The state of things

I bought a Salsa single speed road bike a couple of years ago.  It seemed like a good idea at the time.  It was simple, made of steel and relatively inexpensive.  I never really took to it.

I've offered it up to a few customers over the last year or so.  None of them really took to it either.  I started playing around with it a couple of days ago.  I installed a different handlebar, put on some different grips and took off the clipless pedals.  You know what?  I love this thing now.

I'm not saying that I'm going to ditch the carbon road bike, or the pedals and shoes. It just seems like having a bike that is easy to ride; a bike that is comfortable to ride just makes sense.
The trend in the industry has been to make the bikes lighter, and stiffer.  Make 'em just like the pro's. 




My sense is that there is a push back coming.  Maybe it's been there all along, and I just didn't notice.  If you could have a bike that had all the component technology, but was comfortable to ride once or twice a week wouldn't you ride it?  Would a couple of extra pounds be a good trade for all day comfort?  Would you ride even more?  Should we expect the person who has a job (that isn't riding bikes), and a family to ride the same bike that a pro rides?  If that's what you want, I say fine.  I love those bikes.  They are sexy as hell.  There are plenty of options out there, and we sell some of the best.  There should be, and is, an alternative.  I believe more are on the way.  We need to start talking about them.

Choice is good.  More people on bikes is better.

Ride on.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Why are bikes so expensive?

It's a question that we get all the time.  My annual eye exam was today, and was making small talk with the .....what would you call her.... Occular assistant?  Anyway, when the topic of my chosen line of work comes up she says "why are bikes so expensive?" My response to her was "They're not". I've gone to this eye doc for years, and I'm sure that there are many in town that are less expensive.  I go to this one because of the service, and quality of care. Your money buys more bike now than it ever has.   So why do people think bikes are expensive?  The price of everything around them goes up in price, yet bike prices should stay the same?  Not logical. I think the real issue is the way people view bikes.  They're considered toys.  Go and try to find one in one of the big box stores.  Know where they are?  Right next to the Barbies. A well made bicycle is a joy to ride, will work as (or better than) you expect it to and last a very lon
Read more

Let's give thanks

Time for a little reflection.  We talk a lot about cycling, and the rights of cyclists to have safe places to ride. It's easy to get impatient. Things don't move quickly enough. We aren't as progressive as (fill in the blank) city. I prefer to think about how far we've come.  I think about Richard Vonnegut, who has been beating the drum for bicycle advocacy as long as I can remember. He's someone that, as far as I'm concerned, doesn't get the recognition he deserves. I think about Diana Virgil, who has been plowing through the mountains of red tape surrounding the B&O Rail Corridor project-seemingly forever. Whatever progress we've seen recently has come from people like them working for years in darkness. I get a feeling of great hope when I see a group like IndyCog spring up, and accomplish so much. There are others, to be sure. Bicycle Indiana , and CIBA  just to name two.  People who love to ride bikes should feel a great sense
Read more

Daily Drivers

Being a bike shop, Bicycling magazine sends of copy of their mag to the store each month.  I usually flip through the pages, grumble and then pass it on.  They have their moments, but as a whole I don't think they do a great service to "average" bike riders. The feature on race bikes in the current issue is a great example.  "This year's most victorious machines" was the headline.  The bikes ranged in price from $6700 to $16 (that's SIXTEEN) thousand dollars.  What is the victory exactly? I can appreciate a McLaren Mercedes but it's not something I'm ever going to own.  If I did, I don't think I would drive it daily.  It's just not practical. It would just be nice to see the industry spend a little more time focusing on bikes that work for people in the real world.  Maybe I just don't get it.  Maybe I'm just getting old.  Hmmph. Have a great holiday weekend. Ride on!
Read more