Is an "S-Works" a good bike to learn how to ride?

[0gravity]

Call me a purist or a snob but I say NO.

I'm in a shop the other day picking up some bar tape and just next to the rack a salesman is wrapping up a sale with an older guy. He's selling him a brand spanking new Specialized S-works road bike, w/ helmet, bike computer, and shoes. I say, "wow, new bike? Congratulations, that's a pretty nice ride." He says, "Yeah, it's probably more than I need. I'm just learning how to ride a bike. I just hope I don't fall too much."

He seriously said he was just learning to ride a bike.

I had to bite my tongue to keep from saying something condescending. Yeah, I hope you don't fall too much while you "learn to ride a bike" because that pricey carbon isn't meant to hit the pavement too often.

Does that seem ridiculous to anyone else? Whatever happened to working your way up to the highest level gear? Maybe that's just the way it is in LA when you've got more money than you know what to do with. Probably has Lambo in the garage that hasn't seen 5th gear.

Sorry for the rant. I just thought that was absurd.

[foofighter]

my thing has been do it right the first time so you dont have to redo it again later e.g. spend more money later. I'm a firm believer in buying the most that you can afford and go from there. hehe but that's just me

[Shu]

a buddy of mine was going to do the same thing...he was about to dump $4500+ on a mtn bike and at 39yo hadn't riden a bike since he was a kid....He was planning on riding 1-2x's a month MAYBE(knowing him)...he just wanted to have the best of the best sitting in his garage...some people want expensive b/c it's expensive...

[STP]

I hear ya! When we raced XC at Ellings Park in Santa Barbara, we had two separate encounters that just reinforce this kind of thinking.

Encounter #1. Get to the top of the steep, narrow chute at the back end of the course and there's an older guy there on a Santa Cruz Blur. Full XTR and nice wheels to boot. We stop and talk to him and he's afraid to go down the chute as it's over his riding ability. We were there for awhile, explaining how to do it and I finally took his bike and rode it down, to prove that it's fully capable of what had to be done. We rode off to leave him be and figure it out. He was a local and obviously had the dough to burn (amazing still, how many $4K, $5K and even $6K bikes you see in 'Beginner' class at an XC race!).

Encounter #2. We run into one of my girlfriends competitors in Women's XC Beginner 50+. She's looking at Deb's 2002 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Pro, and is envious of how nice it is (it is pretty though, with a red and silver paint job). She's thinking that her bike is not as 'good'. It's a 2006 Specialized S-Works Epic, with full XTR and Magura brakes (but it's all dark carbon and not nearly as 'pretty'....!). Gawd, I point out that her bike is waa-aaay better! Deb's bike even had the stock 'Strongarm II' cranks and heavy Octolink BB! Deb definitely knew better, as I have to fight her, to get to read the new MBA when it comes in the mail!

[Impy]

Originally Posted by 0gravity

Does that seem ridiculous to anyone else? Whatever happened to working your way up to the highest level gear? Maybe that's just the way it is in LA when you've got more money than you know what to do with. Probably has Lambo in the garage that hasn't seen 5th gear.

That's what I was thinking too (nice toys in garage). He probably walked in and said "show me your best".

S'ok, maybe he'll sell it cheap on craigs list in a couple years to somebody who otherwise wouldn't be able to afford such a bike!

[mtnbikej]

Originally Posted by 0gravity

Call me a purist or a snob but I say NO.

I'm in a shop the other day picking up some bar tape and just next to the rack a salesman is wrapping up a sale with an older guy. He's selling him a brand spanking new Specialized S-works road bike, w/ helmet, bike computer, and shoes. I say, "wow, new bike? Congratulations, that's a pretty nice ride." He says, "Yeah, it's probably more than I need. I'm just learning how to ride a bike. I just hope I don't fall too much."

He seriously said he was just learning to ride a bike.

I had to bite my tongue to keep from saying something condescending. Yeah, I hope you don't fall too much while you "learn to ride a bike" because that pricey carbon isn't meant to hit the pavement too often.

Does that seem ridiculous to anyone else? Whatever happened to working your way up to the highest level gear? Maybe that's just the way it is in LA when you've got more money than you know what to do with. Probably has Lambo in the garage that hasn't seen 5th gear.

Sorry for the rant. I just thought that was absurd.

Some people just have money burning a hole in their pockets. Yeah, it may have been more bike than he needs......but some people want the best even if they don't need it.

Just like all the people coming in wanting Dura Ace and XTR......99% of riders don't need it, but 40% buy it.

[Pain Freak]

I see it all the time, where people are riding bikes that are above what the should be learning on. But it also helps for some of us to pick up a good deal on a bike that's been sitting in a garage for a couple of years.

When I got my first good mountain bike, it was no doubt a bike for a seasoned rider and not for a newb like me, but it did teach me a lot about bikes that I might not ever had learned, had I not stepped up to a better bike when I did.

Somebody starting off with a S-works road bike for a entry level bike, just makes me plain envious. More power to them, but I think if I was them I'd start with something a lot cheaper.

[Endo Verendo]

If you ever opened up a bike shop it wouldn't last very long.

[BrewMaster]

Live and let live. If they want to drop their cash on equipment they don't need, that's their business. I ride and have fun and don't worry about the brands around me.

[STP]

Originally Posted by foofighter

my thing has been do it right the first time so you dont have to redo it again later e.g. spend more money later. I'm a firm believer in buying the most that you can afford and go from there. hehe but that's just me

Ya know, I gave this some thought last night, while sitting in traffic. I believe that 'buy the best bike you can afford' is a true maxim that can be applied to the experienced rider, or those who've had past experience and exposure to cycling, but there is other considerations.

I'd like to hear MtnbkJ's informed opinion on this,who I believe works at Switchback Cycles. I believe the inexperienced, new rider would be better served and set-up with a lower tier, but quality LBS bike, than the ultimate top-end machine.

These bikes tend to have more relaxed head tube angles, softer seats, wider bars and a more upright riding position. An example would be like this: Let's say a couple of years ago, a guy with dough walks into a LBS that carried Schwinn (before they got sold out) and starts looking at the XC bikes.

The Schwinn Mesa doesn't interest him, because of it's lowly price tag, but the Homegrown sure is pretty, with it's Bass Boat Glitter paint and checkered flag graphics, it just screams "I am a bitchin' bike". It's got a full XTR build and nice wheels.

The shop employee, interested in the highest dollar sale he can get, sells this guy the bike. Richie Rich then takes the Homegrown out on the trail and it doesn't take long to find out, that it is one twitchy little bike. He's gone over the bars three times on the downhill in one week and he doesn't understand what happened! He was just riding along and suddenly he was flying through da' air. He gives up on the sport.

The LBS, might have done it better, if they sold him the Mesa and when the guy got good on it, and possibly more serious, he'd be back in a year, upgrading to the Homegrown, now that he's got his skills worked out on a beginner bike. The bike shop will have sold two bikes instead of one and also eased the guy into the sport, where he'd be a regular customer, buying the usual ton of accessories you need for this sport.

Just my .02! Thanks for reading.

[foofighter]

STP: i agree with your scenario; i would feel that the sales person did not communicate to the buyer the pro's and the con's of have bike a vs bike b. Letting that buyer know that although bike b is chi chi and has all the cool parts there are some parts of the bike that he may not like etc etc. but it all boils down to time and committment on the sales guy to get to know his buyer vs just making a big sale. Also, what's the latin term caveat emptor? buyer beware...the buyer needs to do their research and make an informed decision as well before plunking down.

I hope that the scenario you painted is more of the exception rather than the norm and most newbie riders end up LOVING the ride and keep at it

[BrewMaster]

Sales people at shops that don't work on commission are often the best places to shop. I trust those sales guys more because I know they don't make a dime more if I buy the big price tag item or not.

I know Jenson USA is this way and I think it is part of why they give such great service; their sales guys are not hovering around like car salesmen trying to take your money.

[Fired Yo Momma]

My first MTB bike was a GT avalanche. The bike was like 400 bucks with awesome RST forks. The bike was a hardtail and I bought it because I thought to myself if I don't like this sport then I am really only out only 400. I am glad I started riding with that hardtail it made me a better rider overall. Now that I am on my other ride I can really appreaciate quality componenets and better workmanship.

[Jordansrealm]

I dont think it matters what you learn to ride on as long as you learn to ride it well. If someone wants to go out and drop 5g on a new bike, so be it. The only real problem I see is when you get into that much bike you will always need to be replacing top end pricey parts and have to stay in that level of bike for the rest of your bike career. If you start higher you have to stay higher most of the time.

[allison]

ehhh....

When Justin and I decided to get bikes we got pretty nice bikes. We considered doing full custom built Ellsworth bikes or similar (sorry, our LBS isn't Homer country!!), but decided to go with really good Specialized FS bikes.

Keep in mind... I'd ridden a bike around as a kid (BMX with neighbor kids at the end of the street, Target mountain bike down paved paths, etc.), and had rented a FS bike ONCE with Justin. So, since I was 13 I'd ridden once, and was at the time 24. I got a Specialized Stumpy Expert. I could barely turn without getting sketchy, didn't know how to shift, etc...

So, it was WAY more bike than I could handle at the time. But, I grew into it and have since moved on!

So, maybe he'll do just fine and love his bike.

[Red Ryder]

If it wasn't for people buying high end bikes and still learning to ride, I'd never have the fun pleasure of passing them up, climbing or downhill, on the old beat up rigid I've been riding lately.

You know if I had the money I'd probably have an S-works, but the rigid I'm riding while my stumpy fsr is getting worked on, is so much fun, I'll be converting it to a singlespeed this weekend.

[allroy71]

I agree with MechMann. You can always grow into an expensive bike. It will definitely motivate some people to not to want to be seen as a poser.

Onto a similar thought, the bike industry makes the seasoned rider feel inadequate about his/her current ride. You need this new bike/frame/component to make you a better rider. That's just not true, unless you are serious competitor.
For the average joe, you can make a bike last a long time. I keep thinking I need a 2007, but my 2000 is good for my style of riding.

But then again, if you got the money then buy it!!

[Evil Chocula]

Funniest thing I've ever seen:

I've only ridden in OC once(planning on more this fall), at the El Morro Poker Ride. Me and my buddy Kieth grabbed all of our cards a couple of hours ahead of the cut off, and decided to check out Rattle Snake. On the way down, we came upon a guy in full spandex riding a brand new Santa Cruz Heckler with a Fox 36 TALAS on the front end... he was stopped in front of a pretty benign rock garden, and told me "Be careful, I don't think that's ridable".

I then proceeded to thrash the section on my stock, 2001 Giant Rainier Hard Tail, much to his amazement

But hey, this is SoCal, comes with the territory!

[Fired Yo Momma]

In that are lots of rich people ride their on 6000 Ellsworth rigs. Why? Because they can afford it, yet anybody on here out ride that guy on a tricycle.

In that are lots of rich people ride their on 6000 Ellsworth rigs. Why? Because they can afford it, yet anybody on here can out ride that guy on a tricycle.

[ghixon]

Originally Posted by Fired Yo Momma

My first MTB bike was a GT avalanche. The bike was like 400 bucks with awesome RST forks. The bike was a hardtail and I bought it because I thought to myself if I don't like this sport then I am really only out only 400. I am glad I started riding with that hardtail it made me a better rider overall. Now that I am on my other ride I can really appreaciate quality componenets and better workmanship.

That funny about the Avalanche. I'm actually resurecting an Avalanche 2.0 as a have fun hill climber. I must say, personally, learning on the hardtail made my bike control skills develop faster than they would have had I had the I-Drive that I have now. Plus, as an added bonus, I got to learn about bike maintenance, parts and setup playing on a "cheaper" bike. Almost out of nessesity, I had to upgrade and fix things that either broke or came out of adjustment. By doing things this way, I was able to pick and chose the parts that I wanted on my next ride.

I'm not saying the LBS did this particular guy a disservice by selling him the S-Works , every business has to make money, but aren't the high-end road bikes a lot less forgiving if you don't have the correct form and training.