killerInst

Watch biking videos and cry like a bitch waiting for it to get warm!

Ugly.

Stone cold sober. Not a high mark up? LOL. I picked up my carbon Enduro for $1500 in the box right from Specialized. Retail was $5500. want to tell me that again? No, I honestly never worked won't ever again work retail but don't you think charging double for a part that you don't carry in stock AND get free shipping is a bit high?

I really want to like this bike but just can't get into the squared tubing.

A couple things I learned while working at a shop & how to get discounts on new stuff: 1) Those uber expensive bikes on the floor are not stockpiled in the back collecting dust. A good store knows its market and caters to them. The "uber" high end bike becomes eye candy to entry level customers, getting them thinking about maybe spending more than they originally planned on a slightly better model (but almost never on the "Uber" unless they are a Visa Black holder). Uber Bikes are a risky purchase even for a shop. It might stay on the floor for months or even years before recouping their cost. Go for last years model. 2) Going in once and expecting a deal never happens; come in a lot. Get to know everyone in the shop even if it means using the excuse of needing air. We love to talk with people about the industry we don't see every day at work. Just don't do it when they are crazy busy. "Friends" of the shop rarely ever pay msrp. 3) If you get a great deal never tell friends what the exact cost was. Sure it is great for bargaining with other stores but one of your buddies going into your local shop where you made the connections asking for your price makes YOU look bad to both the shop and your friend when they get shooed away. Say it was a good deal and brag about their service which is their real bread & butter. 4) Concept stores that specialize in just one brand or chain stores have very little wiggle room. Go to an indy.

I've loved riding since I was a kid, so right after college I got myself a second job at a bike shop to afford the good stuff. Every single penny I made from there went into new gear. Glad I almost killed myself doing it too. The markup on ANY bike product can be extremely high. For example a 75 cent tube got sold for $7. You can only imagine what the $ figure markup for the bikes were. As for me,4 of my 5 bikes were all bought brand new from the shop, none of which were full price. Yes I lost a lot of great riding while working at the shop, but it was worth it. I'm now happily "retired" from the industry but miss some of the perks.

I'm just surprised he didn't go for a higher profile wheelset. That would have cut the drag down even further.

I'm 6'2 and I tried my buddys 29er for a day. Felt like driving a truck. Could not corner for $h!t.

So the 650b & 29rs roll over things easier? Where is the fun/challenge in that? I give Specialized 6 years before they start converting everything to 650b. First they have to get rid of all of their 29er stock.

A few years ago, a friend of mine taught me a lesson about leaving my bike in my car even though it was within eyesight. I didn't recognize him but saw a body grabbing my titanium racer out of the backseat of my convertible. I immediately gave chase but lost where he went quickly. Everyone else was laughing but I was crushed. Lucky for him I didn't catch him with the bike; being 3 feet taller, blood would have easily been spilt. Yea, I got the bike back, but I NEVER left any of them unlocked anywhere alone even for a second after that.