need to buy my wife a bike

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Originally Posted by steelynorm

Get Over it!!!!!!!!
Dont be so paranoid!!!
Dont be overly sensitive!
Dont be too too serious!!!

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Physician, heal thyself.

And heck, who needs a ban when there are ignore tools? ;)

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Originally Posted by boy in a kilt

Norm,

I understand where you are coming from.

Here's my advice.

Encourage your wife to participate in the forum and ask the sorts of questions you are. She will be more satisfied with the whole experience.

Also, when my wife bought her bike, I acted as a technical consultant only. There were issues that weren't my place to solve, but there were also issues where I could provide useful feedback. For example, she'd never liked the way the Shimano STI shifters felt (neither did I). A few months before she bought her bike, I'd built mine up with Campy. She agreed to give Campy a shot so I worked with the guys at the shop picking out components.That's about it.

Here are the take-home points.

Find a good shop first. A good shop will work with your wife to find a model that she likes and will make minor adjustments to improve the fit. They may charge for things like swapping out stems but in the long term, it's worth the money. Also, once a good shop learns the bike is for your wife, they will pretty much ignore you.

Second, encourage your wife to choose a bike that she wants but don't get too involved with the actual process. It's her bike. Be supportive but your two cents shouldn't extend beyond telling her that a bike she likes and is comfortable for her is your only concern.

Finally, if she says something doesn't feel right, believe her and encourage her to explore options until things are right. This particularly applies to saddles. You may have to spend some money to find a saddle she likes, but the money is well spent.

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talk like that and if you wren't married (happily or otherwise), I'll marry you in a heartbeat :)

So considerate. I wish other men would get this point.

smilingcat

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Originally Posted by smilingcat

So considerate. I wish other men would get this point.

smilingcat

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They are out there. I got one. :)

My guy is a creep. I don't know why I've been with him so long - 25 years. Geeezzz...

Do you know what he got me for Christmas - a generator hub and a light! Where are the diamonds?!? At least the light glows.

For my birthday - carbon fiber fenders. I guess that's vaguely in the diamond category, carbon and all.

He thinks all I want to do is ride my bike. That's just crazy talk.

Do you think the rainy season is over and I can take the fenders off now?

V.

Oh and it gets worse... when I do go for a ride, say a short little 200 miler. He's out there in the car following me around. What's up with that?

V.

Yeah, and I bet he's carrying food and water for you, and bike tools just in case you need "rescuing" or something ;)

He probably has a room somewhere full of pictures, or maybe a website.

Hey, is there a cycling alternative to traditional anniv. gifts?

Traditional 1st is paper? Cyclist - registration for his/her favorite ride :)

Is your first anniversary coming up?

The traditional first is paper. The modern is clocks. We went to see Cats for our first anniversary - paper tickets. :)

So an entry into a ride would be a good cycling alternative or a HRM...

V.

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Originally Posted by Veronica

Is your first anniversary coming up?

The traditional first is paper. The modern is clocks. We went to see Cats for our first anniversary - paper tickets. :)

So an entry into a ride would be a good cycling alternative or a HRM...

V.

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this could be a fun new thread! my 2nd is coming up...hmmm, cotton or china; plenty of cycling equivalents to consider!

I am tech weenie and per Kilt Boy, i am going as a technical consultant and financial adviser. Ultimately, the decision will be my wifes.

Sadiekate: yes it is the wildflower in SLO, we live in Sacramento, Folsom to be exact.

Smilingcat: 1500 to low 2000's I am hoping to spend, you refer to clip-ons? Not sure what you are referring too?

SGtiger: I want to have a beer with you(with my wifes permission of course), must be kindred spirits, thanks for your support.:D

maillotpois(sp?): my wife loves jewelry i need to buy her more/some. She has no idea how nice it is going to be to ride a bike that fits her, i am very very excited for her. However, i am concerned she may like her bike so much I will never see her, and will become just another single parent.;).

I have another dilemma..

When my wife and I started this process, we walked around Davis(35 miles from where we live) into a few shops and did not get that much service, until we walked into Freewheeler.

Sheri, worker/owner was awesome i want to give her our business but they do not carry a lot of brands there, what do we do?

I almost feel guilty going to the shops in my backyard because she really cared and was very helpful that day when other people were too busy for us.

thanks,

Norm

One thought: you should include a professional fitting in your budget. Do they do that at Freewheeler? Maybe you could have them do the fitting - and get any associated parts there - even if you wind up buying the bike elsewhere.

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Originally Posted by steelynorm

When my wife and I started this process, we walked around Davis(35 miles from where we live) into a few shops and did not get that much service, until we walked into Freewheeler.

Sheri, worker/owner was awesome i want to give her our business but they do not carry a lot of brands there, what do we do?

I almost feel guilty going to the shops in my backyard because she really cared and was very helpful that day when other people were too busy for us.

thanks,

Norm

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Ask your wife. If she liked freewheeler, you can start there.

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Originally Posted by steelynorm

Sadiekate: yes it is the wildflower in SLO, we live in Sacramento, Folsom to be exact.

Sheri, worker/owner was awesome i want to give her our business but they do not carry a lot of brands there, what do we do?

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Hey! I just moved from Davis.

I would recommend that you give Wheelworks a try again. They can get absolutely slammed and I know their best mechanic recently reduced his hours so I bet they're hurting. Call Joe, Kevin or Andrew and tell them Sarah sent you and that I will come do dastardly things if they don't help. I have no problems harrassing them if need be. The reason why I say this is that any of the above can do a good fitting and they will try to have built up bikes in your wife's size if you call a couple days ahead. Having listened to these guys gripe over the years, I can tell you that you need to be very open about the type of riding and any pain or discomfort issues. It seems to be a challenge for many customers to be open about things. It's like they're embarassed to say anything and the LBS has to discover it by osmosis. Of course, there's also the opposite customer who won't shut up and learn. :p

I caution you about the Freewheeler. Their mechanical skills leave something to be desired and it's sort of a hit or miss what is going to happen in there. My husband and/or I lived in Davis since the late 70s and cycling the entire time and we know every shop very well.

If your wife is thinking triathlons, you need to talk with Joe at Wheelworks. He supports multiple high level ironman competitors and knows his stuff. You can also pay for a fitting and he will willingly tell you if the geometry of the brands he carries simply won't fit your wife. And I've personally heard him tell customers what brands to look for elsewhere if this is the case.

If you would like me to call or email Joe just let me know. I have his number. ;) Andrew is our sort of adopted son so I can always threaten him with lack of housing during the Cascade Classic race. I know how to motivate.:p

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Originally Posted by boy in a kilt

Ask your wife. If she liked freewheeler, you can start there.

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Um, as a woman speaking. Sherri is the only non-creepy one of the family at Freewheeler.

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Originally Posted by Veronica

Is your first anniversary coming up?

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Nah, that's past :) 2nd is cotten or china? Which in cycling language is ..... can that be wool? or is wool further on? :confused:

This relationship stuff is so confusing. No wonder steelynorm has questions. :cool:

Wool is 7th.

Cotton bar tape?

V.

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Originally Posted by Veronica

Wool is 7th.

Cotton bar tape?

V.

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and couldn't china = ceramic bearings?

1st: Paper or clocks (modern): Bike mag subscriptions or bike computers/HRM
2nd:Cotton or china: Clothes, cotton bar tape or, yeah, ceramic bearings
3rd: Leather or Crystal: This can only mean leather saddles.
4th: Fruit/flower or appliances: Power bars or a trainer?
5th: Wood or silverware: Hmm. Shiny new parts are silver.
6th: Candy or iron: Steel is made from iron so that must mean steel bike frames.
7th: Wool, copper or desk sets. Wool is good. The rest is meh.
8th: Bronze, pottery, satin or lace: You have to come in at least third place for your beloved. Or,well, ceramic bearings are sort of like pottery.
9th: Pottery and willow or Leather. Just in case the leather saddle you bought six years ago is gone or messed up. Could also mean leather handlebar tape
10th: Tin or aluminum, diamonds or jewelry: New rims
11th: Steel. I can say no more.

The options start to get progressively worse after that.

Leather bar tape is really nice. I have it on both my road bikes, it has a very nice feel.

V.

V - How does it hold up in rain? Any special treatment required?? It is purty:)

I haven't done anything to it. And it has been rained on - 130 miles of rain on my last double. It still looks great.

V.

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Originally Posted by boy in a kilt

4th: Fruit/flower or appliances: Power bars or a trainer?

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How about an xtracycle smoothie blender? That's an appliance .... and a trainer :D

There's a gallery near me that has installed a bike-flour grinder. They produce whole-grain flour by pedal power. :p

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Originally Posted by boy in a kilt

1st: Paper or clocks (modern): Bike mag subscriptions or bike computers/HRM
2nd:Cotton or china: Clothes, cotton bar tape or, yeah, ceramic bearings
3rd: Leather or Crystal: This can only mean leather saddles.
4th: Fruit/flower or appliances: Power bars or a trainer?
5th: Wood or silverware: Hmm. Shiny new parts are silver.
6th: Candy or iron: Steel is made from iron so that must mean steel bike frames.
7th: Wool, copper or desk sets. Wool is good. The rest is meh.
8th: Bronze, pottery, satin or lace: You have to come in at least third place for your beloved. Or,well, ceramic bearings are sort of like pottery.
9th: Pottery and willow or Leather. Just in case the leather saddle you bought six years ago is gone or messed up. Could also mean leather handlebar tape
10th: Tin or aluminum, diamonds or jewelry: New rims
11th: Steel. I can say no more.

The options start to get progressively worse after that.

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It was our first anniversary last week. We didn't give each other gifts but DH got me a Triathlon magazine subscription for Valentine's Day. We got each other matching Garmin 305's for a wedding present though. :D:D

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Originally Posted by MM_QFC!

impressive, Obiwan aka BiaK!

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Originally Posted by smilingcat

So considerate. I wish other men would get this point.

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Believe me, ladies, tact and sensitivity are not always his strong suits. However, he tries and that - in my book - counts for a lot. Also, there are lessons that have been learned the hard way - for BOTH of us. It helps that he understands who his main audience here is and that he's able to switch gears based on that.

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Originally Posted by steelynorm

SGtiger: I want to have a beer with you(with my wifes permission of course), must be kindred spirits, thanks for your support.:D

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I'd be up for that if we're ever in your neck of the woods or you're in ours.:cool: Why don't you bring your wife along? And I'll bring my SO - BoyInAKilt aka Mr. Sgtiger aka Mr. KilTiger BTW(in case any of ya'll haven't picked up on that yet). I believe the reason I'm able to get your brand of humor is that DH's isn't that far off from yours. You guys should get along great!:D Then your wife and I can talk about the challenges of being a SAHM and trying to find balance between that and making time for ourselves.

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Originally Posted by Trek420

2nd is cotten or china? Which in cycling language is ..... can that be wool? or is wool further on? :confused:

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Carbon fiber

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Originally Posted by zencentury

Carbon fiber

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Carbon is, well Carbon should be diamond anniversary. What's that, 50th? When I'm 102? :p ;) Do they make Carbon recumbent trikes?

It could work for both!

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Originally Posted by boy in a kilt

1st: Paper or clocks (modern): Bike mag subscriptions or bike computers/HRM
2nd:Cotton or china: Clothes, cotton bar tape or, yeah, ceramic bearings
3rd: Leather or Crystal: This can only mean leather saddles.
4th: Fruit/flower or appliances: Power bars or a trainer?
5th: Wood or silverware: Hmm. Shiny new parts are silver.
6th: Candy or iron: Steel is made from iron so that must mean steel bike frames.
7th: Wool, copper or desk sets. Wool is good. The rest is meh.
8th: Bronze, pottery, satin or lace: You have to come in at least third place for your beloved. Or,well, ceramic bearings are sort of like pottery.
9th: Pottery and willow or Leather. Just in case the leather saddle you bought six years ago is gone or messed up. Could also mean leather handlebar tape
10th: Tin or aluminum, diamonds or jewelry: New rims
11th: Steel. I can say no more.

The options start to get progressively worse after that.

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This sucks--I should have received a Seven last year, and instead all I got was dinner out. This year (12th) is silk or pearls. What do I get for that? And would it be ok to substitute titanium for tungsten on the 16th? Especially since I didn't get my custom steel?

12th - traditional is silk or pearls. Cycling is Pearl Izumi shoes.

http://www.pearlizumi.com/shop.php?p...&mode=products

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Originally Posted by Trek420

12th - traditional is silk or pearls. Cycling is Pearl Izumi shoes.

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Excellent! I'll let my husband know. For that matter, he could use some new shoes, too.

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Originally Posted by boy in a kilt

5th: Wood or silverware: Hmm. Shiny new parts are silver.

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wood fenders!!!

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Originally Posted by bouncybouncy

wood fenders!!!

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Calfee Designs bamboo bikes would be included and wouldn't anything by Phil WOOD? :D

On the more affordable end cork's from trees. Trees are wood. Cork bar tape?

Who made these rules, anyway?

People who sell Stuff made these rules, that's who :p

It's the 75th anniversary that's diamond though, not the 50th. 50 is gold.

Which one is unobtainium?

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Originally Posted by boy in a kilt

2nd:Cotton or china: Clothes, cotton bar tape or, yeah, ceramic bearings

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Sheesh.... Have I taught you nothing?:rolleyes::confused::o:p:D

China - A girl can't be on a bike ALL her time, now can she? She's gotta eat, right? How about some plates that are bicycle themed? Maybe racers chasing each other around the rim. Or a coffee mug with Campy or Park Tools logo on it. Better yet, go to one of those pottery cafe places and make her a tile or dish embedded with a cog(or other bike part - make sure it's something that'll survive the firing) that she's worn out! Oh! And a girls gotta bathe too, right? She'll appreciate a nice soak after her long rides in a new clawfoot tub. Aaaah! It's enameled with some ceramic substance which is close enough to china, that it practically IS china!!!:cool::D

Cotton - Greens, baby! No, no, not those greens. Sure, they'll provide her with the phyto-nutrients and minerals she'll need to sustain her on a long ride(Not to mention: Keep her insides cleansed). These greens. That's right, I'm talking cold, hard CA$H!:cool: It's printed on a paper made with <gasp> COTTON!!!:D The most versatile gift of all! It let's her choose any bike accessory she wants. Whether it's a new piece of bling for her bike or a whole nother bike! She could even spend it on the cycling vacation of her dream$. Boosting her favorite racer up the mountain on the next Giro d'Italia(Ooh, what a tight toosh!). Experiencing bicycling utopia. Riding through the Pyrenees. She's only limited by her imagination and the $ize of the gift(Hopefully lots)!:rolleyes::D:D:D;):p

~Sg"If you're going to dream, dream BIG, I say!"tiger

Thought I would give you an update.

She has road tested 4 bikes so far
Trek 4.5WSD
Trek 2.3 WSD
Specialized Ruby
and a Felt FW 15

The winner so far suprisingly is the most inexpensive, Trek 2.3 WSD, she said it was the stiffest. and most solid feeling so far.

If you have any other suggestions, I really want to purchase her a bike soon.


Thanks for all your help

The two treks seem to have almost the same componentry - my most basic advice is go no lower than 105.

How do these compare in weight - does the perceived solidity of the 2.3 come from its weight?

If she likes it, why keep looking? Sometimes you just know.

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Originally Posted by steelynorm

The winner so far suprisingly is the most inexpensive, Trek 2.3 WSD, she said it was the stiffest. and most solid feeling so far.

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If she's not positively sure this is the one, maybe she can ask the LBS if they'll let her take it out for a day. The worse they can say is "no."

A couple of the LBS's here will let you take a bike for a day or two for a fee (and take down a CC# in case, ya know, the borrower doesn't return:(). Usually some part of the fee can be applied towards the purchase of that bike.

If this is an option, remember to have her take her own saddle and pedals and have the LBS switch them out for the stock stuff.

Which Ruby? (Comp / Expert / Pro?)