Manufacturer, Retailer, Survey and Consumer Feedback - An Anthropological Survey on Cycling

Hey, guys! I’m rather new to both the forums and serious cycling, but what I’ve experienced so far has proven to become a new hobby, if not a lifestyle for me. I’m a rather large individual, but am excited by the amount of weight I have lost, and how much better I feel. The amount of motivation I have to continue is astounding.

Cycling has me so excited that I’m basing my spring semester anthropology project around it; a mini-ethnography is to be written about a specific group of people that perform a ritual rite or a group of people that share a common material item and the culture behind it; cycling being the latter.

Anyways, I would like to hear your guys’ responses to the following questions, set up in an informal, indirect interview style:

1) How long have you been cycling, and how did you get into it?


2) How many bicycles do you currently own?


3) What brand of bike do you currently own and why did you choose it? (If more than one bicycle, choose your favorite)


4) When purchasing accessories or upgrades, do you look for special features, or style, primarily?


5) How many miles per week do you ride?


6) Do you ride year round? Or only when cycling is in-season?


7) Do you think you are addicted to cycling? That is to say, if you are not in the saddle, do you think about it more than you should?


8) Do you often ride in a group (2 or more cyclists) or solo? Why?


9) Do you often ride in an urban/sub-urban area, or a more isolated, rural area? Why?


10) Have you ever entered, or plan to enter a race?


11) Have you ever wrecked a bike to the point it can’t be used? If so, how did this situation make you feel? That is to say, how much sentiment does a bicycle hold for you?


12) How do you relate cycling to family/friends who are non-cyclists? Do you ever try to convince them to try cycling with you?


13) Do you commute by bicycle (including shopping, work, etc.)? If so, do you own a car?


14) How would you rate your mechanical knowledge?


15) What type of setting do you live in? Urban, sub-urban, or rural?


16) If you have posted a picture of you bicycle on these forums, could I have your consent to use them as exhibits for this paper? (Don’t worry, all of the work is on me, so I will look for the photos, given permission of course.)


After I finish the paper, I plan to ask my professor if I am allowed to distribute it on the internet, just so you guys can see what kind of results I was able to gather.

Full credit will be given on a separate page with each of your names/handles giving special thanks.

Thank you very much for the help, I sincerely appreciate it and look forward to your responses!

OK - I'll Bite. Answers below.


Hey, guys! I’m rather new to both the forums and serious cycling, but what I’ve experienced so far has proven to become a new hobby, if not a lifestyle for me. I’m a rather large individual, but am excited by the amount of weight I have lost, and how much better I feel. The amount of motivation I have to continue is astounding.

Cycling has me so excited that I’m basing my spring semester anthropology project around it; a mini-ethnography is to be written about a specific group of people that perform a ritual rite or a group of people that share a common material item and the culture behind it; cycling being the latter.

Anyways, I would like to hear your guys’ responses to the following questions, set up in an informal, indirect interview style:

1) How long have you been cycling, and how did you get into it? This is my 21st season. I used to be a runner and started road riding for cross-training. Quit running several years later.


2) How many bicycles do you currently own? 5 total: 2 road, 1 cross, 1 mountain, 1 folding travel bike.


3) What brand of bike do you currently own and why did you choose it? (If more than one bicycle, choose your favorite) Favorite and main bike is a Merlin Cyrene. I wanted a custom build that would last a long time, plus I think this frame is a work of art.


4) When purchasing accessories or upgrades, do you look for special features, or style, primarily? Mostly based on function, but style is important too.


5) How many miles per week do you ride? For the year, I average about 100 weekly. During the outdoor season, it's usually 150-175 a week.


6) Do you ride year round? Or only when cycling is in-season? Year round. Outdoors typically from Late March - October/November depending on when winter decides to start. I generally take 2-3 weeks break, then start indoor computrainer class and ride in the basement for a total of 5-6 hours a week.


7) Do you think you are addicted to cycling? That is to say, if you are not in the saddle, do you think about it more than you should? I prefer to think of it as a healthy obsession. I do think about it frequently and look forward to ride days, especially the group rides.


8) Do you often ride in a group (2 or more cyclists) or solo? Why? Yes, but also solo. I like the comraderie and social aspects, plus pace lines really improve my fitness. Besides that it's a lot of fun to share the activity with friends.


9) Do you often ride in an urban/sub-urban area, or a more isolated, rural area? Why? Mostly rural. I'm fortunate to live in a great town that is very close to Illinois prairie for long rides, plus we have great trails/mups in the area. Rural means less car traffic and it's usually more scenic.


10) Have you ever entered, or plan to enter a race? No. I do a lot of organized invitationals though.


11) Have you ever wrecked a bike to the point it can’t be used? If so, how did this situation make you feel? That is to say, how much sentiment does a bicycle hold for you? Technically not a wreck, but I ruined my favorite carbon bike a few years back. I felt terrible about it and still miss the bike, but the replacement is a much better bike that will last a lot longer.


12) How do you relate cycling to family/friends who are non-cyclists? Do you ever try to convince them to try cycling with you? No I don't - they think I'm crazy. I don't really talk about it unless asked, as I think it bores people that aren't interested in it, the same way I am bored to tears when someone starts talking about golf.


13) Do you commute by bicycle (including shopping, work, etc.)? If so, do you own a car? No - not really an option as there is no shower facility available. I wish there was - I would love to try it 1 or 2 days a week. I do own a car. I generally only ride for fitness/enjoyment.


14) How would you rate your mechanical knowledge? 6 out of 10. If I don't have a specialized tool when required, I won't try it myself. I can handle most basic maintenance functions just fine.


15) What type of setting do you live in? Urban, sub-urban, or rural? Suburban, on the edge of rural.


16) If you have posted a picture of you bicycle on these forums, could I have your consent to use them as exhibits for this paper? (Don’t worry, all of the work is on me, so I will look for the photos, given permission of course.) Yes, but not sure where it's posted - probably a 'show us your titanium' thread.


After I finish the paper, I plan to ask my professor if I am allowed to distribute it on the internet, just so you guys can see what kind of results I was able to gather.

Full credit will be given on a separate page with each of your names/handles giving special thanks.

Thank you very much for the help, I sincerely appreciate it and look forward to your responses!

Anyways, I would like to hear your guys’ responses to the following questions, set up in an informal, indirect interview style:

1) How long have you been cycling, and how did you get into it? Got my first "late in life bike" in 1999. Started riding seriously in 2000.


2) How many bicycles do you currently own? 2


3) What brand of bike do you currently own and why did you choose it? (If more than one bicycle, choose your favorite) Favorite: 2001 Litespeed Tuscany. Chose it because I wanted Ti. :beer:


4) When purchasing accessories or upgrades, do you look for special features, or style, primarily? No


5) How many miles per week do you ride? ~100


6) Do you ride year round? Or only when cycling is in-season? I ride when the temps are above 35F (2C).


7) Do you think you are addicted to cycling? That is to say, if you are not in the saddle, do you think about it more than you should? Yes!!


8) Do you often ride in a group (2 or more cyclists) or solo? Why? Solo. Not many cyclists live near me. :(


9) Do you often ride in an urban/sub-urban area, or a more isolated, rural area? Why? Urban/suburban. That's where I live (close in suburbs of Atlanta).


10) Have you ever entered, or plan to enter a race? No


11) Have you ever wrecked a bike to the point it can’t be used? If so, how did this situation make you feel? That is to say, how much sentiment does a bicycle hold for you? No


12) How do you relate cycling to family/friends who are non-cyclists? Do you ever try to convince them to try cycling with you? I simply explain the joy I feel while cycling and explain the health benefits. I ask them to join me for a ride when/if they feel the urge.


13) Do you commute by bicycle (including shopping, work, etc.)? If so, do you own a car? I'm retired. When I was working I commuted by bike. I owned 2 cars when I was bike commuting.


14) How would you rate your mechanical knowledge? I worked as a bike mechanic the last 3 years I was employed. it was my semi-retirement job.


15) What type of setting do you live in? Urban, sub-urban, or rural? Urban


16) If you have posted a picture of you bicycle on these forums, could I have your consent to use them as exhibits for this paper? (Don’t worry, all of the work is on me, so I will look for the photos, given permission of course.) Go for it. You can see them in my signature.

1) How long have you been cycling, and how did you get into it?
3 years, I think. Cousin suggested it, said he'd lost a lot of weight doing it.
2) How many bicycles do you currently own?
6 or so
3) What brand of bike do you currently own and why did you choose it? (If more than one bicycle, choose your favorite)
Raleigh Sojourn, based on features, looks, availability
4) When purchasing accessories or upgrades, do you look for special features, or style, primarily?
Functionality
5) How many miles per week do you ride?
Try to ride every day, turns out to be 5-6 days a week
6) Do you ride year round? Or only when cycling is in-season?
Year round
7) Do you think you are addicted to cycling? That is to say, if you are not in the saddle, do you think about it more than you should?
No
8) Do you often ride in a group (2 or more cyclists) or solo? Why?
Weekday rides, solo, Saturday monring rides as a group
9) Do you often ride in an urban/sub-urban area, or a more isolated, rural area? Why?
Suburban, tending towards semi-rural, because it's a good riding place

10) Have you ever entered, or plan to enter a race?
Never have entered. I'm planning to enter the Texas Time Trials endurance race this fall. I won't be competitive, but plan to take a shot at it anyway. Have no interest in regular races.

11) Have you ever wrecked a bike to the point it can’t be used? If so, how did this situation make you feel? That is to say, how much sentiment does a bicycle hold for you?
Haven't wrecked a bike, but there's not a lot of sentiment there, either; buy me another one just like and I'm good.
12) How do you relate cycling to family/friends who are non-cyclists? Do you ever try to convince them to try cycling with you? On occasion.

13) Do you commute by bicycle (including shopping, work, etc.)? If so, do you own a car? No

14) How would you rate your mechanical knowledge? Pretty good.

15) What type of setting do you live in? Urban, sub-urban, or rural? Suburban

16) If you have posted a picture of you bicycle on these forums, could I have your consent to use them as exhibits for this paper? (Don’t worry, all of the work is on me, so I will look for the photos, given permission of course.)
Yes, not sure what all I have on here, though.

1) How long have you been cycling, and how did you get into it? 35 years, as training for alpine skiing


2) How many bicycles do you currently own? 6


3) What brand of bike do you currently own and why did you choose it? (If more than one bicycle, choose your favorite) Fuji, best fit for mr and great value in pro level bikes


4) When purchasing accessories or upgrades, do you look for special features, or style, primarily? performance and value


5) How many miles per week do you ride? about 200


6) Do you ride year round? Or only when cycling is in-season? year round


7) Do you think you are addicted to cycling? That is to say, if you are not in the saddle, do you think about it more than you should? Addicted, no.....


8) Do you often ride in a group (2 or more cyclists) or solo? Why? yes, training races and rides


9) Do you often ride in an urban/sub-urban area, or a more isolated, rural area? Why? rural area with less traffic


10) Have you ever entered, or plan to enter a race? yes


11) Have you ever wrecked a bike to the point it can’t be used? If so, how did this situation make you feel? That is to say, how much sentiment does a bicycle hold for you? no


12) How do you relate cycling to family/friends who are non-cyclists? Do you ever try to convince them to try cycling with you? I have introduced several relatives to riding


13) Do you commute by bicycle (including shopping, work, etc.)? If so, do you own a car? no


14) How would you rate your mechanical knowledge? Excellent


15) What type of setting do you live in? Urban, sub-urban, or rural? suburban


16) If you have posted a picture of you bicycle on these forums, could I have your consent to use them as exhibits for this paper? (Don’t worry, all of the work is on me, so I will look for the photos, given permission of course.) no photos

Assuming this is a college paper, you should know the word is ANYWAY, not ANYWAYS, and "your guys" is wrong. In the paper, use either "your opinion" or "you guys' opinion." And "currently" is always unnecessary--"do you own" says the same thing with one less word. sorry; I used to be an editor.
Otherwise...

1) How long have you been cycling, and how did you get into it?
40 years. Started in college, interrupted for six or seven years when I was a runner, resumed cycling semi-seriously in my early 40s to spare my knees.
2) How many bicycles do you currently own?
Six, three of which i ride regularly. Didn't set out to have a collection, but some of the older ones were cheap and all are pretty big, so it's not really worth selling them.
3) What brand of bike do you currently own and why did you choose it? (If more than one bicycle, choose your favorite).
Two "main" bikes, an Atlantis and Rambouillet, both from Rivendell. I like the company's philosophy and prefer steel bikes. Also two mountain bikes, a Cannondale and Bridgestone, a folder and a singlespeed I built up from an old Trek touring bike.
4) When purchasing accessories or upgrades, do you look for special features, or style, primarily?
Not SPECIAL features, but features. I'm indifferent to style--at my age, if something doesn't work, I don't have time or patience to mess with it.
5) How many miles per week do you ride?
Varies wildly. Rarely more than 175-200mi, sometimes zero.
6) Do you ride year round? Or only when cycling is in-season?
Year round in Reno, Nev., at least down into the 20s. We rarely have long cold spells, though.
7) Do you think you are addicted to cycling? That is to say, if you are not in the saddle, do you think about it more than you should?
No. I think the concept of addiction is bogus, or at least the word "addiction" is misapplied in this context. It has a literal meaning, and this isn't it.
Having said that, though, if I miss more than a day or two of exercise (doesn't have to be cycling), I feel less good.
8) Do you often ride in a group (2 or more cyclists) or solo? Why?
Yes, because there are no other ways to ride than with others or alone. Sloppy wording here...
Generally I PREFER to ride alone, though.
9) Do you often ride in an urban/sub-urban area, or a more isolated, rural area? Why?
Same answer as No. 8... I live in a rural area but often ride 10 miles to a city for shopping etc.
10) Have you ever entered, or plan to enter a race?
Raced a few times in my 30s, but haven't done it for years. FWIW, i did run many races on foot over a period of about 15 years. Just never got into it on the bike.
11) Have you ever wrecked a bike to the point it can’t be used? If so, how did this situation make you feel? That is to say, how much sentiment does a bicycle hold for you
I've had one major, bike-destroying crash, with separated shoulder, and many falls. I was sorry to lose the bike, which was my first "real" (read "expensive") one, but I kept a few components for paperweights.
12) How do you relate cycling to family/friends who are non-cyclists? Do you ever try to convince them to try cycling with you?
My family and many friends have ridden with me many times. Some ride more than I do, some less, a few not at all, or only once or twice a year. It's not an issue with any of them.
13) Do you commute by bicycle (including shopping, work, etc.)? If so, do you own a car?
Commute 25 miles round trip two or three times a week in summer, rarely in winter. Closest store to my home is nine miles away, which makes it hard for a quick trip for nutmeg as well as for a major, weekly restocking. But I do ride when the time and load permit.
14) How would you rate your mechanical knowledge?
quite good. I do all my own bike work except wheelbuilding.
15) What type of setting do you live in? Urban, sub-urban, or rural?
Rural until a few years ago, becoming suburban now. Thousands of new homes coming in the next five years.
16) If you have posted a picture of you bicycle on these forums, could I have your consent to use them as exhibits for this paper? (Don’t worry, all of the work is on me, so I will look for the photos, given permission of course.)
No pics posted, that I can remember


After I finish the paper, I plan to ask my professor if I am allowed to distribute it on the internet, just so you guys can see what kind of results I was able to gather.

Full credit will be given on a separate page with each of your names/handles giving special thanks.

Thank you very much for the help, I sincerely appreciate it and look forward to your responses![/QUOTE]

My answers are in the quote box.


Hey, guys! I’m rather new to both the forums and serious cycling, but what I’ve experienced so far has proven to become a new hobby, if not a lifestyle for me. I’m a rather large individual, but am excited by the amount of weight I have lost, and how much better I feel. The amount of motivation I have to continue is astounding.

Cycling has me so excited that I’m basing my spring semester anthropology project around it; a mini-ethnography is to be written about a specific group of people that perform a ritual rite or a group of people that share a common material item and the culture behind it; cycling being the latter.

Anyways, I would like to hear your guys’ responses to the following questions, set up in an informal, indirect interview style:

1) How long have you been cycling, and how did you get into it? Started riding 10 speeds in the mid70s as a 13-14yo. Stopped in high school, back again in college stopped for awhile afterwards and back (to stay) since 1998-99.


2) How many bicycles do you currently own? 4 roadbikes, a cruiser and a fixed gear so that's 6.


3) What brand of bike do you currently own and why did you choose it? (If more than one bicycle, choose your favorite) Current fave is my Litespeed Ultimate. Wanted to try titanium and got a decent deal on the frame.


4) When purchasing accessories or upgrades, do you look for special features, or style, primarily? Weight and comfort as well as aesthetics


5) How many miles per week do you ride? 70-120


6) Do you ride year round? Or only when cycling is in-season? Year round (easy in Fla :) )


7) Do you think you are addicted to cycling? That is to say, if you are not in the saddle, do you think about it more than you should? I've always enjoyed it and feel mad at myself when I miss a ride but others are far more addicted I must admit.


8) Do you often ride in a group (2 or more cyclists) or solo? Why? Group rides on weekends, usually at least with my wife. Easier to get the miles in groups.


9) Do you often ride in an urban/sub-urban area, or a more isolated, rural area? Why? s medium sized city is the best description


10) Have you ever entered, or plan to enter a race? Yes


11) Have you ever wrecked a bike to the point it can’t be used? If so, how did this situation make you feel? That is to say, how much sentiment does a bicycle hold for you? Have never totaled a bike but I value them over many other possessions.


12) How do you relate cycling to family/friends who are non-cyclists? Do you ever try to convince them to try cycling with you? My wife enjoys riding and is probably a little better than me.


13) Do you commute by bicycle (including shopping, work, etc.)? If so, do you own a car? I do not but if I can work out some logistics would like to. I do own a car.


14) How would you rate your mechanical knowledge? Decent. No one is paying me but I can do most maintenance.


15) What type of setting do you live in? Urban, sub-urban, or rural? Dupe question


16) If you have posted a picture of you bicycle on these forums, could I have your consent to use them as exhibits for this paper? (Don’t worry, all of the work is on me, so I will look for the photos, given permission of course.) I have and you may.


After I finish the paper, I plan to ask my professor if I am allowed to distribute it on the internet, just so you guys can see what kind of results I was able to gather.

Full credit will be given on a separate page with each of your names/handles giving special thanks.

Thank you very much for the help, I sincerely appreciate it and look forward to your responses!

Are you an anthropology major? I am. Always glad to help out a fellow anthro student.

1) 24 years, got into it when my dad bought me my first bike.
2) 3 bikes
3) Trek, got it because there is a trek dealer in town. Not because I love trek or anything. I happened to like this bikes style, features and price but not in that order.
4) Function is the #1 factor, if it looks good that is an added bonus.
5) 60-210 miles depending on many factors such as weather, work/class schedule.
6) Year round.
7) Are we still talking about bikes? Yes, I am addicted, where is my methadone?
8) Solo, because I am always much faster or slower than those in any given group.
9) Both, because I can.
10) No, sadly I am too fat.
11) YES, and it made me angry; not because I loved the bike but, because a fu<king car hit me. If it was legal to kill the stupid....
12) Don’t talk about it much, they don’t get it/or care, and that is fine.
13) No car, so commute yes.
14) My wrenching skills are OK.
15) City of +/- 100,000 ppl.
16) No photos, no camera, sorry.

Wow! Thank you to all who have replied to this thread, I appreciate it.

xray1978, I am considering it. Just taking a couple intro courses for now, but I love it already.

Also, Velo Dog, thank you for pointing out my mistakes. I get a bit excited when I write and tend to overuse words, then end up backing myself into a corner, not knowing how or what to edit. My current supervisor used to be an editor and she goes crazy when she sees some of the things I have written, haha.

Hey, guys! I’m rather new to both the forums and serious cycling, but what I’ve experienced so far has proven to become a new hobby, if not a lifestyle for me. I’m a rather large individual, but am excited by the amount of weight I have lost, and how much better I feel. The amount of motivation I have to continue is astounding.

Cycling has me so excited that I’m basing my spring semester anthropology project around it; a mini-ethnography is to be written about a specific group of people that perform a ritual rite or a group of people that share a common material item and the culture behind it; cycling being the latter.

Anyways, I would like to hear your guys’ responses to the following questions, set up in an informal, indirect interview style:

1) How long have you been cycling, and how did you get into it? 50 years. My brothers put me on a bike at the top of a hill and pushed. Got my first 10-speed at 13.


2) How many bicycles do you currently own? 5 road bikes, 1 tandem, 1 cheap MB, 1 3- speed roadster


3) What brand of bike do you currently own and why did you choose it? (If more than one bicycle, choose your favorite) "Bottecchia" Carbon Fiber with Record 10 speed components. They were good deals


4) When purchasing accessories or upgrades, do you look for special features, or style, primarily? Function and price. Occasionally style


5) How many miles per week do you ride? Average 120


6) Do you ride year round? Or only when cycling is in-season? Year round


7) Do you think you are addicted to cycling? That is to say, if you are not in the saddle, do you think about it more than you should?Maybe, but who says how much I should think about it?]


8) Do you often ride in a group (2 or more cyclists) or solo? Why? Most often solo. Get enough of people on the job and don't like to drive in order to ride


9) Do you often ride in an urban/sub-urban area, or a more isolated, rural area? Why?Rural. That's where I live and I don't like exhaust fumes and noise


10) Have you ever entered, or plan to enter a race? No. No.


11) Have you ever wrecked a bike to the point it can’t be used? If so, how did this situation make you feel? That is to say, how much sentiment does a bicycle hold for you?No


12) How do you relate cycling to family/friends who are non-cyclists? Do you ever try to convince them to try cycling with you? I don't try to convince others. I've encouraged my wife, but she has other interests.


13) Do you commute by bicycle (including shopping, work, etc.)? If so, do you own a car?No


14) How would you rate your mechanical knowledge? Good mechanical aptitude and knowledge of my limited equipment, automotive and bicycle. Learned bicycle maintenance at my grandfather's knee.


15) What type of setting do you live in? Urban, sub-urban, or rural? Way rural


16) If you have posted a picture of you bicycle on these forums, could I have your consent to use them as exhibits for this paper? (Don’t worry, all of the work is on me, so I will look for the photos, given permission of course.) Permission granted


After I finish the paper, I plan to ask my professor if I am allowed to distribute it on the internet, just so you guys can see what kind of results I was able to gather.

Full credit will be given on a separate page with each of your names/handles giving special thanks.

Thank you very much for the help, I sincerely appreciate it and look forward to your responses!

2 characters

1) How long have you been cycling, and how did you get into it?

Depends on what you mean by "cycling". I started on training wheels at age 5, they came off when I was 6. Kid-size banana-seat bike when I was 7. I had that until I was 11 or 12, when I got a got a 26" AMF department store 10-speed. When I was 15, I got my first "real" bike, and Fuji SJ-10. When I was 17 (about 1980), I got a "more real" bike, a Windsor Carrera Sport, which is the first bike I put serious miles on.

2) How many bicycles do you currently own?

Two.

3) What brand of bike do you currently own and why did you choose it? (If more than one bicycle, choose your favorite)

- Windsor Carrera Sport (the above mentioned...). It was a good value for the money at the time, and it's held up well.
- Specialized Sirrus. Also a good value. It came with flat bars. I've changed it to drops. It's the one I ride the most now.

I like them both.

4) When purchasing accessories or upgrades, do you look for special features, or style, primarily?

Durability, value-for-money, and (when it's cost-effective), light weight.

5) How many miles per week do you ride?

Depends on the week. Varies from 0 to 150.

6) Do you ride year round? Or only when cycling is in-season?

I try to ride year round. This winter was too snowy, though.

7) Do you think you are addicted to cycling? That is to say, if you are not in the saddle, do you think about it more than you should?

"More than I should"? No. I think about it. I think about other things, too. Addicted? No.

8) Do you often ride in a group (2 or more cyclists) or solo? Why?

I usually ride solo. Occasionally with a friend.

9) Do you often ride in an urban/sub-urban area, or a more isolated, rural area? Why?

I live in an urban area, prefer rural. To get to the rural ride, I have to ride through the suburbs. The answer is, all three.

10) Have you ever entered, or plan to enter a race?

No.

11) Have you ever wrecked a bike to the point it can’t be used? If so, how did this situation make you feel? That is to say, how much sentiment does a bicycle hold for you?

Never wrecked a bike.

Yes, I'm attached to the bikes I have. I've kept and maintained one of them for 30 years.

12) How do you relate cycling to family/friends who are non-cyclists? Do you ever try to convince them to try cycling with you?

My wife is a cyclist also, but we have kids, and she's more of a utility/commuter rider, so we don't really have occasion to ride together. Someone has to stay home with the kids!

13) Do you commute by bicycle (including shopping, work, etc.)? If so, do you own a car?

Don't commute by bike.
Do sometimes shop by bike.
Mostly ride recreationally.
Do own a car.

14) How would you rate your mechanical knowledge?

I can do any repair on the bikes I've had my hands on. Probably could work at it professionally--though I haven't worked on lots of different kids of bikes.

15) What type of setting do you live in? Urban, sub-urban, or rural?

Urban.

16) If you have posted a picture of you bicycle on these forums, could I have your consent to use them as exhibits for this paper? (Don’t worry, all of the work is on me, so I will look for the photos, given permission of course.)

Too lazy to do it, so no, I guess.

Why don't you use surveymonkey instead?