I'm getting a new bike!

[Biker Jo]

After much obsessing and research and test rides and reading this forum, I'm finally getting a new bike! (And it's not the overpriced '04 or '06 Trek 1500 that I wrote about in another thread in the Bikes discussion.) It's a Cannondale Six13 Feminine 6. Here's a link to the bike, but I'm getting blue:

http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/08/cusa/model-8RWT6C.html

Now I'm going to obsess over whether I made the right choice.

I'm picking it up today, and I'm both excited and nervous! I'd love to take it out on a ride after I pick it up, but they're talking storms in the area, and I don't want to get my new baby wet!

[Tri Girl]

Looks pretty sweeeeet! I hope you get a chance to ride it today- and take some pictures of it when you get it home so we can see it in all its glory! :)

[sundial]

Ooooh, I like the tatoo graphics that it has. :cool: What color saddle and handlebar tape are you going with? Pedals? Shoes? :D

[Aggie_Ama]

I saw one of these in person the other day, really cool looking. I have the Synapse Carbon Cannondale and I love her! My husband also rides a bike with a similar frame to this one, he loves his bike. Welcome to the Cannondale Family. :D

[CarbonCandy]

Oh that is fantabulous! You've made a good choice, no need to obsess :]

[Biker Jo]

Thanks, everyone. The rain has held off, and I was able to take it on its maiden voyage - 11.8 miles, and I was really moving, although I'm not sure how fast I was going because unfortunately the cyclocomputer I got (CatEye Velo 5) only gives me the barest minimum of info - no ride time or average speed. What a bummer. But I called my LBS, and they'll get me the Velo 8.

Sundial, I've got the basic black and blue (the bike, not my body) - blue bike, black tape and saddle. The pedals are SPD, and I have black Sidis.

My only concern is it's a compact double with a 9-speed cassette, and I'm used to riding a triple, so I'll just have to see how it works out.

Pictures to follow soon.

[Tri Girl]

Great job!! The double just means your legs will have to get stronger since you have fewer gears to rely on (at least that's what I tell myself about my double). :D

[rij73]

That looks like a very sweet bike. Can't wait for the pics. Congrats!

[Biker Jo]

Here she is:

[GLC1968]

Nice!! That's one good looking bike! Congrats!

[Tri Girl]

Woot wooooo! That's one pretty bike. I love the detailing on the paint job. So very pretty!!!! No wonder you love her so much. :p

[HillSlugger]

Pretty color!

[eclectic]

Congratulations! Very pretty and very exciting

Blessings for many happy and wonderful miles together

[RoadRaven]

My only concern is it's a compact double with a 9-speed cassette, and I'm used to riding a triple, so I'll just have to see how it works out.

Hi Jo
Firstly - Congrats!!! Always a great thing to hear about and the pix are verrry niiice :)

I have only ridden a triple on my mountain bike.
Buut one of my road bikes has a compact
50-34 front
27-12 back

I think you'll find it does everything you need on it. My bike is a medium weight, and I got up a 5 km climb, the last 2km of which hover between 13%-15% in my lowest gear. I was slow (prob partly because I weigh in at 100kgs), but I made it without walking.
I reckon if compact can make it up there, then most people can get up most climbs without a triple.

To me, a compact offers all the benfits of three rings, with less hassle (only two rings to change between.

Enjoy your new baby
:)