I'm in the market of buying a new road bike. So I thought if I rent and pay $100 to demo a bike for 24hrs, they will set up the bike like you want it. I gave them my fit number: saddle height, saddle setback, handle bar drop and handle bar reach. I ended getting the bike that was set up 6 cm above the saddle. So, now the handle bar position was in a whooping 7.5 cm from what my typical set up is!! Not only I rode the bike like a sail of a boat, but also I ended up getting my back hurt. As a result, I can't ride too long to get the benefit of renting it. The reason I rented in the first place, so I can get the set up I want, Then I can eliminate the fit issue and being able to get the feel of the bike to make an educated decision which bike I want to buy. Now, I ended up fighting with the fit issue all ride long because I was so uncomfortable on the bike. I can understand they aren't willing to do it if I only test drive bike. But, I paid 100 bucks!!!
The guy claimed that that number is a set up from my old bike and every bike is different. Well, that is my fit number for God shake. To make matter worst, the frame reach and the frame stack of the demo bike and my old bike are practically almost the same!! (difference of 1-5mm). That's no brainer in my opinion. They could have taken the spacer out and put the stem to negative angle or something. That, at least, will get the handle bar position close enough to what I'm used to ride.
So not only I'm very, very disappointed with my experience, but I also have a sore back (which makes me even annoyed). I felt like I was cheated and I have wasted my money just to get a lousy service. I don't know maybe they saw me and I don't look like a racer or pro cyclist, then I'm somewhat totally clueless about bike.
One of my criteria to buy a new bike is also to review how the stores service you as a customer (since I hate the store where I bought my old bike). How far they are willing to go above and beyond to satisfy you (especially since I paid). So if I end up buying the bike from them, I know I will be taken care off. That's what I called "great customer service". After this experience, I don't think I ever step foot again in this store. I will find other stores who will let me demo the bike and willing to set it up the way I want it. Hey, I could have just adjusted myself, but the point is I paid 100 bucks and I gave the number to follow!! So I expected to get at least close enough. I didn't ask them to change the stem, just get the position of my handle bar in relation to the seat close enough. (above the saddle set up and bellow the saddle request are hardly close enough!) Is this such a difficult ask to do for a bike shop?? Hello. If I knew that I will get that kind of set up, I might as well just test drive it and not paying a dime!
And please don't give me a crap about every bike is different. I have done my research and there's reason why I have gone through bike fit before I buy it. And there's a reason, why I only test drive/demo certain bike and ask for specific size I want because I've already known that's the best bike geometry for my fit number. Sure there's going to be some additional thing to change or tune once the bike is purchased (like swap crank length, handle bar length, stem length and angle), but setting up a handle bar above or below the saddle should be no brainer!!! especially when you rent and paid for it. 6 cm above the seat? That's not minor discrepancy if you're used to ride with handle bar below the seat. Is that too much to ask??
UPDATE 3/16/15
After I wrote my review the night before, I returned the bike the next morning. I was in no mood of complaining whatsoever. I planed to just return the bike, that's it. (I think my review say it enough) To my surprise, the store has read my review, and they recognized me as the reviewer. The manager of the store came to talk to me and offered me to reimburse the rental fee. I thought that was a nice gesture and I really appreciate it. read more