Bicycle Commitment
I finally did it. I committed myself to a mountain bike. I am not big on committing myself to very many things...except for maybe purses or shoes (heh)...so this is a big deal for me.
I know it sounds stupid, but getting this bike has taken me two weeks. I studied a lot of the components, asked three different mountain bikers a plethora of questions, and checked out the local bike shops. I have to say I've learned a lot through the process. It's like buying a car. Except it's a vehicle for recreational and fitness purposes.
One of the bike shops I checked out, closest to home, didn't turn out -- I tried out one of the bikes, the Gary Fisher Tarpon, only to realize the components weren't exactly what I was looking for (plus the reviews were awful). When I called the guy back to see something a little more along the lines of what I've been looking for -- the bike I have now placed an order for through another bike shop -- he was less than helpful, urging me to call back every two days to check his inventory, and when I did once, he asked me to call him back AGAIN. He just wasn't good to work with at all, and it was like he didn't want my money or to sell me a bike.
The bike shop I am purchasing from, however, has been the complete opposite -- it's been a smooth business transaction. I called him asking for a very particular bicycle, he said he didn't have it in stock, but would be pleased to order it for me with at least a $50 deposit. Easy enough. That was earlier this week, and when I stopped in this afternoon, he didn't remember me, but he did exactly what he said he would. I put in an $80 deposit for this:
That, and I will be receiving 10% off all my other accessories (water bottle cage, etc.) when I pick up the bike on possibly TUESDAY (yes, it's that soon...the distribution center is within an hour of the shop and he says they are fairly quick about delivery). The bike was also about $30 below the MSRP, which was a pleasant surprise.
I have to say I'm pretty pleased with my purchase; it wasn't like buying a house or anything huge, but I did my own homework, so I guess that's part of the satisfaction.
I know it sounds stupid, but getting this bike has taken me two weeks. I studied a lot of the components, asked three different mountain bikers a plethora of questions, and checked out the local bike shops. I have to say I've learned a lot through the process. It's like buying a car. Except it's a vehicle for recreational and fitness purposes.
One of the bike shops I checked out, closest to home, didn't turn out -- I tried out one of the bikes, the Gary Fisher Tarpon, only to realize the components weren't exactly what I was looking for (plus the reviews were awful). When I called the guy back to see something a little more along the lines of what I've been looking for -- the bike I have now placed an order for through another bike shop -- he was less than helpful, urging me to call back every two days to check his inventory, and when I did once, he asked me to call him back AGAIN. He just wasn't good to work with at all, and it was like he didn't want my money or to sell me a bike.
The bike shop I am purchasing from, however, has been the complete opposite -- it's been a smooth business transaction. I called him asking for a very particular bicycle, he said he didn't have it in stock, but would be pleased to order it for me with at least a $50 deposit. Easy enough. That was earlier this week, and when I stopped in this afternoon, he didn't remember me, but he did exactly what he said he would. I put in an $80 deposit for this:
That, and I will be receiving 10% off all my other accessories (water bottle cage, etc.) when I pick up the bike on possibly TUESDAY (yes, it's that soon...the distribution center is within an hour of the shop and he says they are fairly quick about delivery). The bike was also about $30 below the MSRP, which was a pleasant surprise.
I have to say I'm pretty pleased with my purchase; it wasn't like buying a house or anything huge, but I did my own homework, so I guess that's part of the satisfaction.