A week or so ago I took New Bike for a spin around Da Hood. The handlebars are definitely too low. I came home frustrated and had mentally prepared myself for selling it, given it doesn’t seem to fit me right. It pisses me off that I didn’t know to ask about whether or not the steerer was cut. Worse, I bought the thing the month the manufacturer released a better model.
Fortunately, I did some digging around the Internet and learned there is a way to raise bars. Way cheaper than buying a new fork which, it turns out, isn’t possible because no one on the web is selling one for my model.
So as often as I tell noobs to buy a used bike before buying new, I gotta say there are some things that are worth mentioning:
- Always ride the bike before handing over the cash. Never buy based on a photo or even manufacturer specs. You want to know if it fits.
- Make sure it has the gearing you need for your style of riding.
- It helps to have some sort of relationship with a local bicycle shop. Don’t buy a POS that no one wants to service (e.g. Walmart special). A serviceable POS is completely okay.
So my new ride is a money pit. But it’s coming together. Fenders. New mount for light. The lovely stainless steel bottle cages from a few months ago. If the steering extender works out, I’ll pony up for for a small rack up front, plus I have a couple of fancy bags being put aside for me.
The finishing touch, once I’ve got some bucks set aside, is swapping out the chainring for a triple and getting mountain-climbing gearing. Because I’m a fat man who carries lots of shit.
It’s too bad I’m spending a lot more than I intended to on it, but what else do I have to look forward to in 2012? I’d like to ride it places where my little Dahon could never take me.