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Research, Research, Research required to pick bike & accessories. Turns people off.

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Research, Research, Research required to pick bike & accessories. Turns people off.

Old 08-10-16, 09:15 PM
  #1  
CompleteStreets
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Research, Research, Research required to pick bike & accessories. Turns people off.

There are a ton of people out there that consider getting into biking, whether for transportation or recreation or both. Very quickly, they learn that having a positive experience with bikes requires hours upon hours of research to actually find a bike and accessories that you'll be happy with OR having a friend who is an expert on bikes and is happy to answer questions. This is a problem. It's turns off so many would-be riders.

Bike fit - must be spot on for road bikes, or the rider has a bad experience

Bike theft - lots of research required to understand the need for a good u-lock, as well as locking skewers or other methods of locking the wheels and seat.

A lack of consistency among bikes - seat posts, grip shifters, wheels, tires, brakes, basically every part of bikes have numerous options. This is no big deal for people with money who can go to a LBS and drop big bucks on repairs, but it is a major barrier for low-income people who'd like to find used parts to do their own work

Bike lights - again, tons of research required to be happy.

Pant legs - research or you'll end up with a bad experience with that front sprocket ripping through your pants.

Accessories that fit onto bikes - In urban areas, if they are designed to be easily removable, they will get stolen. More research, or you'll learn the hard way.

I could go on. Am I the only one who recognizes that all of these things combined deter a huge chunk of the population from choosing to bike? I do have global answers to most of these problems, but I'm curious to hear others' thoughts.
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Old 08-10-16, 09:18 PM
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I bought a $15... 23 y/o road bike and started riding.
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Old 08-10-16, 11:22 PM
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I like to research stuff. It was fun to me. I like feeling informed.
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Old 08-11-16, 12:05 AM
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A good bike shop should be able to fill your shopping cart with everything you could possibly need, and perhaps a few things you don't need.

It is nice to do some preliminary research before major purchases, and to know some of the basics... but a good shop should be able to guide customers through the maze of options.

Just keep in mind that they are also making a profit.
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Old 08-11-16, 12:49 AM
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Originally Posted by CliffordK
A good bike shop should be able to fill your shopping cart with everything you could possibly need, and perhaps a few things you don't need.

It is nice to do some preliminary research before major purchases, and to know some of the basics... but a good shop should be able to guide customers through the maze of options.

Just keep in mind that they are also making a profit.
In my experience the LBS are doing a good job, not overcharging and not getting overly technical when evaluating people's needs. Since most people starting with cycling simply want a solid bike to putter around on, it isn't rocket science. For those who want a race bike that fits them, its going to be complicated. But at a guess, that's only a small number of bike shoppers.
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Old 08-11-16, 01:47 AM
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People Don't have to research buying a bike---they will simply end up with a much better deal if they do.

Same with most things.

How many people go car-shopping and get bad deals on cars they really didn't want? The people who didn't research.

Unless the OP plans to suggest that all manufacturers make only a single model of the same bike in different sizes, and that all riding must take place on a single surface ... then people who want to get the right bike at a good price are going to have to put in some effort.

The people who don't out in any effort are probably riding Wal-Mart stuff, or basic beach cruisers, or whatever, in situations where precise fit doesn't matter, and are probably fine with that.

I see old folks tooling around the neighborhood (on some pretty sweet cruisers, some of them) but they aren't concerned with saddle height or bar angle. They aren't working hard enough or riding long enough for it to matter.

The other two classes of riders I see mostly are kids on BMX/Urban Assault bikes, and guys mostly on clapped-out rigid MTBs or flat-bar bikes who obviously want transportation but don't want to or can't afford cars, and are not well served by the county's crappy bus service. Those guys didn't research anything more than what was in the classifieds on the day they decided to buy a bike.

Seriously, tell me the names of seven people you know who were planning to buy bikes but decided it was too complicated.
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Old 08-11-16, 02:12 AM
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Originally Posted by CompleteStreets
There are a ton of people out there that consider getting into biking, whether for transportation or recreation or both. Very quickly, they learn that having a positive experience with bikes requires hours upon hours of research to actually find a bike and accessories that you'll be happy with OR having a friend who is an expert on bikes and is happy to answer questions.
For some ... all this research is half the fun!!
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Old 08-11-16, 02:18 AM
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If you get into anything, you're going to have to do a lot of research.

When I ventured into photography, I put in a lot of research to find a camera and lenses and even a camera bag!! I joined two forums and asked questions, and knew some people who were into photography, and asked them questions. After I finally got a camera, I started experimenting with it and joining little contests. Then I took a semester-long class all about using my camera ... and then another class specialising on a specific type of photography ... and I'll probably take more classes ...


I'm in the midst of working toward a Master's Degree. I was feeling a bit "meh" about my current university and thought there might be a better option out there, maybe an online option. So ... I researched! I spent a couple weeks locating possible universities, reading all about the courses they offer in my area, sending emails to ask more questions and reading replies. In the end I decided to stick with my current university. But it was important to me to either find a good alternative or to feel happy with what I've got, and research was the way to arrive at that point.


It's just what you do.


But I am curious what your global answers are.

Last edited by Machka; 08-11-16 at 02:29 AM.
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Old 08-11-16, 02:28 AM
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Huffy For All!!!!!
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Old 08-11-16, 05:31 AM
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Originally Posted by CompleteStreets
I could go on. Am I the only one who recognizes that all of these things combined deter a huge chunk of the population from choosing to bike? I do have global answers to most of these problems, but I'm curious to hear others' thoughts.
I think you are completely wrong. You don't need to extensively research and agonize over every choice to have a good experience. In fact, such activity can lead to disappointment. Here is your reading assignment for the month:

https://www.amazon.com/Paradox-Choic.../dp/149151423X

You sound like a member of the target audience.
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Old 08-11-16, 05:39 AM
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Your experience is not universal.

For my first adult bike I saved my money, went to REI and picked out the best looking bike I could afford. Bought a helmet and a cable lock from my LBS and started riding, spent 0 hours researching anything. I rode for leisure and commuted as well, didn't know squat about bike mechanics or anything other than changing a flat. When winter came around I strapped a flashlight to the handlebars and bought a rear blinkie from Amazon. Managed to get 5 years and a few thousand miles with no problems, very happy with the experience.

There are a ton of people who just buy things, use them and are happy. All without doing any research at all.
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Old 08-11-16, 05:40 AM
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I am pretty sure that if I worked in a bike store and a clueless customer walked in, within a few minutes I could ask the pertinent questions and find out what kind of bike best suited the customer ... or at least, who the customer imagined him/herself to be.

No research would be necessary. In fact ... isn't that precisely the job of the salesperson? To find out what the customer wants and to connect the customer with the right product? I don't care if you are buying shoes or power tools or bicycles, a good salesperson helps the buyer figure out what s/he wants, narrows down the field by showing a few options, then focuses on the best product and makes the sale.

The only people who do research are either diligent, anal, already enthusiasts, or who visit here thinking we will do the salesperson's job ... which we are all to happy to do. Everyone else just wanders into the sporting goods department and finds a salesperson (see Spoonrobot, above.).

As to whether that salesperson is worth anything, is a different issue, and you might want to address that instead.
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Old 08-11-16, 05:43 AM
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Originally Posted by CliffordK
A good bike shop should be able to fill your shopping cart with everything you could possibly need, and perhaps a few things you don't need.

It is nice to do some preliminary research before major purchases, and to know some of the basics... but a good shop should be able to guide customers through the maze of options.

Just keep in mind that they are also making a profit.
+1. I was just in a LBS yesterday morning--the one built my latest custom frame--having some new tubeless tires installed and my rear hub adjusted. The owner is a straight up guy. While I was waiting, a local woman came in with her son. She needed a new helmet. The son was interested in a bike. Re: the former, the owner started at the bottom price point for helmets after the woman said she simply rides to work. He didn't try to sell her the lightest, most expensive thing on the wall. He then showed her a similar model with a MIPS insert and explained to her that the extra $30 or whatever was solely for protection, not less weight or more vents, etc. Re: the bike, the two had been looking at small-wheeled models. The owner explained that the son was tall enough to ride a 26" wheel bike and that if he went with 20" he would probably grow out of it before the end of the year. It was actually touching because the son's face lit up at the news that he was ready for a "big kid's bike."

There are several shops in Philly with great customer service like that. Having read so many horror stories on BF, I feel lucky.
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Old 08-11-16, 05:48 AM
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I try not to participate in threads I think are not worth it, as I don't want to initiate flame wars, but really, OP? Do you want to live in the USSR where they made one type of bike, in the same size and color, for all roads/surfaces, etc. Is that what you want, zero choices?

Are all houses exactly the same size, appearance, function, etc? Pointless thread
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Old 08-11-16, 05:54 AM
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The other choice is having no choices. Growing up, before the internet, we had Sears, Western auto, and Montgomery Wards for bikes. That was our "universe". My town was not large enough to have a dedicated LBS, and we had to travel several towns away, toward the city, to get to Sears or Wards.

You got their bike, their headlight, their lock and THAT was THAT.

The internet is a marvelous place to learn, read, ask questions and make an informed decision.
If someone is getting mired down by too much info, welcome to the information age!

Once someone filters through 1. TYPE of bike and 2. Budget the universe shrinks quite a bit.
I find myself down to two or three main choices, then do a direct comparison, and make a choice.

On line reviews, with literally thousands of respondents I find a big help also.

I can click 1 button, and have a cycling product in my hand in 48 hours. LOVE IT!!!!!!!!
I can drive within 30 minutes of my home and hit a handful of LBS's and see myriad makes and models, LOVE THAT too!!
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Old 08-11-16, 06:12 AM
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I rode with a guy who was riding a Litespeed Classic when I did my first metric in 2000. I liked the looks of the bike so did LOTS of research, including writing to the company. Got a nice letter explaining a few things about the bike that I wasn't familiar with. After 6 months of researching, reading, and comparing I bought my Litespeed in April 2001. Still my favorite ride.

Here's what it looked like after I'd had it a few months.



Here is is today.

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Old 08-11-16, 06:38 AM
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I agree with those above that said the research is part of the fun. At least for me, it's just like a vacation, where planning for a big trip is part of the experience. It took me a long time to find an interesting hobby and now that I have, I want to learn as much as possible. The learning experience is making me a better cyclist.
There are lots of sports that deter huge chunks of the population from participating. My brother scuba dives and my dad was a hunter. I don't swim well, and I don't like killing animals (or waking up at 3am to sit in a tree stand in 25F weather either, but that's another story). But we all found different facets of life to enjoy, and that's part of a human being's journey in this existence. The people that don't take to cycling will (hopefully) find something else that fulfills them.
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Old 08-11-16, 07:26 AM
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I'll be honest some of these were issues I had getting into the hobby. I had no idea what to look for in a road bike or what size, etc. Bike store bikes were way more $ than I wanted to spend so I wanted to get a used bike but I didn't know enough about bikes to know what to even look for. I bet it was a good 2 years from when I wanted a bike until I finally had done enough research and decided to try one, an $80 craigslist find.
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Old 08-11-16, 07:31 AM
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Originally Posted by CompleteStreets
There are a ton of people out there that consider getting into biking, whether for transportation or recreation or both. Very quickly, they learn that having a positive experience with bikes requires hours upon hours of research to actually find a bike and accessories that you'll be happy with OR having a friend who is an expert on bikes and is happy to answer questions. This is a problem. It's turns off so many would-be riders.

Bike fit - must be spot on for road bikes, or the rider has a bad experience

Bike theft - lots of research required to understand the need for a good u-lock, as well as locking skewers or other methods of locking the wheels and seat.

A lack of consistency among bikes - seat posts, grip shifters, wheels, tires, brakes, basically every part of bikes have numerous options. This is no big deal for people with money who can go to a LBS and drop big bucks on repairs, but it is a major barrier for low-income people who'd like to find used parts to do their own work

Bike lights - again, tons of research required to be happy.

Pant legs - research or you'll end up with a bad experience with that front sprocket ripping through your pants.

Accessories that fit onto bikes - In urban areas, if they are designed to be easily removable, they will get stolen. More research, or you'll learn the hard way.

I could go on. Am I the only one who recognizes that all of these things combined deter a huge chunk of the population from choosing to bike? I do have global answers to most of these problems, but I'm curious to hear others' thoughts.
So, go on. Let's hear your "final solution". I can't remember the last time I even thought about "pant legs" in regards to cycling, but I'm always up for a chuckle.
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Old 08-11-16, 07:33 AM
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Originally Posted by RonH
I rode with a guy who was riding a Litespeed Classic when I did my first metric in 2000. I liked the looks of the bike so did LOTS of research, including writing to the company. Got a nice letter explaining a few things about the bike that I wasn't familiar with. After 6 months of researching, reading, and comparing I bought my Litespeed in April 2001. Still my favorite ride.

Here's what it looked like after I'd had it a few months.

Here is is today.

You wrote a letter, in 2000, and they wrote back? Sooo cool!

Very nice bike. Feckin' awesome.
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Old 08-11-16, 07:55 AM
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I am a researcher by trade so everything I do is well thought out. When I bought my wife her Rivendell and Brompton, I did the research for her and had the bikes built then delivered. Every part was meticulously chosen to fit her perfect. When she was home in Japan she also bought a bike. She went to the bike store bought the first one she saw, which was the equivalent of $68 second hand. She loves it. She keeps it in Japan and rides it all the time when she is home. I am sure little thought went into the purchasing of this bike, yet she enjoys it as much as the $3500 Rivendell and the $2000 Brompton. The Rivendell and Brompton may be better built, better quality and actually ride nicer she is still very happy with her Mama Chari which I think she spend maybe all of ten minutes to pick out, pay for and roll out the door.
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Old 08-11-16, 08:00 AM
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OP, over thinking it. Sit on a bike, if it fits, pedal. Might need some tweaks. I don't lock up my bike on the street, so no need to worry about theft.
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Old 08-11-16, 08:10 AM
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Originally Posted by 10 Wheels
I bought a $15... 23 y/o road bike and started riding.
Pretty much the same here except 26 y/o bike and $50 after a new rear tire and bar tape.

I could also go to my lbs that has the answers to all those questions for those who don't want to research.
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Old 08-11-16, 08:12 AM
  #24  
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Originally Posted by Machka
For some ... all this research is half the fun!!


Originally Posted by CompleteStreets
I could go on. Am I the only one who recognizes that all of these things combined deter a huge chunk of the population from choosing to bike? I do have global answers to most of these problems, but I'm curious to hear others' thoughts.
I think a more real reason that deters a huge chunk of the population from buying a bike is walking into a LBS and being told that if you aren't ready to drop $1500 on an "entry" level bike, you'll wind up with a POS that you'll hate and you'll outgrow in a moment. A lot of enthusiasts in this sport don't realize that to someone new, what might just be a cheap bike to them is actually an extravagant outlying of cash to an average person.

But, Ikea agrees with you: https://www.theguardian.com/technolo...iew-helen-pidd

Originally Posted by Leebo
OP, over thinking it. Sit on a bike, if it fits, pedal. Might need some tweaks. I don't lock up my bike on the street, so no need to worry about theft.
Originally Posted by 10 Wheels
I bought a $15... 23 y/o road bike and started riding.
Pretty much this. People tend to overcomplicate things. My favorite bike was bought on a whim for $27 at the thrift shop. Unless there is some specific reason for the bike purchase (say participating in triathlons) to a new person, anything they can be comfortable on and want to ride is the "right" bike. Nailing down particular details is far more important after you have been riding a while, and actually have an idea of what is working and what is not on your current ride.
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Old 08-11-16, 08:14 AM
  #25  
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Originally Posted by CompleteStreets
There are a ton of people out there that consider getting into biking, whether for transportation or recreation or both. Very quickly, they learn that having a positive experience with bikes requires hours upon hours of research to actually find a bike and accessories that you'll be happy with OR having a friend who is an expert on bikes and is happy to answer questions.
Care to offer even the slightest bit of real-world evidence to back up this ridiculous claim?

Originally Posted by CompleteStreets
Bike fit - must be spot on for road bikes, or the rider has a bad experience
Yeah, this actually involves going to a bike store ... which you sort of had to do anyway, to buy a bike.

By the way, did you notice that a lot of the bike is adjustable?

Originally Posted by CompleteStreets
Bike theft - lots of research required to understand the need for a good u-lock, as well as locking skewers or other methods of locking the wheels and seat.
Yeah, a Lot of research ... involving buying a lock and a chain or cable, for most people. The actual research involved is ... looking at whatever the shop is selling and deciding how much you want to spend.

Originally Posted by CompleteStreets
A lack of consistency among bikes - seat posts, grip shifters, wheels, tires, brakes, basically every part of bikes have numerous options.
Please, post before, not after, doing drugs. Yes, there are numerous options ... but most people who have done no research walk into a bike store, tell the salesperson what kind of riding they want to do, and are shown some bikes—complete bikes—with NO option to change all these parts.

Originally Posted by CompleteStreets
Bike lights - again, tons of research required to be happy.
Again, .... no truth involved. Most people who go to a bike store without having done any research buy whatever the store sells and are completely happy.

Originally Posted by CompleteStreets
Pant legs - research or you'll end up with a bad experience with that front sprocket ripping through your pants.
How about rubber boots, to wade through the BS you are piling up. Tell me, how many sources did you consult to figure out about pants legs?
Originally Posted by CompleteStreets
Am I the only one who recognizes that all of these things combined deter a huge chunk of the population from choosing to bike?
No, but you are the only one so far detached from reality to think you could post this stuff here and not get called on it.

Seriously dude, this is all a bunch of screaming BS.

Maybe you hadn’t noticed the frequent bike sales booms through the past few decades? Maybe you hadn’t noticed the increase in bike sales as people in the U.S. discovered what Europeans had long known—cars are expensive and not always necessary, while bikes can be cheap and handy.

Maybe you hadn’t noticed the bicycling infrastructure which was not even science fiction three decades ago and which is now common-—things like bike lanes?

Basically, you were enjoying a few bong hits one night and cooked up some hare-brained scheme to market the Everybke, which could swim, sail, fly, was equally at home on steep singletrack and smooth pavement ... and then dreamed up this inane post to justify it.

See ... don’t post after hitting the bong and things are better for everyone.
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