bryroth

For the past five months or so, I've been shopping for a new road bike. Last week, sold my cyclocross bike that I was using as a road bike, and so I was getting a little desperate. On Saturday, I was about to shell out what I suppose is a normal amount of money for an new, entry-level bike (~$1100). But then, as often happens to desperate souls, I found my match on craigslist. It had everything I was looking for AND it was cheap (that's why I was shopping around for so long). I'm pretty stoked about it. I'll have to put a picture on here so that I can give everyone an opportunity to spot its imperfections.

But here's why I'm posting: Before I bought the thing, I went to check it out at the seller's house in a newish McTownhome community. This goofy, good natured 23-year-old frat guy type (to paint a broad picture) answers the door. He's a great guy, tells me all about the bike. He rides about 150 miles a week he says. So I check the bike out am thinking out loud, 'is the rear derailleur Tiagra or 105...' He says, No I think it's Shimano. He insists it's an aluminum frame, and there's a Reynolds sticker right on it (I actually didn't notice this until later). And before I leave, I ask what he's going to replace the bike with, and he says he's going to get a Fuji. I ask what kind, and he looks at me kind of confused, as if to say 'I just told you what kind.'

Here's the thing. The guy might be a meat-head, but he loved this bike. Obviously, what he loved about it was riding it. He didn't know **** about it. He took it to the shop to have the pedals removed before he gave it to me.

When I took it home I got some Frame Saver, took the cassette off to wash it, touched up the nicks with some auto paint, unwrapped the old handlebar tape, waxed the frame, wiped it down with a diaper, hugged it, etc. I told myself it was going to be a beater and no upgrades allowed, but I'm already plotting to add to it.

So finally, here's my point. All the while I'm working on my new bike, I can't shake this funny feeling that maybe this dude isn't as ignorant as he seems, and not only that, but maybe he's the one that's got the right attitude about this sport. At least when it comes to casual (~100 miles a week) riders like myself. I mean, he doesn't know what Tiagra is for **** sake.

I know that the answer is that there is a middle ground. This story is rhetoric, no replies necessary. I was just thinking about it, that's all.

The End

Robert Foster

Isn’t that what it is all about? Sure you need to shop for just what you want but once you get it stop and enjoy it. It doesn’t matter what the bike could have as long as it has what works for you. I run into people all the time that ask if I think they bought the right thing no matter what it is from a computer to a car. My answer is always the same. If you like it you got what you need.

Velo Dog

He stole the bike. He doesn't know squat about bikes because he doesn't ride, and he talked fast to you to keep you from thinking. I have a relative like that--he could talk you out of your shoes while you were walking across burning coals, and you'd get on your hands and knees to give him a place to sit while he put them on.
I'm onto him, but he recently borrowed $50,000 from his grandmother, my aunt, "to save my business--times have been really hard." He spent two weeks in Thailand with his girlfriend, then came home and declared bankruptcy.
Or, hell, maybe you're right....

tsl

I dunno. The guy could well be clueless.

Two years ago I bought a six-year-old Trek 1000 for $100. The guy couldn't tell me much about it other than it was yellow. Got over there, and it's a very high-zoot condo community. His & hers Audis in the garage, a shiny new Trek Pilot 5.0 hanging on the wall in the garage, and the yellow 1000.

I figured it can't be stolen, so I bought it, and he threw in two extra tires (700x23 Armadillos), "Because they won't work with the new bike." Huh?

But like Velo Dog, I know a guy who can talk the hinges off a door. I wouldn't buy a can of beans from him.

Could go either way, I guess.

bryroth

^^Yes, it was like that kind of vibe I got from them. He definitely did not steal the bike. He clearly loved the bike, he was just a big meathead who never thought much about it. He bought what the salesman told him to buy, and now he wanted a "new bike." He rode it like crazy though apparently. That's the part that gets me.

CCrew

All I have to say is that there are indeed some very clueless people in the world.

God love him, but my brother is a PhD in Biochemistry, and an MD, both from Johns Hopkins. But he couldn't light a barbecue grill if the pushbutton was broken (and couldn't fix the button either). If he gets a flat tire he has to call TripleA. Some people are just like that.

-R

dynaryder

Some people just use whatever it is they have and let other people do the work on it. Before I got back to DC,my Harley was my main form of transportation. I used my Harley Chrome Visa as my main cc,and because of this I would get points towards 'Chrome Cash'(HD gift certs) that would amount to enough to pay for my oil,filters,lubes,and plugs. Since I did all my own regular maintenance,just using my cc paid for almost everything except gas. But I know plenty of folks who drop the money on maintenance plans,and just take the bike to the shop at regular intervals. They've no clue where the drain plug for their primary is,or even that they need to change the lube in there,they just want to ride the bike.

Metzinger

Reminds me of a history prof who was having trouble setting the time on his stove. He asked me to help. I look at it. Three buttons, and above them, a picture of a clock, 'hours', and 'minutes'.

operator

My first thought when reading this post was, stolen. Then before I got to the end I was thinking you were going to tell us you found a huge crack in the frame or something and that you got ripped off.

Oh well

JeanCoutu

+1

But then again, a few years ago I got a used bike to go to and from work, rode it 100-150 kms per week for a few months, also did maintenance on it myself. Anyways at some point shortly after putting on a new chain, like 2 weeks or so, the chain broke because I done ****ed up installing it. But I was right next to a shop so I brought it in. Guy asked me how many gears it had for a new chain, I said 9 (Hey xtr and ****... idk) Anyways turns out it had 8 speeds... I felt like a complete ******bag and surely they must of thought I stole it, but they didn't say anything and must have had a good laugh at me, tho if they did at least they were polite enough to wait until I'd left to do it... On the upside, the new chain being of appropriate width, shifted way better. But seriously, talk about eating humble pie.