On Mon, 8 Mar 2004 11:21:34 -0000, "Dulcie" <[email hidden]>
Quoted message said:
"Dan Brussee" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
but there are newer shops around that are more customer
oriented and are much cleaner - at least up front 🙂<<
There are 2 bike shops round here, but both smell like a
tyre factory..
There are probably more, and at least one of them won't
smell. Halfords' or Argos are unlikely to get you a bicycle
you'll be happy with, long-term. They are usually badly-
assembled and much,much heavier than quality bicycles. A
quality bicycle, while costing a bit more, is a lot more
fun to ride.
More to the point, nobody will help fit you to a bike at
Halfords' or Argos. You order it and that's that. You are
unlikely to continue riding if you buy an ill-fitting
bicycle. As a regular around here (a shop owner) will
undoubtedly tell you, the most expensive bicycle you buy is
the one you never use.
Remember that you'll probably be wanting mudguards and
a lock as well, at the very least. And lights, so
budget for that.
Quoted message said:How come they're more comfortable, but uncomfortable after
12 miles? I assume they're lighter, so easier in that
sense, but lack of suspension means you get 'all shook up'
after a while? :-)
You only get 'all shook up' if you're riding Roman roads,
with original cobbles, and two thousand years of ruts.
the tyres absorb most of the shock. remember you are also
*riding* the bicycle, not merely sitting on it--proper
position on the bicycle and a relaxed manner whilst riding
will absorb shock as well. The remainder isn't really
anything to worry about.
As far as the big squidgy saddles go: avoid avoid avoid. If
you're only going a few hundred yards, they're fine. But as
you start building time in the saddle, you sink into the
foam (think of what happens when you've been on the sofa for
a long time). At the start of the ride, you are being
supported by two bones on your pelvis. By the end, you have
sunk deep enough into the saddle to be supported by the
unprintable soft bits that usually have a great deal of
nerve endings to numb and/or irritate. Definitely *not* the
best way to go.
Don't be suckered by claims that Aluminium is
automatically 'lighter' than steel or whatever. There are
lots of variables at work here, of which material is only
one. Remember, which is heavier--a tonne of feathers or a
tonne of lead?
For further helpful and more locally-relevant advice, drop a
post over on uk.rec.cycling
you'll probably get specific shop information.
-Luigi
