The 576 has a cut to fit seat post that is integral with the frame. After the frame is cut, you have +/- 5mm of adjustment. It helps a lot with aero but, as you say, I don't know how you are supposed to try it out.

That is a wicked sexy bike, and it sounds like a pretty darned good deal.
Take a look at pictures of the bike online and read a couple reviews. What you'll notice is that it doesn't have a typical straight seat tube that can just be slid down the seat tube to get it to fit you. I think what he's saying is that to get the seat height at an appropriate point for you, he would have to cut the seat post shorter (again, look at a picture) in order to get the seat height correct for you, and he's not going to want to cut that seat post if you're not buying the bike because he would then not be able to sell the bike later to a taller rider.
Is he telling you the truth? That I don't know, but it sounds odd that the frame would be in "your size" but would ship with a seat post that is that much longer than you would require. BUT, I seem to recall that you usually are cutting the seat post for that bike.
Hopefully some current Look riders can weigh in, but I'd definitely find another shop that sells Looks and just ask them if you can adjust the seat and sit on it for a brief spin on the trainer. If they give you the same answer, then that's probably the right answer.
Of course, if you get a tri bike that sexy, you're going to have to upgrade the Fulcrum 5s to an equally sexy set of race wheels... :-)

I was writing a long answer as gshuldes cut right to the chase!
You know... you'd look great on that ride...

Sharon, given how crucial fit is to making up a quality ride, I'm hoping there's at least a fit rig in the LBS? They could take your coordinates off the rig (or another bike with sliding seat post they fit you on) and in theory if the LOOK has the same capacity you [i]should[/i] be ready to (rock and) roll!

Count me jealous. Even [i]pondering[/i] a bike purchase is exciting...

Can you get a hold of another seat and post?
I just got me a new (ah so sexy!) bike and was in the same situation. He would only cut down the seat post if I committed to buying the bike. Fortunatly, we were able to find some older demo bikes with the same seat posts and swap out to give me a closer fit. When it felt good and I committed, he cut the post down to my height.

DO IT!!!

[img]http://c2.yousaytoo.com/rss_temp_image/pics/88/10/81/78588/original/remo...

nice bike!

hi, I want your future bike.

DO IT!

Buy Now, Regret Later!!! it is a sweeeeeeet ride.

Seriously, there are a few drawbacks to seat mast bikes, but they are minor. Shipping a bike in a bike box could be a problem if the box requires the seat post removed. Also, if you choose to sell it some time down the line, you are limited in who might buy it...they have to be your size or smaller.

If I had the coin, I would go whole hog for the 596 Ipack....that is hot. Looking at that gets me in the mood for some tapering. :) Good thing my wife is a bike geek too.

I gotta feeling that jtrimom is gonna be doing alot of riding in the near future.

DO It on condition you get to sit on it, ride it, lick it, sweat on it, and make it yours, before you actually pay for it........

[quote=jtrimom]
that sounds like the advice I gave my sister before she got married ;)[/quote]
... and we're off!

[quote=jtrimom][quote=Warrior]DO It on condition you get to sit on it, ride it, lick it, sweat on it, and make it yours, before you actually pay for it........[/quote]

that sounds like the advice I gave my sister before she got married ;)[/quote]

Trifuel "quote of the year" so far.

Well its taken longer than I thought it would to derail. Glad it has :)

Serious question: how confident are you that the bike is your size? Like snail_male asked, did you get on a fit bike to get your rough measurements and compare those against the LOOKs?

It's a fantastic bike, just make sure you can get a great fit before pulling the trigger. Re-selling a cut mast bike can't be easy.

I was droo....'I mean, looking, at one of these online the other day....please go ahead and buy it...this way I can tell my wife that you just bought one and therefore I should too because it's such a great bike...yeah, that's it....

[quote=gfd][quote=jtrimom][quote=Warrior]DO It on condition you get to sit on it, ride it, lick it, sweat on it, and make it yours, before you actually pay for it........[/quote]

that sounds like the advice I gave my sister before she got married ;)[/quote]

Trifuel "quote of the year" so far.[/quote]

+1. Excellent!

You deserve that new LOOK more than ever.

Assuming it fits.

[quote=jtrimom][quote=Warrior]DO It on condition you get to sit on it, ride it, lick it, sweat on it, and make it yours, before you actually pay for it........[/quote]

that sounds like the advice I gave my sister before she got married ;)[/quote]
aaannndd, sounds like I found my wife a coach for the season.

[quote=IthinkIcan][quote=jtrimom][quote=Warrior]DO It on condition you get to sit on it, ride it, lick it, sweat on it, and make it yours, before you actually pay for it........[/quote]

that sounds like the advice I gave my sister before she got married ;)[/quote]
aaannndd, sounds like I found my wife a coach for the season.[/quote]
----------------------------------------
HUH? You want me to coach your wife? Okay I am game for that! :-)

[quote=dkhartung][quote=jtrimom]
that sounds like the advice I gave my sister before she got married ;)[/quote]
... and we're off![/quote]
Well when sharon posts it's only a matter of time and tact !

Great deal on a great bike. If you buy it and it doesn't fit you or you flat out don't like it, you can EBay or Craigs List it for at least an $800 dollar profit and get something else.

No brainer. And yes, the seatpost is indeed integrated and must be cut to your height. Nice feature because it is lighter, bad feature because any potential future resale has to go to someone of your height or shorter. I was eyeballing the 576 briefly and my local shop has a "fit machine" that they set to that bike's geometry and measure you for frame size (small/medium/large, if I remember), then put you on the right size frame and cut your seatmast.

From what i have heard and read about that bike, I doubt very much you will regret it.

I saw this post just now... but how exciting!!!
I am part of the "do it" crowd....

hawt bike

Awesome Sharon. I am excited for you.

As far as retail value goes, I would not worry about that at all. Chances are you are going to ride the bike for the next 5-8 years and put thousands of miles on it. Cut seatpost or not, what would it be worth at that point anyway? Keep it as your foul-weather bike when that time comes.

[quote=jtrimom]thanks, Garen! I am VERY excited, but I feel that now the pressure's on, b/c I don't want to be "that girl" who is on an awesome bike being passed by the heavy mountain bike goin up a hill :P[/quote]

We have seen your bike splits. You are not that girl.

Congrats, very exciting.....post photos!

[quote=gfd][quote=jtrimom]thanks, Garen! I am VERY excited, but I feel that now the pressure's on, b/c I don't want to be "that girl" who is on an awesome bike being passed by the heavy mountain bike goin up a hill :P[/quote]

We have seen your bike splits. You are not that girl.[/quote]

+1

[quote=JfromJacksonHole]...Can't wait to get chicked by you on that thing :)

Nice Ride!!!

[/quote]

I wouldn't mind getting passed by you on this!
Sweet, sweet bike porn! ;-)

[quote=jtrimom]soooo sexy!!!! I get fitted on it tomorrow! HOORAY![/quote]
It's tommorrow! Photo? of you on bike, cover the abs if you have to :-)

Hell you can post it here an imagine the look on all our faces, that is hilarious both of you a bike in the bed, ........you are making me wonder if I have enough commitment to this triathlon thingy, I don't sleep with my gear.........YET!

menage a Look

[quote=jtrimom]Took him out for a ride today (before the weather goes to cr@p tomorrow for the rest of the week)....stiff, fast, smooth, responsive....HAPPY ME![/quote]

Awesome. So.....how's the new bike? :)

[quote=jtrimom]C:\fr\2011-01-28 tri bike\tri bike 002.JPG

not sure if that'll work[/quote]
no, it does not work... and I'm not sure if I can help you. My best guess would be click on My Profile in the top-left corner, then the Edit tab and scroll down to Upload Picture. After that I'm not sure about the [ img ] tags and such, but we could view it under your profile... right?