Broken Bike Shop Model?

[Kiwi Stoker]

Because everyone grew up just getting on any old bike and riding it. Didn't matter if it was too small or too big (my dad clamped wooden blocks to my Raliegh 20 because I wasn't tall enough and the seat wouldn't go any lower so I could ride). Joe Blow understands seat height but little else about a bike.

So with that experience of riding hand-me-down bikes or your firends bikes, you think it would make sense just to order a bike you like and you can ride it. There's no understanding about the science behind a bike at all. There's no education. I watched heaps of parents buy bikes for their kids or bring in bikes for "bike checks" as part of a annunal kids tri that happens and the state of the bikes and helmjets is bad. Parents just don't understand that the old hand-me down is now dangerous- mkissing grips, worn saddles, no grease on rusty chains, helmet worn on the back of the head... and more.

And it doesn't help that often bike shop people forget that people don't know or even have a hint of this and start bombarding them with questions. Joe Blow had walked in there thinking "oh I pick up a red bike for me" and then is asked "what type of riding" etc and I guess that's off putting. A website doesn't ask you 20 questions before you buy

Another thing I am also a bit shocked at is that some stores have a policy of clearing floor stock first. I meet a girl on a too large Pinarello mid-level model. She had the seat lower, tiny stem and still she was rocking side to side.

She was told this was the smallest frame. Given no option. I ended up convincing her by getting on her bike (and I was taller than her) and showing why it was too big and then making her get on my smaller bike. Total laziness of the bike shop!