I’d say if you are buying a gift for someone you want to make sure they like it; that’s the whole point after all.
I’d just explain to them that you really appreciate the thought and it shows that they’re listening and get you, it’s just that you have more knowledge on bikes adn what you want to do with the bike (sounds like a road bike is more what you want).
I don’t see how they’ll have a problem if they’re reasonable people.
Appreciate teh thought though, it is a thoughtful gift, the execution just probably wasn’t that great.
Good luck. I have an Avanti drop bar road bike and it was the best place i dropped a bunch of cash (besides my power rack 
…) in a long time
[quote]rsg wrote:
Ha, nothing more fun than passing a cyclist on a road bike, and he can’t catch me on my MTB.[/quote]
Yah! How about passing cyclists on speed blades and they can’t catch me. Humble pie is served.
[quote]rsg wrote:
Nothing wrong with a mountain bike, I got one of these and cycle to work most days - it’s not that heavy in actual fact so what the problem is?
You got a free bike, I say be happy.[/quote]
That’s a sweet Cannie you got there man! Cannondale would be my next bike if the local shop that sold them wasn’t run by a bunch of hippies. They make some tight shit.
[quote]streamline wrote:
rsg wrote:
Ha, nothing more fun than passing a cyclist on a road bike, and he can’t catch me on my MTB.
Yah! How about passing cyclists on speed blades and they can’t catch me. Humble pie is served.[/quote]
I love dusting the Tour wannabes on my 40lbs full suspension I-Drive. It’s pretty easy to pick out the poser Roadies.
Yet to come across a speed skater on the trail. I remember screwing around town with my buddies that play hockey and I couldn’t believe how fast those guys could go on skates.
He took it well. I took ddays advice.
Me: “Yo, I really appreciate you buying me a bike for my birthday, but there was a specific bike I was looking into buying. Would you be pissed if I told you I wanted to exchange it and use the money towards the bike I’ve been looking at?”
Bro: “Nah not at all, mom told me that you were looking at a specific bike but that was after I had bought that one. Just make sure you spend the money on a bike.”
What do you think of the bike above?
Beautiful, pure, simple, buy it.
Fixies aren’t a fad.
If you do feel the need for gears later (and have the money) you could get a Rolhoff hub.