New Member -1st Post - 1st Bike - My Story
08-20-15, 12:59 AM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 1
Bikes: Trek 1.2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
New Member -1st Post - 1st Bike - My Story
Hey everybody, I am an enthusiastic turkey that is grateful for the info on this forum. I’m 38 & haven’t been on a bike in over 20 years. Last month I moved my family over 600 miles from upstate NY to Charlotte, NC.
My kids just graduated from training wheels before we moved. It felt like a time for new beginnings so I bought them Walmart bikes & thought “Maybe I should get a bike too.” That brought me to my 1st LBS. Bad experience. I felt like I was being up-sold by a young kid with an aloof attitude.
To be fair, it may have just been my attitude - talk about STICKER SHOCK!!! “When the hell did they start making bikes that cost more than my 1st car?” My budget = $400. I left in under 5 minutes. Surely the internet could show me where to get a reasonably priced bike. I was up past 2am every night for a week reading & watching videos.
The more I read, the more I liked. The focus on health, metrics, upgradable-components & personal performance was right up my ally. I learned about frame geometry, integrated shifters, gear-inches, materials, and got a whiff of the culture. I test rode some bikes at another LBS with a great staff that made me feel comfortable & answered all my questions patiently. The staggering sea of choices started to narrow & eventually I decided I was all in.
We decided to make it a family affair so my wife & I both got new bikes (Trek 1.2 & Lexa). I’ve had my Trek 1.2 for 6 days now and can hardly believe how much I love it! After already spending 2x the budget I realized quickly that I needed some gear. Helmet, cloths, lights, field repair kit, cage/bottle, pump, iPhone mount, MapMyRide app, clip-less pedals, shoes/cleats, & gloves. OK, now I’ve spent 3x the budget - maybe I overdid it w/ the clip-less setup but I really don’t like the stock pedals.
I learned that my 8 year old son was big enough for 24” wheels & my LBS had a great used bike so I returned the 20” to Walmart so he too has a Trek (first bike w/ shifters) - he thinks that it is so rad to be like Dad! My profile pic is from our 1st bike ride together & it is absolutely awesome riding with my son.
After one week (and only 20 miles) I feel like I love everything about my new hobby! I’m an avid jiujitsu practitioner who has struggled with cardio/endurance so it’s a big bonus that on top of being a ton of fun I believe riding is going to help me improve in that area. This just feels like the start of something great. :-)
My kids just graduated from training wheels before we moved. It felt like a time for new beginnings so I bought them Walmart bikes & thought “Maybe I should get a bike too.” That brought me to my 1st LBS. Bad experience. I felt like I was being up-sold by a young kid with an aloof attitude.
To be fair, it may have just been my attitude - talk about STICKER SHOCK!!! “When the hell did they start making bikes that cost more than my 1st car?” My budget = $400. I left in under 5 minutes. Surely the internet could show me where to get a reasonably priced bike. I was up past 2am every night for a week reading & watching videos.
The more I read, the more I liked. The focus on health, metrics, upgradable-components & personal performance was right up my ally. I learned about frame geometry, integrated shifters, gear-inches, materials, and got a whiff of the culture. I test rode some bikes at another LBS with a great staff that made me feel comfortable & answered all my questions patiently. The staggering sea of choices started to narrow & eventually I decided I was all in.
We decided to make it a family affair so my wife & I both got new bikes (Trek 1.2 & Lexa). I’ve had my Trek 1.2 for 6 days now and can hardly believe how much I love it! After already spending 2x the budget I realized quickly that I needed some gear. Helmet, cloths, lights, field repair kit, cage/bottle, pump, iPhone mount, MapMyRide app, clip-less pedals, shoes/cleats, & gloves. OK, now I’ve spent 3x the budget - maybe I overdid it w/ the clip-less setup but I really don’t like the stock pedals.
I learned that my 8 year old son was big enough for 24” wheels & my LBS had a great used bike so I returned the 20” to Walmart so he too has a Trek (first bike w/ shifters) - he thinks that it is so rad to be like Dad! My profile pic is from our 1st bike ride together & it is absolutely awesome riding with my son.
After one week (and only 20 miles) I feel like I love everything about my new hobby! I’m an avid jiujitsu practitioner who has struggled with cardio/endurance so it’s a big bonus that on top of being a ton of fun I believe riding is going to help me improve in that area. This just feels like the start of something great. :-)
08-20-15, 04:23 AM
#2
Inoxidable Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kalamazoo MI
Posts: 18,802
Bikes: Fuji SL 2.1 Carbon, Cannondale Synapse Alloy, Trek 710 531 Steel
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2186 Post(s)
Liked 2,141 Times
in
1,333 Posts
Welcome to Bike Forums, JT42!
08-20-15, 04:36 AM
#3
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: North Haven, CT
Posts: 12
Bikes: 2015 Trek Madone 2.1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Congratulations on the new family fitness club! I have a fairly new Trek, too, and cannot keep my butt off it. Have fun.
08-20-15, 05:38 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Porter, Texas
Posts: 4,125
Bikes: Trek Domane 5.2, Ridley Xfire, Giant Propel, KHS AeroComp
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1648 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
welcome to the forum. My favorite riding partners are still my wife and son.
Riding with your son will pay big dividends, my son is soon to be 45 and we still enjoy riding together.
Riding with your son will pay big dividends, my son is soon to be 45 and we still enjoy riding together.
08-20-15, 06:05 AM
#5
minimalist cyclist
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 1,379
Bikes: '82 Fuji Supreme, '83 Raleigh Olympian, '87 Lotus Excelle, '85 Centurion Ironman, '75 Schwinn Continental, '73 Raleigh Grand Prix, '84 Trek 500/400, '89 Schwinn Le Tour, '86 Bianchi Sport SX '12 Trek Alpha 1.1, Ross Central Park
Mentioned: 23 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 849 Post(s)
Liked 750 Times
in
505 Posts
Welcome to BF & NC !
08-20-15, 06:50 AM
#7
Life is good
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Not far from the Withlacoochee Trail. 🚴🏻
Posts: 18,211
Bikes: 2018 Lynskey Helix Pro
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 522 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
6 Posts
Welcome to Bike Forums. Nice looking bikes. Have fun.
__________________
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
08-21-15, 02:03 AM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 62
Bikes: 1990's Nishiki Hybrid, 1986 Bridgestone T700
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hey there JT42. Cool story! I'm 63 and have ridden a bike through much of every decade sine the 1950s. Last month, for my birthday my son and 12 year old granddaughter took me on a 14 mile ride. One of the best birthdays ever! I'm really glad you are connecting with your family like this. I hope it affords you some priceless times.
