|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#11
|
|||
|
|||
On 2004-09-05, Dan Daniel wrote:
On Sun, 05 Sep 2004 00:54:06 -0500, Preston Crawford wrote: On 2004-09-05, Dan Daniel wrote: Go somewhere else. I know I should. It's just sad. We've gone there for so long. They've literally watched as we've gone from our old selves to our new selves. And in a way you've watched them go from their old selves to their new selves.... True. My wife from a couch potato to a triathlete. Me from a couch potato to a cycle commuter. Things have been different in the past. I guess if anything our mistake is we never upgraded to the $5000 bike. Maybe then we would have been served better. We've always stuck in the low end, because that's who we are. Regular people who enjoy bikes, but don't have the money for the expensive ones. Funny... if you have five stores, you are going to have to sell a lot of mid-range bikes to cover the rent. Not smart to be blowing off your bread and butter customers. I agree. Another story, while I'm thinking about it. I needed a new wheel because my rear wheel cracked. They didn't have one at their Beaverton, Or. store. They said they'd have to order it. They wanted to begin the process of ordering it. I tried to explain to them that I commute on that bike. That I don't want to bike every day. That I need that bike ASAP and wasn't there a wheel anywhere in the company's system. "Nope, want us to order those parts to custom build the wheel?" So I go to another store of theirs and they have the wheel. A very nice $100+ touring wheel. I take it back to the other store and leave it with them and they say they'll do the bike overnight. Great, I'll have the bike by the next work day. I ask if someone can call me when it's done so I can pick it up for work the next day. This is on Saturday. Almost closing time on Sunday. I call them up and ask them if the bike is done. They tell me it is. I ask why no one called me. They say they don't do that kind of thing. Weird. So I go pick the bike up, barely getting in before closing. Once again, nothing major, but not exactly going out of their way to help. I found the wheel at one of their stores. I drove to get it. I paid a decent amount for it, plus to have it installed and when I asked to be told when it was finished no one bothered to call me. That's good advice. Those are the kinds of bikes I've been looking at. Hybrids and mountain bikes, basically. Anything upright. The problem, at least when considering a mountain bike (which was my first commuter bike, a mountain bike with slicks, fenders, a rack, etc.) is that all the entry level mountain bikes come with a cheap front shock. http://www.marinbikes.com/html/bikes_04_urban.html http://www.konaworld.com/2k4_bikes.cfm (the 'asphalt' section) http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkFamily.jsp?sid=04Sirrus http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/05/cusa/cats/ST.html http://www.fujibikes.com/road/bike.a...D =26&yr=2004 http://nordicgroup.us/commutebike/ http://www.runmuki.com/commute/commuting3.html Oh yeah. I know they're out there. The trick is finding a good shop that carries one of those bikes. Especially when you've been a single shop person like I have for the last half-decade. And a Trek guy to boot. That's the hardest part. These guys are the biggest Trek dealers in Portland. And I've been pretty loyal to Trek just by default. So in some ways even though I know there are bikes with rigid forks out there I need to find a good shop and I need to know also how the bikes stack up. Like how does a wheel on a Fuji Absolute stack up against the wheel on a Trek 7300fx. I've never heard of Alex A-Class wheels or Tektro brakes or RPM chainrings. It's that kind of stuff I'm a little ignorant on. I plan on doing some research to find out tonight and tomorrow. I asked them today if I could get a regular fork put on the front, a stiff fork instead. They said I could, as long as I paid for it, etc. I understand, but I guess I was hoping for a little more help on that option. I've heard of people haggling prices. I never do that. I've heard of people getting parts swapped. I've never done that without paying. I asked in this case, because even if I wanted to pay for the other fork, I'd have no use for a cheap suspension fork laying around my house. Seems like a waste. But they don't do deals like that. Maybe it's only on the expensive bikes that they do that, I don't know. You definitely need a new bike shop. Really? Is that normal to be able to swap out parts? I never knew. I always assumed that was only done for higher end bikes since the lower end bikes are mostly commodity bikes anyway. Or maybe it's just my shop. I don't know. Have you talked to the tri shop? They might be able to order you a bike. Or they might know a good bike general bike shop for you to deal with. If the old shop can open five stores, there must be a decent market in your area. I have talked to the tri shop. They really want to put me on a cyclecross bike, which would probably be perfect. Problem is it starts at $1000 (they don't carry low end stuff there) so it would be out of the box nicer than my Trek 1000. And out of my price range for a "rain bike". They're willing to swap some trade credit for some web programming, but it may take me a while to earn a $1000 bike and it will be raining by then. :-) To make any bike a rain bike, put Koolstop salmon pads on the brakes, install full fenders and mud flaps, and take 5-10 lbs of pressure out of the tires. Sure will. Just need to find the bike, first. As long as it will take fenders, it can be a rain bike. Oh, of course. I'm just saying, first I have to find a shop and a bike. You should have enough info from previous fittings to practically fit yourself. Well, that's the tough part. I have the info, but I don't quite trust myself as much as I trust them. And that's the messiest part of this potential separation. I want a shop that can help me get it close, at least. I don't mind fiddling with settings, of course, but I want to know when I walk out of the bike shop that I'm at least in the ballpark of a bike that's close to the professionally done ergonomically sound fits I've had done in the past. And I personally, either through sheer dimness or whatever, just don't have the capacity to do what they do. So I need their help to a certain extent. Or someone's, to make sure I don't end up with a sore back, knees, etc. Preston You need people like you found in the tri shop. Talk to them. I wish they could help with this. Maybe they can. Maybe they can order something. I don't know. I'll give them another call. Preston |
Ads |
#12
|
|||
|
|||
"Preston Crawford" wrote:
I've had a relationship for about 5 years+ with my LBS. They sold me my first bike when I started biking again and I have purchased 6 bikes in total from them, between my wife and I. We've bought innumerable bike parts and we've paid for 4 fittings ($100 a pop). I can see the need for a "fit" on a first road bike, but you and your wife seem to be experienced cyclists. Fit really isn't rocket science, especially if you're talking about a hybrid type bike for rainy weather. Even for a road bike, if you have one that fits well, you can set up another one with the same measurements (seat height and position, bar height and reach, etc.). If you don't get it perfect on the first try, you can always tweak it. If buying a new bike, a free "rough fit" should be included as a minimum (to ensure that the frame size is appropriate). Who else here uses a "rain bike"? What are some good recommendations (other than the obvious, a used bike, which I'll definitely consider at this point)? But what are some good candidates for new bikes? If you're really going to have a dedicated "rain bike," it would make sense to get something with fenders and wide tires (for traction). A used, mid-80s touring bike would be ideal. Art Harris |
#13
|
|||
|
|||
"Preston Crawford" wrote:
I've had a relationship for about 5 years+ with my LBS. They sold me my first bike when I started biking again and I have purchased 6 bikes in total from them, between my wife and I. We've bought innumerable bike parts and we've paid for 4 fittings ($100 a pop). I can see the need for a "fit" on a first road bike, but you and your wife seem to be experienced cyclists. Fit really isn't rocket science, especially if you're talking about a hybrid type bike for rainy weather. Even for a road bike, if you have one that fits well, you can set up another one with the same measurements (seat height and position, bar height and reach, etc.). If you don't get it perfect on the first try, you can always tweak it. If buying a new bike, a free "rough fit" should be included as a minimum (to ensure that the frame size is appropriate). Who else here uses a "rain bike"? What are some good recommendations (other than the obvious, a used bike, which I'll definitely consider at this point)? But what are some good candidates for new bikes? If you're really going to have a dedicated "rain bike," it would make sense to get something with fenders and wide tires (for traction). A used, mid-80s touring bike would be ideal. Art Harris |
#14
|
|||
|
|||
Here's another twist to the story .Go to the TRI shop and get the Bike they
are willing to work with you on .And use your old bike for a rain bike.Then you will have a better everyday bike and a nice rain bike.A cyclecross bike make a nice all around bike but it can't make up for a good road bike.But if your looking for a good commuter bike the cyclecross would do the trick nicely bigger tires and stuff for bad roads. Or the Marin bike in the link with a ridged fork would work to .Its only 450$ JMO /good luck PS id go for the cyclcross and not look back . sound like you have bought some cheaper bikes and got ride of them buy a good one and keep it ??? |
#15
|
|||
|
|||
Here's another twist to the story .Go to the TRI shop and get the Bike they
are willing to work with you on .And use your old bike for a rain bike.Then you will have a better everyday bike and a nice rain bike.A cyclecross bike make a nice all around bike but it can't make up for a good road bike.But if your looking for a good commuter bike the cyclecross would do the trick nicely bigger tires and stuff for bad roads. Or the Marin bike in the link with a ridged fork would work to .Its only 450$ JMO /good luck PS id go for the cyclcross and not look back . sound like you have bought some cheaper bikes and got ride of them buy a good one and keep it ??? |
#16
|
|||
|
|||
On 2004-09-05, Jamie TrailBlazer At Large wrote:
Here's another twist to the story .Go to the TRI shop and get the Bike they are willing to work with you on .And use your old bike for a rain bike.Then you will have a better everyday bike and a nice rain bike.A cyclecross bike make a nice all around bike but it can't make up for a good road bike.But if your looking for a good commuter bike the cyclecross would do the trick nicely bigger tires and stuff for bad roads. Does a cyclecross bike make a good bike for long distance riding? Because during the summer I'm enjoying going on 50+ mile rides. I'd hate to lose my road bike and not have the cyclecross bike (with new tires of course) fit this duty. Or the Marin bike in the link with a ridged fork would work to .Its only 450$ JMO /good luck PS id go for the cyclcross and not look back . sound like you have bought some cheaper bikes and got ride of them buy a good one and keep it ??? Yes and no. The first bike (my mountain bike) was gotten rid of because I rode it into the ground. Put like 4000 miles into it and had no concept of maintenance or how to keep it in good shape. The second bike, the hybrid was only sold because I decided I wanted the money for the road bike instead. On my wife's side she had one mountain bike which was destroyed when she got hit by a car. And then a hybrid which was only sold because she wanted a road bike. So we're not really tearing through the cheap bikes, but your point is well taken. It would do us some good either way to buy a more expensive bike one of these days. But here in Portland, I guess I've always assumed that was a bad idea. The idea being that the wheels, gears, etc. would be ground down by the rain and grit as quickly on a $600 bike as on a $1000 bike. So might as well buy the $600 bike since its parts would be cheaper to replace. I'm not saying you're wrong, by any stretch. Just explaining my rationale for sticking with the low end bikes. We could be totally wrong about that assumption, but the rain and the wear and tear are things you have to factor in. I just don't think I can afford the cyclecross bike right now, unfortunately. Preston |
#17
|
|||
|
|||
On 2004-09-05, Jamie TrailBlazer At Large wrote:
Here's another twist to the story .Go to the TRI shop and get the Bike they are willing to work with you on .And use your old bike for a rain bike.Then you will have a better everyday bike and a nice rain bike.A cyclecross bike make a nice all around bike but it can't make up for a good road bike.But if your looking for a good commuter bike the cyclecross would do the trick nicely bigger tires and stuff for bad roads. Does a cyclecross bike make a good bike for long distance riding? Because during the summer I'm enjoying going on 50+ mile rides. I'd hate to lose my road bike and not have the cyclecross bike (with new tires of course) fit this duty. Or the Marin bike in the link with a ridged fork would work to .Its only 450$ JMO /good luck PS id go for the cyclcross and not look back . sound like you have bought some cheaper bikes and got ride of them buy a good one and keep it ??? Yes and no. The first bike (my mountain bike) was gotten rid of because I rode it into the ground. Put like 4000 miles into it and had no concept of maintenance or how to keep it in good shape. The second bike, the hybrid was only sold because I decided I wanted the money for the road bike instead. On my wife's side she had one mountain bike which was destroyed when she got hit by a car. And then a hybrid which was only sold because she wanted a road bike. So we're not really tearing through the cheap bikes, but your point is well taken. It would do us some good either way to buy a more expensive bike one of these days. But here in Portland, I guess I've always assumed that was a bad idea. The idea being that the wheels, gears, etc. would be ground down by the rain and grit as quickly on a $600 bike as on a $1000 bike. So might as well buy the $600 bike since its parts would be cheaper to replace. I'm not saying you're wrong, by any stretch. Just explaining my rationale for sticking with the low end bikes. We could be totally wrong about that assumption, but the rain and the wear and tear are things you have to factor in. I just don't think I can afford the cyclecross bike right now, unfortunately. Preston |
#18
|
|||
|
|||
Preston Crawford wrote:
So I decided this year that it would be a good idea (since I've upgraded some parts on my Trek 1000 and I really like it and want to keep it in good shap) to invest in a "rain bike". A cheap bike ($450 or under) that I don't mind seeing take a little abuse. Here's my problem. Why don't you just do yourself a favor and turn your present bike into a rainbike and get yourself something really sweet that you've been drooling over for a while. The only loser in going cheap is you -- Perre You have to be smarter than a robot to reply. |
#19
|
|||
|
|||
Preston Crawford wrote:
So I decided this year that it would be a good idea (since I've upgraded some parts on my Trek 1000 and I really like it and want to keep it in good shap) to invest in a "rain bike". A cheap bike ($450 or under) that I don't mind seeing take a little abuse. Here's my problem. Why don't you just do yourself a favor and turn your present bike into a rainbike and get yourself something really sweet that you've been drooling over for a while. The only loser in going cheap is you -- Perre You have to be smarter than a robot to reply. |
#20
|
|||
|
|||
Preston Crawford wrote:
On 2004-09-05, Dan Daniel wrote: On Sun, 05 Sep 2004 00:54:06 -0500, Preston Crawford wrote: On 2004-09-05, Dan Daniel wrote: Go somewhere else. I know I should. It's just sad. We've gone there for so long. They've literally watched as we've gone from our old selves to our new selves. And in a way you've watched them go from their old selves to their new selves.... True. My wife from a couch potato to a triathlete. Me from a couch potato to a cycle commuter. Things have been different in the past. I guess if anything our mistake is we never upgraded to the $5000 bike. Maybe then we would have been served better. We've always stuck in the low end, because that's who we are. Regular people who enjoy bikes, but don't have the money for the expensive ones. Funny... if you have five stores, you are going to have to sell a lot of mid-range bikes to cover the rent. Not smart to be blowing off your bread and butter customers. I agree. Another story, while I'm thinking about it. I needed a new wheel because my rear wheel cracked. They didn't have one at their Beaverton, Or. store. Have you tried going down to citybikes on 8th and Ankeny and talking with them about a used bike? They may have one in that's suitable for you, and if not you can check back from time to time, as the inventory changes regularly. -- -TTFN -Steven |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Road, touring or cross bike? | Yellowstone Yeti | General | 20 | August 27th 04 03:43 AM |
Trips for Kids 13th Annual Bike Swap & Sale | Marilyn Price | Social Issues | 0 | June 1st 04 04:53 AM |
Secure Bike Parking.? | M. Barbee | General | 14 | January 6th 04 02:00 AM |
Bike facility funding, was: Cincy - $350M to fix I-75 | The Danimal | Social Issues | 11 | December 27th 03 01:55 PM |
How old were you when you got your first really nice bike? | Brink | General | 43 | November 13th 03 10:49 AM |