My friend who said "I'll never..."

[Miranda]

You pulled another to the "dark side" of wonderfulness! Good job, Crankin!
Congrats to your friend!!! Sounds like she has just what she wants and will be very happy!!


I don't know why shop guys do that. When I was buying parts for my steel Bianchi build, I was telling the LBS guys I wanted a triple (it was built as a touring bike) and they gave me all kinds of crap for wanting a triple. I think it's snotty- and I didn't appreciate being talked down to like I didn't know what I wanted. Grrrr... I love my LBS, but I don't like guys that talk to me like I don't know what I want or what I'm talking about. I ended up buying a triple on eBay for half price-which I didn't feel too bad about after the crap I got.

Most of my lbs experiences have been like that. Grrrr... ok, stopping the rant at that.

Crankin...
that is great about your friend. I found my inspiration at the gym thru spin class. One of the instructors that was a prior team racer did it for me. I always loved my bike as a kid and had forgetton how wondering riding could be. In turn, since I'm one of the instructors now also, I've had a couple students that have told me I inspired them to ride outside. It's such a nice compliment, and a wonderful gift to share with another person!

[Crankin]

Thanks, everyone.
It was really hard for her to actually "get" the bike she wanted. There's hardly any left in the whole country.
I have to also give kudos to my DH. He spent probably 2-3 hours with her on the phone and email figuring out gear ratios, etc. Stuff that I understand, but don't want to get into the real techie stuff...
I also have to commend my friend for doing this, even though her DH is kinda a slug. He lost a great deal of weight and looks fit, but just gives up every time they go on a ride together. He's a workaholic who tends to look on the negative side of things, but he understands her need for a new bike.
Shefly, I recommended Cycle Loft because they have a larger selection of bikes for short women and we felt that we could intervene if there was a real problem, because we know some of the people there, from when Scott was racing. I know you have recommended Bikeway Source, but my other friend, who I ride with a lot, had a very bad experience there, lasting for the past 2 years. My DH eventually diagnosed and fixed her bike that she bought there.

[WindingRoad]

I enjoyed that story. I used to work at a bike shop and there must be some stupid macho thing about not having a triple! How rediculous! I just helped my brother buy a new bike, he got a Specialized Roubaix in a triple and he absolutely adores it! He lives in Austin so I am glad he wasn't too caught up in the nonsense. He's like me tho, we both grew up riding bikes, yes, riding bikes NOT cycling, LOL. We just do it cuz its fun! He decided to go clipless too and no one can even stay on his wheel now, maybe I shouldn't have pushed for that, hmmmmmm.

I had to put a pic of my brother up with his new bike cuz he just looked so darn happy and proud! It makes me smile everytime I look at it