Wife bought me road gear!
WhyteSky
Posts: 70
It's my birthday today and last week my wife and mother in law asked for ideas of what I'd like.
I gave some "suggestions". Plenty of suggestions in fact, all bike related.
Today I opened my presents and my wife had very kindly and very thoughtfully bought me a lovely pair of gloves and a lovely cycling jacket along with some other non cycling related stuff. Trouble is, none of the cycling stuff she bought me is vaguely related to my suggestions and even worse, it's roadie gear! Aaaarrrrrgggghhhhh!
Being old, I'm not actually fussed about presents. I'm more fussed about spending time with family. However, when presents are bought they need to be useful. How the hell can I make use out of some useless kit? I can't tell her they're no use to me. I can't take them back. Equally though, I can't go riding in them!
Help me out here people. Other than take them with me when I go out and then cover them in mud before returning home, what can I do? I don't want to appear ungrateful but then I also don't want stuff going to waste and not getting used.
I gave some "suggestions". Plenty of suggestions in fact, all bike related.
Today I opened my presents and my wife had very kindly and very thoughtfully bought me a lovely pair of gloves and a lovely cycling jacket along with some other non cycling related stuff. Trouble is, none of the cycling stuff she bought me is vaguely related to my suggestions and even worse, it's roadie gear! Aaaarrrrrgggghhhhh!
Being old, I'm not actually fussed about presents. I'm more fussed about spending time with family. However, when presents are bought they need to be useful. How the hell can I make use out of some useless kit? I can't tell her they're no use to me. I can't take them back. Equally though, I can't go riding in them!
Help me out here people. Other than take them with me when I go out and then cover them in mud before returning home, what can I do? I don't want to appear ungrateful but then I also don't want stuff going to waste and not getting used.
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Comments
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Give it to a homeless roadie.I don't do smileys.
There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda
London Calling on Facebook
Parktools0 -
Give it to a homeless roadie.
Just spat my tea all over the place. Thanks
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Oh I sooo relate to this rant. My mrs bought me a withings smart body analyser (120 quid scales that spy on you). I sent them back got a refund - even managed to make seller pay postage as I found a problem with the description. I reckon your mrs would much rather you liked your present than had them stuffed in a draw.
So options:
1. sent them back and get a refund if you can. spend the money taking wife out for meal
2. sell them here on road section or ebay
3. use it for XC. I also wear road stuff for mtb - its more comfortable for longer rides.
All men really want on their birthday is a damn good ....
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All cycling gear looks odd to most people. Unless she bought you a skin tight time trial outfit or some very nasty colours most road bike gear is very comfortable and fine for mountain biking unless you fall off alot. I stopped the baggy shorts for mountain biking years ago as they annoyed me. The rest is a combination of road and MTB gear.0
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Give it to a homeless roadie.
Haha, great idea and thanks for the suggestion. However, I need to be seen to be using gear.
Thanks all for your reassurance that some road gear is acceptable on a mountain bike. It's a truly lovely jacket and perfect for these chilly days. It's a Lusso WindTex Aero jacket. I know they cost more than I'd ever dream of spending and it's delightfully comfortable. I suppose I could try wearing it on my next ride but I'll also be petrified of snagging it on a tree and damaging it!
My other option is to actually start road riding again! I've been thinking about getting a flat bar road bike or hybrid so I can cycle more often (drop bars are out due to an injury sustained a while back) and then I've got the perfect excuse to wear it!0 -
Could you post a link to the jacket? Im just curious to see why it is totally unusable...
But I am on a bit of a crusade against sport/discipline specific gear. I think its a load of cobblers spouted by the manufacturers and its amazing how people fall for it - if you have a Berghaus tech T (for hiking) you dont need a different one for biking, running or skiing for that matter. For mtb its zip off Rohans and DC skate shoes in summer, and pretty much my skiing gear in winter for me
Awkward situation tho!0 -
It this...
https://www.merlincycles.com/lusso-windtex-aero-thermal-cycling-jacket-85999.html?utm_campaign=googlebase-GB&utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=shopping&utm_term=Cycling+Jackets&ucpo=23886&gclid=CjwKEAiA7MWyBRDpi5TFqqmm6hMSJAD6GLeAg5naSoQk9iz6fm2YjQoD7X3vkC8TxyF8MKnnYbmDaRoCNj_w_wcB
I honestly can't even begin to describe how amazing it is! The fit and finish is second to none, it's comfortable, it's warm, it doesn't restrict movement and it's got three really nice big pockets at the back. It's everything that a really good cycling jacket should be. However, it's too good for the trails.
I'm with you on not believing in the whole specific kit for specific disciplines and actually tend to wear the same kit on my bike as I do for walking, with the odd exception as some things aren't practical for a bike. I basically just layer up at this time of year.
My issue with the jacket really isn't that it's totally unusable, far from it. It's that it's just too good to take on (or more to the point off) the trails. I also think I may look a bit of a tool wearing it on a mountain bike but given that I look like a bit of a tool anyway that's less of an issue.Could you post a link to the jacket? Im just curious to see why it is totally unusable...
But I am on a bit of a crusade against sport/discipline specific gear. I think its a load of cobblers spouted by the manufacturers and its amazing how people fall for it - if you have a Berghaus tech T (for hiking) you dont need a different one for biking, running or skiing for that matter. For mtb its zip off Rohans and DC skate shoes in summer, and pretty much my skiing gear in winter for me
Awkward situation tho!0 -
Well, there's your answer, just explain to her indoors that you love it but its too good for the trails. Exaggerate risks of scuffing, thorns ripping sleeves off, etc...Say you can get a refund, get a cheaper jacket and some extra goodies that arent such top notch stuff that you wont mind getting a bit of use/abuse. You'll get rid of it and hopefully she wont be too distraught...0
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Here's a thought: Be honest.All the gear, no idea and loving the smell of jealousy in the morning.
Kona Process 134 viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=129946070 -
I would just wear it until it wears out unless you have a habit of destroying tops and jackets off road. I have an older gore ALP-X jacket i bought in mint condition second hand and it is great on or off road in the cold weather. The cheaper jackets tend to flap around more, don't fit as well and can be a bit boil in the bag.0
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Tell her that it didn't fit you properly (you don't feel comfortable enough in it), go to the store and replace it with something you'll use.
Or just explain that the outfit she bought you is not really designed for the type of cycling you do, and excuse yourself for not being precise enough when she asked what you wanted.0 -
Just wear it FFS. It'll be fine. I wear Assos and Gore soft shells off road, they hold up fine.0
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This ^^^^^^^
It's a present, say thank you and go get muddy.I don't do smileys.
There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda
London Calling on Facebook
Parktools0 -
You need some good come backs stored up for when people start taking the p1ss out of you for looking like a roadie.
Have you started divorce proceedings?Transition Patrol - viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=130702350 -
Give it to a homeless roadie.
I know they cost more than I'd ever dream of spending
unless she has a better paid job then you just did! Lucky you I got nothing from mine!...take your pickelf on your holibobs....
jeez :roll:0 -
Buy a Road bike?0
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If you and your wife are happily married you should be able to talk to her honestly...
Best option both for you relationship and the gear she got you.-Cube Acid 29" 2013
-A new Giant Trance 3 2015!0 -
Buy a Road bike?
Don't be ridiculous. No one with half a brain who knows mountain bikes exist would buy a road bike.Transition Patrol - viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=130702350 -
I suppose I could try wearing it on my next ride but I'll also be petrified of snagging it on a tree and damaging it!
When was the last time you damaged a jacket on ride? Is this just fear of something happenning which doesnt happen very often? If so then just stop being paranoid and go ride it.0 -
All very good points, thank you.
I don't want to be honest with her because after the thought she's put in I don't want to offend her and I know she'll be gutted if I tell her it's not for me. Besides, the jacket is really rather nice.
So, I'm just gonna wear it! At this time of year much of my riding is in the dark anyway so it's unlikely anyone will see what it is that's keeping me lovely and warm!
The whole situation has spurred me on to get a new bike too. I've been thinking for a while about going back to road riding. Sure, mountain biking is more fun but it's difficult to get out as much as I'd like to so I've decided to buy me a Cotic Roadrat to add to my collection. On road, off road, everything in between and has flat bars - perfect for me for the times when I'm unable to make it to the trails.
Funny how a silly little dilemma can lead to a decision to buy another bike!0 -
Best choice in getting another bike, N+1 an all that. Re the jacket I wear my road jacket from time to time no issues even when I fall off. Your more likely to damage it coming off on the road than off road to be honest.0
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Looks good!Paracyclist
@Bigmitch_racing
2010 Specialized Tricross (commuter)
2014 Whyte T129-S
2016 Specialized Tarmac Ultegra Di2
Big Mitch - YouTube0 -
I don't want to be honest with her because after the thought she's put in I don't want to offend her
How old is she, 12? How old are you, for that matter.
She made a good stab at a subject she knows nothing about. Well done. She didn't quite hit the target, is she going to fall to pieces over that? Do you really think she wants you sailing round in the wrong kit? If you can't bring this to your other half, you're in trouble.
Do it together. Go on line and look at the suitable stuff and let her guide the choices for replacements so she's still part of the process.
This is all a big fuss over nothing. You're treating your wife like an infant.All the gear, no idea and loving the smell of jealousy in the morning.
Kona Process 134 viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=129946070 -
Buy a Road bike?
Don't be ridiculous. No one with half a brain who knows mountain bikes exist would buy a road bike.
So what you are saying is any MTBer who hasn't bought a road bike has half a brain? That's a bit harsh :shock:0 -
I don't want to be honest with her because after the thought she's put in I don't want to offend her
How old is she, 12? How old are you, for that matter.
She made a good stab at a subject she knows nothing about. Well done. She didn't quite hit the target, is she going to fall to pieces over that? Do you really think she wants you sailing round in the wrong kit? If you can't bring this to your other half, you're in trouble.
Do it together. Go on line and look at the suitable stuff and let her guide the choices for replacements so she's still part of the process.
This is all a big fuss over nothing. You're treating your wife like an infant.
Exactly my point. She should not be mad at you if you nicely talk to her and suggest to exchange the stuff (except for the jacket since your like it).-Cube Acid 29" 2013
-A new Giant Trance 3 2015!0 -
Give it to a homeless roadie.
Haven't read all of the thread.....
But every two weeks, I see the same person at the same time in the same location, with lot's of Panniers on his bike.
Keep wanting to speak to him, maybe he is doing C2C over and over again.
Maybe homeless roadies exist0 -
Forrest Gump on wheels. Forrest Gump 2 if Hollywood hears about this.[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19748234#p19748234]Clockworkmark31[/url] wrote:Give it to a homeless roadie.
Haven't read all of the thread.....
But every two weeks, I see the same person at the same time in the same location, with lot's of Panniers on his bike.
Keep wanting to speak to him, maybe he is doing C2C over and over again.
Maybe homeless roadies exist0 -
There is zero chance I would be happy with any bike gear that someone in my family bought me as a gift.
You should return it. And you should not let people buy you gifts. She can take you out to dinner next time instead of a gift.
You can create a wish-list in Amazon and put a dozen items on it and then share that list with people.0 -
, I can't go riding in them!
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Its totally beyond me why you can use them for MTBing ! what exactly is wrong with them for this purpose ?0 -
, I can't go riding in them!
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Its totally beyond me why you can use them for MTBing ! what exactly is wrong with them for this purpose ?
Can or can't?
They don't match. It would be like using a helmet with no visor for MTB.0
