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| - I stopped in at Uptown Cycles and was greeted the second I opened the door. Literally. My eyes hadn't even adjusted from the sunlight! The location was spacious and very well organized. Two people offered to help me right away. As I was talking about my general wants, one guy came up to me and immediately started adjusting my brake positioning. Seriously. How awesome is that? After I had gotten a few sentences out, the gal behind the counter asks the guy to take a look at my gears in the back (issues getting a last click to shift into third) while she gets me started on inventory (shopping!) up front.
Girl-to-girl, she knew how important the ponytail space is when it comes to a new helmet, and even took extra time to find me colors that would match my bike--on her own, I didn't ask or anything! (Although, I would have after I found one, if she hadn't...) I was pleased that she started me in the budget section, and we made our way up from there until I found the right fit. So much better than finding you like something and then finding out that no-way-am-i-paying-that-much-for-something-i-hope-i-never-ever-ever-need. Don't get me wrong, I need my head, but there are limits! My mid-range choice was $110 with this stunning turquoise green on a sliver-and-white background. And plenty of hair-do freedom.
The one thing I felt like I got a bit of pressure on was getting a rear light. I wanted to look online for something, as my baby girl has a weird rump and I never remember to take my lights with me. I wanted something that could fit the way I wanted, to the location I wanted, and not be easily removed. (I don't do a lot of night riding so waiting a couple of weeks would not have been a problem, I don't think...) Instead I ended up buying two USB rechargeable lights (one front, one back) for $35 that absolutely cannot be permanently affixed to my darling angel's big boxy booty or handlebars. She really did ply on the pressure about safety and even using the light when riding in daylight (come on, who does that, really?) and I caved. But they came in white (and blue and black and red and...) and look like a matching set made for my lovely lady, so I guess we're fashionable now? My worry is that the band won't last very long due to weather conditions and my inability to remember to remove the lights--or worse that they'll get stolen. Although, it is possible the plastic on the light will snap before the band loses its elasticity. Ahhh, the anxiety begins! For $17-something each, I guess it was still a pretty good deal if it lasts me half a year.
I did have to go back in after a few minutes of circling the park--now first gear wasn't popping in. The dude graciously adjusted my junk for me, even filling my tires and test-riding it himself to ensure that things were working not just on the lifted repair rack fantasy road. He explained what I could do while riding to help with the changing process given my issues although I sensed he was thinking I should just upgrade to a better shifter! Regardless, my baby functions as a full 21 speed bike now, even though I can tell there was a little bit of jerry-rigging going on when I switch gears on a hard incline. But maybe that's more of my struggle than the bike's! Both of the adjustments (and the fiddling with the brakes) were done at no charge. The kickstand with installation was $19--and I think the frame had to be drilled into for that ($6 for labor, $13 for part).
I suspect this will be my go-to place, plus they were easy to get to via a little trail two blocks behind the building that seems to connect to a lot of parks. Any ability to avoid riding in the road is a plus.
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