How (not) to buy a bike in seven steps

[eminva]

Basic, sound advice, but on several occasions, legitimate, reputable bike shops have sold me or my loved one a bike that didn’t fit. By the time I figured it out, there was no going back to exchange it. These things can be tricky and while an LBS is the best place to go for most people, sometimes it’s not perfect.

Also, the type of advice I’ve seen doled out on this forum — ride as many bikes as possible, ask questions, figure out what you want to use the bike for (or the more specific advice about which models have disc brakes, etc.) — could be very useful and is not a “waste of time.”

Liz

[krazygl00]

@Tim Kelley 53556 wrote:

From the good folks over at People for Bikes.

Nice article. I have a bit of an issue with Step Two: Solicit advice from the Internet.I think opinions, subjective information, personal experience are some of the most valuable things you can find online. We are overloaded with information but perspective is a valuable commodity. True, you do still have to remember to give appropriate weight to online opinions.

And I flatly disagree with Step Seven: Be a jerk. Once you have your awesome new ELITE steed you should lord it over others at every opportunity. That’s half the reason for buying a new bike!

[DismalScientist]

I hate to disagree, but …:rolleyes:

If you know what you want and can do you own mechanical work and don’t need LBS support, the internet is a fine option. IMHO, with only a few frame factories for the mass market, bicycles really are only the sum of their frames and components.

[KelOnWheels]

Step Two: Solicit advice from the Internet.

I’m pretty sure 99% of my posts in the last year have been soliciting bike buying advice from the Internets.

Good thing that now I can smugly talk smack about everyone else’s bike as advised in Step Seven.

[jrenaut]

It seems a bit silly to write an article and post it on the internet about how you shouldn’t take advice you read on the internet without a grain of salt.

[krazygl00]

@KelOnWheels 53583 wrote:

I’m pretty sure 99% of my posts in the last year have been soliciting bike buying advice from the Internets.

Good thing that now I can smugly talk smack about everyone else’s bike as advised in Step Seven.

Oooooh, new bike! PICS OR IT DIDN’T HAPPEN!

[KelOnWheels]

@krazygl00 53588 wrote:

Oooooh, new bike! PICS OR IT DIDN’T HAPPEN!

Well, if you insist…

[Dickie]

@KelOnWheels 53614 wrote:

Well, if you insist…

YES!!!!! Finally…. what a sweet ride Kel, can’t wait to see it in person!

[Author]

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