I am NOT Riff-Raff

Remember how I bought a beater bike last year? - I wanted to see if I would like biking enough to justify buying a really cute bike, that was also a little more sturdy and had a few more bells and whistles (Actually, I only needed 1 bell, and no whistles, but you get the idea)

That is what led me, a few months ago, to go into a LBS, just to see what was available. I had been doing a little bit of research online, so I wouldn't find myself in exactly the situation that occured. I didn't want to look like I had no clue about what I wanted, and what I was talking about. Let me preface this whole thing by saying that, as I mentioned in my previous post, looks trump all! So yes, I wanted an awesome bike, that had all the things I was looking for.. but I also wanted to look mega-cute while riding my bike!

So.. my research had me looking and finally even understanding what is meant by different components, different frame materials, different styles of bikes (once I even told Bhel all about my research into French vs. Italian vs Dutch style frames, and as we were walking along, I would point them out to her). All this to say, that when I walked in to that LBS, I was no n008 (n00b?).

So I walk in, and lay down my specs! "I'm a hard-core biker, commute 25km round trip, several times a week (but not in the winter, are you crazy? Well actually, winter bikers aren't crazy, I'm just not into that), I'm no FWB (Fair-weather biker, for those not in the know - except for the fact that I started my own bike club... the Fair-weather Bike Club. In retrospect, the title might have been a mistake but I already got my letterhead printed...)".

So the guy, takes me to the bike section where the window is, and... I may have kind of casually mentioned, why are some bikes on one side of the store and others on the completely other end of the store (this is where is gets interesting). "Oh, we keep those bikes on that side to keep out the riff-raff" he says to me. That's fine, he was taking me to the hard-core side! No worries there.

Anyway, he shows me a pretty nice bike, a Raleigh (don't remember the model off the top of my head), hybrid, 24 speed, last year's model so on sale at a great price - but... not really what I'm looking for. No fenders, no rear rack, but I could have added those on if the bike fit me well and I liked the way it rode. But.. the deal break? Black. So I asked, "does it come in any other colours?"

Answer? "No, but I don't mind black." Me thinking - but.... *I* mind black, I will definetly not look cute riding a black bike.

I may have looked a little apprehensive because then he started showing me some other bikes that were in white or grey or something, but that weren't hybrids, had no features I wanted, and all-around not for me. THEN, he took to over... to the other side of the store.. you know.. the riff-raff section? He said, "I think one of these bikes might be better suited to you." Uh.. I don't think so... Full on dutch bike? Heavy frame? Not made for commuting long distances at all. Who did he think I was? Didn't I mention what I was looking for?

I kindly thanked him for his time, and left the store feeling very put-off... I am not riff-raff.. I want a good bike, that meets all of my needs.. and I want it to come in a nice colour. I ended up spending a good chunk of $ on my bike (story to be maybe told later)... I'm not about to spend that kind of money on a bike that is ugly.