Buyers remorse/panic: Bit of a saga, sorry!

[chakra]

Hi Everyone,

I've lurked long enough to notice what a great community this is - wow! I'm so excited to have joined. But now I need help - how can I be part of a cycling community without a steed? I bought a bike, but am worried it is the WRONG bike. I have until this Friday to return it, and the shop will charge me a 20% restocking fee. That'll cost me about $180.00
(Although, if I exchange this bike for anothor one of theirs, maybe they'll waive it. . . and if not, well, I am free to look at brands they don't stock.)

See, it's like this: I haven't ridden in ten years, used to have a heavy cromoly mtn. bike (no suspension at all) that was too small but loved it (it was my first bike - i didn't learn to ride till I was an adult!). Anyway, I vowed that I would someday own the right bike, one that fit me, was fun to ride, and was the perfect bike. I should add I LOVED riding and rode every day when I had a bike, pretty much always on pavement.

I have three young kids (7, 4.5 & 2YO), and have ordered a Copilot Limo (seat that fits behind rider on bike rack) so that I can have my youngest in a seat behind me sometimes. He is 2 years old. I have no interest in towing him in a trailer or some such. So whatever I buy, I'll want to put the copilot on the blackburn rack (it is meant to use with that particular rack) from time to time, if we are all out riding together.

I wanted to get a hybrid in case we decide to ride a few trails, but I'll likely be on pavement a lot. I thought it might be nice to have some suspension, because that way I won't have to worry quite as much about curbs and potholes and all - as well, I thought this way I wouldn't stress out my joints and wrists etc. with vibrations from the road. But, really, I don't know a lot about it, and not having suspension on my last bike didn't stop me from riding it.

I went to lots of bike stores and finally bought a bike at
http://www.fortstreetcycle.ca/ where they did a fitting using their system. I am 5'3", 135 lbs, narrow shoulders, long legs and average body, so I was interested in the wsd bikes. They said it looked like I liked to be "stretched out" over the bars, so I didn't need that short of a top tube. I thought the bikes they had me try were a bit big, but I wonder if that is because the bike I used to own was quite small. I found them helpful, but also a bit intimidating. They carry Giant, Cannondale and Trek bikes.

Anyway, I tried a number of comfort hybrids, cos initially, I felt a little nervous about the preformance ones. But then, at another store, I tried a Devinci Amsterdam and fell in love with it, but was still waffling, just wasn't sure of what I wanted.

Back at Fort street cycles, I tried the Cannondale Roadwarrior 800 in a nifty Orange colour (See it at http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/07/c...del-7HR8.html). But, I didn't buy it, cos I wasn't sure it would fit into my needs - really, I think I was just nervous.

What I bought instead was the Cannondale adventure 600 which is more of a comfort hybrid it has suspension just above the fork (Headshock, they call it) and fatter tires, but it definately is not as speedy as the Roadwarrior, and I just don't love it! (you can see it at http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/06/C...del-6AS6.html). I feel all slow and kinda bogged down, vs the R. warrior, with its slender frame and carbon fork.

The point is, I want to return the Adventure 600 and get the Roadwarrior, or maybe one of their Treks, if some of you think those might be more appropriate - I would love advice about them too, but I don't have a particular Trek model in mind - I'm open .

The guy who fit me was concerned that the Road warrior which he described as having "more of a road frame really" would not be as durable/appropriate with the child seat on, and since I like the more upright, seat a bit lower than the handlebars, he thought that I would do better with the comfort hybrid.

So I want to know:

Will carbon forks "soften" the road vibration any? The Road Warrior had carbon forks, but the Trek I tried did not. Will I do fine without suspension? Or would it really help on easy trails? (by wich I mean quite kid freindly ones).

Will the Road warrior be sturdy, or okay for more recreational riding with child, and with the odd trail?

Would I do better to just keep the adventure 600, bearing my needs in mind? Help! I don't want to outgrow my bike, and I can't afford two right now, so keeping this one and getting a flat-bar road bike is not the answer right now.

Sorry this is so long! I look forward to your advice, and thank you.

Chakra

[Popoki_Nui]

Hi Chakra:
Do I take it you're in the Victoria area? You have lots of bike concerns; if it would help, please feel free to email me. I'll be happy to help you via email, or phone (probably easier!).
Welcome to TE.

~Sherry in Metchosin.
email: tikinui AT trooper DOT ca

[mimitabby]

the carbon will definitely soften your ride on that bike.
I like the orange one too

I'm not sure what all the fuss is about shocks and stuff. what kind of riding are you going to be doing? My bike doesn't have any shocks, I ride on the streets.

It does sound like they are trying to get you to buy a bike without considering what you want.

The last thing; i am not sure about is whether one bike would be better to pull your kid trailer or not.

[KnottedYet]

Two things:
1. If you don't love the bike now, you won't love it later.

2. Bike seats for kiddos scare me. Can you buy a used trailer instead? Use the bike you love to pull the trailer, ride the bike you love by yourself when you are on your own. (it works)

(so I'm advocating returning the bike you didn't really want in the first place, buying the bike you fell in love with, and getting a trailer for the kiddo.)

BTW: handlebar height really is adjustable. I ride my road bike with the handlebars higher than the saddle. And she ain't no comfort bike. It might take a new stem or whatever, but it's all good!

[uforgot]

I think you already know what you want to do. You don't love it...everytime I compromise and 2nd guess myself on something like that, I'm unhappy. I used to have a Trek Navigator which looks something like your Cannondale but is a lot cheaper. It has suspension, but found that I really didn't need it. I upgraded to a Trek 7.2fx which doesn't have suspension, but you can ride it on rail trails too. It's also cheaper. If you are hauling around your children, the suspension will slow you down and add weight. I've already upgraded to a road bike from the Trek, so I'm glad I didn't plunk a lot of money down.

I really think you should take it back, explain that you want more time to think about your needs, and that you don't want to be pressured. (aka no restocking fee. $180 seems kind of high. Maybe negotiate it down to $50?). You could even score a lower priced Raleigh or Trek on craigslist or in your local newspaper.

[mimitabby]

Gee, I hope she didn't buy the bike from that shop in Connecticut!

[chakra]

I really value all the great advice - thank you!

I'm not sure there is any getting out of the 20% restocking fee - the exception may be buying a second bike through them - the Road Warrior (lets call it RW for short) I liked was more money, so they'd be doing just fine out of me, regardless.

If they were to charge me the restocking fee *even if* I buy the RW, I will definately take my business elsewhere. For me, buying a second bike through them is contingent upon them waiving the restocking fee.

So really, I would be willing to take the hit - the question is whether that cannondale RW or a Trek is the better choice. I'd rather end the relationship decently, and leave them feeling compensated for their service, the time and energy they put into helping me. Does that seem fair?

As for the bike seat - those rides would strictly be tootling around and not on main roads - I do not intend to train/ride hard/commute with the toddler in there. My older two ride with training wheels still, so wwe are all going quite slowly! The lbs have been great about explaining the advantages of the trailers, and risks of the seat. If I find I am riding with the toddler lots (more than the odd Sunday ride) I will consider a trailer. Why do bike seats scare you? I am really curious about people's experience using them.

Thank you so much - this is really helping me.

Mitra

[mimitabby]

Mitra
28 years ago, I put my tot on a bike seat and every time he moved he almost threw the bike. he was an adorable little guy but squirmy. (I never used that thing again!)
I only went around the block on that bike, it was much much too scary.
I can see how it would be better to have the tot in a trailer, where he couldn't fall or knock you off balance.

[KnottedYet]

The seats scare me for a lot of reasons, not least of which is if the bike goes over, so does the kiddo. I still think about the toddlers with closed head injuries I treated during my pediatric physical therapy rotation.

Getting on and off the bike with the kid in the seat can be a real challenge. Holding the bike steady while putting the kid in the seat or getting them out of the seat can get hairy.

Kid can't move much in the seat, and can't bring toys juice riding buddy, etc.

Kid is as unprotected as you from bugs, dirt, wind, rain, sun.

Kid's view is pretty limited.

Just things to think about.

(while you're getting that silly restocking fee waived and buying the bike you love! Don't be afraid to tell them they pressured you into buying the bike you didn't really want.)

Edit: did you see this thread on trailers? http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...464#post190464

[uforgot]

I rode both of my kids on one of those and it makes me shudder today. Of course, we didn't wear helmets in the 80s, but they had absolutely no protection if I fell over...(which I didn't) and without a helmet? It was just plain stupid. I would have loved to have had the trailer option. I see them all the time and people don't seem to have much trouble with them and there is always one on craigslist or ebay.

[Triskeliongirl]

I do not recommend the kid seat on the rear. I did have those for my kids 15+ years ago, because that was all there was, but a child trailer is MUCH safer. A child is much more hurt in a fall from a seat than trailer. Trailers are designed to not tip even if the bike falls, and even if they tip the child is strapped in and protected. So, irrespective of which bike you buy, I would plan to use a child trailer rather than a seat, or a tag-a-long when the child is old enough. Secondly, buy the bike you love, but maybe through them so they won't charge you the restocking fee, but even if they do its cheaper than being stuck with a bike you don't enjoy. You don't need suspension unless you plan to ride off road, just get a basic road bike for road riding.

[MomOnBike]

Life is too short to ride a bike you don't like. Get one you can love.

As for the kid seats, I agree with everyone here. Don't do it. There are better options out there.

[run it, ride it]

I remember riding in one of those bike seats. It was terrifying being strapped in there. My mom would lean the bike up against a wall while she got the mail and I was afraid to flinch. I'm sure the bike almost fell countless times, and lord knows my helmet didn't fit snug enough to be all that safe.

And I was the kid who took the wagon down giant hills and crashed into the bushes for fun.

[Kano]

[QUOTE=KnottedYet;190426]
Getting on and off the bike with the kid in the seat can be a real challenge. Holding the bike steady while putting the kid in the seat or getting them out of the seat can get hairy.

Kid can't move much in the seat, and can't bring toys juice riding buddy, etc.

Kid is as unprotected as you from bugs, dirt, wind, rain, sun.

Kid's view is pretty limited.
QUOTE]

There's no side pocket for storing the boogers. (remember last fall, Xander getting me to watch him put a booger in the pocket while DH trailed him? He had just turned two at the time.)

Then there's the ever-embarrassing "DON'T FART AT ME GRANDPA!" when they're sitting right behind one's behind!

Gotta love those two year olds!

Fortunately, when I had a little squirt that I was toting on one of those back seats, in that pre-helmet era, my bike was a step through frame. We didn't do it often -- as Knotted says, it was incredibly difficult to get her safely in the seat and me on mine! Heaven forbid she wiggled!

Karen in Boise

[JenLeath]

I have never heard of a restocking fee for a local bike shop. I have for ordering it, if they don't carry it. I would definitely challenge that. Call anonymously and ask how to contact the owner. Tell him about your experience and that you are not happy with your purchase, but returning the bike would turn out to be too expensive. I bet he would be willing to work something out. From what I have seen about bike shop owners, they love the sport and wouldn't want to be responsible for someone having a bad experience.

Good Luck,

Jen L