I could cry...

[ladyjai]

It's that time of month again, and my emotions are quite volitile. This month, however, is either hyper or saaaaaad. and odd combo, I usually get grumpy and nasty, but anyway...

I could cry.. It's stupid to cry over, which makes me want to cry more. even worse, I think it was noticeable in the bike shop. There were a few riders there from the ride today, and the 2 gents who were working there. I hate appearing weak, and I hate it when it's obvious I"m fighting emotions. I'm sure it was... and it was over the stupidest thing. I'm not a baby who cries when her rattle drops on the floor, but... when you're fighting back tears in the bike shop because your bike doesn't fit and the problem should have been fixed the day you got it, but it didn't, so it isn't..

You all have heard of my lovely new bike. I like my new bike. The handlebars were a tad large, but that's ok, right? I just get them switched out. ewwww, I don't think I like these new ones. I feel stretched out...

I'm getting pissed at the shop too. Technically, I waited until Tuesday, because that was when Erik, the owner, the only one who knows road bikes can fit me. right? well, he's too busy with his MALE customers to help. I should have pushed. I wanted my bike. The guy got my legs right. However, I feel that if someone who knew what they were doing had fit me, they'd have caught the mis-size.

the tube is too long for me. the new handlebars make it even more noticable, and frustrating.

I'm getting sick of getting blown off at that first shop, so I go back to the tried and true. They didn't carry this model, nor did they have the discount I got, so by that, perhaps I can justify not going. but after this heartache, I think Domenics will be my major hit.

So, while at Domenics, hoping to repair the damage to handlebars, get new ones, I don't know what, just fix it! lol...

Yeah, lovely. I find out that the leg-side is perfect. but... it's too long. which makes sense. I was riding pulled back today. going down the mountain, was scary though. I thought it was just that I needed to learn how to turn, I didn't realize that the fact I was stretched out so far, and my shoulders flattened over, etc, might contribute to my performance there. I beat my riding companion, and passed most guys up the mtn, but several passed me going down, because I was pulsing my brakes crazily...

so...

The shop owner won't be in until Tuesday. Then I'm going to put the facts before him:

I bought a bike, and it was supposed to fit. I paid good money. I feel I was neglected in the most important part of the service I received in that he failed to fit me, but passed it on. I feel that was because I was a woman, not a man. I have received an inferior product. I want to know if he will switch out my frame for the size smaller. transfer over my wheels, seat, etc.

I seriously doubt I'll get the smaller frame. Blessings on the gents at Domenics. i've already ordered a women's specific handlebar set. With that and a 90mm stem, it should get me 2 cm shorter and we should be able to make that work, even with where I am.

I'm mad, and I just want to cry. I feel violated. and I feel like such a baby, and I hate this. I'm not supposed to be this way. stupid period. I have to blame something.

I spent alot of money in my terms for this bike. I managed to do it without going into debt (though at this rate, that might change, i've got very little money left until my next paycheck). I don't make enough money to toss another who knows how much at a bike.

I wish I could be strong, and keep telling myself that we can make it work with the stem and handlebar. but dagnabit... I wanted it to be perfect. Can someone just shoot me? lol...

ok, sorry for moaping and being such a whiney-baby. I have a wonderful bike, even if it is too long. I can still skunk my friend on climbs, and outlast him for sure now...

I just wish I didn't feel like crying... Someone slap me or hug me, or I don't know...

[ladyjai]

http://www.slipperypigbikes.com/mamb...wtopic&p=11#11

I posted on their website for better or worse

[Dogmama]

Did he fit you and put you in a too-big frame? If yes, he should change out the frame. Period. (oops, no pun intended... )

Yup, I get upset more easily when my hormones are changing. But, sometimes I think it's just the male-ness coming out. In a man it is "assertive" and in a woman it is "b*tchy."

[DirtDiva]

Slaps/hugs (hope you take the hugs and leave the slaps) ladyjai. I hope you get things sorted out so you can enjoy the ride.

[ladyjai]

thanks gals. I've come to a conclusion that makes me happy. However, now I feel like a donkey about yesterday... lol..

such fun things we get to learn...

[Tiger Lily]

Hello there Miss Ladyjai,

I read your postings and can understand your feelings regarding the situation, especially during that time of the month. As an outsider and a business owner, I wanted to address the situation in a positive and constructive manner. This might help with future situations regarding the creature we call man.

1. Did you talk to Erik yourself? I doubt that he knew you wanted to speak with him unles you personally presented your case to him.

2. Did you tell, whomever it was you spoke with on the phone, that you wanted personal attention by Erik? Or did you tell him to please give Erik the message? Men are men, they forget (regardless of the gender) and they need women to be incredibly direct in order to understand a situation.

3. When you were in the shop, again, did you tell the other employees that you were waiting specifically for Erik? I own my own business, and I know that when one of my employees is helping another customer they are getting good attention. However I also know that if they want to speak with me specifically, they tell me or my employees.

4. Finally, on this point, if I were to go and check on all of my employees work, I wouldn't be able to get my work done, and micromanaging is a terrible thing. It is much nicer to get feedback from customers so I know what is working and not working. That allows my business to run smoothly.

In essence, I suggest that you talk directly to Erik, realize that he is in popular demand, be patient and direct. Business owners want their places to be the best they can be, and just complaining about it doesn't help. I know I can't be everywhere at once, and it helps when a customer needs something more, they directly tell me that.

Well Ladyjai, I hope you take these into consideration and proactively remedy this. As relying on someone else to carry your message or just complaining about it, is sure to not get the results you want. You have to confront the situation with directness to the person you are unhappy with in this situation (Erik). Men are different creatures, and we have to address that as women.

Tiger Lily

[go get em]

Great suggestions Tigerlily. I can not express to you how important it is to be fitted correctly. My first bike I had to get a bigger frame because I felt like I was going to fall over the handle bars. So the dealer put me on a bigger frame. I also had handle bars on my bike that were to wide. I switched them out twice before they were right. My stem switched three times. Now I need to go back and have the fork replaced because it was cut to short. The dealer hates me. And Im tired of having my bike in the shop, but I also know (since Iv' been off my bike for three months because of a misfitting) it is important to be comfortable and fitted correctly on your bike.
So be assertive and a pain in the butt, because it really is nice to ride a bike during those emotional times of the month.

[ladyjai]

I did go in yesterday and talk with him. Part of the problem was that I couldn't get ahold of him. I needed to get stuff out, had no one around I could talk to, so I posted.

He was very kind, and good to me when I went in. Apparently my comment on women was the most shocking thing to him. So, I do owe him an apology.

Lack of communication on all parts. I did ask for him the first time. It apparently was not given to him.

I still feel sheepish about it, but hopefully alls well that ends well.

[snapdragen]

Bring cookies or beer - he'll love you forever.

I did go in yesterday and talk with him. Part of the problem was that I couldn't get ahold of him. I needed to get stuff out, had no one around I could talk to, so I posted.

He was very kind, and good to me when I went in. Apparently my comment on women was the most shocking thing to him. So, I do owe him an apology.

Lack of communication on all parts. I did ask for him the first time. It apparently was not given to him.

I still feel sheepish about it, but hopefully alls well that ends well.

[ladyjai]

I like that idea!! what better way than homemade cookies

[Pedal Wench]

But we still wanna know what they're going to do to remedy the situation! What are they doing??

[ladyjai]

He took me in, switched out my stem. He adjusted the handlebars, to pull the
gave me a lesson in what he was doing, and also more info on the schematics of the handlebars, stems, angles, etc. He looked at my positioning, emphasized that i'm to return if there's anything wrong (since fitting does take time), so they can help, as many times as possible. also, there was some misunderstanding. the first time I came in, the folks didn't tell him I was there to get fit by him, so it wasn't an intentional blow-off .

He did check into the 51 frame before I showed up. If I wanted it, I would have to wait for a 06 frame, (green - ugh!) but he'd order it for me if I wanted. However, that would increase the overlap of my foot to tire. Pulling back the handlebars seems to have helped significantly (I raced a motorcycle home, and suffered no ill effects on the hands, shoulders, etc!). He did rotate the handlebars, and since he knows I've ordered a set from another shop, he did not try to hook me up with a different set. However, he did make the ones I have now, safe and useful in the meantime. Since we had to rotate them significantly, and I lost a good deal of the drop, I'm going to try out the other set I've ordered.

He also fixed a new problem which had cropped up recently with the shifters.

all of this was no charge, which was also nice. and the further adjustments won't be charged either.

[go get em]

Great! Glad to hear your having progress.

[Tiger Lily]

Yay!!! I'm so glad that you were able to go into the shop and talk to Erik, to get things straightened out regarding your bike. I know it's your dream bike so congratulations!!


Tiger Lily