laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

I went back to Oliver's Cycle Sports today to take another look at their bicycles, now that I know a little more of what I'm looking for. I've learned a lot about the way the suspension on these things makes a difference, as well as learning more about the different components.

Last week, I went to University Bicycle Center and talked to Gabe. Gabe was very nice as salesmen go, he asked all the right questions about my style of riding, what I was looking for in a bicycle, and what my budget was. I answered all of his questions honestly, and told him that right now, my budget was in the range of $800 - $1,500, with the $1,500 bicycle being my "dream bike" - that I really hadn't figured out how I would scrape that much money together, so it would probably stay a dream. Gabe proceeded to pull out and show me a Specialized Stumpjumper FSR 100. What an awesome bike! I'm practically drooling by the time we finish going over it, and I'm thinking what he wants me to be thinking - "I can probably scrape together a little bit more to afford that." Of course, I'm assuming that he's showing me something that's only slightly more than my previously mentioned budget. Nope! Gabe was showing me a bike that retails for $1,899.99! Now, I used to work in sales. I understand that you push your customer a little and always show them the larger size and most expensive model first. I get it. But when your customer has already stated that a $1,500 bike is a "dream," does it make any sense at all to push them by $400 - or to put it another way, 25%? So I ask him to show me something a little less expensive. Gabe shows me a $1,600 bike. I try one last time, specifically asking him if there's anything that's closer to the $900 model I told him about earlier. Gabe shows me a $1,200 bike. So Gabe lost himself a sale of anything at all, unless I hit the lottery, but even then I would probably take my business to Oliver's.

Oliver's has some very nice choices that fall into my price range, plus my salesman is named Seth - that makes it easy to remember. Oliver's was also on site at the race in February, and helped us out with some repairs. They really live what they sell, and are convenient to my home and work.

The Trek Fuel EX 7 is an awesome bike, though it too is out of my price range at around $1,800. If I were to just go nuts, I would be hard pressed to choose between the Specialized Stumpjumper and the Fuel EX 7 (well, except for the sales experience thing). However, the Fuel 80 is a bit better at around $1,500, and has many of the same features. At that price, though, I can get the "dream bike" - the Cake 4 DLX. The only real difference is in the feel of the suspension, which can be a big deal, so it would come down to a test ride. Next is the Kona Kikapu at $1,100, and then the Trek Fuel 70 at $1,000. After that we get into the Internet shops, with two Motobecane bikes at bikesdirect.com, one for $900 and the other for $800.

1. Trek Fuel EX 7 - $1,800.00
2. Specialized Stumpjumper FSR 100 - $1,900.00
3. Cake 4 DLX - $1,500.00
4. Trek Fuel 80 - $1,500.00
5. Kona Kikapu - $1,100.00
6. Trek Fuel 70 - $1,000.00
7. Motobecane Fantom Comp DS - $900.00
8. Motobecane Fantom 3.0 - $800.00

So that's the list. Now I just have to do something about it.