Originally Posted by
I-Like-To-Bike
Advice found on this list and others on BF is overloaded with advice aimed to push people into LBS shops to buy their product and/or services. Even responses to buy a Craigslist or garage sale special usually includes the standard "advice" to take it to an LBS for new accessories and servicing. The advice from the "experts" that includes bad mouthing of any bicycle product without an LBS provenance for any commuter purpose probably creates more complications and expense for more would be commuters than any other "helpful" tips provided here.
Absolutely.
Originally Posted by
cooker
Ironically, if it had been stolen you wouldn't have lost much, since you weren't using it anyway. Now that it's 7 years old, maybe it's time to worry less about it and starting riding it regularly.
I had it indoors on a trainer for a long time, so it definitely got used, just not outside.
Originally Posted by
SouthFLpix
It's disappointing that you felt 'shamed' into spending more than you wanted to. Certain things like suspension forks or department store bikes certainly tend to be 'taboo' here, and often times without good reason. Sometimes you get the impression that commutes are just another word for time trials, where every little bit of weight savings, aerodynamics, and power delivery make a huge difference. The reality is, there is not much difference in arriving to work at 8:45 or 8:48 am.
I was worried that I'd need help or advice in the future, and since the bike stores in my area were abysmal and I didn't know anyone else who rode, I knew I'd be coming back here. I figured if I did not have a "real" bike no one would have taken me seriously enough to help.
But you're right , and I wish I'd known that years ago.