I don't like my new bike

[snorri]

, I think replies that say she should just persevere with the bike are a bit patronising. Read the OP again - .

The persevere word was in response to the question in the OP .....If I give it a chance, might I get used to it?
Doesn't seem patronising to me.

 

[NorthernDave]

I'd normally say to stick with it and try setting it up to suit you (it took me half a dozen rides and little adjustments to get truly comfortable when I went from a hybrid to a road bike).

However, Mrs ND has an Apollo Elyse and it is a truly hateful bike. Sold as a hybrid but it's nothing of the sort, heavy, terrible gear change, slow (I could go on)
I had the 'pleasure' of riding it home from Halfords once and that was once too often.

She tried to get on with it but has decided that enough is enough and has bought a Carrera Subway One, which is a proper hybrid and which she loves.

 

[Shortandcrisp]

It's an Apollo, it'll never last ten years. Ride it into the ground for a couple of months. Problem solved!

 

[Drago]

A couple of months? That's optimistic.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

If you hate the bike now, I don't think you will like it, ever, even with minor adjustments.
I've seen an Elyse in the flesh, to be fair, it would attract someone that does not ride. It weights a ton though!
Explain to your partner that a type of bike is an individual preference, like cars not all bikes are the same.
Tell them you're going to trade it in for a bike more suitable to you, or it will just end up languishing in the shed.

 

[jarlrmai]

Bikes are like shoes, you'd never buy one for someone unseen or unadvised.

 

[mjr]

Bikes are like shoes, you'd never buy one for someone unseen or unadvised.

Very few shoes are in contact with one's backside (hopefully! At least IMO ) but some people seem to think it's nice to buy others underpants...

 

[uphillstruggler]

a wise man once said to me that to say what you mean, even though it may not be pleasant, takes only a minute or two. (this was when I was in the process of sacking someone I actually liked but was useless at what we needed them to do)

the bike will last a (little) while longer than that.

Surely your partner wouldn't want you to be unhappy.

best of luck with this.

 

[Andrew_P]

I would just go back to the old bike and answer honestly when asked why. No tact I know, and probably the reason I never get presents anymore!

 

[smutchin]

My non-cycling partner has just given me a new Apollo Elyse as a surprise replacement for my old but very loved mountain bike (he was only supposed to pump the tyres up!).

I feel like there's some information missing from this story. How exactly did this come about?

"Could you pop out to the shed and pump up my tyres, please, darling?"
"OK, I'll go and do it right now..."
<two hours later>
"Where the heck have you been?"
"Come outside, sweetheart, I've got a nice surprise for you..."

its not the bike I would have chosen for myself

Get rid of the useless piece of rubbish. And tell him to take his crappy bike with him.

If I give it a chance, might I get used to it?

You might get used to it but you'll never love it.

 

[uphillstruggler]

just show him this thread

done

 

[froze]

I think like the others think, and that is first try fitting the bike to you by first going to You Tube and reading this: https://cyclingtips.com/2010/04/science-of-bike-fitting/ and this: http://www.bikefit.com/s-13-road-bikes.aspx

Then after doing that it still bothers you try to figure what is bothering, if it's the bars than replace them with either the old one you had on the old bike or find a new set that compares to the old one, same with the seat etc. If the bike is the same size as your old one there is no reason why you can't get it to work, it may take a month or two to dial it in by applying the principles the websites mention but it can be done with patience.

 

[Lozz360]

In your OP, early on, you say that you hate it. Although I don't know you, I am convinced that if you adjusted the new bike so that it fits you perfectly you will never grow to like it. You say "its not the bike I would have chosen for myself", so no amount of adapting it or getting used to it is going to change this. If you haven't already done so, try and get a refund ASAP as others have said. You can explain to your other half that it was a very sweet thought but the bike is not you. If you just accept the bike it will spend years if not decades not being used. I think you know this.

 

[greekonabike]

Like others have said, you could make adjustments to the riding position but if you don't like it then well, you just don't like it. I had an Apollo Slant MTB that was truly awful. It weighed a ton and felt like it was made out of dough. I'd just be honest and see if they'd let you trade up to something else.

 

[Grant Fondo]

The good lady wife got an Apollo 10 years ago, rode it once (about half a mile) and it has sat in our outside toilet ever since, which at least is appropriate. Far too heavy and a dreadful ride. The bike was pretty bad as well.......