General Cycling Discussion - Help me save my wife from herself

So my wife has decided that she wants a bike. And I fully support this, because I like to ride, and I'd love to ride with her. That being said, she's decided that since she's not a "competitive rider", she doesn't need a bike from a bike shop and that one from Target will do. I'm not a competitive rider, but I've been doing this long enough to know that X-Mart bikes are crap. Help me save her from her poor decision making. She's certainly bright enough, that PhD says volumes, but sometimes her smarts get in the way of her listening to me.

Here are bikes I'm suggesting to her, they're sold by local shops.

Cidi 8 (http://www.khsbicycles.com/06_cidi_8_10.htm)

Urban Express (http://www.khsbicycles.com/06_urban_xpress_m_10.htm)

Flite 220L (http://www.khsbicycles.com/05_flite_220l_10.htm)

If anyone has any other bike suggestions, I'd love to hear them.

you might share what Schwinn does. they don't even list big box store Scwhinn bikes on their web site - and they even have a web FAQ item explaining why, well, actually they don't explain why!!!!!!!!

see item #2
http://www.schwinnbike.com/usa/eng/FAQ
The Schwinn website typically displays only current model year bicycles with an MSRP above $250. These bikes are sold only through the independent bicycle channel. We do not list department store bicycles on our website. However, you can visit a retailer's site to obtain information on any of the Schwinn models they carry.

I'm gonna put on my tinfoil hat here, and play devil's advocate...

I hope you're not paying MSRP for those, $550 for a base (2200) cro-mo road bike is a bit much. I think I paid $20 for my first steel road bike at a garage sale. Then again, money might not be an issue for you, in which case get the nicest bike you think she'll ride. Fit and function are more important than name brands. Target sells a Sora-equipped drop-bar aluminum bike for $380, with as good or better parts list, just doesn't have a radial laced front wheel... I don't see a problem with that. Any specific reason you want to throw money at the LBS?

If I listen to you will you buy me a bike? A lot of people think the same as your wife and end up with bikes they just use for the summertime. If your wife goes to the bike shop and buys a bike that fits her, gets some accessories and a helmet, she may feel as though she is in business. What do you think she will use the bike for? If she is planning on touring around the city, I suggest the first bike. If you two want to hit the countryside roads, go with the third bike.

Who's going to be maintaining/fixing whatever bike she buys? Buy a Target bike, and YOU better be a good wrench.

Unless she rides like a feather on a pond, a Target bike will likely not last more than a year or two. Maybe that's all she'll ride, anyway -- but on a Target bike, that's about guaranteed.

The FLite and tell the shop not to cut the fork tube so that she can use all the hight available when it comes to the stem. Hybrid is nice too but if you plan to ride with her, forget about the crusier.

The more efficeint she is ,the better it is for you. Don't be a cheesehead and skimp on her saddle and shorts like most other riders do or she'll never enjoy riding. I knwo guys that ride a Madone while the wife rides a cheesey Walmart MTB then wonder why she doesn't enjoy riding or can't keep up!:D If all you can afford is a Walmart bike, they you should ride one too when you ride togetehr.;)

NOTE:... I know, above is not for you. Nice that you offer a decent ride. The above is just a general statement just incase any of the cheeseheads are thinking about it!:p

Let her get a Target bike, just make sure it's not a $89 double suspension mountain bike! She can always upgrade later if she wants to. Target does have a few decent bikes available, as long as you're able to adjust it properly.

My wife has a nice Bianchi from a bike shop and still only uses it once or twice a year.

tell her that a bicycle does not have airbags, seat belts, metal cage around it. the only protection you have is the rider's control AND the bike's mechanical reliability. tell her that a quality bicycle is a lifetime investment. it has lifetime warranty and lasts for a very long time. spend the extra now and in the long term it'll be worth every penny.

I'm going to share my own experience with big box bikes. First off I ride a Huffy Magellan almost everyday. I really enjoy this bike. It had to be adjusted when I got it. No major defects just a few minor adjustments to derailures and the rear fender bracket was not bent all the way inn and rubbed. If you know your way around a bike you can make easily fix these yourself. I ride mostly country roads. I have seen some decent looking bikes at Target compared to other department stores. Yes LBS bikes are likely better but these are perfectly serviceable, and far less price daunting. If you do end up at Target check out the Schwinn's. Most shops can service department store bikes. Two points of caution check it over for loose badly assembled parts before first ride (I like to get the floor model so I can see the bike before I leave), and be prepared to show it TLC (regular maintenance on time) or it will have a much shorter life.

Let your wife pick her first bike, take her to dept stores or the LBS or CL or wherever she wants but let her pick it. If you put your foot down or refuse to listen to what she wants she will resent the bike and you and will never ride it. Even if you know she wont ride what she buys, at least if she picks it she will have to look at herself and then she will ask for advice instead of resenting it being thrust upon her. Also if it is a dept store bike it shouldn't be that expensive and some of the schwinn's are quite nice. She can get something better later on as she improves, just accept this as the natural N+1 phenomenon.

I would tell her the truth, which is that she's not an 8 year old kid who's going to put 75 miles on the bike before outgrowing it, so she needs a grown-up bike from a bike shop. :D

I don't know how she'd take that, but for certain people I know that is actually what I would do.

i highly suggest the flite 220 because its a roadbike you'll get more bodywork out of a roadbike
and they are faster than mtb but then again you can purchase a granny seat for a mtb road and ride smooth and comfortable

Let your wife pick her first bike, take her to dept stores or the LBS or CL or wherever she wants but let her pick it. If you put your foot down or refuse to listen to what she wants she will resent the bike and you and will never ride it. Even if you know she wont ride what she buys, at least if she picks it she will have to look at herself and then she will ask for advice instead of resenting it being thrust upon her. Also if it is a dept store bike it shouldn't be that expensive and some of the schwinn's are quite nice. She can get something better later on as she improves, just accept this as the natural N+1 phenomenon.

This. ^ Because everyone has at least a little different preference in what they want in a bike. The first bike is just for someone to learn what they want to look for in the next bike. If she gets an X-Mart bike and doesn't like it, no problem. Makes getting her an LBS bike later an easier sell for you. If you start her with an LBS bike you like and she rides it a few times and doesn't like it ... Well; then you have a problem I wouldn't want to deal with.

i highly suggest the flite 220 because its a roadbike you'll get more bodywork out of a roadbike
and they are faster than mtb but then again you can purchase a granny seat for a mtb road and ride smooth and comfortable

That isn't actually the way it works at all. Put a granny seat on a road bike and you'll be very uncomfortable.

I hope you're not paying MSRP for those, $550 for a base (2200) cro-mo road bike is a bit much. I think I paid $20 for my first steel road bike at a garage sale.

550$ for a cro-mo bike is just beautiful. If they had an aluminum or CF for let's say $300 in the same category, I'd go with a steelie, but that's just me.

So my wife has decided that she wants a bike. And I fully support this, because I like to ride, and I'd love to ride with her. That being said, she's decided that since she's not a "competitive rider", she doesn't need a bike from a bike shop and that one from Target will do. I'm not a competitive rider, but I've been doing this long enough to know that X-Mart bikes are crap. Help me save her from her poor decision making. She's certainly bright enough, that PhD says volumes, but sometimes her smarts get in the way of her listening to me.

Here are bikes I'm suggesting to her, they're sold by local shops.

Cidi 8 (http://www.khsbicycles.com/06_cidi_8_10.htm)

Urban Express (http://www.khsbicycles.com/06_urban_xpress_m_10.htm)

Flite 220L (http://www.khsbicycles.com/05_flite_220l_10.htm)

If anyone has any other bike suggestions, I'd love to hear them.

The Urban Express is nice. But, if you know like I know, let her have her way, and get what she wants.. Target, Wally Mart, even Sears!!:)

Sheesh, I got my wife a $25 thrift shop Schwinn Traveler, and she tickled pink!! http://www.cehoward.net/badteeth%5b1%5d.gif

"Buy nice or buy twice."

Whatever the price difference is between a Target bike and a bike store bike, a year from now that money will be gone and you will have forgotten how you spent it.

She'll still have the bike. Make sure that it's the one she really likes.

550$ for a cro-mo bike is just beautiful. If they had an aluminum or CF for let's say $300 in the same category, I'd go with a steelie, but that's just me.

Maybe for you... I paid less than that for my first car. I understand the OP (his wife having a PhD) isn't too concerned about money, but the people that perpetuate the myth that you can't get your money's worth out of a nicer box-store bike don't live in my world. They are not that bad if you take care of them and upgrade a few parts as needed. They are not the scourge of the roads, as some would have you believe. I have over 800 miles on mine in less than a year, no issues other than normal wear items.

To reiterate the OP's question: buying an LBS bike isn't required for her to enjoy riding, but if money isn't an issue, talk her into something nicer and throw some goodies in with it, like some ergo grips, etc.

Maybe for you... I paid less than that for my first car. I understand the OP (his wife having a PhD) isn't too concerned about money, but the people that perpetuate the myth that you can't get your money's worth out of a nicer box-store bike don't live in my world. They are not that bad if you take care of them and upgrade a few parts as needed. They are not the scourge of the roads, as some would have you believe. I have over 800 miles on mine in less than a year, no issues other than normal wear items.

To reiterate the OP's question: buying an LBS bike isn't required for her to enjoy riding, but if money isn't an issue, talk her into something nicer and throw some goodies in with it, like some ergo grips, etc.

Ah, then you believe his wife will be "taking care" of the bike and replacing part herself with a wrench or whatever tools are needed? :D Perhaps she will also be disassembling and repacking the bearings on the front hub? Replacing the brake pads? :D

Who is paying for the bike? Is she paying for the bike? if she is, than let her pick what she wants unless you like sleeping on the couch.

You can give her advice, point out the flaws of the Target bike but be wary that she may view that as criticism of her and not the bike.

If you really want to give her an incentive to pick the bike you think she should have, then offer to pay the difference between the LBS bike and the Target one she has in mind.

As you mentioned, it's not about the money but your wife obviously doesn't want to pay a lot for an item that she may not consider as important as you do. Therefore, bridging the money gap may be a possible solution here.

Maybe for you... I paid less than that for my first car.

Wait, wait - you paid less than $400 for your first *car*??

What are you leaving out? Did you buy it in 1940? :D Did you then spend overa thousand dollars in repair work for it? Is the trick that your dad sold it to you or something?

I've been car shopping - there's no way you're going to buy something reliable for $400 unless you buy it from a relative or steal it.

she's decided

End of thread.

Get her what she wants.

When the Target bike falls apart, make sure you have rewritten history in such a way that the Target bike was *your* choice and now it's time to get her what she should have had, a bike from a bike shop.

End of thread.

Get her what she wants.

When the Target bike falls apart, make sure you have rewritten history in such a way that the Target bike was *your* choice and now it's time to get her what she should have had, a bike from a bike shop.

I think this is the reason I'm still single. I've gotten a little older and I'm not willing to play these mind-games just so I can get laid - sometimes. I mean, if you had seriously known that in order to get your wife to try something fun together you would have to do what she wanted, then make her believe that what she wanted is actually what you wanted, and that that decision (that you now wanted) was stupid, and you're an idiot, and what she "actually" wanted was to go to a bike shop (which is the opposite of what she actually wanted)...would that have influenced your decision to spend the rest of your life living like this?

Wait, wait - you paid less than $400 for your first *car*??

What are you leaving out? Did you buy it in 1940? :D Did you then spend overa thousand dollars in repair work for it? Is the trick that your dad sold it to you or something?

I've been car shopping - there's no way you're going to buy something reliable for $400 unless you buy it from a relative or something.

Paid $500 for it in 1995, actually, from a guy I didn't know. It ran fine, had a dent in the hood where the previous owner had hit a deer with it (still worked fine). I put a total of about $100 in keeping it up (put a used radiator in it and a timing belt, replaced them myself) and then an old lady ran a stop sign, hit me and totalled it. All the cars I've bought since then have been paid for, too. Let's just say I have a knack for finding good deals out of necessity. I don't condone cheaping out on everything, don't get me wrong. But why pay full price for anything in today's age of information? With a little leg work, you can really find some deals if you know what you're looking for.

And no, I don't expect the wife to maintain the bike, but the LBS bike would have to be taken in for service as well. If you get it initially adjusted properly and don't abuse it, it should last several years, long enough to get her cycling and having more of an idea of what she wants in a bike, which she could then spend more money on later.

I think this is the reason I'm still single. I've gotten a little older and I'm not willing to play these mind-games just so I can get laid - sometimes. I mean, if you had seriously known that in order to get your wife to try something fun together you would have to do what she wanted, then make her believe that what she wanted is actually what you wanted, and that that decision (that you now wanted) was stupid, and you're an idiot, and what she "actually" wanted was to go to a bike shop (which is the opposite of what she actually wanted)...would that have influenced your decision to spend the rest of your life living like this?

Works for me.


Pretending that I'm an idiot 2 or 3 times a week doesn't even make the top 100 list of things that bother me each week. One of the great things about having a family is that it makes me worry a lot more about them, and a lot less about myself.

here's no way you're going to buy something reliable for $400 unless you buy it from a relative or steal it.

My first car--my first two cars, actually--cost around $20. But no, they weren't reliable, and I did get them from a relative. But not the normal way. My grandfather was in the junk car business. So he was buying dead cars for scrap, and if one of them wasn't quite so dead ("mostly dead") it was mine.

As to the bike, if you want to go for a ride to the other end of the state, you could go to http://shawsheenusedbicycles.com/inventory.html in Cambridge and get her a nice fixed-up vintage bike for the same price as a crappy x-mart bike.

Works for me.


Pretending that I'm an idiot 2 or 3 times a week doesn't even make the top 100 list of things that bother me each week. One of the great things about having a family is that it makes me worry a lot more about them, and a lot less about myself.

I appreciate your response. I'm going to quote myself -


I think this is the reason I'm still (happily) single.

End of thread.

Get her what she wants.

When the Target bike falls apart, make sure you have rewritten history in such a way that the Target bike was *your* choice and now it's time to get her what she should have had, a bike from a bike shop.

I sense a certain amount of experience in this post.

That isn't actually the way it works at all. Put a granny seat on a road bike and you'll be very uncomfortable.

You can make it work And theres a mistake there not road bike Mountain bike !

When my husband first told me how much his bikes cost (he bought them before we met - he had $2,500 into his MTB and I don't know how much into a 10 year old Bianchi road bike) I laughed and made fun of him for spending so much money, when I had a perfectly great $300 MTB.

He's taken the time since to show me the difference in quality components, wheels that spin true, hubs that feel like they're packed with gravel vs. butter smooth, crisp, precise shifting vs. a drivetrain that sounds like it's going to explode every shift. The first time I took a ride on a properly sized $1,500 bike at the LBS, it all came together, a light went on and I "got it". My MTB feels like a clunky 500lb. heap now. It took really feeling the difference in components to convince me.

But yeah, I agree 100% with letting her get what she wants. If she's willing, let her test ride some stuff to figure out what she wants for herself.

Let your wife pick her first bike, take her to dept stores or the LBS or CL or wherever she wants but let her pick it. If you put your foot down or refuse to listen to what she wants she will resent the bike and you and will never ride it. Even if you know she wont ride what she buys, at least if she picks it she will have to look at herself and then she will ask for advice instead of resenting it being thrust upon her. Also if it is a dept store bike it shouldn't be that expensive and some of the schwinn's are quite nice. She can get something better later on as she improves, just accept this as the natural N+1 phenomenon.

Sorry I didn't see your post before. Now this is sound advice. No manipulation involved. No rewriting of history.

BTW, my first bike was picked out by my hubby - my ex hubby.

He got me an ole rusty bike that he bought at a garage sale. He added a wicker basket to it and that was it. He said it had "good bones" and tried to explain why but I wasn't listening at the time.

All I knew was that I wanted to get a new bike but he didn't like my choices. In the end he just went and got a bike he thought would "get me to the corner store".

All I saw was a rusty old bike with a worn out, rock hard saddle.

I rode it twice, fell off it twice, blamed him for falling and then I shoved it into the shed - forever.

Ironically, ten years later, I'm looking for a used bike with "good bones".

When my husband first told me how much his bikes cost (he bought them before we met - he had $2,500 into his MTB and I don't know how much into a 10 year old Bianchi road bike) I laughed and made fun of him for spending so much money, when I had a perfectly great $300 MTB.

He's taken the time since to show me the difference in quality components, wheels that spin true, hubs that feel like they're packed with gravel vs. butter smooth, crisp, precise shifting vs. a drivetrain that sounds like it's going to explode every shift. The first time I took a ride on a properly sized $1,500 bike at the LBS, it all came together, a light went on and I "got it". My MTB feels like a clunky 500lb. heap now. It took really feeling the difference in components to convince me.

But yeah, I agree 100% with letting her get what she wants. If she's willing, let her test ride some stuff to figure out what she wants for herself.

That image makes me chuckle.

Here's the reality. She has rejected your advice. Now, you can either let her have her way, in which case she will either like her new bike or grow to want something better. If SHE'S happy with a shiny, pretty, big box special, why do you care? If she wants to upgrade, you're only out about a c note and you have a back-up bike. OR you can argue and fight about it until she loses interest, or just excludes you from the process. You may know bikes, but you don't know women!

So my wife has decided that she wants a bike. And I fully support this, because I like to ride, and I'd love to ride with her. That being said, she's decided that since she's not a "competitive rider", she doesn't need a bike from a bike shop and that one from Target will do. I'm not a competitive rider, but I've been doing this long enough to know that X-Mart bikes are crap. Help me save her from her poor decision making. She's certainly bright enough, that PhD says volumes, but sometimes her smarts get in the way of her listening to me.

Here are bikes I'm suggesting to her, they're sold by local shops.

Cidi 8 (http://www.khsbicycles.com/06_cidi_8_10.htm)

Urban Express (http://www.khsbicycles.com/06_urban_xpress_m_10.htm)

Flite 220L (http://www.khsbicycles.com/05_flite_220l_10.htm)

If anyone has any other bike suggestions, I'd love to hear them.

In spite of all the well meaning advice the biggest problem here is to get your wife in a bike shop then let the salesperson help her FIND WHAT SHE WANTS while you observe IN TOTAL SILENCE so as not to give the impression that you're picking out the bike. There is no better time than now to sit on the sidelines ,with your mouth clamped firmly shut, while she finds her own bike at the bike store.

i highly suggest the flite 220 because its a roadbike you'll get more bodywork out of a roadbike
and they are faster than mtb but then again you can purchase a granny seat for a mtb road and ride smooth and comfortable

Here, use some of mine:

I . Y . T a . Or or a .

In spite of all the well meaning advice the biggest problem here is to get your wife in a bike shop then let the salesperson help her FIND WHAT SHE WANTS while you observe IN TOTAL SILENCE so as not to give the impression that you're picking out the bike. There is no better time than now to sit on the sidelines ,with your mouth clamped firmly shut, while she finds her own bike at the bike store.

It is *absolutely* a good idea to let your wife ride a bike from Target, then go to a bike shop and ride a couple bikes from there as well. And I have to admit, certainly from the tongue-in-cheek description "sometimes her smarts get in the way of her listening to me", there's merit to it.

I don't know if I would throw her to the sales person or not though. I know it's a completely different situation, but when my mom wanted a bike to biking with brother and I (yes, I'm old enough to have graduated college, have a "real" job and no I don't live at my parents). Had I said nothing and let her pick out what the sales guy suggested, she would be riding a slow, fat tired cruiser kind of bike. And she wouldn't have been happy, because she wanted to go biking with my brother and me, and as she learned when she tried to ride those bikes along with my brother and I, they were waaaaay to slow, even when my brother and I were going at our "definitely relaxed" pace.

Now obviously it's definitely a different situation, but for anything involving getting a bike for someone you have a relationship with (family, dating, spouse, friends, etc) if you're willing to spend your own time on it, I pretty much suggest the same thing -
1. I tell them that we'll both go to the bike shop and test ride some bikes, and then they can buy what they like. But that they shouldn't buy anything until they've ridden it twice on different days and liked it both times. This takes some of that "I'm going to buy something right now" pressure off (to be honest, a lot of times by like the 5th bike they've gotten an idea what they like and sometimes they buy it without the second test ride - but never the first time at the first shop we went to). They also feel like you aren't pushing them into anything. I also like to talk in vague terms about how some bikes are faster, some bikes are more comfortable, and some bikes are both faster and more comfortable to get them thinking about it.
2. Obviously, try to go to the bike shop on days when it's nice out - not to hot or cold, not to windy, obviously not raining. :-) You want to start selling biking as "a good time" right away, and this really helps. :D
3. When we go to the shop, I tell the sales guy/gal upfront that I'm trying to help my friend/relative/etc test ride some bikes. The sales people are often less "pushy" then, and overall they've reacted positively. I also ask the sales person if they have any additional suggestions for bikes to try.
4. I try to keep my role as the voice of what they should *try* riding, but not what they should *buy*. That's up to them. I mean honestly, unless they were my identical twin brother, how would I even know if a bike fit them? I don't! So I just say "You should try this, this and this". If they say "What should I buy?" I say "Whatever you liked riding the best. :-)" I will sometimes say something if I think the salesperson is telling them something that isn't true, but I phrase it a lot like I phrase things on the forum "I'm not sure this cruiser will be fast enough for our riding, but let's take it out and see!". Or "I really like the speed of a road bike, though it's not *hugely* different than some of the other bikes".
5. Bring your own bike, or borrow one from the shop, and go out on their test rides with them. Bring your slowest bike, but try to bike at a pace that's relaxed for you, but not so slow that you're bored out of your gourd. It's good to do this with a slower "comfy" bike, then something faster - they usually quickly realize it's just way easier to keep up with you on the faster bike without you saying a thing about it. You don't want to race them (unless they're real competitive and like that), just remember you're there as the tour guide for their test riding.
6. I actually do say stuff like "You should try out this road bike, even though I don't think you'll want to go with it it will give you a feel for the range of bikes available".
7. I've found it's good to leave the shop after riding 2 or 3 bikes or often it gets weird. Either go to another shop, or come back another day.
8. Don't let them spend to much time "talking" about the bikes once they're in the shop but before they've ridden them - you don't want them to get emotionally invested in a certain kind of bike (if you can help it) before they've actually ridden it.
9. Have them write down what they rode and what they want to about whether they liked it or not.

Well...wow, this sounds super time consuming, lol. It does need some time, but perhaps not as much as it sounds. I dunno if I'm doing a good job of explaining it, but this approach has worked well for me. Whatever bike they end up with, they'll like riding it and that's what's important.

And of course some of the same rules that apply to my bike purchases apply to theirs - fit is the most important thing, don't buy a bike that's the wrong size just because "it's a good deal". And no matter what the sales guy says, do not buy a bike with a problem "they can definitely fix" until they've fixed it, and you can tell it doesn't have the problem any more. Can't tell you how many times the bike shop guy has insisted that they could "definitely" fix a problem with the bike that I was pretty sure they weren't going to be able to fix - like the 5th gear noise on an older Nexus hub (bike guy says it's just an adjustment thing, funny how every other bike I rode with the same hub was also "miss adjusted" exactly the same way).

Here, use some of mine:

I . Y . T a . Or or a .

Yes and thank you. I thought that poster would get it after it was mentioned the first time. Shoot, a BF member chewed me out for publicly pointing this out. I blame it on laziness and texting.

Have your wife try a comfort bike. Depending on the riding, she may like something like a Globe Carmel or similar. My wife grew up on a Huffy 10spd mtn bike that she hated. It was the wrong style bike for her. Took her to the LBS, the sales guy I usually deal with pulled out a G.C. 3 spd and she fell in luv with it.









Still can't get her to ride though.........but she does luv the bike...........

@OP -- I agree completely with all of the folks talking about stepping outside the conflict.

Firstly, your wife is implicitly rejecting your expertise, and that can't be feeling pleasant. You need to decide whether you're going to just forgive it and let it go, or if you're going to bring up that you are not feeling supported in your skills by your spouse.

Secondly, if you truly believe that she's making a poor decision out of bad information, then yes, by all means, make a deal where she puts up with you dragging her to a couple of test rides in addition to Target.

Finally, she's a grown woman. If she wants to waste money on a BSO, then let her. When it breaks down unfixably, reopen the conversation, nu?

The big thing is to respect her autonomy. Yes, you've got expertise in the area, and she's not being respectful of that. But you've also got to give her the space to define her own relationship to the hobby.

My 2c, YMMV, past performance is no guarantee of future results.

My best success as a guide for buying a new bike has been saying, "These are the types of bikes you should try out, and these are the places you should visit while trying these types. Here, I'll go with you and chat up the salesperson while you get a chance to putter around."

I almost never make direct recommendations for purchase. I just make sure folks get a chance to ride enough different types of bikes that they have some idea of where they'd like to start.

can i get the bianchi? i'll ride it!

So000....following much of the advice here, I shut up and let her pick her bike, a Roadmaster from the local MalWart. And it doesn't work right. All the issues I warned her about regarding X-Mart bikes came true. Wheels not true or tensioned properly, brakes are meh, and the front derailleur cage bent on the first shift and now it isn't shifting right. And yet, somehow, this is all my fault. She now has reminded me that while I have 4 nice bikes, 3 of which see frequent commuter duty, she had to sell her bike when she was pregnant for groceries. Yes we were so broke 4 years ago that she sold her beat up Schwinn hybrid. I can't win for trying.

Well of course it's your fault. As the husband everything is always your fault.:D

Now is the time to take PaulRivers advice above and start hitting your LBSs.

Oh, and be very careful about not even implying "I told you so."

Oh, and be very careful about not even implying "I told you so."

Of course! That's reason for divorce in this state!

She's agreed to allow me to venture to her parents house tomorrow to retrieve the 2 bikes that live there. One is a Columbia Sports III mixte and the other one is an unknown, possibly Nishiki mixte. Both were free when we lived in CA. She had the Columbia repaired, but there's a rattle....apparently the rear fender needs a bit of a spot weld. The other one is currently half apart. Now she will have 2 bikes, and I get to have a project putting them back together. Both of them are far nicer than anything Walmart might ever have.

I would take the receipt and the bike and return it to Walmart - walmart has a return policy, and you can probably still return the bike. If you're within the return period, in fact, the fact that something's not working on it gives you an excuse for why you're returning it.

I recently bought my first bike, and this isn't an easy decision to make- I know the bike shop bike will be better quality, but if I don't end up making biking into a regular hobby, then it'll be just a very expensive toy lying around my house. I ended up spending the extra at the bike shop, but only because I'm short, and none of the bikes at Wal-mart, Target, and Dick's seemed to fit me comfortably- if they had, I'd probably have bought the cheaper one.

And then, I suppose, gone back and bought the more expensive one a year later, when I had a better idea of what I wanted.

I hope you aren't making your wife feel bad about her decision, because I can guarantee she already does. This is a delicate moment- if I were here, I'd be so frustrated now that I might feel like giving up on the whole thing. You can help by sympathizing rather than "I told you so" ing, helping her return the flawed bike, and then letting her decide what she wants to do next.

So000....following much of the advice here, I shut up and let her pick her bike, a Roadmaster from the local MalWart. And it doesn't work right. All the issues I warned her about regarding X-Mart bikes came true. Wheels not true or tensioned properly, brakes are meh, and the front derailleur cage bent on the first shift and now it isn't shifting right. And yet, somehow, this is all my fault. She now has reminded me that while I have 4 nice bikes, 3 of which see frequent commuter duty, she had to sell her bike when she was pregnant for groceries. Yes we were so broke 4 years ago that she sold her beat up Schwinn hybrid. I can't win for trying.

Oh god I love this.

Allen

Best wishes, and be sure to keep us posted. It'll all work out.

you might share what Schwinn does. they don't even list big box store Scwhinn bikes on their web site - and they even have a web FAQ item explaining why, well, actually they don't explain why!!!!!!!!

see item #2
http://www.schwinnbike.com/usa/eng/FAQ
The Schwinn website typically displays only current model year bicycles with an MSRP above $250. These bikes are sold only through the independent bicycle channel. We do not list department store bicycles on our website. However, you can visit a retailer's site to obtain information on any of the Schwinn models they carry.



Er, that's not true as all, Canadian Tire carries Schwinn

Some of the big box bikes can be decent, like the Schwinns at Canadian tire.


aside from that I would suggest a Fuji Saratoga.. this is a lot of comfortable crank forward bike for 299

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes//Product_10052_10551_1078022_-1___

Sorry I didn't see your post before. Now this is sound advice. No manipulation involved. No rewriting of history.

BTW, my first bike was picked out by my hubby - my ex hubby.

He got me an ole rusty bike that he bought at a garage sale. He added a wicker basket to it and that was it. He said it had "good bones" and tried to explain why but I wasn't listening at the time.

All I knew was that I wanted to get a new bike but he didn't like my choices. In the end he just went and got a bike he thought would "get me to the corner store".

All I saw was a rusty old bike with a worn out, rock hard saddle.

I rode it twice, fell off it twice, blamed him for falling and then I shoved it into the shed - forever.

Ironically, ten years later, I'm looking for a used bike with "good bones".



ha, aint that the truth... I agree that it is important for the newly converted cycling spouse to be on a ride they feel excited about, even if it may not be the most practical for the purpose.. let them make the mistake and cmon its only a bike after all. Even though your "new" bike might have been just as rock hard, you would think of it differently and thus be more inclined to fix any issues instead of giving up and throwing it away.