View Full Version : Ordered my new bike!
BleeckerSt_Girl
10-08-2007, 01:40 PM
Ok, I'm rather excited.
After riding my one bike for a year and a half now, I have finally decided on a second bike, and I made the official phone call today to get the process going. :)
I called Luna Cycles to order a custom steel bike from Margo the owner/builder. I sent in all my measurements plus lots of other info she will need. We have not gone over some details yet, so I'll be talking further with her on the component combinations. There are a few custom bikes in the queue ahead of me, so mine will probably take about 4 months. I will hopefully be riding it in the Spring!
I'm very happy! I've taken about 4 months of careful thinking, researching, and planning before getting to this moment. I know she will make a really swell bike for me. :p :p :p
mimitabby
10-08-2007, 01:42 PM
congratulations! we want every stinkin' detail!
i guess you're not getting carbon handlebars. :p
BleeckerSt_Girl
10-08-2007, 01:46 PM
congratulations! we want every stinkin' detail!
i guess you're not getting carbon handlebars. :p
Not after seeing that picture on TE today!!!! :eek: :eek: :eek:
But hey I *am* getting a carbon fork!
divingbiker
10-08-2007, 01:47 PM
I called Luna Cycles to order a custom steel bike from Margo the owner/builder.
Lisa, how did you decide on a Luna? I'm curious as to your decision process. As I recall, she doesn't make lugged bikes, right? I talked to Margo a couple of years ago, but ended up buying an off the rack bike. Four months for a custom bike is great!
BleeckerSt_Girl
10-08-2007, 02:17 PM
Lisa, how did you decide on a Luna? I'm curious as to your decision process. As I recall, she doesn't make lugged bikes, right? I talked to Margo a couple of years ago, but ended up buying an off the rack bike. Four months for a custom bike is great!
Ah yes, my decision process....it's rather interesting.
My wonderful lugged steel Rivendell is a great bike that i love. It's very smooth riding and "almost" fits me perfectly. Yet- there is the old familiar woman's problem of the toptube being long and thus the bike is somewhat longer in reach than would be completely ideal for me. I have tweaked everything possible and brought it within a fraction of fit perfection. But to lay down a big chunk o dough for a second bike....well i want it to fit me perfectly...not almost perfectly.
I knew this woman at Luna has been specializing in making women's fit steel bikes for about 12 years now- so she must know her stuff. I suspect most of her customers are women who have had a hard time fitting on generic men's designed bikes. I really like the idea of a highly experienced woman builder making my bike. I've read about her and I like what she has to say. She seemed great on the phone today and inspired my confidence. I have some slightly unusual gearing wants that will require some knowledgeable solutions.
Lugs are mostly pre-manufactured with certain fixed angles for the tubes that fit into them- so there is a limit as to how much you can tweak the tube angles on a lugged steel bike to fit an individual's proportions. Needless to say, most lugs are designed to make typical man bikes. With TIG welded steel, the sky is the limit for angle/geometry on any particular bike. So I opted for better likelihood of perfect custom fit over the allure of lugs. Luna does mostly TIG welded steel bikes.
I don't have the patience to wait 2-4 years for a custom bike like some of the current waiting lists are with customs. (Rivendells customs are well over 3 years wait list now, as are Vanilla and Kogswell, etc)
4-5 months seemed pretty good to me. :)
Ebisu was of interest to me, but I think I would have had problems conveying my specific female detailed wants and needs. DH has ordered parts from the very capable builder there over the phone and I think I would have had a difficult time communicating all my concerns, between both the language and the gender differences.
I have never ridden any lightweight "fast" road bikes. This last weekend I actually test rode a Roubaix aluminum road bike. Don't get me wrong- I know lots of women love theirs....but I thought my fillings were going to get rattled out of my teeth! :cool: When I got back on my steel Rambouillet it was like AAAAAAHHHHHHH......velvet. It was the last little experience that made me want to stick with steel. I love to do long rides and steel has been very comfortable for me thus far. Plus I like the fact that it is largely repairable and doesn't tend to crack in a crash like carbon.
Luna can pick a thickness of steel tubing that will be just right for my weight and my style of riding. My Ramb is a production bike (not custom) and so naturally they chose a tubing that could safely handle a guy my height that might weigh 100 pounds more than me. (!) So going custom will give me a slightly lighter bike too.
Hmmm...so those are some of the reasons I decided to go with Luna. I'm sure i've forgotten some!
Oh yes!- they can make my bike any color I want! :p :D
mimitabby
10-08-2007, 02:45 PM
LIsa, that's why i opted away from the lovely lugs too :( But my bike is so sweetly welded, i don't mind.
If you are worried about teeth rattling how come you're not getting a steel fork?
I love mine. I was so afraid it was going to be awful. In fact, it's part of the butter... :D
BleeckerSt_Girl
10-08-2007, 02:59 PM
LIsa, that's why i opted away from the lovely lugs too :( But my bike is so sweetly welded, i don't mind.
Oh, I didn't realize that about your choosing the non-lugged!
I was so glad when you got your wonderful bike and it was so beautiful and perfect. :)
If you are worried about teeth rattling how come you're not getting a steel fork?
I have discussed it with several people i trust. One man in particular used to race steel bikes for years and still loves steel bikes. He told me that a carbon fork on a steel bike was the smoothest and most responsive steering combination he ever rode. He told me that was the best single piece of advice he could give me. Apparently a carbon fork flexes very nicely with a steel frame. Also, I am trying to lose a few pounds off my next bike where I can, so that only adds to the appeal.
sandra
10-08-2007, 03:15 PM
CONGRATULATIONS!
What color is she going to be?????
emily_in_nc
10-08-2007, 04:42 PM
Lisa,
What wonderful news! I followed your struggle with your original too-long stem, and your issues with your newer shorter one, and I always felt like your Riv was probably a bit big for you. I think Luna is an excellent choice; they would be at the top of my list if I were in the market for a custom as well. I used to have a steel Terry Isis and could really tell a difference when I switched out the original steel fork for a carbon one. I saved weight and smoothed out even more road chatter on our bumpity rural roads, so I agree with your decision there. I also love the idea of buying a bike made for a woman by a woman, and I think Margo does a great job, judging from the bikes I've seen on her site (I've never seen one in person, unfortunately). I can't wait to hear all about your Luna, the various components you choose, and especially the color! Keep us all posted!
Congratulations! :D
Emily
7rider
10-08-2007, 04:52 PM
Ooo. Congrats on the new bike!
Can't wait to hear all about it, and especially see it and get the skinny on the ride! I do think you will like the carbon fork on the steel frame. It dampens any road vibration and the steering and handling is spot-on.
Are you getting a road frame? Will this bike replace your Rivendell or will it fit another niche in your riding?
Best of luck with the new ride!
(p.s. Seven makes beautiful steel frames, too! Just sayin! :cool: :D :p )
oh...btw...what's the story with carbon handlebars? What did I miss??
If you are worried about teeth rattling how come you're not getting a steel fork?
I just take my teeth out:eek: - see?
Ah yes, my decision process....it's rather interesting.
Lugs are mostly pre-manufactured with certain fixed angles for the tubes that fit into them- so there is a limit as to how much you can tweak the tube angles on a lugged steel bike to fit an individual's proportions. Needless to say, most lugs are designed to make typical man bikes. With TIG welded steel, the sky is the limit for angle/geometry on any particular bike. So I opted for better likelihood of perfect custom fit over the allure of lugs. Luna does mostly TIG welded steel bikes.
How exciting that you're getting a custom bike. I opted for a lugged steel frame recently from a local custom builder and am very happy with it. The builder explained to me that even though the lugset comes with fixed angles, there is some wiggle room in the angle when he puts the frame together. For my bike, he used rather narrow lugs which probably didn't constrain the angles too severely. I also got a lovely steel fork with a nice rake. I've read that most builders use TIG welding now because a lugset costs almost as much as a tubing set. Different esthetics, but equally fine frames.
BleeckerSt_Girl
10-08-2007, 05:22 PM
Hey thanks all of you for the good vibes! :)
It's so great to have a place where bunches of other women totally understand my bike obsessions and excitements!
Sandra- the paint decision could easily be a couple of months away...and I *could* change my mind in the meantime....but....right now I am leaning towards a soft Bartlett pear color- sort of halfway between yellow and green. Rather Spring-like. :)
Emily- Yes I hear you. My Riv is not too big for me overall- just the pesky toptube length! But to be fair, with the medium stem and the seat way further back it is mostly quite comfortable now. But not perfect fit, and I'd like to shoot for perfect on my next bike. ;)
DebW- Yes that is a great lugged take-apart bake you had made! I remember when you got it and posted the pix.... :)
Regina- I'd have several Sevens in my "stable" if I could! ;) ;) I considered them too, but went with the woman builder concept.
I had also considered Sweet Pea (also a woman builder of steel bikes)....but I liked Luna's many years of experience.
Yes I am getting a road frame- but it will be able to handle 28cm tires for our rough gravel roads, and it won't have an extreme racing posture setup. I want to be comfy on 70+ mile rides all day. It will also have very low gears for the hilly area we live in. So I guess it would be a "modified road/touring" bike (...sort of like my Rambouillet but a bit lighter and tighter).
I want a second bike partly so I can keep riding when one is in the shop or otherwise out of commission, so yes I am keeping the Ramb. as far as I can foresee. Twice I have had my bike in the shop getting changes made, and both times I went out of my MIND not being able to ride for a few days! :eek: :eek: DH has 3 bikes, so I figured why shouldn't I have a second bike. ;)
Zen- funny. :D
Zen...you crack me up....:p
Lisa...that warm yellow/ green looks great with a warm red....kinda like the Bianchi Milano? That is one hot looking ride...but yours, I'm sure willl be even hotter!!!
annie
10-08-2007, 09:05 PM
What a great way to build excitement for the 2008 biking season, Lisa!! When the cold and snow is gone, you'll have a brand new beauty of a bike. Congratulations!
Annie
Mr. Bloom
10-09-2007, 02:08 AM
it sounds like Silver and you both deliberate on decisions the same way;)
I think that guarantees satisfaction:D
Thorn
10-09-2007, 02:46 AM
My fitter called my bike requirements a "plush Ferrari". Luna was in the final cut of my builder list, but, in the end, I went local (can't beat the warm fuzzies of a face-to-face). I really liked the fact that they specialized in women's frames. So cool to hear someone use them. Looking forward to hearing the continuing saga! But, 4 months....just in time for spring! And spring colors....purrrfect!
Congrats! May your new bike fit like a glove and ride like a dream!
Tri Girl
10-09-2007, 04:03 AM
Oooooooooo- very exciting!
Congrats on your decision, and the upcoming (well, sorta) arrival of your new bike. Can't wait to see pictures!!!
SheFly
10-09-2007, 05:34 AM
Congrats on the decision, Lisa! Sounds like it will be a beaut. You will really like the carbon fork - will make a big difference in the plush-ness of the ride.
oh...btw...what's the story with carbon handlebars? What did I miss??
See my pic here (http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=19266)about the carbon bar experience I just had - it didn't end so well ;)
That said, I think carbon bars DO have a place - I use them on my road bike, and they are fine.
SheFly
BleeckerSt_Girl
10-09-2007, 05:56 AM
Thanks fellow bike-ees,
Now of course when a builder tells you 4 months....well, from years of dealing with banjo builders, I tend to automatically think it might wind up being 5-6. :cool:
But hey, I always think like that to avoid disappointment....I'd rather be pleasantly surprised when things come earlier than I calculate. I figure I will be riding this bike certainly by April or May.
Since it is months away in any case, this thread will sink down into winter hibernation for the winter. ;) I will certainly post updates if they are interesting or exciting.
Yes, I look forward to the carbon fork- should be a good thing.
Elk- You are right about the warm red being a good color accent for the Pear frame color. The other accent possibilities might be pale sky blue or some sort of medium or dark green that plays off the pear color.
4545
short cut sally
10-09-2007, 06:33 AM
Lisa, congrats on the ordering of the new bike..I think the color will be pretty..as the color of the bartlett pear is stunning, and do agree that maybe a warm red color would accent it well. Are you able to put the colors together on a mock up before actually choosing? Are you keeping the Riv for rainy days and winter conditions? I kept my (not so) old road bike for that such thing..and works out well.
GLC1968
10-09-2007, 07:01 AM
Congrats, Lisa! The color choice sounds beautiful and I can't wait to see the final bike!
(Did you ever consider Ti for your new bike? I know it's pricey, but man it rides wonderfully on chip-seal.... and it's light and rust-proof to boot!)
mimitabby
10-09-2007, 07:11 AM
I like your pear color too. ah, and you will be able to accessorize nicely.
i agree about how long you're going to wait. I hoped to get mine in time for mother's day... when did i get it? Almost august..
but since you already realize this; it won't be so bad.
sgtiger
10-09-2007, 01:33 PM
Yahhh, Lisa! Congrats on choosing to get a custom bike. The pear color will be spectacular! How about copper for an accent color?
nice choice....
which part of the pear are you thinking about? darker or lighter parts? i like the color of the dark spots...
imagine that pear with a turkey red stem!!! :p
BleeckerSt_Girl
10-09-2007, 02:45 PM
Hmmm....colors.
Here's a little swatch I made up of the basic pear color with a few possible colors for accents like handlebars:
4546
Of course everyone's computer monitors are adjusted slightly differently so people might all be seeing the colors a little differently. So, just a general idea.
A flat color certainly has a different feel to it than the full depth of color of a real pear. ;)
(I wonder if guys on guy biking forums obsess about colors so much as we do?)
Yes I am keeping my Rambouillet because the whole idea was to be able to have two bikes, for when one is possibly in shop getting fixed/changed etc.
some guys do....Dh is a painter (artist) and he's into color...
I'm liking the blue with that yellow....
What's the name of that frame builder here in Eugene...let me go find it...they have a great page of painted tubes...remembering that the color will not be flat!! here:
Co Motion http://www.co-motion.com/specs/singlepaint.html
wannaduacentury
10-09-2007, 03:30 PM
Ok, I'm rather excited.
After riding my one bike for a year and a half now, I have finally decided on a second bike, and I made the official phone call today to get the process going. :)
I called Luna Cycles to order a custom steel bike from Margo the owner/builder. I sent in all my measurements plus lots of other info she will need. We have not gone over some details yet, so I'll be talking further with her on the component combinations. There are a few custom bikes in the queue ahead of me, so mine will probably take about 4 months. I will hopefully be riding it in the Spring!
I'm very happy! I've taken about 4 months of careful thinking, researching, and planning before getting to this moment. I know she will make a really swell bike for me. :p :p :p
That's great, and the sweet anticipation of riding it when complete. ahhh! Congrats. Jenn :)
BleeckerSt_Girl
01-09-2008, 11:39 AM
My steel frame is being built right now!!! :eek: :eek: :p Should be finished in about 2 weeks. Then it's off to be painted.
I have to go out to look at paint chip colors at the hardware store! Yikes!!!
Now I'm getting nervous.
sandra
01-09-2008, 11:58 AM
How exciting! I can hardly wait!
You mean excited, not nervous! :cool:
at least I'm excited FOR you!!!!
mimitabby
01-09-2008, 01:30 PM
Hey Lisa, you don't want hardware store paint, you want car paint.
Lamborghini, Mazda, Jaguar, Ferrari, Mercedes Benz.... (My bike is a combo of Ferrari & Lamborghini)
BleeckerSt_Girl
01-09-2008, 02:22 PM
Hey Lisa, you don't want hardware store paint, you want car paint.
Lamborghini, Mazda, Jaguar, Ferrari, Mercedes Benz.... (My bike is a combo of Ferrari & Lamborghini)
Nope, I want house paint color. I detest the colors of most car paint. And I helped DH choose car paint colors for his bike last year.
My bike will be powdercoated, and they can match any color I send a sample of. I have been told that they will match any house paint color chip I send pretty closely.
Elk- I was excited. Now I'm still excited, but mostly nervous.
I'll be extremely nervous until I open the box and see it. When I see it, at first I'll be shocked because it's not exactly as I pictured it in my mind. Then I'll adjust to how it looks and likely find it just beautiful.
Then I'll ride it and at first it will feel strange and all wrong (because it won't be at all like my one bike I've been riding for a year now) Then I'll get used to it and marvel at how wonderful it is. Then I'll hopefully be completely happy and excited again. :rolleyes: I've been through this routine quite a few times with banjos, mandolins, and dulcimers.
(Hmmmm...do ya think I maybe over analyze things?)
Now I'm thinking beeswax color with a couple of tiny bees on it. And black components. Maybe sky blue or blood red bar tape.....
Bad JuJu
01-10-2008, 06:43 AM
Now I'm thinking beeswax color with a couple of tiny bees on it. And black components. Maybe sky blue or blood red bar tape.....
OOOH, I love that idea! Beeswax with bees. Or you could go a little yellower and "dress" the bike like a bee--all black and yellow. Though the red bar tape would be a lovely accent. Hmmm, brings up some ideas for the bike's name, too. Buzz, maybe?
I haven't been visiting this forum as much as usual, so I guess I missed the initial announcement of your having ordered a new bike. Good for you! Can't wait to see the pix!
What a great spring present you will have!
I have no doubt that it will be perfect...you already know too much about a.) what you like, b.) fit. for it to be anything else...:)
and on the off chance that it isn't....well you got a queue of gals here who will help you out...;)
DId you have a look at the co-motion site for color ideas? check these out:
http://www.cyclofiend.com/cc/index.html
http://www.antbikemike.com/bikes.html
BleeckerSt_Girl
01-14-2008, 04:08 AM
I already got many color paint chips and wrapped them around a tube with DH in the outside light to envision the bike.
I've decided on a beeswax color that has a tiny hint of greenish in it so it won't be too mustard. It's a soft honey color. Plus , I have mocked up a little bee that will go on the top tube. The components are basically going to be black.
Maybe the bar tape will be a dark red (but not wine) if I can find some. -anyone know of any?
Phase 1: build the frame (happening now)
Phase 2: get it painted (might take 4-6 weeks I think)
Phase 3: build up the bike with components (we are going to be sending her some, hunting for others, and she'll be providing some as well)
I figure at least two more months. :cool:
northstar
01-14-2008, 06:13 AM
Hi Lisa,
Waiting with baited breath for more info... :) How wonderfully exciting!
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2008/bike_path/7000_series/7000wsd/
kinda like this? color only...
BleeckerSt_Girl
01-14-2008, 12:11 PM
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2008/bike_path/7000_series/7000wsd/
kinda like this? color only...
(gulp).... no, it's a bit more like this (but your monitor may show colors different than mine):
http://www.myperfectcolor.com/v/vspfiles/photos/MPC0006146-2.jpg
and
http://www.myperfectcolor.com/Benjamin-Moore-216-California-Hills-p/mpc0006146.htm
7rider
01-14-2008, 12:19 PM
Very nice.
That will look nice offset with the red tape and the black components (what line are you getting? Did I miss that discussion here?). I presume a honey brown Brooks saddle on this??
BleeckerSt_Girl
01-14-2008, 12:42 PM
Ultegra level mostly. (I have 105 now). If money was NO object I would go for Dura Ace. Campy doesn't have the parts I need to go with my 9 speed plan.
It's going to be 9 speed, too, like my current Rivendell, with very wide range gearing. I love my current gearing.
I might go with a black Brooks this time, to match the black components. I might get a small tan canvas saddle bag. Maybe another VO croissant bag like the one DH swiped:
http://www.velo-orange.com/saddlebag.html
7rider
01-14-2008, 12:52 PM
Ultegra level mostly. (I have 105 now). If money was NO object I would go for Dura Ace. Campy doesn't have the parts I need to go with my 9 speed plan.
Ultegra? Black? Oooo...are you getting the new SL line with the Ice Grey finish??
BleeckerSt_Girl
01-14-2008, 12:57 PM
Ultegra? Black? Oooo...are you getting the new SL line with the Ice Grey finish??
Probably not, since we have to mix and match some new old stock parts to get my 9 speed setup working together. :rolleyes:
Nice!
Deep red or even a red moving towards purple would look really nice....
I guess "gulp" means "OMG I hope not!!"" It's not bad in life.
BleeckerSt_Girl
01-14-2008, 01:55 PM
Nice!
Deep red or even a red moving towards purple would look really nice....
I guess "gulp" means "OMG I hope not!!"" It's not bad in life.
I do like that soft lemony color, don't get me wrong. :)
Triskeliongirl
01-14-2008, 02:00 PM
Lisa, I also thought one needed to go 9spd to use a rear mountain cluster (what I have on my bikes) but if you look at the gearing offered on the new terry isis bikes, the isis sport boasts a 10 spd ultegra group up front, with mountain gearing in back, so check it out. Maybe you want to do something like that on your new bike.
I like the idea of a dark color. My titanium isis is white with light blue, and while looks pretty she is so hard to keep clean. My steel isis is darker blue fading to silver and much easier to keep clean.
BleeckerSt_Girl
01-14-2008, 02:29 PM
Lisa, I also thought one needed to go 9spd to use a rear mountain cluster (what I have on my bikes) but if you look at the gearing offered on the new terry isis bikes, the isis sport boasts a 10 spd ultegra group up front, with mountain gearing in back, so check it out. Maybe you want to do something like that on your new bike.
I like the idea of a dark color. My titanium isis is white with light blue, and while looks pretty she is so hard to keep clean. My steel isis is darker blue fading to silver and much easier to keep clean.
The Terry Isis Sport has 11/34 (10 speed) cassette, and front rings 48/38/26.
My bike will have a 12/34 (9 speed) cassette and a front 48/36/24. That 24 really gets me up some major hills. I don't have a problem with keeping to a 9 speed....I just love my current setup, the gearing is perfect for me and where we ride, and we already have some of the parts anyway...so we are sticking with that.
My current bike is a very bright electric medium blue. So I want a softer earthier color. It's almost like our living room beeswax-y color, which I love. I tend to like lighter bikes than darker bikes, and dirt doesn't bother me too much. :D
Triskeliongirl
01-14-2008, 03:40 PM
Just so you understand, I am sure you could pair a 48/36/24 with an11/34 as well as with a 12/34 which would give you all the gears you have now plus one higher which you may want on your lighter bike. What is key is that now they make an 11/34 10 spd casette. Before you could only get 11/34 or 12/34 casettes in 9 spd. I only bring this up, cuz while I also like my 9 spd, sometimes when buying wheels and other stuff you can only get 10 spd, so you may have more options for replacement parts w 10 spd. But if you already have 9 spd stuff that you want to use, that is different.
Will your new bike have 26"/650 or 700 wheels. If the wheels are smaller, they you have to consider that when choosing your gearing (i.e.the gear ratio calculation considers wheel diameter so if you have smaller wheels you'll want larger chain rings in front and smaller in back to get same gearing).
The Terry Isis Sport has 11/34 (10 speed) cassette, and front rings 48/38/26.
My bike will have a 12/34 (9 speed) cassette and a front 48/36/24. That 24 really gets me up some major hills. I don't have a problem with keeping to a 9 speed....I just love my current setup, the gearing is perfect for me and where we ride, and we already have some of the parts anyway...so we are sticking with that.
My current bike is a very bright electric medium blue. So I want a softer earthier color. It's almost like our living room beeswax-y color, which I love. I tend to like lighter bikes than darker bikes, and dirt doesn't bother me too much. :D
RoadRaven
01-15-2008, 08:25 AM
I like the idea of a dark color. My titanium isis is white with light blue, and while looks pretty she is so hard to keep clean. My steel isis is darker blue fading to silver and much easier to keep clean.
My EMC2 road bike is very purrrty in sky blue and white, but I have scuffed the white on the top tube getting off when tired after races, and when there is dirt/wet on the road, my femetape looks REAL grubby.
LIke you, Triske, my steel grey and blue Giant TCR2 is much easier to keep clean.
BleeckerSt_Girl
01-15-2008, 10:10 AM
Just so you understand, I am sure you could pair a 48/36/24 with an11/34 as well as with a 12/34 which would give you all the gears you have now plus one higher which you may want on your lighter bike. What is key is that now they make an 11/34 10 spd casette. Before you could only get 11/34 or 12/34 casettes in 9 spd. I only bring this up, cuz while I also like my 9 spd, sometimes when buying wheels and other stuff you can only get 10 spd, so you may have more options for replacement parts w 10 spd. But if you already have 9 spd stuff that you want to use, that is different.
Will your new bike have 26"/650 or 700 wheels. If the wheels are smaller, they you have to consider that when choosing your gearing (i.e.the gear ratio calculation considers wheel diameter so if you have smaller wheels you'll want larger chain rings in front and smaller in back to get same gearing).
Yes, I do understand all that about the new gearing availablity on the 10 speed- thanks though for pointing it out.
I actually tend to change gears about two at a time, and so going to 10 speed would simply be annoying to me and I'd have to change gears sometimes 3 at a time instead. As to the range- I seldom get to go into my high gear now, but expect to use it more on my new bike...but don't really think I'll be needing any higher- we have lots of hills here also and I'm not into racing at all. I mostly want to go faster when climbing (which involves low gears and weight issues, aside from muscle strength of course), going fast on flats and downhills hasn't been a problem- I can go 40mph and routinely hit 36-38 or so :eek: . No pedaling at all there! Again, it's those massive long downhills after the climbs...
Thus, I don't feel I need more gears or wider range gears than I have now. Plus, I have a beautiful Shimano 9 speed DuraAce level cassette with titanium large gears- it will work beautifully in this situation, and is lighter, more durable, and better quality than that Terry cassette. Since i love my current gearing setup, I might as well use this spare cassette on the new bike! ;) It would be easy enough to swithc to 10 speed some day if I wanted to- just change the brifters and cassette.
My new wheels are 700 like my old wheels, so no recalculating issues there.
Thanks everyone for your input!
I love my color that I picked, and today I am working on the tiny honeybee decal that I am having put on each side of the top tube. :p Bees have always been a theme in my life.
When I see it, at first I'll be shocked because it's not exactly as I pictured it in my mind. Then I'll adjust to how it looks and likely find it just beautiful.
Then I'll ride it and at first it will feel strange and all wrong (because it won't be at all like my one bike I've been riding for a year now) Then I'll get used to it and marvel at how wonderful it is. Then I'll hopefully be completely happy and excited again.
Lisa, prepare to find your new custom bike absolutely incredibly perfect from the first ride. :) That's what happened to me, and I believe to Mimi as well. That's what you get with custom.
Triskeliongirl
01-15-2008, 12:57 PM
You said your bike will have a 12/34 durace casette. I am not aware of such a casette, I thought durace only went up to 12/27. Perhaps you mean an XTR casette (comparable to durace but a mountain casette).
I hear you, I love my 9spd gruppo too but I have found it harder to get replacement parts so just thought I'd throw that out there. I do find it surprising you like your bike geared so low, I don't know how I would do without my 50/11 to go fast on a flat (not a descent mind you, but a flat), and I do find my 34/34 takes me up any climb I want. But we are all different so you know what is best for you. The cool thing about gearing is that its easy to change by swapping casettes.
Enjoy her, I am sure she is going to be beautiful! Perhaps you said earlier, but what steel is she going to be made from. I am sure you said its one of the new light weight alloys. Maybe someday I'll go custom to, but not until my kids finish college and are gainfully employed!
BleeckerSt_Girl
01-15-2008, 01:25 PM
You said your bike will have a 12/34 durace casette. I am not aware of such a casette, I thought durace only went up to 12/27. Perhaps you mean an XTR casette (comparable to durace but a mountain casette).
Yes, it's the XTR....I said "DuraAce level", meaning it was in the same league as DA.
I hear you, I love my 9spd gruppo too but I have found it harder to get replacement parts so just thought I'd throw that out there. I do find it surprising you like your bike geared so low, I don't know how I would do without my 50/11 to go fast on a flat (not a descent mind you, but a flat), and I do find my 34/34 takes me up any climb I want. But we are all different so you know what is best for you. The cool thing about gearing is that its easy to change by swapping casettes.
My DH is pretty adept at finding parts for 9speed.
You might have more and longer "flats" to gain big-ring speed on over there in Texas than here next to the Berkshires and Catskills- our flats don't last more than maybe 1/2 mile or so, then it's on to the next hill. ;) Some of our hills are pretty steep.
Maybe also because I am almost 54 and have only been exercising for 3 years now that is part of the reason I need lower gears on steep hills than a younger rider might need? I use my lowest gear combo several times on any given ride, yet I might typically use my highest gear only once briefly on that same ride.
Maybe a couple years from now I will need to up my gearing if I get stronger. ;) But I sure need those low gears right now!
Enjoy her, I am sure she is going to be beautiful! Perhaps you said earlier, but what steel is she going to be made from. I am sure you said its one of the new light weight alloys. Maybe someday I'll go custom to, but not until my kids finish college and are gainfully employed!
I think the steel tubing will be thinner than the tubing on my current Rivendell (which is a production bike and so necessarily made to withstand a +/- 250 lb male rider). I don't know much about alloys, but she said she would use a lighter weight steel tubing based on my weight and riding conditions, maybe that means thinner or alloy I don't know. I should know I guess! The completed bike with components will probably weigh 17-20 lbs.
And thanks, DebW for the encouragement. :) I tend to purposely expect less than perfect, that way I'm rarely disappointed! :rolleyes:
mimitabby
01-15-2008, 01:56 PM
Yes, Deb, absolutely, but like Lisa, i think the 10 speed is overkill and really not necessary (and I bought it used so heck, I'm not going to complain TOO much)
we REALLY don't need all those gears!!!
Mr. SR500
01-15-2008, 03:19 PM
Congrats on the new bike, sounds cool!
No a big deal going 9 instead of 10 speed, we have both and although I wish everything was 10. 9 speed stuff will still be around, but 10 is fairly standard now. What a 10 gives you over a 9 is tighter gearing, so the gears are spaced closer together. This then lets you stay in the correct gear for you, the type of riding, etc...
If you are jumping 2+ gears at a time, you are not shifting enough. Maybe because of the bar end shifters that Grant likes to use, but ideally you should shift as need and when needed. I know mashers that will slug up a him in the same gear they started in. I assume you are getting STI shifters, you'll be shifting with ease in no time.
Enjoy the new bike!
Triskeliongirl
01-15-2008, 03:32 PM
We have plenty of hills here, I live in the texas hill country, and I have also taken my bike to the spanish pyrenes. I am 50, so only a little bit younger. Perhaps I am more of a masher than you, but what is important is that the gearing we each choose fits our riding styles. I am surprised that with a wide range casette like a 12/34 you are doing double shifts. In fact, I miss the tightness of my 12/27 but prefer the range of my 12/34 paired with my compact double (50/34). Do you climb out of your saddle? Do you take advantage of descents to gain momentum on ascents (on rollers). If not, that may explain why you prefer lower gears than me. I like climbing out of my saddle, not just to get more power, but as one more position variation, especially when cresting a hill.
BleeckerSt_Girl
01-15-2008, 04:07 PM
Congrats on the new bike, sounds cool!
No a big deal going 9 instead of 10 speed, we have both and although I wish everything was 10. 9 speed stuff will still be around, but 10 is fairly standard now. What a 10 gives you over a 9 is tighter gearing, so the gears are spaced closer together. This then lets you stay in the correct gear for you, the type of riding, etc...
Well that's a nice description, but I am not having any trouble finding or getting into the "correct gear for me" in any given situation with my current 9 speed setup. You may disagree, but I feel I have plenty of gears spaced plenty close together. I'm glad they will continue to make 9 speed- I know other people who prefer them as well.
If you are jumping 2+ gears at a time, you are not shifting enough. Maybe because of the bar end shifters that Grant likes to use, but ideally you should shift as need and when needed.
And if you had a 20 speed instead of a 10 speed, would you then be shifting gears in tiny increments twice as frequently as you are now?
I believe that it is possible to get too hung up on shifting for every little difference (unless one is racing or competing of course). Sometimes I am going on a flat and in the perfect gear, then there's a small short rise followed by another length of flat. I'm not going to shift for that little rise, to me it seems more streamlined and efficient to just push my legs a bit or else stand up for a few strokes to get over the hump rather than be constantly shifting small increments for every temporary change in the road. I actually enjoy using my body to make adjustments if it enables me to shift a tiny bit less often. It's fun. My goal is not to be shifting constantly to find the perfect gear for the moment while riding my bike.
Mostly I shift one gear, sometimes two, sometimes 3 at a time(!) if the terrain is changing suddenly. Whatever works well. :)
I know mashers that will slug up a him in the same gear they started in. I assume you are getting STI shifters, you'll be shifting with ease in no time.
Enjoy the new bike!
Thanks, I'm sure I will enjoy it! I know some of those hill mashers too- they seem to have a tendency to get knee problems a lot which then keeps them off their bikes for periods of time. :o
I feel I must say that I already am shifting with ease with my bar end shifters. :)
BleeckerSt_Girl
01-15-2008, 04:42 PM
We have plenty of hills here, I live in the texas hill country, and I have also taken my bike to the spanish pyrenes. I am 50, so only a little bit younger.
Oh, forgive me, we are more alike than I thought. (except for the Pyrenees part) :cool: Good to know others in their 50's here. :) I forget that there are hills in Texas. :o
Perhaps I am more of a masher than you, but what is important is that the gearing we each choose fits our riding styles. I am surprised that with a wide range casette like a 12/34 you are doing double shifts....Do you climb out of your saddle? Do you take advantage of descents to gain momentum on ascents (on rollers). If not, that may explain why you prefer lower gears than me.
Oh, just realized the difference when you said this about descents- our favorite riding roads here go through lots of rolling hilly farmland that has plenty of turns and woods on both sides. Many times I cannot take advantage of a descent to get up the next hill because the descent ends in a blind curve that would be very foolish to go into at full speed. There are many twisty wooded back roads that we ride here, and many curves in the highways have poor visibility due to high rocky sides or forest on the sides. Many roads also end in a T on a downhill. We have a handful favorite long screaming descents with high visibility that we love, but they are a big exception in our rides. Some of them just end in a T at another highway, so no taking advantage of descent speed to get up the next hill there. Of course if you are talking small descents followed by a hill, then yes absolutely I do take full advantage of that when it is safe to do so. :D
I have an inkling that the altitude changes in the roads happen here more quickly back and forth than maybe where you are. (isn't everything bigger in TX?) So two hills that might be the same height could go up and then down in a shorter distance here maybe? Perhaps that's why I need to change gears more rapidly, often 2 at a time.
There is one hill we go up that branches off the flat highway at a right angle to our right and is so steep immediately that it's a real challenge to shift for. There is no running start, no wide swing turn. And there is no time to shift one gear at a time. My goal there is to shift drastically but as smoothly as I can. I like the challenge, and feel great satisfaction when I do it well and can hear only sweet pretty little metallic clucking sounds even though I'm changing a gazillion gears in the space of a few yards. :p
I like climbing out of my saddle, not just to get more power, but as one more position variation, especially when cresting a hill.
I don't stand in the climbs as much as most riders. I like to do it on the small hills, but not the big long ones. I know I need to stand more, and I am working on that. My legs are getting a bit stronger each month.
I am hoping my new bike will fix my center of gravity problem and lead to my being able to ride no-handed and feeling better able to stand on the climbs.
I think this discussion has gotten to be quite interesting in a bigger scope! :)
Triskeliongirl
01-15-2008, 05:34 PM
This is interesting, cuz I used to ride more like you, so for me its been an evolution brought about by both gaining experience and a properly fitting bike. Before my accident I had a triple, and I used that small chain ring. But, the fellow making my custom crank set urged me to go with a compact double, and while at first it was hard, I realized that for me my granny gear really was a crutch, if I had it I used it but I could climb even a long slow mountain descent in the pyrenes in my 34/34. Also, getting my terry bikes with short top tubes is what was required for me to feel really comfortable out of the saddle, I needed to be balanced over the bike. No, I don't do this in a long steady mountainous climb, but its great to avoid having to change gears when the road suddenly steepens for a short way. Once you have a better fitting bike you may find your riding style changes too. But if that happens its very easy to swap out a chain ring or casette. I used to even use different casettes for different terrain, but decided to stick to the 11/34 cuz its easier.
Lisa, you posted after me on the wool weenie thread. Do you like my new sweater? It looks a tad heavier than the shak, but I hope its not too bulky. I like that my shak S is very slim and sleek, but then I can't layer it over my heaviest cotton t-necks. It looks like the oganic sweater i just ordered in M will do the trick, I just hope it doesn't end up bulking me up too much. We'll see..... there is always return UPS. I said that last time but that Ibex stuff is so addictive. And boy is wool warm!
BleeckerSt_Girl
01-15-2008, 07:46 PM
It will be very interesting to see how a custom fit bike changes my riding experiences.
Lisa, you posted after me on the wool weenie thread. Do you like my new sweater? It looks a tad heavier than the shak, but I hope its not too bulky. I like that my shak S is very slim and sleek, but then I can't layer it over my heaviest cotton t-necks. It looks like the oganic sweater i just ordered in M will do the trick, I just hope it doesn't end up bulking me up too much. We'll see..... there is always return UPS. I said that last time but that Ibex stuff is so addictive. And boy is wool warm!
I don't have that sweater, so I can't tell if I would like it for myself. It looks elegant.
I spent years piling on bulky acrylic sweaters trying unsuccessfully to keep warm in winter. When I switched to merino wool, I found I could wear several thin layers and keep warmer than with my old thick acryllic sweaters. So now my preference is just to layer thinner merino- a thin base merino top with one or two shaks and a wool vest, and I'm good down to 20 degrees, so I'm thrilled to be able to keep with thin layering now. If I need more than that I wear a wool jacket on top. I like the shaks so much I prefer wearing 1 or 2 of them rather than a typical sweater these days. I hope your sweater is just what you are looking for! :)
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