Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

[Curahee]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

Yeah there are a couple within 20 miles of me.

Might not be a bad idea to go over there and ask questions if youre not liking your LBS.

[Cabke]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

Might not be a bad idea to go over there and ask questions if youre not liking your LBS.

I may do that. I'm definitely not very needy yet. I'm not sure why I wouldn't like my local shop.

[Phobia]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

My hunting setup, don't think I posted it yet.

Motobecane Bike
Custom welded cart
Climbing stand
Hunting pack w/ attached bow setup

[Curahee]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

I'm not sure why I wouldn't like my local shop.

Sometimes they can be huge DBs!

There is a LBS like 2 miles from my house.
I used to take my crappy $100 Target bought Schwinn for tune ups and maintenance. I would look around but was never gonna buy anything cuz they are WAY overpriced!

I took my bike in for a full tuneup and my crank was loose.
I get the bike back and the crank is still loose.
I call them back and the guy says, Oh yeah, you need a new bracket.
OK? Why didnt you tell me that before or replace it and add the charge?
Oh! I dont know! OK it will be $80.

OK thanks. I call back next day and ask to speak with the owner. Tell him the issue. He was great. Took my bike back, replaced the bracket, no charge.

Next time, I hear a clicking in my wheel. I take it in.
Oh, we dont hear anything, it must just be the road.
Next day I go out on a 30 mile ride. CRACK! I lose 6th gear. Total freewheel.
I bring the bike right in. Different guy. He says I need a new cassette.
I ask him if that would cause a clicking sound. He says yes. $25.

Ive gone in there other times to look around, get advice, look at components.
They act like Im the guy with the $100 bike you cant afford their $2K bikes. And theyre right, but they should never treat anyone like that.

My wife & I drove 20 miles to Performance Bicycle and spent over $3K there and we will never EVER step foot in that LBS again. Ever!

So yeah. There can be reasons not to like your LBS.

[Cabke]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

Okay, I've narrowed it down to three bikes. Choice 1:Giant Escape 3 Choice 2:Giant Escape 2 Choice 3: Specialized Sirrus

I really like what I would be getting in the Escape 3, but I'm trying to figure out if the Escape 2 or the Sirrus would give me enough extra to justify the extra $100 in cost. Keep in mind, I'm starting totally from scratch. I need a helmet, and any necessities, so I'm going to have that extra cost no matter what.

[Curahee]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

First off, ask your LBS or wherever you buy your bike from, ask them what they can throw in.
Sometimes they have promotional goodies like bottles and stuff they can throw in for free.

Secondly, go to WalMart for stuff like a helmet and bottles and stuff like that.
The guy at PB told me the helmets at WM are no different until you get into $500 helmets.
So dont waste your money.

Third, as for the bikes. The Escape 2 has a better drive train than the 3 as well as an aluminum fork vs the 3's steel fork. So if you can afford the 2, do it and scratch the 3.

Fourth, I dont see TOO many differences between the 2 and the Spec except the Spec has a steel fork.
Youre gonna lose that in the price of the name.

Aluminum is obviously better than steel because its lighter and lighter means less energy to propel especially up hill and off road.

If I were to make the decision for you based on these 3 bikes, I would choose the Escape 2.
Ask for a free bottle and take the $20 and go to WM and get a helmet.

Dont forget tax!

[Cabke]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

First off, ask your LBS or wherever you buy your bike from, ask them what they can throw in.
Sometimes they have promotional goodies like bottles and stuff they can throw in for free.

Secondly, go to WalMart for stuff like a helmet and bottles and stuff like that.
The guy at PB told me the helmets at WM are no different until you get into $500 helmets.
So dont waste your money.

Third, as for the bikes. The Escape 2 has a better drive train than the 3 as well as an aluminum fork vs the 3's steel fork. So if you can afford the 2, do it and scratch the 3.

Fourth, I dont see TOO many differences between the 2 and the Spec except the Spec has a steel fork.
Youre gonna lose that in the price of the name.

Aluminum is obviously better than steel because its lighter and lighter means less energy to propel especially up hill and off road.

If I were to make the decision for you based on these 3 bikes, I would choose the Escape 2.
Ask for a free bottle and take the $20 and go to WM and get a helmet.

Dont forget tax!

That's exactly what I was thinking. I'm gonna test ride both and just see what feels best. The aluminum fork was one of the things the guy at the LBS mentioned to me. I was thinking about seeing what they could do about the price or accessories. Being in sales, I hate when customers ask me that, so I've always been hesitant.

[Curahee]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

I've always been hesitant.

Dont be. If they want to make a sale, they can give away a few nuggets.

[Curahee]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

I was allowed to open a thread regarding my 100 Mile ride for charity.
You can visit it by following the link below and get updates and videos.
Please consider a donation to this awesome charity.

http://www.operationsports.com/forum...road-tour.html

[DJ]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

Looking forward to starting riding again. I'll be out of town all next week for work, but when I get back, I'm getting both of my bikes tuned up (mountain and hybrid) and then am going to figure out my weekly exercise schedule and try to incorporate 2 rides into that.

[Curahee]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

[Curahee]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

It hit 50° today in Chicago and I finally got a chance to take out my new bike.

[Curahee]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

It hit 50° today in Chicago and I finally got a chance to take out my new bike.

What a difference 2 days make when you live in Chicago.
I woke up this morning to almost a foot of snow on the ground!

[Cabke]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

I finally got it! Giant Escape 2. I thought I was gonna die on my first ride.

[Curahee]

Re: Any cyclists/mountain bikers/commuters?

I thought I was gonna die on my first ride.

Why? Out of shape?