Should I bother with a rain bike? - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

09-04-2004, 10:06 PM

So I decided this year that it would be a good idea (since I've upgraded
some parts on my Trek 1000 and I really like it and want to keep it in
good shap) to invest in a "rain bike". A cheap bike ($450 or under) that I
don't mind seeing take a little abuse. Here's my problem.

I've had a relationship for about 5 years+ with my LBS. They sold me my
first bike when I started biking again and I have purchased 6 bikes in
total from them, between my wife and I. We've bought innumerable bike
parts and we've paid for 4 fittings ($100 a pop). So I think we're loyal,
good customers who spend a lot of money with them. In return, of course,
we've generally gotten good service and we've lost a lot of weight on
these bikes. Over 300lbs. between the two of us.

The problem is this. Today I went looking for said rain bike, armed with
the fit sheets from my Mountain Bike (my first bike, a Trek 4300) and
Hybrid (a Trek 7500fx) fittings. I've since sold these bikes as I've moved
along, so that's why I can't just use one of them. Anyway, my idea was
that I would hopefully be able to get them to ballpark which bike would be
the best fit based on the past fittings. I've done this twice in the past
and they were very helpful and accomodating, nailing the bikes perfectly,
including changes that needed to be made.

This time around, they're not very willing to do this. I think it's partly
turnover. We're dealing with some people who don't know us as well and
thus aren't being as helpful. My wife recently (after a really bad fitting
she paid for - make that 5 fittings, forgot about that one) had to get the
work undone by a local Triathlon shop that has sprung up. They
straightened her out and got her set up right.

So I'm a little frustrated. My LBS has went from 3 shops to 5 and has went
from really friendly and helfpul to trying to upsell me to the more
expensive bikes or just push me out the door without really trying to help
me get the right bike.

Consequently, I'm getting kind of cold on the idea of getting a rain bike
period. The way I see it, I switch to a different LBS or I give up on
getting a rain bike. Who else here uses a "rain bike"? What are some good
recommendations (other than the obvious, a used bike, which I'll
definitely consider at this point)? But what are some good candidates for
new bikes?

Thanks,

Preston