Part I: Getting Started in .NET

Generating Quick Response Code in .NET Part I: Getting Started

Like any business, every bicycle store is in the business to make money This doesn t mean the owners and employees are driving around town in their Lamborghinis, wearing Rolex watches, or drinking Dom Perignon Selling bicycles is a hard business to be successful at it involves a high overhead, low profit margins, and a constant need for trained and educated staff Plus, staying in tune with the bicycling industry and the evolving technology behind it is a constant challenge In most cases, you ll find that employees and owners choose to work in the biking industry because they have a true love and passion for the sport They enjoy working with and helping people discover and develop the same love and passion for biking For a bike-shop owner, it s satisfying and rewarding to see a family out on the trail having some real quality time, knowing that they ve outfitted them with bicycles and/or accessories It s equally rewarding to talk with the person who started as a recreational cyclist and is now addicted to biking and rides or commutes to work every day These are a few of the reasons that drive many of the people who work in your local bicycle stores Keep this in mind the next time you re shopping for that cool new bicycle part or accessory upgrade They need to make a little profit so they can continue to pay the bills and be there the next time you need something

The most significant benefit you ll get from working with a bike shop is the obvious: They can help you buy the bike that s right for you Sure, you can use the Internet to find a bike, and save some money But if you shop online, you re missing what only a bike shop can provide: the personal touch and customer service The hands-on, face-to-face service of a bike shop is invaluable when you re searching for the right bike Plus, the folks at your local bike shop can help with sizing and the assembly of your bike When you shop at your local bike shop, you re building a relationship that will benefit you when you need additional support

Whether you buy a bike online or at a bike shop, it ll need some initial adjustments and an inspection The benefit of buying from a bike shop is that they can make these adjustments when you buy it

Plus, when you buy a bike from a local bike store, they won t just put the pedals, seat, and handlebars on your bicycle and send you off They ll disassemble your bicycle first They ll take many of the parts off and double-check and fine-tune them before assembling and checking everything and making the final adjustments When you arrive to pick up your bike, they ll go over the bicycle with you, making sure it s fitted and adjusted to your personal riding style and comfort They ll go over its function, show you how everything works, and give you riding tips After you ve put some miles on your bike, the gear and brake cable will stretch and need adjustment, the spokes will settle into place and need truing, the bearings will loosen up and need adjustments and all of this can be done for free by many shops They know that this initial break-in period is the must critical time for the best performance and extended life of your bicycle, so they want to take care of it for you Use the Internet to research the bikes you re interested in Almost all manufacturers have very user-friendly Web sites that can help you when you walk into your local shop and start trying out different bikes Here are some of the major bicycle manufacturers and their Web addresses: Cannondale: wwwcannondalecom Fuji: wwwfujibikescom Gary Fisher: wwwfisherbikescom Giant: wwwgiant-bicyclescom Kona: wwwkonaworldcom Raleigh: wwwraleighusacom Schwinn: wwwschwinnbikecom Specialized: wwwspecializedcom Trek: wwwtrekbikescom When you re looking for a bike with the help of a bike shop, they ll help you figure out which type of bike is most suited for your needs There are many different types of bikes available, each with their own benefits: Road bikes are built for smooth pavement riding and fast speeds They re lightweight for easier acceleration and top speeds They have thin, higher pressure tires (for less rolling resistance) and dropped handlebars (to support a bent-over riding position for better aerodynamics)