need to buy my wife a bike

[Trek420]

Yeah, and I bet he's carrying food and water for you, and bike tools just in case you need "rescuing" or something

He probably has a room somewhere full of pictures, or maybe a website.

Hey, is there a cycling alternative to traditional anniv. gifts?

Traditional 1st is paper? Cyclist - registration for his/her favorite ride

[Veronica]

Is your first anniversary coming up?

The traditional first is paper. The modern is clocks. We went to see Cats for our first anniversary - paper tickets.

So an entry into a ride would be a good cycling alternative or a HRM...

V.

[MM_QFC!]

Is your first anniversary coming up?

The traditional first is paper. The modern is clocks. We went to see Cats for our first anniversary - paper tickets.

So an entry into a ride would be a good cycling alternative or a HRM...

V.

this could be a fun new thread! my 2nd is coming up...hmmm, cotton or china; plenty of cycling equivalents to consider!

[steelynorm]

I am tech weenie and per Kilt Boy, i am going as a technical consultant and financial adviser. Ultimately, the decision will be my wifes.

Sadiekate: yes it is the wildflower in SLO, we live in Sacramento, Folsom to be exact.

Smilingcat: 1500 to low 2000's I am hoping to spend, you refer to clip-ons? Not sure what you are referring too?

SGtiger: I want to have a beer with you(with my wifes permission of course), must be kindred spirits, thanks for your support.

maillotpois(sp?): my wife loves jewelry i need to buy her more/some. She has no idea how nice it is going to be to ride a bike that fits her, i am very very excited for her. However, i am concerned she may like her bike so much I will never see her, and will become just another single parent..

I have another dilemma..

When my wife and I started this process, we walked around Davis(35 miles from where we live) into a few shops and did not get that much service, until we walked into Freewheeler.

Sheri, worker/owner was awesome i want to give her our business but they do not carry a lot of brands there, what do we do?

I almost feel guilty going to the shops in my backyard because she really cared and was very helpful that day when other people were too busy for us.

thanks,

Norm

[OakLeaf]

One thought: you should include a professional fitting in your budget. Do they do that at Freewheeler? Maybe you could have them do the fitting - and get any associated parts there - even if you wind up buying the bike elsewhere.

[boy in a kilt]

When my wife and I started this process, we walked around Davis(35 miles from where we live) into a few shops and did not get that much service, until we walked into Freewheeler.

Sheri, worker/owner was awesome i want to give her our business but they do not carry a lot of brands there, what do we do?

I almost feel guilty going to the shops in my backyard because she really cared and was very helpful that day when other people were too busy for us.

thanks,

Norm

Ask your wife. If she liked freewheeler, you can start there.

[SadieKate]

Sadiekate: yes it is the wildflower in SLO, we live in Sacramento, Folsom to be exact.

Sheri, worker/owner was awesome i want to give her our business but they do not carry a lot of brands there, what do we do?

Hey! I just moved from Davis.

I would recommend that you give Wheelworks a try again. They can get absolutely slammed and I know their best mechanic recently reduced his hours so I bet they're hurting. Call Joe, Kevin or Andrew and tell them Sarah sent you and that I will come do dastardly things if they don't help. I have no problems harrassing them if need be. The reason why I say this is that any of the above can do a good fitting and they will try to have built up bikes in your wife's size if you call a couple days ahead. Having listened to these guys gripe over the years, I can tell you that you need to be very open about the type of riding and any pain or discomfort issues. It seems to be a challenge for many customers to be open about things. It's like they're embarassed to say anything and the LBS has to discover it by osmosis. Of course, there's also the opposite customer who won't shut up and learn.

I caution you about the Freewheeler. Their mechanical skills leave something to be desired and it's sort of a hit or miss what is going to happen in there. My husband and/or I lived in Davis since the late 70s and cycling the entire time and we know every shop very well.

If your wife is thinking triathlons, you need to talk with Joe at Wheelworks. He supports multiple high level ironman competitors and knows his stuff. You can also pay for a fitting and he will willingly tell you if the geometry of the brands he carries simply won't fit your wife. And I've personally heard him tell customers what brands to look for elsewhere if this is the case.

If you would like me to call or email Joe just let me know. I have his number. Andrew is our sort of adopted son so I can always threaten him with lack of housing during the Cascade Classic race. I know how to motivate.

[SadieKate]

Ask your wife. If she liked freewheeler, you can start there.

Um, as a woman speaking. Sherri is the only non-creepy one of the family at Freewheeler.

[Trek420]

Is your first anniversary coming up?

Nah, that's past 2nd is cotten or china? Which in cycling language is ..... can that be wool? or is wool further on?

This relationship stuff is so confusing. No wonder steelynorm has questions.

[Veronica]

Wool is 7th.

Cotton bar tape?

V.

[MM_QFC!]

Wool is 7th.

Cotton bar tape?

V.

and couldn't china = ceramic bearings?

[boy in a kilt]

1st: Paper or clocks (modern): Bike mag subscriptions or bike computers/HRM
2nd:Cotton or china: Clothes, cotton bar tape or, yeah, ceramic bearings
3rd: Leather or Crystal: This can only mean leather saddles.
4th: Fruit/flower or appliances: Power bars or a trainer?
5th: Wood or silverware: Hmm. Shiny new parts are silver.
6th: Candy or iron: Steel is made from iron so that must mean steel bike frames.
7th: Wool, copper or desk sets. Wool is good. The rest is meh.
8th: Bronze, pottery, satin or lace: You have to come in at least third place for your beloved. Or,well, ceramic bearings are sort of like pottery.
9th: Pottery and willow or Leather. Just in case the leather saddle you bought six years ago is gone or messed up. Could also mean leather handlebar tape
10th: Tin or aluminum, diamonds or jewelry: New rims
11th: Steel. I can say no more.

The options start to get progressively worse after that.

[Veronica]

Leather bar tape is really nice. I have it on both my road bikes, it has a very nice feel.

V.

[Blueberry]

V - How does it hold up in rain? Any special treatment required?? It is purty

[Veronica]

I haven't done anything to it. And it has been rained on - 130 miles of rain on my last double. It still looks great.

V.