took my first test drives today on bikes. wasnt planned but i was walking home and i just decided to pop my head in to the bike shop where ive got the last two that ive bought. had no intention of taking anything out for a spin but the sales girl was helpful and patient so i eventually took one out, then a second, a third and a fourth. one of the treks i tried had a slightly upscale model, the difference being that the tires where "puncture resistant." they had some sort of kevlar lining. in my head i weighed the potential advances versus the $100 upfront cost. we all know how this is gonna end, right? no way im gonna go for that even if down the road theres a chance it could all even out.
so the last bike i try is the cheapest at $400. its some specialized model with offroad tires that she says is popular with teenage boys. that wasnt a selling point. she was just throwing it out there. i take it out for the heavily traffic .9 miles suggested route through soho and as i turn the final corner headed for the store i feel what i think is a rock in the treads. turns out to be a screw thats well buried into the meat of the tire. i couldnt unscrew it with my hand at least not without considerable effort.
the girl was nowhere to be found upon my return and i eventually retrieved my credit card after waiting about five minutes. i debated whether to mention the screw to anyone else there but i was tired and had no intention of paying for the damage should it come to that. when i had waited long enough i decided to go, only to run into her outside. she had been at their other storefront in the next building over. i walked back in as she had printed up a list of the bikes i had tried at which point i showed her the insolent screw. she thanked me for the heads up and i left feeling..... hungry before recalling the irony of the kevlar tires i would still likely not purchase.
Buy a tandem and see if you can get the girl to take the front.
why not go for a used one? i'd hate to hear a brand new bike gets stolen.
God knows he hasn't been improving his karma.
Ah, the old "screw in the tire bike for the guy who doesn't seem convinced about the kevlar tires" scam...
1) no comment
2) someone actually gave me a used one which needs some work but if it wont cost too much i may fix up at least for the near future. also will help me decide if i can or should go back to a straight handlebar or continue to ride in a more upright position with cruiser style handlebars. im now more accustomed to the upright style which is a little more relaxed and the wider handlebars offer more control (and less anxiety) but i noticed yesterday that the pedaling is all arms and legs whereas the traditional mountain bike felt like the stomach and back were more involved which is probably better for overall fitness. its probably best if i just lay bed for a few more months before i make a decision.
3) no comment
4) does the screw pop out of the tire at an appointed time or out of the pavement when a sensor is set off?
or, in other word, no comment.
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took my first test drives today on bikes. wasnt planned but i was walking home and i just decided to pop my head in to the bike shop where ive got the last two that ive bought. had no intention of taking anything out for a spin but the sales girl was helpful and patient so i eventually took one out, then a second, a third and a fourth. one of the treks i tried had a slightly upscale model, the difference being that the tires where "puncture resistant." they had some sort of kevlar lining. in my head i weighed the potential advances versus the $100 upfront cost. we all know how this is gonna end, right? no way im gonna go for that even if down the road theres a chance it could all even out.
so the last bike i try is the cheapest at $400. its some specialized model with offroad tires that she says is popular with teenage boys. that wasnt a selling point. she was just throwing it out there. i take it out for the heavily traffic .9 miles suggested route through soho and as i turn the final corner headed for the store i feel what i think is a rock in the treads. turns out to be a screw thats well buried into the meat of the tire. i couldnt unscrew it with my hand at least not without considerable effort.
the girl was nowhere to be found upon my return and i eventually retrieved my credit card after waiting about five minutes. i debated whether to mention the screw to anyone else there but i was tired and had no intention of paying for the damage should it come to that. when i had waited long enough i decided to go, only to run into her outside. she had been at their other storefront in the next building over. i walked back in as she had printed up a list of the bikes i had tried at which point i showed her the insolent screw. she thanked me for the heads up and i left feeling..... hungry before recalling the irony of the kevlar tires i would still likely not purchase.
- dave 11-22-2013 9:12 pm
Buy a tandem and see if you can get the girl to take the front.
- alex 11-22-2013 9:58 pm
why not go for a used one? i'd hate to hear a brand new bike gets stolen.
- linda 11-23-2013 2:47 am
God knows he hasn't been improving his karma.
- bill 11-23-2013 2:55 am
Ah, the old "screw in the tire bike for the guy who doesn't seem convinced about the kevlar tires" scam...
- jim 11-23-2013 5:00 am
1) no comment
2) someone actually gave me a used one which needs some work but if it wont cost too much i may fix up at least for the near future. also will help me decide if i can or should go back to a straight handlebar or continue to ride in a more upright position with cruiser style handlebars. im now more accustomed to the upright style which is a little more relaxed and the wider handlebars offer more control (and less anxiety) but i noticed yesterday that the pedaling is all arms and legs whereas the traditional mountain bike felt like the stomach and back were more involved which is probably better for overall fitness. its probably best if i just lay bed for a few more months before i make a decision.
3) no comment
4) does the screw pop out of the tire at an appointed time or out of the pavement when a sensor is set off?
or, in other word, no comment.
- dave 11-23-2013 8:53 pm