks for the “fwiw.”

From Trek’s website FAQ’s http://www.trekbikes.com/faq/questions.php?questionid=63

My concern is that I may have bought the wrong size. My 56 cm 2.1 fits well, imo. I didn’t have a profit done by the shop (from another state). I bought it based on a previous 56 cm 2.3 that I test rode two years ago at my LBS and almost bought.

12

My shop has a 30 day exchange policy. As noted earlier, it would be between you and your shop.

I agree. Thanks for the comment. I have no complaints with the shop. They’ve been a great help to me over the years. The employee that did the profit said to contact him if it’s not right.

13

At 5’8’‘, there is no way you belong on a 56 cm Trek. You might belong on a 52. I’m 6’0’’ and I have a 56 cm Trek 5200 that fits me perfectly. If the shop didn’t fit you on the bike, go back and have them do it.

Thanks for the comments. I’m seeing a trend here that being on a smaller bike than you think is the way to go, depending on one’s leg length versus torso and arm length ratio.

The employee who did the pro fit at my LBS’s flagship store an hour away did mention to come back if it still doesn’t fit right. I’m just concerned that I bought the wrong size because my 2.1 is a 56 cm and fits well, even without a pro fit.

14

ok I got curious and looked at the Trek site and the geometry page for that bike. I’m 5-9 and couldn’t imagine fitting on the 56 in that bike. It would be 54 or 52. Even 54 might be big (hard to get the stem low enough). I’d likely be on a 52 with a 120mm or 130 stem or a 54 with 110 or 120. (depending on stem rise)

Thanks, Brian. I looked at that site also, under their FAQ’s and sizing noted here http://www.trekbikes.com/faq/questions.php?questionid=63

Technically, I should be hovering around a 54 cm. It’s difficult for me to know because I ride two different bikes at the moment - the Madone and the Giant cyclocross bike. My 2.1 is a 56 cm and fits well, even without a pro fit. The 54 Madone just feels a bit small underneath me.

15

I agree with the others; it is unlikely that a 56cm trek would be appropriate for a guy who is 5’8".

Having said that, if your trek 2.1 fits you well, I would start by trying to replicate the coordinates of the touch points (saddle, handlebar and pedals) on your madone. In this case, you have an excellent reference point to start with. I’d take your 2.1 into the shop and say “What do we need to do to get my madone to fit like this”. (The CX bike is a different beast and I wouldn’t use that as a reference point of comparison.)

I’ve built up a few bikes for myself and friends and in each case, I have used their current ride as a starting point as to how their bike should be built up. We have done some tweaking here and there, but overall, It’s worked out well as a way getting a fit that is familiar and comfortable.

Thanks for your insight. I agree that I wouldn’t want to use the CX bike, since it’s a cyclocross frame.

The only challenge with taking my 2.1 into my LBS with the Madone 4.7 is the 2.1 is in another state. I bought it from a LBS there and kept it at my parent’s house, so, when I visit them each year, I have something to ride (didn’t want to keep packing a bike for the plane). I didn’t have a “pro fit” for the 56 cm. I test rode a previous 56 cm 2.3 from my LBS where I live, so, I used that as a reference point for the purchase of the 2.1. I rode it every other day to get used to it before using it for IM Branson 70.3. I was very pleased with it for those 56 miles. The only adjustment I made on my own before the event was tweaking the seat post height. I never had to take it back to the shop for further tweaks.

I read how the Trek 2 series bikes have somewhat similar geometry to the Madone’s. So, when I was in the market for a carbon bike, I wanted to nearly mimic the ride of that 2.1 that I’ll use again this September for IM Branson. So, after test riding several brands, I went with the Madone. On the test ride for the 56 cm, however, I felt like I needed to move the seat forward a bit because I noted how much I rested my hands on the back of the handlebar. On the 54, I still do that occasionally, but, my hands fall naturally on the hoods.

After the pro fit, I feel like I need to move the seat further back, though. I’m just in a quandary right now, because, on the one hand, I wonder if the 56 2.1 is actually too big, or, did I really buy a Madone that is too small.

16

I read how the Trek 2 series bikes have somewhat similar geometry to the Madone’s. So, when I was in the market for a carbon bike, I wanted to nearly mimic the ride of that 2.1 that I’ll use again this September for IM Branson. So, after test riding several brands, I went with the Madone. On the test ride for the 56 cm, however, I felt like I needed to move the seat forward a bit because I noted how much I rested my hands on the back of the handlebar. On the 54, I still do that occasionally, but, my hands fall naturally on the hoods.

After the pro fit, I feel like I need to move the seat further back, though. I’m just in a quandary right now, because, on the one hand, I wonder if the 56 2.1 is actually too big, or, did I really buy a Madone that is too small.

After all of the comments and you’re still thinking your 54 is too small? It’s not. You can’t really compare the 2 different sizes unless you’ve spent time getting the right stem size, seat position, bar height etc. normalized across the 2 frames.

17

My shop has a 30 day exchange policy. As noted earlier, it would be between you and your shop.

On Bikes? 30 days? That have been ridden?

Jesus.

18

After all of the comments and you’re still thinking your 54 is too small? It’s not. You can’t really compare the 2 different sizes unless you’ve spent time getting the right stem size, seat position, bar height etc. normalized across the 2 frames.

I’m just hoping, financially, it’s not too small.

I suppose what is throwing me off is I ride my Giant cyclocross frame all week to and from work, with some occasional two hour rides (when it’s raining, saving the Madone for better weather) after work. Last night, after riding home from work on the cyclocross bike, I immediately jumped on the Madone and went out for two hours. During and after that ride, my neck and back is so stiff. I felt like I was too low in the front end. My Giant sits higher up front (four spacers versus three on the Madone).

19

I suppose what is throwing me off is I ride my Giant cyclocross frame all week to and from work, with some occasionally two hour rides (when it’s raining, saving the Madone for better weather) after work. Last night, after riding home from work on the cyclocross bike, I immediately jumped on the Madone and went out for two hours. During and after that ride, my neck and back is so stiff. I felt like I was too low in the front end. My Giant sits higher up front (four spacers versus three on the Madone).

just comparing the number of spacers isn’t going to tell you anything. If you like the way you fit on your Giant, then as someone else suggested, try to replicate that on your Madone. Start by getting your saddle height and setback (behind the BB) the same. Then get the handlebar height the same (height from ground minus the height of the BB, like Trek does with their fit guide). Then the reach to brake hoods. You might need a shorter or longer stem, or one with more or less rise or more or less spacers under the stem.

I have a hard time believing you can’t find the right position on that size.

And … why is the bike shop not helping you do that? It should be very easy for them to get you on the trainer, measure those contact points, and then make the new bike fit the same way.

(as an aside: I picked up a new bike last week (a Trek SC). I did the measurements that they have in the fit table, emailed them to the shop, and they had it set up the same way when I got there to pick up the bike. A few little adjustments and I was riding it 30 min later. So the shop should be able to do that for you)

20

Sounds like great advice, Brian. I’m glad you got a great fit on that SC.

I haven’t informed my LBS yet. I was there last night before going out for two hours because the shifting was off. It needed to be tweaked since everything is still brand new. I didn’t mention anything to them about the fit. After two hours, I noticed how stiff my neck and back were. I wished I would have gone out for those two hours on the Giant.

It’s probably just me because there are times when I’m out of the saddle on the cyclocross bike, hands on the hoods and throwing the bike back and forth, that the cockpit feels too high. I feel like I need to drop the height (remove a spacer or two). On the Madone when doing the same thing, the reach to the front end is too low. I feel like I’m about to fall over the front end.

Incidentally, with my seat rails positioned right in the middle on the seat post, and looking down through the stem to the front wheel, the front hub is partially in front of the stem.

I don’t know if this is an accurate barometer of fit, but, one thing I’ve read is the front hub should be obscured by the stem when seated on the bike and looking down.