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Listen to what they are actually saying rather than what you want them to be saying. They will develop their own tastes and preferences as their bike experience moves on and they gain more confidence and discernment. That said you may never be into the same style of bikes, or bike riding.
I had one partner who was extremely critical of my attempts (some successes, some failures) to build/ convert/ customise my own bikes. Plus he kept swapping bits over on them when I wasn't looking. It was immensely irritating and he denied me the opportunity to make my own judgment calls on stuff. And that's many people's ideal situation of your gf building fixed track bikes with her own toolkit in the front room.

Basically, don't be a pompous arse. Listen, stand back, assist when asked.

@ 6pt, you should have dropped in to LMNH where I was heading, most of the people there were on foot.

I was somewhat disappointed last night to discover that my Rapha edition bike has no concealed paragraph exhorting me to be more serious and epic in my riding. Surely the most appropriate placement has been missed here :(

another cheat is those ballet toe pads, I use them inside shoes that rub (most of the spd ones I've tried) they make all shoes feel like fleecey old lady boots.

oooh... how well does that work. Spoke to the guy in the outdoor store when I was getting reproofing stuff for my softshell and he said he didn't recommend spraying shoes cause you'd have to do it too often? This is exciting if it works. damp socks are the worst thing ever.

well it works better than not doing it and it's pretty cheap as shoes are relatively small! tbh the rain that get's in will still get in down the side of the tongue. If you walked around in them more than cycling I can imagine the movement would cause breaks in the protection but cycling your foot bends much less. I just redo it sporadically; too lazy and unobservant for a regular schedule.

I have rainy day converse that I sprayed with tent proofing from army surplus.
I've seen women's 8 and 9s in tk maxx, they always have the best range of stock/ lowest prices in sizes other than 5/6/7. Otoh in Holland all stores carry larger women's sizes due to height/ foot size variance.

but do watch out if you are inclined to scoot down the side of cars next to higher london kerbs if you ride it fixed; only time I've suffered pedal strike and entirely my own fault but unnerving none the less.

I'm a nipple. I have the breeches to prove it.

It's no problem, bikes are designed to be ridden and that one had been sitting around for a few weeks looking sorry for itself.
You give a huge amount of helpful advice to the forum so it's the forum giving something back :)

If you need a bike, I have a fixed plug that's sat in my kitchen waiting to go to polo when I find time. You're welcome to borrow him for a bit? Can bring it down or you can come get it tomorrow. Has bullhorns, sorry about that!

I have one, I'm in stamford hill, I could toddle it over now if you're desperate?

thanks guys, it was really lovely to meet you all :)

This is so potentially awesome I want to see it on video :) good luck!

I don't know if this might be at all relevant:
http://www.velo-orange.com/grcruthbobr.html
Very sorry if it's not, but would enable you to change to an easier to deal with bb.
I have a crank puller you're welcome to borrow.

If there's any possibility of solid metal etc items being concealed in amongst the plants and you don't know where be really careful; I used a strimmer in such situations with massive boots on, attacking the base of plants.

price drop, I'm gonna give London ppl priority as prefer to avoid the post office.

Rather just sell outright now also.

Hey Toby, I have a regal you can have for free, it's not immaculate but I hate it and it needs to be out of my house so I stop trying to put it on stuff.

I have a 24seven v24 dark angel, (usually) I run it single speed, sometimes I put it's gears back on. I'm 6', 12st and incredibly clumsy and I've never had a problem with it. You can pick up the frame for cheap too on ebay if you look around. When it's single speed it's pretty much a slacker really, but bizarrely I like the option of swapping it out. Frame has horizontal drop outs obv.
I have sherman forks on mine at the moment and am pretty happy with them.

Looking to get a couple more climbing partners so I don't have to bother inkymitts as often :)

Been climbing at the castle but not averse to trying another one of the London walls.

There's this, I haven't used it personally but it has been recommended to me.

This may sound stupid but you might find not wearing underwear helpful: thongs are particularly bad for bacterial transmission. Plus it will help keep everything less irritated.
If you're really having a rubbing problem (sounds like the cause) stick a bit of silicon lube on the area. It isn't a lovely solution but does work.

Sorry if you're offended by my response but no offence was intended. Had you been in the uk I would have gladly travelled to view but geometry is personal taste etc. Best of luck with your sale.

ah, not much chance of a test ride then :) too much of a shot in the dark given that for me I'm afraid!

forgive me if this has an obvious answer but where is this bike located?

No, I wouldn't want that.

awww come on, you get to be sexist and then a group of 6' women pop you in the river. It's just perfect.

I have persecuted these so called 'many women' - they didn't complain at the time.

This is just racism by the back door.

It's ok if we chase after and pop you in the river in the name of fun though right?! Sadly I don't like leaving my bike unlocked should the opportunity arise. I regret it every time it happens.

Unrelated to road conduct but there's a guy on a bike that spits, swears and shouts abuse at our rowing team by the Lea. As he hates rowers. Ironically we're all female cyclists who ride there. Way to go dude.