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Looking at picking up a new e bike to replace my existing one and looking at an xl in order to get the reach I’d like (although still 5mm shorter than I’d ideally like) have decided on a make and model and decided to buy through a big online retailer.
(Pretty standard across most brands) Unfortunately no test bikes about in the same size, and it’ll be a special order (because of size only) so will be non refundable if it’s a horrid fit. Mediums and larges wouldn’t be subject to the same condition.
Weighing up the gamble as if I commit I am stuck with the decision for a while! Seems a bit ‘off’ and is sorta turning me away from the shop.
Seeing as it’s a gen 5 Bosch and the sizing isn’t whacky compared to other brands I don’t feel it’s an unnecessary risk, would you look elsewhere?
The bike is an Orbea wild not that it really makes any difference as they said the same about a few other xl’s
It's a troubled market. Sales have slowed, takings are down. Shops have to buy stock up front and XLs are regularly sold at large discounts when a new model year appears. I can't blame any shop for not wanting to stock them. This is where a distributor should step in with a test fleet, though how many folk are going to pay for 2x shipping just to try a bike?
Also as bikes have got a lot bigger I don’t think people are sizing up as often and sometimes even sizing down.
Also as bikes have got a lot bigger I don’t think people are sizing up as often and sometimes even sizing down.
I dunno about that. Sizing is based more on frame length than seat tube height now. This has made sizing up more accessible without ending up on a barn gate with a short dropper and no standover clearance. I think more riders are sizing up now and more brands are making XL/XXL sizes. Orbea is a good example actually, they used to only go up to large.
I would expect any size of bike from a online retailer to be returnable up to the point it has been used. Sort of sounds like the OP wants to try it for size though, which would make it used. Don't know what they mean by 'special order' really? It's not custom. If it's not used they can return it to the brand or distributor. Perhaps Orbea ships everything out from Spain, which could be a pain?
Certainly wouldn’t think of taking it for a spin, but if when it arrived and I threw a leg over it and it just felt ‘wrong’, I would feel pretty gutted about the fact I couldn’t return.
I had thought that I could tweet with reach adjust headset etc but the majority of affordable (lmao) e-bikes have through headset cable route which I think scuppers that plan, just leaves slightly longer stems and higher rise bars to tweak.
Just threw a leg over my current e bike which has similar reach 505 but I have fitted a reach adjust headset (+5 if I remember) in as well as 60mm high rise bars, i fitted those to stretch out the reach and enjoy the bike. I know geometry is a sum of its parts but that’s kinda the point of getting to test ride or at least sit on one.
my favourite conventional bikes are a bird am9 and aether 9 which both have considerably longer reach but lower stacks.
A five mm stem would work I’d not be too worried, just compare it to what you have
had a 2020 occam with a 510 reach that never felt very big. Was a nice bike though
and it’ll be a special order (because of size only) so will be non refundable
If you are buying it online, I don't think they can make it non-refundable just due to being a size they don't stock as standard. A standard model from the manufacturers catalogue would not meet the requirement for that, if the bike shop assembled the bike from specified parts that would be different as that would be a custom build(but I am not a lawyer)
They directed me to their terms and conditions where it lists ‘non stock’ items being considered special orders before I commit to the order, just seemed odd not to consider a standard spec in xl a ‘non stock’ item. I’d love to support a local shop but none of them have test bikes- nor does the uk by the look of it, as well the terms are good and there’s a range extender thrown into the mix for this model so it’s better value than rrp.