you guys have to read this blog post about buying a bike

[Biciclista]

http://kentsbike.blogspot.com/2012/09/so-i-went-automobile-shopping.html

(its tongue in cheek)
So I Went Automobile Shopping...

So I went automobile shopping the other day... I know, I know, you're probably thinking “Why would you do such a silly thing as that, a man of your age..” but hear me out. Automobiles are becoming quite popular, I'm sure you've seen them around. I understand in places like Portland they're actually more popular than bicycles. There are all those public service advertisements about sharing the road and it got me to thinking that maybe I should get one of those automobile things that all the hipsters are “driving” these days.

So I cycled over to one of my local “car” dealerships to see about purchasing an automobile and what I found was quite enlightening. When I first entered the shop a young fellow there was vigorously engaged in conversation with a customer about the merits of one particular transmission brand over another, something about how the latest electronic syncromesh whosits made last year's syncromesh hopelessly obsolete and how he couldn't believe anyone would still considering driving such junk. This discussion went on for quite a few minutes so I kept myself busy by examining the various automobiles displayed in the shop. They were shiny and looked expensive and frankly I had no idea exactly made one better than the other or why I might want to select the red one over the blue one. Eventually the car fellow noticed me and asked if I had any questions. “Oh yes,” I assured him I had plenty of questions. “I'm looking to buy a car,” I began.

read the whole thing here:

http://kentsbike.blogspot.com/2012/09/so-i-went-automobile-shopping.html

[bmccasland]

That's wonderful!

[emily_in_nc]

Love it! Thanks for sharing, Mimi. Super funny, ironic, and well-written.

[salsabike]

That's funny! Classic.

[PamNY]

That's fantastic.

[malkin]

Of course now I want driving pants!

[Sky King]

Love it, yes and custom gas pedal. was a great analogy

[Jolt]

That is hilarious!

[buffybike]

Hilarious, and so often true. I was told by a guy at an LBS that, "...when a customer comes in and wants a bike but says he's not into racing, I can just tell. He's not serious." REALLY???!!!

[Jolt]

Hilarious, and so often true. I was told by a guy at an LBS that, "...when a customer comes in and wants a bike but says he's not into racing, I can just tell. He's not serious." REALLY???!!!

That is really obnoxious. How is someone who uses their bike for transportation not "serious"? And there's nothing wrong with just riding for recreation either. If I heard that in a shop, I would take my business elsewhere in a hurry.

[Eden]

actually I think there may be more options for custom gas pedals than there are clipless pedal systems.... http://www.summitracing.com/search/Department/Interior-Accessories/Part-Type/Pedal-Pads/?rsview=SKU&RC=136&gclid=CL7b_tWItrICFQJx4AodX2YAcg

[OakLeaf]

Meh. All it says is that people don't do their homework before they go bike shopping. Part of it is the cultural bias toward cars - every one of us knows from childhood that you don't go to a Ferrari dealership looking for a utility truck - but part of it is just consumer laziness IMO. You can't expect a bike shop to be Super Walmart and carry everything from jicama to jewelry, and you can't expect the employees of either one to know about everything in the world. If people put a tenth of the effort into buying a bike before they ever set foot in a shop, that they do buying a car, no one would even understand what this piece is talking about. So people go into racing-oriented bike shops and are offended when the employees don't understand people who don't race. Whose fault is that really? Have you ever heard of a bike racer going into the shop that sells the beach cruisers and utility trikes, and being offended when the employees want to sell them a grocery getter?

[smilingcat]

Purrty funny me think.

I like the saved by the credit card part.