Fifty Plus (50+) - Perplexed

A very good friend who runs in a much different set than I do just gave me a gift and I am not quite sure what to do with it. He gave me a brand new - never ridden set of CF aero race wheels in the box, tubular. I looked these wheels up on line and they retail for more than what I spent on my new Tarmac. I just can't see myself riding these wheels, I am not a racer. I would need to buy 3 tubular tires (I use klinchers - I would need a spare) and a new cassett (I would want to keep my regular wheels ready to go). I am thinking of e-baying these and using the money for a carbon chorus group for my steel ride, the drive train has 13 years of hard wear and is getting tired. I just don't quite know what to do here as I feel that a gift should be used for it's intended purpose. I might just call him and ask him if he minded if I sold them off for the group or if he wants them back - but I do not want to offend either. I am perplexed.

Normally I'd say that since they are yours as a gift, they are also yours to do with whatever you please. Unfortunately, your friend might someday ask why he never sees you using the wheels he gave you. Better to come clean beforehand and ask him if he minded that you sold them for something that would be of greater use to you. In a case like this, it's not looking the gift horse in the mouth so much as it's just being practical. It's like giving your buddy in Iowa a brand new surf board and then wondering why you never see him using it. :lol:

Just ask him where is the rest of the bike and let him know that if it doesn't fit that you are going to sell it and get a better fitting bike.

Politely return the wheels and explain that you have neither the budget nor the patience nor the time for tubulars. I gave them up when I moved to San Diego County and discovered goathead thorns.

Did he give them because they were "extra" parts he had laying around or did he think you would use them? By that I mean did he buy them for you as opposed to having them and thinking you might like them?

Me? I'd either use them, or politely return them. But, hey, I'm weird that way.

Me? I'd either use them, or politely return them. But, hey, I'm weird that way.

In my gut I know these don't mean any thing to my friend and my friend wouldn't care if they ended up in the trash but like you I still feel like it would be wrong not to let him know. Therefore I have decided to let him know that I appreciate the gift but I will "Exchange" it for what I really need and give him the opportunity to take them back.