Things you wish someone had told you

[Owlie]

-Don't listen to your SO. He/she is not the same person as you, so their recommendations won't necessarily work for you.
-Buy the nice bike. Entry-level bikes are fine...until you outgrow them.
-Cycling is addictive.

[deanywalker21]

Spend time listening to how the shop folks talk with the customers. I had done a test ride while on vacation and then ordered the bike from the local Trek dealer. I will never buy another bike from them. Found the folks to be rude and not very helpful. I also had one of their sales people insult my Giant FCR 1 (which has been the love of my life). When I picked up my MTB they pretty much pushed me out the door with it. Never unlocked the shocks, etc. I will likely never buy another Trek because of my experience with that shop. Lucky for me we have two other bike shops that I love to visit and have found to be very helpful.