After my last trip to my LBS, I've decided to take a couple of community classes & learn how to do basic maintenance myself. I've asked Santa for a bike stand (and Santa is very accomodating!) so I can adjust cables, true wheels and other basic things (according to the class description.)

I'm so tired of not being taken seriously at the LBS. I had them put on a new saddle (Serfas with titanium rails, really nice!) and they swear they measured the previous saddle placement - yeah right. Unless I grew 2 inches overnight there would be no way I could reach the pedals comfortably! I even have a mark on the seatpost that they ignored. The cyclometer didn't work and you'd think for $275 they could at least wipe the grease off of the quick releases.

Truth is, I'm a middle aged (49, just barely middle aged, OK! ) professional women riding a custom bike MORE than just around the block! I'm lucky to have a few extra dollars to indulge my hobby and would gladly patronize a bike shop if they'd pay as much attention to me as to the 25 year old, 3% body fat male racer. I always tell them, if it looks in the least weird replace it. Yet, they showed me a bent adjusting screw that they think "will be OK." Why didn't they just replace it? Oh, it's a special order (???) It's C-Chorus, but isn't a screw a screw? (Hmmm...)

OK - I'm ranting. Anyway, stand back. Dummy no more!