newbie--a bit intimidated--need advice
09-06-09, 12:53 PM
#26
Super Moderator
Originally Posted by Buffybike
I need advice on how to handle a really pushy woman at my local bike shop. I went to her store to try on shoes and look at pedals as they have the largest selection in town. Every time I go in there, however, I leave feeling crappy about my skills as a cyclist. I'm new to the sport...I typically ride about 80 miles a week, about 15-25 miles at a time on average. The area where I ride has rolling hills, nothing major. I've been happily surprised at how my fitness level has dramatically improved in such a short period of time. To reward myself for my efforts, I went into the store to buy myself some real cycling shoes and clipless pedals. But, this woman!!!! She asked me about my RPM, which I said was about 85 and said I needed to get it up to 95-100 "...because I'm such a youngster" (I'm 36). Then she criticized me for using the smallest chainring on my usual route and said that I should only use it on "real hills"...and proceeded to tell me where I [I]should[I] be riding!! I'm all for female mentor-ship...I'd really like to have a couple of female riders to give me advice, okay? But this woman just undermines my confidence and makes me feel like a wimp. Other than avoid her store, how would you handle her (or other cyclists like her)?
__________________
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
09-06-09, 12:56 PM
#27
No matches
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Eastern PA
Posts: 11,647
Bikes: two wheeled ones
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1398 Post(s)
Liked 444 Times
in
250 Posts
Originally Posted by Homebrew01
She's wrong. The small chainring is fine for cruising along.
09-06-09, 01:00 PM
#28
impressive member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: fort collins
Posts: 2,706
Bikes: c'dale supersix, jamis trilogy, spec. tricross
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Originally Posted by rugerben
Punch her in the ovaries. That'll learn her.
just wanna point out for the record that i was threatened with banning over threateningviolence against women in a tone not dissimiar to this obviously joking post.
09-06-09, 01:02 PM
#29
double diamond tram girl
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: 406
Posts: 609
Bikes: surly cross-check, cannondale CAAD8 optimo 1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Flatballer
I think it's a triple.
09-06-09, 01:07 PM
#30
No matches
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Eastern PA
Posts: 11,647
Bikes: two wheeled ones
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1398 Post(s)
Liked 444 Times
in
250 Posts
Originally Posted by geoGraphicFTD
Yeah, so what, I use my triple's granny gear on my ride's "hills." I'm sure they'd be no problem for some of you on a 53t but some of us can't climb. No shame.
09-06-09, 01:59 PM
#32
Elite Fred
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Edge City
Posts: 10,915
Bikes: 2009 Spooky (cracked frame), 2006 Curtlo, 2002 Lemond (current race bike) Zurich, 1987 Serotta Colorado, 1986 Cannondale for commuting, a 1984 Cannondale on loan to my son
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 54 Post(s)
Liked 34 Times
in
13 Posts
Where in north Florida?
09-06-09, 02:00 PM
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Space Coast of Florida
Posts: 1,066
Bikes: Jamis Aurora, Fuji S10S (Primary Bike), Nishiki Prestige (in rebuild)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 15 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
Walk in, hand her a cucumber, and go about your business. She'll likely leave you alone. But if she doesn't, then you have some quick decisions to make.
09-06-09, 02:09 PM
#34
One legged rider
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Moraga, CA
Posts: 1,390
Bikes: Kuota Kharma, Surly LHT, CAAD9, Bianchi fg/ss
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Someone like that talked to my wife like that when she wanted to get a road bike (she is not much of a rider) telling her she absolutely must have a carbon frame must ride so many miles a day, all kinds of stuff. I finally told the guy to meet me out in the parking lot so we could have a discussion. He backed off then.
09-06-09, 02:48 PM
#35
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: None of your business
Posts: 147
Bikes: Bianchi SISS singles speed, Scandium Salsa Bandito, Kona Major Jake, Gary Fisher Big Sur, NashBar Aluc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Do what I do with every thing in life. LIE!!! Tell her thankyou for all her advice tell her you tryed her routes and they were tough and she is a great cyclist. Then reach down into your pocket and pull out another LIE, and say I appreciate all your advice can you write this all down. Either 1 of 2 thing will happen 1) she will feel she has just made a freind who is going to become a nuisance and bother her for training tips and not just offer advice or 2) she will write it down and you can use the paper as a ***** ticket. Whatever you decide it doesnt sound like she is offering terrible advice, I dont know what your goals are but it sounds like your into biking enough to join a bicycle forum and buy clipless pedals. 99% of people who ride bikes are cool I would say 100% but I dont know everyone. I would honestly ask her if they ever do shop rides and see if you can get in on them and see if she can give you pointers, most bike shop riders are good and freindly and normally wont drop you. It will be a chance to make some cycling freinds, because you obviously dont have any yet or you would already not be riding in the little ring or have a triple in the first place.
09-06-09, 08:04 PM
#36
ボケ
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 412
Bikes: Cannondale CAAD 9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by genius1265
It will be a chance to make some cycling freinds, because you obviously dont have any yet or you would already not be riding in the little ring or have a triple in the first place.
Get out.
09-06-09, 08:23 PM
#38
A Free Radical
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 446
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by hairnet
I think she likes you
Yep. I was just thinking the same thing. Maybe this is just her clumsy way of trying to impress other females.
OP. Does this lady wear work boots and force herself to talk low pitch?
09-06-09, 08:28 PM
#39
Senior Member
Hmmm you may want to be honest with her the next time you are in the shop. Tell her, politely, that while you appreciate her interest and opinions they are merely that and as a newcomer to the sport you are entitled to f' up all you want while learning...the learning curve at first is quite fast then slows down.
09-06-09, 09:20 PM
#41
stole your bike
Originally Posted by banerjek
Your confidence is only undermined if you think it is undermined -- you require neither skills nor knowledge to feel self assured. Just ignore the advice.
There's nothing wrong with your cadence for the type of riding you do. As far as using your smallest chainring goes, which cog are you using in the rear? If you are using the smallest one (or almost the smallest one), you should be using a different ring in front because cross chaining will increase chain wear and noise while giving you less gear selection. If you're using a cog that's at least a couple down from the end, you're fine as you are.
To get back to your original question on how to deal with her, just speak in declaratives. When she tells you what to do, just say "I like to do X, and it's hard to motivate yourself to ride if you don't have fun, so that doesn't work for me."
There's nothing wrong with your cadence for the type of riding you do. As far as using your smallest chainring goes, which cog are you using in the rear? If you are using the smallest one (or almost the smallest one), you should be using a different ring in front because cross chaining will increase chain wear and noise while giving you less gear selection. If you're using a cog that's at least a couple down from the end, you're fine as you are.
To get back to your original question on how to deal with her, just speak in declaratives. When she tells you what to do, just say "I like to do X, and it's hard to motivate yourself to ride if you don't have fun, so that doesn't work for me."
__________________
I like pie
I like pie
09-06-09, 09:24 PM
#42
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Polo, IL
Posts: 201
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
You could start by saying "Yeah, whatever. Anyway...", then steer her back to where you want the conversation to be.
If she persists, just say "Is there someone else who can help me? I find you irritatingly pushy".
If she persists, just say "Is there someone else who can help me? I find you irritatingly pushy".
09-06-09, 09:27 PM
#43
Uber Goober
Just say "uh huh" and go on. No reason to lie to her, argue with her, or complain about her. Lots of people give unsolicited advice, it doesn't need to be a problem. I've wanted to holler "downshift and spin!" at a few people myself but managed to refrain.
__________________
"be careful this rando stuff is addictive and dan's the 'pusher'."
"be careful this rando stuff is addictive and dan's the 'pusher'."
09-06-09, 09:28 PM
#44
Mitcholo
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Oost Vlaanderen in mind, Cleveland in body
Posts: 8,850
Bikes: 2010 Mitcholo w/ Sram Force/Red
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by rugerben
Punch her in the ovaries. That'll learn her.
*I would never, ever do this.**
**Unless she really deserved it, things like; going on dog-kicking rampages, being Janice Dickinson, etc.
09-06-09, 09:39 PM
#45
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Manassas, Virginia (NoVa)
Posts: 537
Bikes: 2009 GMC DENALI (walmart bike)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hey, OP we are all different people as you can see from the other people that posted on your topic. My advice would be to ignore the stupid things she says. Just nod your head and say "uh huh", and just find the equipment that you like. You have to understand that there are alot of dumb people in the world, and sales people. This woman is clearly a person that wants to sell you b.s. And if she did sucker you in by saying all that crap she said to you, she would end up trying to sell you a carbon frame bike. That is the fact of life, people need to feed their children, they lie and steal just to get it. HTFU.
09-06-09, 09:42 PM
#46
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,509
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Originally Posted by badhat
just wanna point out for the record that i was threatened with banning over threateningviolence against women in a tone not dissimiar to this obviously joking post.
09-06-09, 10:20 PM
#47
Travel light
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Woodinville, near the wineries
Posts: 310
Bikes: Davidson Stiletto, Pinarello Paris, Specialized StumpJumper Marathon
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Buffybike
To reward myself for my efforts, I went into the store to buy myself some real cycling shoes and clipless pedals.
09-07-09, 01:19 AM
#48
Pointy Helmet Tribe
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Offthebackistan
Posts: 4,334
Bikes: Venge, Shiv, Factor LS
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 519 Post(s)
Liked 626 Times
in
294 Posts
Originally Posted by benajah
Someone like that talked to my wife like that when she wanted to get a road bike (she is not much of a rider) telling her she absolutely must have a carbon frame must ride so many miles a day, all kinds of stuff. I finally told the guy to meet me out in the parking lot so we could have a discussion. He backed off then.
How did you end the day? Knifing the store manager for recommending a helmet?
V.
Last edited by guadzilla; 09-07-09 at 01:26 AM.
09-07-09, 04:39 AM
#49
Still can't climb
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Limey in Taiwan
Posts: 23,024
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
6 Posts
Originally Posted by StephenH
Just say "uh huh" and go on. No reason to lie to her, argue with her, or complain about her. Lots of people give unsolicited advice, it doesn't need to be a problem. I've wanted to holler "downshift and spin!" at a few people myself but managed to refrain.
on occasion i have failed to restrain myself. i've leaned out of my car wndow to shout "change gear".
As to which chainring to use, it's not a question of bigger is better. whatever you're comfortable turning is the right one. i used to be in the small one most of the time but recently i've found myself in the big one more, but it is not a conscious effort. i must be getting stronger.
__________________
coasting, few quotes are worthy of him, and of those, even fewer printable in a family forum......quote 3alarmer
No @coasting, you should stay 100% as you are right now, don't change a thing....quote Heathpack
coasting, few quotes are worthy of him, and of those, even fewer printable in a family forum......quote 3alarmer
No @coasting, you should stay 100% as you are right now, don't change a thing....quote Heathpack
09-07-09, 05:03 AM
#50
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 21
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
It may be you
I like genius1265's advice. However, if she is going to be persistent, then you could try a few different things. One is to out talk her, asking her advice on stupid things like how important is a water bottle. Take up a lot her time, and then tell her your just coming for the the advice, because you have found better deals on craigslist or ebay. Next time you come in she will run from you.If that makes you uncomfortable, walk in and go directly to another sales person before she can get to you.
I think the real person you should confront is the person in the mirror. If someone you don't know can undermine your self confidence, then you should be working on your self confidence. One thing I like about arriving in my forties, is that i have learn to love -or at least tolerate- myself for all of my strengths and weaknesses. No one owns my self confidence but me. Just listen to the good advice she gives and weed out the rest.
I think the real person you should confront is the person in the mirror. If someone you don't know can undermine your self confidence, then you should be working on your self confidence. One thing I like about arriving in my forties, is that i have learn to love -or at least tolerate- myself for all of my strengths and weaknesses. No one owns my self confidence but me. Just listen to the good advice she gives and weed out the rest.
