[khanb1]

I was stoked when I saw that.

Then I looked at the details and I was 9 out of 9. I have a 3.8mph average speed and all others had 10+mph

[khanb1]

Joined!

[khanb1]

@dasgeh 33826 wrote:

I admit, many LBSs are disappointing. But reading your letter, I’m concerned that had the LBS actually sold you upgrades for your department store bike, you’d be writing in a month later saying “thanks for taking my $200 and throwing it down the drain”. You may consider investing in some upgrades that can be used on other bikes (lights, seat/saddle (though these don’t always transfer to new bikes), bags), but from all the things you’ve written, it sounds like you’re in the market for a new bike in the foreseeable future. If you’re saving $100/month, you’re only a few months away from having the savings pay for a new bike. Once you’ve ridden a bike that really fits you, with a good seat and panniers to get that weight off your back, you’ll never understand how you made do with that old bike. I predict that you’ll be glad the LBS didn’t take your money to upgrade the bike you have now, at least in ways that wouldn’t transfer to the new bike.

I never felt that $200-$300 in upgrades and accessories was a big deal. In fact I thought it was completely appropriate.

Here’s what I spent:

• $130 Tune Up + Road Friendly Tires (first LBS kinda wined about my bike)
• $60 Comfortable saddle (something I can take with me to another bike)
• $45 Real wheel truing (2nd LBS wined about my bike)
• $15 new rear brake pads
• $25 tool kit (will use regardless of bike)
• $60 padded bike shorts + windbreaker (will use regardless of bike)

That totals: $335

I’m also considering maybe upgrading the chain ring (go from 42t to 50t large ring) and crank (go from 165mm to 175mm). It may cost an additional $100 to purchase online and install locally.

How have I mitigated the risk of “losing” that $335?

• I estimate I’d make back in savings in 3 months from metro fees riding 2x a week. The way I see it, I probably would have still spent close to $200 if I bought a new/used performance bike.
• Some upgrade I can carry over to other bikes.
• Assuming I decide to buy a new bike before I make back my “investment” of $335, in my mind, I’ll “write it off” as the cost of educating myself on cycling. I’ve spent well above that on past interests and passions.
• Assuming the bike is still in good riding condition after 3 months I can give it to someone who wants it. In my case, my wife (who finds it more comfortable than the vintage one she got off craig’s list) or my sister (who bought it originally, but stopped writing it b/c it needed some TLC).

[khanb1]

@TwoWheelsDC 33816 wrote:

I certainly encourage you to hold the LBSs to account for their lackluster customer service, but I’d also recommend against being too much of a blank slate when going into an LBS…rather than relying on them to tell you what they think you need, try to go in with specific criteria and let them show you what they have that fits into it. And if you decide to just upgrade, be very upfront with them about your intentions and again, be very specific about what you want. It’s going to take some work on your part, but I think you’ll find you have a much better experience that way.

I agree. From a retailer POV, the best customer is an educated customer. However, the layman doesn’t understand that a bike purchase can become highly involved in terms of having knowledge. Most people (like myself) who are getting into bikes know what they knew as children – that there are 2 types of bikes. Flimsy uncomfortable (and expensive) road bikes and durable (affordable) mountain bikes.

I believe it should be standard operating procedure for a bike retailer/shop to first qualify any prospects. A simple series of questions like:

• welcome to “joe’s bike shack”. Is this your first time visiting?
• welcome or welcome back! what can I do you for?
• What bike do you ride? — this is where product knowledge of bikes is key for the LBS person qualify what direction to take the questioning

If it turns out that the person is a dept store biker looking to get more into biking – before selling them on anything other than what they came to the store for (ie new tires), they should give a primer or perhaps recommendation on resources to quickly get up to speed on bikes so they can get a better understanding of what they’d want.

Fortunately for myself, If I get interested in something, I’ll pick up the top 3-5 books on the subject and spend the next month reading, researching, and experimenting. However – most people don’t operate that way and thus would be helpful for them to gain some guidance.

I admit that I may come off as “stubborn” in terms of wanting to do what I want to do – Such as upgrade a dept store bike with some components to a cost that’s more than what the original owner bought the bike for. From my point of view, I’ll spend maybe $300 upgrading my bike over a period of 3-4 months until I’m ready to purchase a “real” bike for $700+.

For me, those initial 3-4 months is getting a clear understanding of what I want so that when I am ready pull out my credit card I’m an educated customer. All I ask is for the LBS to be there for me during my learning process.

That’s reasonable, right?

[khanb1]

@ShawnoftheDread 33586 wrote:

Just as an FYI, Bike N Roll will be selling some of their fleet on the Mall Nov. 11.

Thanks for the tip – will check it out.

[khanb1]

Thanks! Excellent resource. Are there good discussions on bike fitting and dyi of it that can be added to the first list?

[khanb1]

Looks beautiful!

[khanb1]

I think that rack will do the job. 20 lbs is more than enough. I just need something to carry my set of cloths that I plan to change into when I get to work.

Another option is to maybe simply bring a set of cloths at work ahead of time so that I can change into after I wash up. That way I can carry just my laptop. But I’ll need a bag that won’t damage the laptop in case I wipeout (like I did on my way to work this morning).

I’m thinking of something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Brenthaven-2244101-ProStyle-15-Inch-Ultrabook/dp/B003UYT4GO/dp/B003UYT4GO

[khanb1]

@pfunkallstar 33714 wrote:

I love the hell out of my Seagull bag, but they aren’t cheap and are made but of bunch of pretentious, talented jerks up in Ohio. There are certainly cheaper options out there as well. As for bike racks. Given the flex in your rear triangle, you are probably looking at a seatpost-mounted rack, which are generally limited in terms of carrying capacity.

Are there any decent racks that would mount to the wheel + the lower portion of the bike (instead of the seat post) for more appropriate load capacity?

[khanb1]

@acc 33563 wrote:

In theory a bike commute saves money and over the long haul it probably does. But there is this thing, The Wannabike Stuff Syndrome…

You were smart to take classes. Being safe, predictable, and visible on the road is a good way to ensure your survival.

Welcome

“wannabike stuff syndrome” << Is that when I start looking at all sorts of accessories to make my bike better - like upgrading my chain ring from a 42/34/34 to 50/34 so I can go faster on the straight stretches? Or is it looking at all the different dream bikes I could buy with a $1300 budget?

[khanb1]

@baiskeli 33528 wrote:

Welcome Belal, to the forum and to cycling. Be sure to get out on weekends and just have fun riding too. We have lots of great places to ride.

You now have an excuse to buy a new bike. Take it!

Thanks for the welcome all. I appreciate it.

My wife ended up buying a bike too from someone on craig’s list (some vintage cruiser). We started going out to Lincoln Memorial and riding our bikes together along the Potomac. Here are a couple photos I took:
http://m.flickr.com/#/photos/albaraa/7993756565/

Idk if I want to get a new bike yet. My main motivator work biking to work was to save money. 2x-3x a week commute saves me close to $100/mo. Maybe in the spring time

[khanb1]

@Tim Kelley 33526 wrote:

Welcome! Thanks for adding your voice to the group. Out of curiosity, how did you find out about the forum in the first place?

I was was searching good bikes under $500 and pro vs cons of diff types of bikes (road, hybrid, mtn, etc) and found myself here.

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