haggerd

I currently have a Motobecane LeChampion SL. I have been having fun on solo rides for the past year, but would like to try more group rides. One of the nearby LBS's has a weekly shop ride that interests me. My question is, is it poor form to bring a BD bike to a shop ride? I don't care if they give me a little crap for it being a Moto. However, if it is going to be like wearing a Yankees shirt at a Fenway park, I'd rather look at other options. Just curious if anyone has any feedback on this, no matter what it is. I tried a search on this with no results.

damocles1

If it makes you happy, screw what the bike shop dudes have to say!

Hunt-man

Ride it with pride. Just pretend to be interested in what they sell and everyone will be happy. I ride bikes on group rides that the LBS doesn't even carry. No crap given. They just like to ride, have a shop and want your business. So throw them a bone if you so choose.

dkoernert

I was nervous about this too when I did my first group ride with my FUJI newest. Really all that matters is that you're getting out there and having fun, no one really seems to care what bike you are on as long as you are riding.

KendallF

Nobody is going to give you crap about your bike being a non-shop brand, at least not until you're a regular, come into the shop 6 days a week, eat your lunch there...then maybe. Not that I've experienced this personally, of course.

umd

No. Nobody should care whether or not you bought your bike at the shop that "hosts" the ride.

ptle

I don't think they should care. I'm sure lots of people do the same ride using a bike that isn't of any brand that LBS carries.

agarose2000

Drop 'em all.

Your components will likely be better than a lot of theirs anyway!

dcvelo

As above...no problem. The LBS isn't going to want to alienate possible customers after all.

As for the Yankees shirt in Fenway Park...been there, done that. Not advisable...

nahh

nobody is going to care.

RomeoTango

I have a non-LBS bike (a new one too!) and have been invited on rides by my LBS. Though, I have already had that shop do some warranty work, bought a couple of items and have gotten to know a few of the guys a little. My experience is that they are just a good bunch of folks. Go on the ride at least once to check it out. You don't have to go back.

Hunt-man

Wow. You have balls or are kinda stupid! Ha ha. How did that go for you? How drunk were you? I remember going to a Seahawks / Raiders game at the Raiders. As a hawks fan I kept real quiet, saw a few others who didn't and fights started...

kayakdiver

Maybe you could try one of those "local BD rides they host?"

chado445510

I own a Kestrel, and somebody else owns a Motobecane on the local shop ride I go to. I only receive friendly banter about it, but now me and the other guy with BD bikes have a "clan."

I don't really care what they think. If they give you ****, just go faster.

merlinextraligh

The LBS wants you to do their ride, regardless of where you bought the bike. More people riding is good for them, and you hanging out at their shop and potentially buyiing stuff, or sevice is also in their interest.

They would have to be really stupid to ot want you to there.

Camilo

you think every single bike on that ride was bought at that shop? Absolutely not, and it doesn't matter where they were bought - other LBS, online, used from a private party, etc.

ZXiMan

Ride what you own. We have a couple BD bikes at our local club race... I wouldn't worry about it, just show up and ride!

FLvector

And in another year or two you might get the fever to upgrade your bike. The LBS knows our constant urge to upgrade. Go ride and enjoy.

urbanknight

Nobody is going to care, and you're one of the reasons the shop has a ride: to entice your business that was otherwise going to go elsewhere.

I once knew a car mod shop that had its manager invite cars to meets and shows at the shop and then he would put down any competitor's products he saw on a car. His meets dwindled, as did the shop's sales.

mustang1

put a pinarello sticker on the down tube and you'll be all set

but seriously i think it'll be ok

echappist

a smart bike shop owner would be thrilled to have a potential new customer. if not, his/her loss

Caad 8

Who are you going to ride with, a bunch of 10 year olds? It doesn't matter what bike you're on as long as you can keep up. This doesn't mean ride your mountain bike, even if you could keep up on a mountain bike don't bring it to a group ride.

roadiejorge 

This. I've been on quite a few shop sponsored rides and no one is checking the bikes to see if you bought it there or not.

roccobike

I bought a brake retaining bolt, some chain lube and Campy brake cable from one bike shop over a three month period. When I asked if they had any shop rides, they stopped working on bikes and gave me all the info I asked for.
It's not about what you bought, it's about what you WILL buy in the future. Go to the ride and don't think about it. If it bothers you, buy a bottle of chain lube, now you're a customer.

DieselDan

They shouldn't care. People move and bring other bikes that aren't sold at a particular bike shop. The LBS here sells Trek, Gary Fisher, Electra, and Colnago, but I show up on a Cannondale and many other makes are in the group. Since this is a military town, plenty of BD bikes are in the bunch.

If they get all snooty about, blow a fart when you take your pull at the front, but never return to that ride.