It Was Either Buy a Bike or Shoot Myself

[pardes]

You can make shopping for a second bike a life-long job.

Geez, all I wanted was a second bike to use for bad weather that would be dependable and fun. The "fun" part was what I thought when I first started looking. With so many options, the "fun" part quickly lost it's flavor.

I have a Trek 7.6 FX which I love but Delaware winters are usually wet and cold, often messy even if there are only rare snowstorms. It seemed a crime to subject the Trek to such things...... And having gone completely GREEN and never driving the car, a second bike is prudent.

I've decided on three or four different bikes over the past month and either had more than one LBS blow me off, ignore me, or try to sell me a three wheeler with a tractor seat.

Finally, I couldn't take it any longer and called in a favor of the manager of a local PerformanceBike store who was trying to make good on a surly stupid inattentive salesperson (no longer employed there) who wouldn't assist me and resulted in my buying a Trek instead of one of their bikes several months ago.

The good-faith savings she extended was going to be substantial so today we ploughed through and played with every bike they had from full carbon (road and mtb) and all the way down to the other end.

After all of that "exhausting" shopping, I was as limp as a dishrag and finally realized all I wanted was a run of the mill bike with wider tires, disc brakes, and something that I wouldn't mind subjecting to terrible weather and the vagaries of being slammed on a bus bike rack 2 to 4 times a day.

The last bike in the store I hadn't tested was a GT Transeo 1.0 Commuter bike. I took it for a spin just as night was falling and couldn't believe how well it handled and how secure it felt on the rain-slick roads.

Finally, praise Jesus, I bought a bike. I'm upgrading it with disc brakes, better saddle, and other bling things and I can now STOP WORRYING ABOUT WHAT BIKE TO BUY.

....well that is....ummmmm.....I will be in the market for a mountain bike but first I would enjoy a coma of not thinking about components and reviews and decisions......

[IMG][/IMG]

[Cataboo]

It looks great Pardes.

I've been thinking of putting some thicker tires on one of my road bikes for the winter...

But I haven't gotten there.

[Becky]

I *love* that bike. I've ridden it a few times, and it's one of my favorite offerings in the commuter bike arena. Good choice, and happy riding on your new steed!

[bmccasland]

And you'll post more photos after you get it properly decked out, right?

Congrats on the addition to your collection! You can never stop with just one....

[Tri Girl]

Me likey your new bikey!
Really, it looks super tough and able to handle the winter conditions. Hopefully you got a good deal. Definitely post those pics when it's all decked out.

[newfsmith]

Good choice upgrading to disc brakes for your winter bike. In wet, slushy weather they are much better than rim brakes. Just remember on slick surfaces to reverse your braking pattern, and use your rear brake more than the front.

[Tuckervill]

You gonna slap some fenders on that bad boy?

I get ya' on the paralysis of analysis part of bike shopping. Head swimming!

Karen

[pardes]

Thanks Folks! Yep, birthing this bad boy was tough! In celebration of the post-natal bliss of having it over with, I've managed to buy blingy things (but of course, ohhhhh so necessary things) that combined equal the price of the bike. Boxes of all sizes will be arriving from all points of the compass soon, so by Wednesday or Thursday the sweet thing should be all decked out and ready for those first baby pictures we love.

I can't believe I bought $50 Crank Brothers pedals.....but geez, they came in silver and anthracite and matched the bike so perfectly. Besides, I loved one line in the product description......

Product Features Crank Brothers 5050 X Pedal

* Material: 6061 Aluminum
* Cleat Type: N / A (platform)
* Float: N / A
* Entry/Release: They're flats dude, bail at will
* Weight: 618g per pair
* Recommended Use: DH & freeride biking
* Manufacturer Warranty: 1 Year

"Bail at will", just made my day.

[lph]

Oooh, lovely. Congrats, Pardes, with a dedicated winter bike!

I hear you on the analysis paralysis, the main reason I spend so much money replacing components on my 2 old bikes is that I just can't stand the thought of going out there to find a new one instead., which would of course have to be "perfect"...

[redrhodie]

Of course it was the last bike in the store!

Congats. She's a beauty.

[Red Rock]

What a bike shopping adventure! I have been dealing with the samething as you through time myself. I just do not have the $$ right now for the bike I'd like. The description of the crank brothers was hillaroius. It actually made me laugh. Hope your winter riding adventures are good ones. Like all said before, can't wait to see it all decked out.

Red Rock

[malkin]

Hallelujah!

[badgercat]

* Entry/Release: They're flats dude, bail at will

That line alone probably would have been enough to convince me to buy them.

Congrats on the new ride!