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

[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

[chakra]

Everyone,

Thank you so much for the wonderful responses, which gave me the courage to go back to the bike store with the bike. I asked about the restocking fee, and I think it would have applied if I had not decided to go ahead and buy the Road Warrior . As soon as I saw it again, glinting in its orangey fashion at me, I had to have it!! So, they charged me for the labor it took to set up the last bike (fenders, rack etc.) and that was all. They made good money on me too, the RW was another $400.00!

As for the Copilot Limo (the seat for our 2Year old) it was a special order (they usally stock the model below, it the Taxi) so they were not so willing to refund that one. However, I think they'd be willing to work it out if I tried it and didn't feel good using it (it is on order and due to arrive by this weekend). Dh is very keen on giving it a go, and I am less keen after all the input from you. One thing is for sure - if ds appears at all scared, or dh at all unstable, we certainly won't use it, it isn't worth it. So I'll wait and see on this one, and I'll push for a return or at least an exchange if keeping it isn't right for us.

I am glad to have found a bike I really enjoy riding - I took her out for a spin this evening, but it was with the kids, so I haven't been able to really put her through her paces - but oh my, what a smooth responsive ride!! I don't know how she'd do on trails of any kind - I had the tires changed, but the bike has pretty narrow rims - it moved her up from 700cc/28 to 30s, and that is as fat as they can get. She is pretty much a flat bar road bike, but I am not sorry!

Even though they were good about taking the bike back, I have to say the owner (Fort Street bikes) didn't go out of his way to be helpful. He was a litle grim-faced about the whole thing. After my fitting, and except for the free tune-ups they do, I won't have much to do with this store. I don't wish to bad-mouth them - there just wasn't the warmth/interest in really being a help to me. Given that I have now spent over $1,800 in their store, I find that to be a problem (bike, fenders, lights, tires, rack, panniers, child seat...).

In making the decsion, I had two sources which really helped: You lot at team estrogen, and another bike store (Oak bay bicycles, for those in my city). DH and our kids' bikes come from this store, so they know all of us quite well. I went in to ask them about bikes, kids seats, and all the questions I posed to you, and even showed them the cannondale RW on their internet connection - they were absolutely lovely in helping me decide. I will be sending people there, and will purchase any components/clothing there for sure. Much warmer, kinder service. If they had had anything like the RW in stock there, I think I'd have just dealt with losing that restocking fee, or would have argued about it at least.

But really, I have learned I should trust my gut, go with the shop that really treats you right, get the thing you really love, and then. . . well, then get on with what really matters, which is riding again!

Thank you so, so much for all the help.

Chakra

[KnottedYet]

congratulations!

Now, post some pics of your beautiful new bike! (we like pictures!)

Your 30 tires should do just fine for you. I have 28's that I take on everything (including grassy fields for bike skills practice) on my roadie. Cyclocross racers have tires in this range, and you should see the stuff they ride through!

Hoooray for your new bike!!!

[MINIskirt]

Congrats on the new bike!!!

[KnottedYet]

Just a snarky side comment:
I've never heard of a shop that wouldn't refund/return an ordered item that hadn't even arrived at the shop yet.

Ok, I'm done being snarky.

[uforgot]

Your 30 tires should do just fine for you. I have 28's that I take on everything (including grassy fields for bike skills practice) on my roadie. Cyclocross racers have tires in this range, and you should see the stuff they ride through!

Hoooray for your new bike!!!

Knotted, what tires do you have? I'm going to 28's on my road bike, but I'm not sure what to get. I want a more all round tire than the little slick 23s I have on there now, and my rims support up to 28.

Maybe I just need to put you on speedial. The last two weekends I've asked your advice...

Chakra, congrats! Sounds like you found a bike you love. I, too, want to see pics!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I have Pasela brand Panaracer tires 700x28mm, with kevlar (to help prevent flats) on my road bike. I can and have ridden over the most god-awful sharp rocky gravel roads you can imagine, including through fields of tractor ruts, too...several thousand miles....no flats yet.

By the way, I do NOT inflate them to their stated maximum pressure of 105 psi. I keep the back tires at around 95, and the fronts at about 85. That keeps my ride way smoother, gives me more stability on slippery gravel and in wind (and NO, it has not slowed my average speed down- I compared my average speeds with when I pumped up both to 105). Remember when your tires are super inflated and hard, they will bounce more and have less road contact. That can translate to less traction, more wasted vertical bounce movement, and thus loss of forward power.
I realize a lot of people disagree with this, but I figured I'd throw it in anyway. Works for me.