SatNavSaysStraightOn
Changed hemispheres!
- Location
- ɐᴉlɐɹʇsn∀ 'ɐɹɹǝquɐƆ
I have to say that my last experience of shopping for a road bike was enlightening and completely different from those mentioned above. This being last month - I have had the bike just over 3 weeks, so give some idea of the time frame.
I walked into Evans Cycles on Good Friday (Chill Factore in the Trafford centre). I had a nosey around and looked at various men's road bikes. I have never previously had a women's specific bike before, so had not even considered looking for them. I wanted to try a couple of the men's road bikes out and was approached by a male shop assistant. Explained the situation and he unlocked a couple of them and we talked about them. He then suggested that I looked at the women's road bikes - not a step through frame insight. His suggestion that I looked at the ladies bikes was because of the normal reach issues that I have always had with men's bikes if I get the correct leg length (If I get the correct reach, I always end up replacing the seat post with a longer one!). He unlocked a number of these as well for me to try before I settled on one of them that fitted me really well. At no time was it every suggested to me that I try a hybrid or flat bars or was he in the slightest bit condescending. He was nothing but helpful and considerate. I had very specific requirements (triple 8 speed with minimum 11-28 cassette or a compact 50/34 with at least a 12-32 cassette and a long reach derailleur). Perhaps it was because my OH left me to the talking or perhaps he was simply very good at his job and realised I knew what I was talking about, I don't know... but he got the sale when we found the bike that fitted me.
For the record and the very reason I went to that store (it being an Evans superstore), they had at least +20 ladies road bikes in that section of the store (and there were other areas for mountain biking, hybrids, shoppers, tourers etc that I did not visit).
I walked into Evans Cycles on Good Friday (Chill Factore in the Trafford centre). I had a nosey around and looked at various men's road bikes. I have never previously had a women's specific bike before, so had not even considered looking for them. I wanted to try a couple of the men's road bikes out and was approached by a male shop assistant. Explained the situation and he unlocked a couple of them and we talked about them. He then suggested that I looked at the women's road bikes - not a step through frame insight. His suggestion that I looked at the ladies bikes was because of the normal reach issues that I have always had with men's bikes if I get the correct leg length (If I get the correct reach, I always end up replacing the seat post with a longer one!). He unlocked a number of these as well for me to try before I settled on one of them that fitted me really well. At no time was it every suggested to me that I try a hybrid or flat bars or was he in the slightest bit condescending. He was nothing but helpful and considerate. I had very specific requirements (triple 8 speed with minimum 11-28 cassette or a compact 50/34 with at least a 12-32 cassette and a long reach derailleur). Perhaps it was because my OH left me to the talking or perhaps he was simply very good at his job and realised I knew what I was talking about, I don't know... but he got the sale when we found the bike that fitted me.
For the record and the very reason I went to that store (it being an Evans superstore), they had at least +20 ladies road bikes in that section of the store (and there were other areas for mountain biking, hybrids, shoppers, tourers etc that I did not visit).
).
Mostly it's really quite boring as a sport 
