How should I go about this?
 

I got a Specialized Allez about 6 months ago. I thought road biking would be fun and it seemed like it would suit me but as the time goes on it seems to that it's really not my thing. I like biking but I'm thinking of getting a more mellow bike I can just ride around and play with instead of seriously riding and stuff. Here's the problem, my dad helped me get the road bike and he even got me pedals for christmas. I don't know how to tell him I want to sell my bike and get a new one. I know this is serious first world problems but could you guys please help me come up with an approach so he wont be mad or whatever. Thanks

As a dad, I would appreciate it if my kid were honest and straightforward with me. I imagine yours would too.

Just curious how old are you?

In my personal experience my pops got me into bikes, all kinds. In high school I restored his 70's road bike and I still have it to this day. It's the last thing I have of his and I'm really glad my pops got me into bikes. However my brother is the exact opposite doesn't like bikes or anything my pops and I did.

I would be straight up and I bet your pops would understand too.

Ditto having an honest and open dialog with Dad. I'd add the step of exploring what the replacement would cost and what yours might fetch so you can present dad with a well thought out proposal.

There's also the option of making relatively minor changes to your bike to make it better suited to how you prefer to ride.

You might also five Dad a fair shake here. I doubt his desire was to make you a road cyclist, and instead it wad to make you happy doing something you liked. So an honest discussion about what you like and don't and what you now think would be better will enable the two of you to be comfortable with the change.

Thanks
 

Thanks for all of the replies. I would probably get a bike about $100 cheaper than the one I currently own. Also I'm 16.

I have sons your age.

I got them road bikes a few years ago, thinking we'd ride together on the paths and maybe on the street when they were older.

But they're not really into cycling, and I'm happy that they each have their own interests that they're as passionate about as I am about cycling.

And to be honest, I'm a little relieved that they didn't get hard core about road cycling, because there are risks to it.

If either of them said they wanted to sell their bike to get another style bike, I'd be fine.

The way you explained it above seems very straightforward. If your dad normally pretty reasonable, then I think just explaining it like you did for us should be OK.

Have a discussion with your Dad and open it with a non-confrontational open-ended question.

"Hey, Dad. Thanks for the bike. Riding it has really opened my eyes to all the possibilities out there and I am figuring out my riding style. What are your thoughts on how I can adapt my ride so it pays to my strengths?"

Again, thanks for the replies. This has given me much more confidence in approaching my dad. Hopefully he sees it like you guys do.

Honestly, you should go and just talk to him. He won't be mad if you just tell him that want a new bike.

Thing is, bikes don't hold on to their value very well.
If Dad bought the bike new from a shop, selling at half the purchase price is common, even at very lightly used, nearly new bikes.
At the very best, you might get 75% of the original purchase price. Possibly, if you still have the receipt so that the next guy can benefit from the remaining warranty.


So if you're looking to sell and buy, the new bike will be considerably cheaper(and cruder) than your current bike.


Don't know what you mean by "play with", but there are certainly things you can do to make a road bike "more mellow" WRT riding position, but you can't really sensibly turn it into a cruiser or a BMX.

Sell your bike. Tell your dad it was stolen. Thank him, because the theft opened your eyes to the possibility of a whole new career, that of the professional bike thief.

What father wouldn't be proud to know his son found his calling?

If you're selling it to get a fixie cause all the cool kids have them...make sure you do your research and don't get a POS purefix. If your dad is into bikes, tell him the direction you'd like to go and work towards it together. If you want a fast fun beater for around town, work with him to find a nice vintage bike and convert it to SS/Fixed. Same goes for a MTB or cruiser...

Meh... tell Dad that you're finding you're not all that interested in road riding, and ask his advice on how to explore other styles of biking. That'll simultaneously tell him 1. you're still interested in biking in general, and 2. you value his input. Win-Win!

Funny. I just bought my son a Specialized Allez. He said he wanted a "good bike". He recently graduated college and has moved to Boston to work there. I worry about it getting stolen, but I got him a "nice bike" anyway. (I bought on craigslist so paid less than half what I would have paid if it was new.) I deliver it to him this weekend and he better like and take good care of it! (And use a helmet and lock it up and use the lights I put on it and keep the chain lubed, etc.) Anyway, if you don't want the bike, offer to give it back.

I am athletic my two boys are athletic. One played soccer and the other played volleyball. They are now 28 and 30. I miss skiing with them. Forget about the previous remark about telling him that it was stolen. That will come back to bite you. You didn't say if your Dad is a cyclist or not but I am guessing he is. If he is a cyclist let him help pick out your new bike with you. He probably will also be able to get a better deal at the shop he 1st purchased the bike at than you will if that shop takes trade ins. good luck

Zman

Personally I am strongly opposed to having open and sincere conversations with people who love and care for me.

You've come to the right place. :)

All the advice about just being straight up with your dad is good.

Emphasize what you have learned. You've tried road biking. You've learned what it's about. You have a broader base of experience now (and it's true, you do!). You've learned a little about yourself, and now know yourself well enough to know that you want to go in a different direction.

Basically just be up front and emphasize the positive, because I promise you the experience you've gained so far is indeed a positive thing and you'll be surprised at how it might come in handy one day far into the future when you least expect it.

This is the problem "n+1" was made to solve! :)

also, since nobody has said it yet...You're probably just not riding the right roads, there are lot's of great ones out there, but also lot's of ****ty ones.

Perfect! And so obvious, I missed it.

The OP doesn't want to Replace his road bike. he wants Another bike, which better suits most of his needs.

The third and fourth bikes can be discussed later.

FTW!


I think the OP should tell his dad that he needs to sell the bike and buy a cheaper one so he can use the extra money to support the child his girlfriend is carrying. Video the chat and post it on YouTube.

You may change your mind again. Plus easy enough to change handlebars and a few other parts than selling at a loss.

What do you mean by mellow bike? What is it you are hoping to do? Any chance you can adjust your Allez so it better suits your riding style? The reason I ask is, you will lose about half your bike's value if you sell it now, so any bike you get to replace it will be way lower quality than what you have now. You already took the biggest depreciation in the first year of owning a new bike. So, would changing out pedals, mounting interrupter brake levers on the tops of the bars, or mounting some wider tires get you to where you want to go, or are you looking to do BMX, or maybe a mountain bike instead?

As for discussing it with your Dad, I have a son about your age, and I think it is best to be honest with him. That is how life is when you are 16. You take something up, then maybe abandon it just as quickly.

And if you tell your Dad you want to change some parts on the bike he may suggest selling it and buying another bike.