"What brought you here to Western North Carolina?"

"Work."

"Really? What type of work do you do?"

"I work at a company that makes quality bike parts. The company is Cane Creek, and we've had a factory here for decades."

"Yeah, I know who Cane Creek is. They make nice stuff. Too nice for me. I'm not a pro."

I have had dozens of conversations like this. They can originate various ways but usually end the same: a stated belief that Cane Creek parts are too good for them. But that simple "I'm not a pro" can mean a lot of different things. In this Being Frank I will attempt to identify the various meanings -- I've come up with nine -- and provide an alternative perspective for each.

"I'm not a pro" could be them saying that they don't think that they are serious enough about riding to benefit from Cane Creek parts. Many people are into several activities/sports, and though they may ride a fair amount, they do not describe themselves as a "cyclist". However, parts that enhance riding confidence, add comfort, or increase bike longevity can be beneficial for any rider. The thinking that they do not ride enough and they are not a racer fits here as well.

"I'm not a pro" could also be a way of saying that they do not think that they have the skill needed to benefit from Cane Creek parts. While it could be true to a degree, nearly all of our parts offer something to riders of all skill levels. Equating our Kitsuma Coil rear shock with very aggressive downhill riding that includes super technical trail features and big gap jumps is easy to do and is where the Tigon was designed to shine. But the traction and control afforded by the lively coil spring, combined with the shock's wide adjustment range, enable the Kitsuma to help any rider seeking to increase control and decrease anxiety when riding downhill over rocks and roots.

Sometimes the "I'm not a pro" is code for those parts are too expensive. Certainly, when perusing the Cane Creek website and seeing eeWings titanium cranks for $1,250 and $700 Tigon shocks, one would be excused for that conclusion. Though further exploration would uncover a variety of products under $100 that can impact your riding in one way or another. Forty and Fifty series headsets can return silence to your rides, our bottom bracket preloader can eliminate the frustration of stripping a screw that is threaded into plastic, the GXC stem can reduce weight and dispense with rusty screws, and our widely adjustable computer mount enables you to see where you've been and where you're going via a light-friendly accessory mount. My bike is not good enough for Cane Creek parts fits here as well.

Perceived complexity and intimidation over fitment can be behind the "I'm not a pro" response as well. There's no way around the fact that bicycles today are a lot different than twenty-five years ago. Cane Creek has always appreciated the inherent value of the bicycle's repairability. From creating the industry defining S.H.I.S. (now called Headset Code) identification structure for headsets, to supporting our products for many years after discontinuation and having real humans answer hundreds of calls and e-mails each week from riders looking for answers, Cane Creek is committed to helping riders.

And then there was one. For some "I'm not a pro" is a statement about not making a statement. Some riders don't want to be viewed as something they are not. They don't want to meet certain expectations, don't want to explain why they bought something or how it compares to what they had previously. Their purchases, like their riding, are for themselves and themselves alone. And to them I say: "We're here if you need us."

This is our company's fifty-first year in business, the last thirty years under the Cane Creek name. Our vision statement is simply: "Riding bikes makes life better -- we work to make bikes better." If you're riding a bike of any type in any manner, we're excited. And if you ever have a thought to enhance your bike, maybe this Being Frank will help you remember that you don't have to be a pro to ride, benefit, and enjoy Cane Creek parts.