How to spend a tax refund

[divingbiker]

After months of agonizing, I finally ordered a new commuting bike on Friday--a Rivendell Glorius. And it's red! (This is a picture of a Wilbury, but it's the same bike, just a different name.)

Hopefully the albatross bars and bar end shifters will help eliminate the wrist pain I've been experiencing with the grip shifters on my early 90's vintage Trek hybrid. I decided that it was foolish to ride my crappiest, oldest bike as my commuter since I ride it every day. And I don't want to ride my newer, nicer road bike to work because I want to sit more upright in the traffic.

Yesterday I forced myself to do my taxes--the refund will cover about 2/3 of the cost of the bike! Unfortunately I have to wait 6-8 weeks to get the bike, but that will be just in time for spring.

You know this is all ace's fault...

[wannaduacentury]

Very pretty :) It looks like my old 3 speed and it is red w/ brown/tan seat and bar grips. Looks like a fun commuting bike :)

[ace]

Hey! I resemble that remark! :D

That bike is so cuuute! May you ride her in great happiness.

Anyone else want me to take the blame for purchases? I'm happy to.....

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Congratulaions! Welcome to the Rivendell sisterhood! ;)

[xeney]

Ooh, so pretty. I commute on a mixte with those same bars and I think it's perfect. Have fun!

[Aggie_Ama]

Congrats, she is beautiful!

[Trek420]

Congratulaions! Welcome to the Rivendell sisterhood! ;)

First lugged steel, next wool.

Resistance is futile :) :rolleyes: :cool:

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Hopefully the albatross bars and bar end shifters will help eliminate the wrist pain I've been experiencing with the grip shifters on my early 90's vintage Trek hybrid.

My husband changed to albatross bars on his 10 year old steel Trek that had straight bars, and he said it was WAY more comfortable on his hands and arms. He loves his albatross bars on the Trek- which is his go-to-the-store/bank/PO bike. :)

[divingbiker]

First lugged steel, next wool.

Resistance is futile

Hmmm...I'm not so sure about that. I tried to be a wool weenie, but except for socks, everything is too itchy. (And I've got my doubts about a leather saddle, but I haven't run across an alternative that keeps the whole retro vibe going.)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Hmmm...I'm not so sure about that. I tried to be a wool weenie, but except for socks, everything is too itchy. (And I've got my doubts about a leather saddle, but I haven't run across an alternative that keeps the whole retro vibe going.)

Have you tried 100% merino ultrafine wool? Examples are Ibex or Smartwool brands. Most people find them very very soft rather than itchy, including myself.
Leather saddles....sure they look good instead of "plast-icky", but many cyclists get hooked on them because once they form to your butt they don't HURT like many plastic foam and gel saddles do! :cool:

[divingbiker]

Have you tried 100% merino ultrafine wool? Examples are Ibex or Smartwool brands. Most people find them very very soft rather than itchy, including myself.
Leather saddles....sure they look good instead of "plast-icky", but many cyclists get hooked on them because once they form to your butt they don't HURT like many plastic foam and gel saddles do! :cool:

Yeah, earlier this winter I bought an Ibex sweater and had to send it back because it was too itchy, and I've tried on Smartwool underwear at REI. It doesn't work for me, because apparently I'm just so darn sensitive. ;)

I have no doubt after reading all the testimonials here that leather saddles are comfortable, but being a vegan I try to avoid leather as much as possible--I'll buy leather shoes because I've got to wear something on my feet, but I'd never buy a leather coat, purse, gloves, etc. I've got a couple of months to think about the leather saddle. I think the only one that would work is the waterproof Selle Anatomica saddle, because I'm definitely going to be commuting in the rain and from what I understand regular leather saddles don't hold up well in rain.

I do love the way they look on the steel bikes!

[twin]

Welcome to being in the Rivendell group.I really like my Bleriot and I am sure I would like all of them. What a beautiful red! Have fun and enjoy the times you ride it. I totally agree with having a great commuter bike and ride my Bleriot for everything.

[7rider]

Hi DB!
Congrats on the new buggy!
Many happy utilitarian miles on her (curious: how far is your commute?).
Just think, when you do get your new bike, all this snow and icky sand and salt will be gone. You don't want to muss her up on the first ride, do you??

[mimitabby]

cool bike, happy tax return!

[divingbiker]

(curious: how far is your commute?).
Just think, when you do get your new bike, all this snow and icky sand and salt will be gone. You don't want to muss her up on the first ride, do you??

Hi, Regina. My commute is about 7 miles each way, into downtown DC. I am SO looking forward to consistent 40+ degree temperatures. I was only able to ride my bike to work 6 times so far this month--hopefully it will be 8 times by Wednesday. As opposed to 16 times in January. I think I'll have a hard time at first taking the new bike out in bad weather, but bikes are made to be ridden, not stored away waiting on a nice day. Looking forward to riding with you and the rest of the mid-Atlantic gals when the weather's better...

[Bad JuJu]

Such a beautiful bike! The red is so rich--like a redheaded woodpecker's head. You'll certainly be visible, flying through downtown DC!:D

[divingbiker]

Got my new Rivendell Glorius mixte on Friday, and just finished all the adjustments on the trainer. It's pouring rain, so her maiden voyage outdoors will be tomorrow's commute. While all the rest of the bikes live in the basement, this one is in the living room...such a work of art! I got a front rack and a bag for the front, but I think I've decided to send them back and get a Nigel Smythe handlebar bag (like Trek and KnottedYet's) for the work ID, sunglasses, tire repair stuff, etc.

(I dropped the multitool while adjusting the saddle and already chipped the paint. :( But I was happy to discover that Opi nail polish "The Thrill of Brazil"--my winter toe color--is a perfect match!)

Here she is, with Remy and Bailey supervising...

[jobob]

Got my new Rivendell Glorius mixte on Friday, and just finished all the adjustments on the trainer.

She's lovely! Have you given her a name yet?


(I dropped the multitool while adjusting the saddle and already chipped the paint. :( But I was happy to discover that Opi nail polish "The Thrill of Brazil"--my winter toe color--is a perfect match!)

Well good, you got that first ding out of the way. Red is such a practical bike color.

[xeney]

Wow, what a beautiful bike. I love it!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Divingbiker-
That Glorius is GORGEOUS! :) :) Oh you must be so thrilled.
DH and I were just recommending a Glorius to a woman friend last night- she does not want a drop bar road bike due to back issues, but doesn't want a clunky hybrid either. She hates having to swing her leg over top tubes as well.
...Glorius!

Say is that an 11mm stem on there? Are you tall? What size is that Glorius frame you got?
I think the glorius in red is way better than the periwinkle.
It's truly beautiful... :)

[withm]

Nice bike! I could be interested in something like that. I'm curious about the handlebars - could you post a pic showing the shape a little better? Can't find anything on the Rivendell site...

[7rider]

What a nice looking bike, DB! Many happy commutes with it (are you really going to take it out tomorrow in the rain??).
Good thing you got that first scratch out of the way. Tom got his pulling the new Seven from the car after he picked it up for the first time from the LBS. We have a friend who actually will turn his new bike(s) upside down and scratch under the BB on purpose so he gets it over and done with!
Let us know how she rides.
I hope the shifters help your wrists.

Poor Remy and Bailey, tho', don't look to thrilled to be losing the attention! ;)

[KnottedYet]

she is BEEEEEOOOOOTIFULLLLLL!!!

Congratulations!

And how very cool that your nail polish matches! :D

Trek and I fondled all the bikes at Riv (we just couldn't get ourselves to ride them... oh, what if we broke one!) and the Glorius and Saluki were two of my favorites.

I can highly recommend the Nigel Smythe bar bag for the rain. I rode in some juicy downpours yesterday and nothing in my bag got wet. My cell phone was in one of the inside pockets and in a ziplock bag for extra protection, but everything else was just loose in the bag.

[xeney]

withm: she said those were Albatross bars, which means they are these (http://www.rivbike.com/webalog/handlebars_stems_tape/16122.html) or these (http://www.rivbike.com/webalog/handlebars_stems_tape/16127.html). I have the latter on my mixte and I love them for cruising around town. The only time I don't like them is when I have to make a fast stop, because they don't give you the best braking position. They are totally comfortable for any kind of hand/wrist problems, though.

[Kalidurga]

Janice, I think that bike will make you the classiest commuter I've seen in DC yet. Great metalwork on the head tube!

[divingbiker]

Thanks for all your good thoughts. I am thrilled, and can't wait to take a ride. :)


She's lovely! Have you given her a name yet?

I've been trying to think of one, but I've never named bikes, cars, etc, so suggestions are welcome.


Say is that an 11mm stem on there? Are you tall? What size is that Glorius frame you got?

It's actually a 12 cm stem, and the bike is 58 cm. Sounds huge, I know, and we'll see how it feels on the road, but on the trainer it's good. I'm not exceptionally tall, 5' 6 1/2", but Grant suggested the 58 cm since the top bar is actually lower than it is on the 56 cm. (If I recall correctly, he originally didn't make a 52 or 58 cm, and when an older woman couldn't swing her leg over the bike, he lowered the top tube a bit on the 52 and 58. It makes the middle tube at the back swoop down a bit more, and I like the look of it a lot.) I also told him that on my current hybrid I felt a little "crunched up" so he made the stem a bit longer. I've not got a lot of seat post showing, and the albatross bars sweep pretty far back, so I think the largeness of both the frame and stem will work. Fingers crossed.


I'm curious about the handlebars - could you post a pic showing the shape a little better?

Hope the pic at the bottom of the page is clear. (I can't figure out how to make the attachment show up in the middle here...)


Many happy commutes with it (are you really going to take it out tomorrow in the rain??).

I guess we'll see in the morning, but right now that's the plan. 40 mph wind gusts don't sound too fun, though.


I can highly recommend the Nigel Smythe bar bag for the rain.

They sent me the green wool Little Loafer bag, since the canvas ones were out of stock and won't be in for six weeks. I thought the canvas would be much better in the rain, and you just confirmed it. Thanks for giving me the idea of the handlebar bag. :)


I think that bike will make you the classiest commuter I've seen in DC yet.

Well, one thing I've never been accused of being is classy, but maybe the bike will help a bit. :p

Wow, this got long. Thanks for all the positive feedback, ladies. You certainly are prolific!