You're all fixed up with bike advice, so let me give you a pro communications tip a college junior should know: There's no such word as "anyways." It's "anyway," and it's my pet goddnm peeve.

Just fix your bike as suggested, enjoy the ride and don't worry about put-downs from snobs who believe that spending more money on equipment somehow makes them better cyclists.

It will be in the dictionary soon. Words evolve, and the dictionary is as much a reflection of the current vernacular as it is a reference of proper language. Anyways, I like it as a plural.

By that I meant the integrity of the mechanical condition, not the price tag on the mechanical condition... =)

Thanks for all the help. I think I'm going to go to a local bike shop to get my bearings somewhere. The owner of crank daddy's is a family friend, so I'm thinking there sounds good. And the bikesmith is less than a block from my house on Murray. As for asking mom and dad to pay for it as an early christmas present, car parts come first.

Just gotta keep on doing my research.

So I returned from a nice fall ride, fresh snow on the ground and found myself thinking a lot about this thread. I had a sour feel that reduced my enjoyment but for me time on the saddle is better than time on a psychiatrists couch.To jpgroth I would like to offer my apologies. I am glad you are excited about riding and your new bike and I do hope you get many years of enjoyment from it. I reread the post carefully and looked at my original reply..." a more ride worthy specimen"....what the hell was I thinking. To all the others who responded I understand what you are saying and your comments were quite appropriate. It's a funny thing, my skills in talking to people are pretty good. The internet though seems to let some part of me escape that never would with direct one to one communication.
I think I will take this thread, the statements made and use them as an opportunity to leave out any comment unless it is positive, encouraging or helpful. Cheers to all.

It's all good. Apologies accepted. Non personal communications are always hazy... a lost in translation kind of deal.

I'd like to apologize too, to surgeonstone, for implying he is a jerk. (The jury's still out on the snob thing, but I know and get along with a lot of snobs. )

Thanks