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

[KnottedYet]

Next weekend maybe we can discuss headlamps? waterbottles?

Poly-something water bottles from Soma. They don't grow cooties! (I have 3 of them and Trek has them, too.)

http://www.somafab.com/bottle.html

[chakra]

In the end, I coudn't bring myself to keep that Cannondale RW, because every time I went into the shop, I felt the disinterest and disdain of the owner and his fit specialist - they are really an "elite racer" shop, as it turns out, and in the negative sense of the word... I just could not bear to do business with them.

So I took the RW back - I lost money on it, and they wouldn't take the child seat back (since it was a special order) so it remains in our garage unused to this day! Turns out DH cannot use it on his bike, he has a disk-compatible rack, which is not compatible with the seat!! Gonna try to sell it on craigslist or some such. . .

The Good News

And now I have two bikes! An Electra townie with an 8 speed internal hub, for tootling around town, riding with the kids, maybe to xtracycle one of these days. . . a very nice, slow-riding couch of a bike! I feel no need for speed on this baby! Bought at an absolutely lovely lbs, with a wonderful attitude and great enthusiasm for riding and for *all* riders.

And. . .

A Surly Long Haul Trucker!! She's being built up by another lovely lbs who have shown great kindness and patience over innumerable test rides and wafflings! She should be ready by midweek next week! I think that I will be getting the best feel in terms of speed, smooth ride (a lovely ride- I tried her in the 52, a touch large, so I'm getting the 50cm) nice solid feel, v. responsive. . . anyway, I'm excited!

I really like having two bikes that are so differant from each other, and sort of represent two very differant sides of me - I like speed, and enjoy long rides (even though I'll confess I don't know how often I'll be able to fit them in) and I am glad I'll have a bike as versatile as the LHT (it can handle a huge number of tire widths, fender clearance is not a problem, it can have front racks too, and is good and comfy for long rides as well as commutes. Anyway, I'll stop gushing!

What I Learned (a specific and opinionated list):

Find a good shop. Having an LBS you trust, like and can ask questions without feeling silly is really important. They should love riding. They should really want to help you find the bike you will love, and will ride. They should be willing to change out the saddle, fit the bike properly, and answer all your questions. Most important, they should be willing to help you figure out what you really need and want in a bike. In return, you'll drag all your friend to their door, and will proclaim about them enthusiastically to all!

North Park Bicycle Shop and Fairfield Bicycles, you really go the distance!

Maybe you do need more than one bike. But before you buy more than one, ride, ride, ride. And not just on sunny days! Make sure this is the sport for you before you spend loads of hard-earned cash! Borrow bikes and try them out. Test ride over and over. Buy second hand! Because I learned that what you think you want is not necessarily what you need, or will ride. Bike lust can be indiscriminate!

Don't let your ego get in the way when buying a bike. I love my townie, but was afraid to buy one at first, lest I seem um, not sporty enough. Riding it makes me happy, and not remotely competitive. I put tons of stuff in the front basket, and with its dynamo lights and 700c wheels, we git aroun' jus' fine.

I know I will love the LHT too - and in choosing it I wasn't looking for a cool, fast bike. I was looking for what felt right to ride, and what would make ME happy.

The only thing I'll miss? My Townie is a lovely burgundy, and the LHT is blue. I have a thing for orange bikes, but I'll live I think someday the LHT will get a new powder coat. . .

Thanks for all the consideration, care, and help from all you wonderful experienced riders.

Chakra

[mimitabby]

wow! Pooks has a bike like your Electra, and Knot has a bike (I think) like your Surly.

WE WANT PICTURES! I am sorry you wasted the money on the kid seat,
but I'm glad you now have two lovely bikes that you are happy with.
did I say; Pictures are nice?

[singletrackmind]

The co-pilot limo has a good resale value....watch them on ebay to see what they're going for.

And yeah, pictures!

[Popoki_Nui]

Glad everything worked out (well, more or less) for you, Chakra. I've been wondering how things were going.
Hope to see you on the roads and trails!

~Sherry.