I was reading yet another inquiry from a new rider who ended up with perhaps a horribly wrong fit/size/style of bike from an online vendor.
Nothing against you, Clarousel. I'm very glad you are considering taking up cycling. It's a fun sport, you can meet lots of friends and gain some great fitness.
I hope you can get the size issues resolved and start riding safely and with joy.


However your and other's posts prompt the question...
I have to wonder what is so broken about the local bike shop model that a new enthusiast with essentially no experience, like Clarousel, is more likely to buy a bike sight unseen online than to visit a shop to pick out a bike.
  • Are "we" doing one thing REALLY REALLY bad or many things SORTA bad?
  • What's missing?
  • What would you like to see change?
  • Has it become that the ONLY measure is price and we are fooling ourselves thinking we have more to offer?

I'd love to hear some feedback and your thoughts of a solution.