Bike Demos are part of the problem, or lack there of. Most shops charge, so if you're in serious bike shop mode you can easily spend $400 just trying their stuff. Waiting for the demo days will provide some relief, but Ken, here in Rocky's heartland, I'm going to be waiting at least a year to try the new Altitude, a bike that is getting some seriously good hype but one that I won't be buying until I can pedal it around.
There are other options. Some companies, like Giant offer VERY good value and warrantees. Norco also drops prices on it's year old bikes(Some great deals to be had if you look around!). At the end of the day, nothing is as good as being a smart (and patient) consumer. But if you fall in love with the RM Slayer in it's first year, you need to know you're paying for the hype and their R&D.
The other thing we as consumers don't do enough of is post up reviews of gear when we start having issues with it. I bought a bike last year and rear hub blew up on me for the SECOND time this past weekend. It's still under warranty but as I can't seem to rely on it I went out and spent our entire tax return on a replacement wheel. I know other people are having issues with this particular companies wheels but I wouldn't know that unless I myself were having the issues.
Consumers have tremendous power over this, but it seems that we choose to keep our mouths shut so we don't we don't get down-voted. For some reason the internet mistakes honest criticism for trolling.
@Tehllama42 I share your frustrations.
May 10, 2017, 8:26 a.m. - mightyted
Bike Demos are part of the problem, or lack there of. Most shops charge, so if you're in serious bike shop mode you can easily spend $400 just trying their stuff. Waiting for the demo days will provide some relief, but Ken, here in Rocky's heartland, I'm going to be waiting at least a year to try the new Altitude, a bike that is getting some seriously good hype but one that I won't be buying until I can pedal it around. There are other options. Some companies, like Giant offer VERY good value and warrantees. Norco also drops prices on it's year old bikes(Some great deals to be had if you look around!). At the end of the day, nothing is as good as being a smart (and patient) consumer. But if you fall in love with the RM Slayer in it's first year, you need to know you're paying for the hype and their R&D. The other thing we as consumers don't do enough of is post up reviews of gear when we start having issues with it. I bought a bike last year and rear hub blew up on me for the SECOND time this past weekend. It's still under warranty but as I can't seem to rely on it I went out and spent our entire tax return on a replacement wheel. I know other people are having issues with this particular companies wheels but I wouldn't know that unless I myself were having the issues. Consumers have tremendous power over this, but it seems that we choose to keep our mouths shut so we don't we don't get down-voted. For some reason the internet mistakes honest criticism for trolling. @Tehllama42 I share your frustrations.