Can't Decide!

[Kelly728]

Basically I made another thread because I'm an attention hog. Kidding, I was just worried I would not get many responses on the other thread.

Today I went for a few test rides at 3 different shops.

LBS #1: 6 miles away. Sent me out on a Trek 2.1WSD 50cm. I guess it felt okay but I was really struggling with getting enough power. I accounted it to the fact that I felt like I was riding without training wheels for the first time and didn't think too much of it.

LBS #2: 15 miles away, much larger shop. Had basically the same selection of bikes, but I humored them anyway since they were highly adamant about the idea that I needed the 52cm in the same bike. :eek: That made SUCH a difference. I didn't think I would be able to feel it but I was just cruising around that parking lot. They just said they'll need to swap out the stem and I'll be good to go. This will be $1200.

LBS #3: 20 miles away. 08 Giant TCR W Small (On sale? but looking around $1000 is the selling price.. confused). This felt fine but I had a much smaller test ride area. The seat needs to be raised a lot, but otherwise good fit. Also tried a Specialized Dolce Triple 51cm and I could tell this just didn't feel right.. I felt cramped.

My issues/questions:

Do I call the closer bike shop (no real difference in service) and ask them to order me the 52cm compact even though I walked in being completely clueless or stick with the the one in the further store since they feel I'm better off on this bike? Is a 52cm really too big for someone 5'3"?

Is it worth it to save the $200 and go for the Giant? I can't really tell what would make it a better or worse bike. I think I like the Trek better, but I really couldn't describe to you why!


Eeeeek. This is getting stressful.

[Aquila]

I see this as two questions, I guess, but maybe I'm reading wrong.

The first question is about which bike. I think you have to ride different bikes around until one really speaks to you. Test several, re-ride. Take the bikes out on the trail for a couple miles.

I know that seems long and drawn out, but the right bike makes riding a joy, and the wrong one makes it torture, so it's worth finding the right one.

The second question was about bike shops. I was able to narrow my choice down to one shop fairly quickly (of the three I went to in my community) because only one really talked to me about what I wanted from a bike and had me try out different ones, making adjustments, explaining things, and so forth. One of the others had WAY more bikes in the shop, but either they weren't interested or they didn't have bikes that could fit me (they had lots of men's bikes, and mountain/commuter bikes, but only one women's road bike).

Right now, it sounds like Bike shop #2 has the bike that fit you best and they took time to have you try a bike that fit well. But maybe I read wrong.

Good luck!

[Kelly728]

Right now, it sounds like Bike shop #2 has the bike that fit you best and they took time to have you try a bike that fit well. But maybe I read wrong.

Good luck!

I think I may have had 3 questions (my head is spinning so I really am making no sense right now). Which bike, which shop, and is a 52cm too big for someone so short. Even though it feels "right" I don't think I'm quite sure what right means!

The Trek feels like it may be speaking to me but the $200 difference is screaming if that make sense. I know I'll regret it if I don't get the one I want, I just have to mull over it!

I would say both took about the same about of time to fit me. LBS #1 started me on the 52 and put me down the the 50 because I looked like I was reaching. They moved that seat way up there in the adjustments! LBS #2 started me on the 50 and moved me up to the 52 since my knees were too bent on the smaller bike. Both were equal in how much time they took to explain everything. I guess I'm worried about sounding like a "know-it-all" when LBS #1 feels I should be on the smaller bike.

I'm just nervous about ending up on the wrong thing! (I swear I'm not usually this anxious or indecisive!)

[Tri Girl]

It can be so stressful when shopping for a new bike. Just go with your gut on this one. If you like the 2nd shop better and feel like they're leading you the right direction and you like the mechanics/salespeople/owner then go for it. When you buy a bike, you are buying a relationship with the shop. $200 won't matter if you don't feel comfortable/happy with your shop IMO.
I guess a 52 wouldn't be outrageous for a 5'3" person, but yowza! I have short legs and a short torso and my 48 fits me perfectly (but it's not WSD, so that might make a diff). I've ridden a 47 and have a 49 touring bike that's a bit big. I only wish I had the length to ride a 52- it would've made buying a bike allow me so many more choices. :D

Good luck with your decision, and make sure you let us know what you wind up choosing.

[salsabike]

I am 5' 4 1/2" and ride a 50.

Can you find a bike fitter to talk with before you buy anything?? E.g., we have PTs in this area who are cyclists and bike fitters. They have no vested interest in selling you a particular bike, and could give you good objective info on your particular fit needs. I think that would help a lot.

[OakLeaf]

What was it about the 52 cm bike that felt so much better to you? Can they let you try it with the stem they're thinking about?

I'm 5'3" and I'm riding a 50 cm Cannondale WSD bike that's possibly marginally too big for me. But it all depends on your body proportions. Every manufacturer has their own sizing conventions too now, with the sloping top tubes - it's not like the old days when it was either center-to-center or center-to-top and the frame size was the actual measurement of the seat tube. :rolleyes: With a horizontal top tube, my old custom frame was 47 cm c-to-c.

When you say your "knees were too bent" on the 50 cm bike, do you just mean seat height, or something else? Was the saddle raised as high as the seatpost would go, and you still couldn't straighten your legs on the pedal stroke?

[Kelly728]

I guess a 52 wouldn't be outrageous for a 5'3" person, but yowza! I have short legs and a short torso and my 48 fits me perfectly (but it's not WSD, so that might make a diff). I've ridden a 47 and have a 49 touring bike that's a bit big. I only wish I had the length to ride a 52- it would've made buying a bike allow me so many more choices. :D



I have over a 31" inseam so basically no torso.

Thanks salsa, I'll look around and see what I can find. I'd rather not lay out any more money (aka after this bike I won't have any money!) but this is getting difficult.

Oak- The seat tube on the 50cm was raised to the point where it was quite a bit above the handlebar stem. The 52cm was level with the handlebars. Maybe I was more comfortable because it was more upright?

[OakLeaf]

I have over a 31" inseam so basically no torso.

So that means that top tube length is going to be really critical for you, and if they're talking about putting a super short stem on the 52 cm bike to compensate, that could adversely affect the handling.

Seatposts generally have a lot of room to play with, so it's your torso length and arm reach that should determine your frame size, not your leg length.

[salsabike]

Kelly, honest to God, the extra $150 or whatever it is there for a bike fit would be SO well worth it. It's depressing to get a bike and then find out over the next few months that it's really too big--I've done that. Had a bike with a top tube way too long for me and had to get a different bike. And I got a bike fit before I bought the next one, which I love!

[ACiveE]

I've been doing the same thing... going around to different shops, test riding, etc. I would suggest you shell out the $100 or whatever it is and get a professional fit. I actually went to three fitters... paid $100 for one, $50 for another, and the other ended up being free because I just purchased a bike there. Everyone stressed how you need to find a bike that *felt* right but I feared that I didn't really know what *right* meant and that I was going to buy an ill fitted bike. So I got fitted... three times. Excessive? Probably. When all measurements and recommendations came out to about the same, I decided that I had found a match.

Everyone stressed looking at womens specific bike initially but I just ended up purchasing a mens model because it just fit better. I'm not that tall, only about 5'5" but was fit by multiple shops to a 54cm Trek Madone WSD or the 51cm Cannondale Synapse. The Cannondale comes in WSD but the mens model fit better. A little bit of adjustment and I am hoping it'll be perfect. The actual geometry and measurements vary a ton... I thought a 54 was a 54 but that wasn't the case at all.

Gooooood luck!

[Eden]

Sounds like you may have a bit of a quandary..... It sounds like the shop could not put the seat post up any further on the smaller bike (there is an upper height limit having to do with the amount of post still in the seat tube), but you have a bit of a reach problem with the larger bike....

Being stretched out is never that great - you have less control and less power on the bike. If you can avoid trying to adapt a bike that is too long you'd probably be better off, but you certainly cannot put the seat post up too far - that's plain dangerous. I'm actually wondering if you might want to look into a smaller frame with non-compact geometry bike? Then there'd be less seat post out, but a shorter top tube. If I were you, I'd try looking at a 50cm non-wsd Trek 2.1 - I think it might solve your problem. The seat tube is longer and though the top tube is a bit longer too, it is not as long as the 52 wsd.

[Kelly728]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm really trying to take it all in!

I will look around for a bike fitter in the area. In the mean time, I'm going to head back out to LBS #1 and voice my concerns about the 50cm. I'm going to really pay attention to how high they raised the seat. It is a really tough area to take a bike out for a test ride (the 3.5 seconds of traffic made me super scared!). I'm making a point to leave my money in savings and my credit card at home so I don't jump on it!

[Possegal]

I know you said college park is far from where you are in MD, but the owner of Proteus did my bike fit (and several other folks on the board if I'm not mistaken) and I just loved her!!! She really helped me a lot, made a ton of changes that all seem to have worked out well for me, and didn't try and sell me anything else. Just to toss out that as a recommendation for a fit. I'm going to have her fit both my nieces this year and I think my sister is going to bring her bike in from Philly and have her do one for her too. Obviously, I highly recommend her. :)

[Ana]

Sounds like you may have a bit of a quandary..... It sounds like the shop could not put the seat post up any further on the smaller bike (there is an upper height limit having to do with the amount of post still in the seat tube), but you have a bit of a reach problem with the larger bike....


Can they put a longer seat post in the smaller bike? If you are seriously considering purchasing this bike, they should be willing to make the accommodation to test ride it since you will be needing that modification if you purchase it anyway. :p

Let's be realistic: all the bike shops know you're looking other places as well. You need to find the one with which you are most comfortable and offer you the most for the money you are considering to spend. I think honesty is the best policy and to tell the shop that recommended the 50cm that another shop sized you for a 52cm. I have to say that 52 cm does seem large for you, especially since you have a short torso...

I am 5'3" and my top tube is 510mm with a 70mm stem. I have a "long torso for my height" i.e. I have very short legs. My bike almost fits be perfectly but I am still tweaking the small things (seriously considering a bike fit but cannot suffer the costs after the holidays yet...).

Bicycle stores are also a business and they need to offer you the things that you want. I purchased my bicycle from a dealer which I felt only mildly comfortable and I regret it. I wish I had a bought it at a friendlier store that offered me more assistance, guidance and negotiation.

I say there's no rush and just keep test riding the bikes as many times as you have to until the bike (and size) that is right for you is clear. I am a novice so I fell in love with my bicycle instantly and regret not having test ridden more bicycles before purchasing my beauty. I now some of TE members test ride bikes 4-5+ times before purchasing. Just keep in mind how much you are going to be spending. Make sure you get what you want because looking back, that $200 won't matter as much as you think if you have what you want. You can't buy a new bicycle for $200 and after committing the other $1,000-$2,000 it will totally seem worth it. Plus, if you get the bicycle that is best for you, you will like riding more and are more likely to ride! :D

[ilima]

I am 5' 4 1/2" and ride a 50.

Same height and I ride a 49cm. Used to have a 52, which was rideable but too big.

[Kelly728]

Gosh why couldn't this be as easy as finding shoes. Just playing around a REI before I headed over the to bike shop, all the shoes on display just happened to be a 40. I figured hey, why not.. Tossed on the Sidi Zetas and man, those things were made for my foot!

Sigh.

I'm going to get back to LBS #1 hopefully Tuesday and go on about what happened at LBS #2. Hopefully I can get a different sales person so I have more than one opinion. Thinking about it, I'm sure that the only reason I felt more comfortable on the larger bike is because I felt more upright. I'm not used to a road bike so not used to the position at all. At one point at LBS #2 I mentioned that I felt like I was reaching but of course Mr. Bike Dude assured me I wasn't (which I believed him because I don't know!). *Breathing*

[vinbek]

I am 5'2 or sometimes 5'3" on a good day:) and I started on a used 52 cannondale. I always felt like I was riding on top of the bike and not a part of it. I have very long arms. I acutually went to a 48 and put a longer stem on it. It feels so much better. There are so many things to take into account when buying a bike and especially if you haven't been riding a bike alot lately. You don't know what you like until you've had some time on the road. I would think it through and go with your gut instinct. Good luck! Bekki

[Eden]

Thinking about it, I'm sure that the only reason I felt more comfortable on the larger bike is because I felt more upright. I'm not used to a road bike so not used to the position at all. At one point at LBS #2 I mentioned that I felt like I was reaching but of course Mr. Bike Dude assured me I wasn't (which I believed him because I don't know!). *Breathing*

This is not uncommon - it does take some time to get used to (and get flexible!) a road cycling position. If you are stretched out you won't be able to have a comfortable bend in your elbows when your hands are on the hoods of the bike. If you're arms are straight or elbows locked then the bike is too big. If you cannot stand and pedal without feeling like you are going to fall forward the bike is likely too large also.

I'd be skeptical of most bike dudes.... shops that really know how to fit are not so common. They tried to talk me into a 48cm the last time I bought a bike (I'm 5'0" long legs [28.5" inseam] short torso/arms). I knew I needed a 44.... and even that is a bit long for me. A 48 would have been really big.

[Kelly728]

This is not uncommon - it does take some time to get used to (and get flexible!) a road cycling position. If you are stretched out you won't be able to have a comfortable bend in your elbows when your hands are on the hoods of the bike. If you're arms are straight or elbows locked then the bike is too big. If you cannot stand and pedal without feeling like you are going to fall forward the bike is likely too large also.



More and more the 52 is seeming big. I should have went with my gut instinct knowing that I was reaching and my arms were pretty straight. It really is back to LBS #1! (and I'm going to find #4, #5 and #6 apparently). I wanted to try out a cannondale but LBS #0 showed me a "like 10 years old" bike saying that is all I could get for my money. I'm going to look for another Cannondale and Specialized shops because I really want to try out other things!

(this will probably put me out towards College Park for that shop a bunch of you recommended..;))

[Cyclesome]

I'm 5' 5 1/2 " with a 30 inch inseam and ride a 51cm Specialized Ruby Pro. I feel like I am part of the bike when I ride it. Size is important. Take your time before making any decisions.

[uforgot]

I have over a 31" inseam so basically no torso.

Maybe I was more comfortable because it was more upright?

Hey, I'm 5'4", no torso! Isn't it fun having your waist right below your bust? Anyway, I have a 32"+ inseam. You and I must be all legs. 50cm bikes have always felt too small for me, and I have several inches of standover on those bikes. Besides standover, I look at top tube length. With being so "leggy" , do you also have the short arms? I find that I can't go any longer than a 52.5cm toptube with 90mm or shorter stem. WSD's are made for us.

If I had it to do over again, I'd get a fitting. Way cheaper than going through a lot of bikes. You can also get a friend to help you and go to www.wrenchscience.com and do their fit system. It will give you a starting point, or at least tell you if you are in range.

[aicabsolut]

Hmm.. I think you need to do a lot more test riding.

I would go and try a larger Specialized bike, and maybe a men's bike. If you can get to Annapolis, Capital Bicycle has a good selection. If you're worried about going all the way out there for nothing, call first and ask about availability. They don't have a big test area, but they do have a good fitting area where they can some measurements while you're on the trainer and give you a good idea of what kind of geometry you need.

See what other brands you can find with WSD bikes, like Cannondale, Orbea, and Blue (Blue has started making a WSD bike for 2009, but their supply is low right now). You might need to come down to the DC area, but I think it'd be worth the drive if you can find a great fit. I know my sponsor shop in DC has a 52cm Ruby kicking around. There's often a big selection of lower end ($-wise) Treks at the shop next door if you want to try some more. Once you find the right bike, you can then see if a shop closer to you can order it for you and then you can take advantage of some free service deals from the closer shop that come with a bike purchase. But to start, you need to seek out some more variety and sit on more bikes. It doesn't really sound like you've got a good feel for what will be right for you yet.

All these WSD bikes are different. They all have a relatively shorter top tube, but they treat the fork, head tube, and rear triangle differently. They will all feel different.

[Fujichants]

I wanted to try out a cannondale but LBS #0 showed me a "like 10 years old" bike saying that is all I could get for my money. I'm going to look for another Cannondale and Specialized shops because I really want to try out other things!


Run away from this LBS! You can get nice bikes for your price range, so for them to say that is unacceptable. It seems like they are trying to push that 50 cm Trek onto you.

I really recommend test riding lots of bikes (and not just around the parking lot. If possible, see if you can ride it for a couple of miles, even if that means they need to send somebody else out with you). $1000-$1,200 is a lot in this current economy so the LBS has to treat you like a valued customer, not just somebody they can get money out of. After all, if they treat you well and are honest, you'll keep coming back there to buy other things (clothes, shoes, helmets, bike accessories, maybe even an upgrade).

Nothing worse than buying the wrong bike. Trust me, been there, done that. After 7 months I was ready to give up cycling, until I got my Trek, which fits me like a glove.

Don't rush into it, and try to find an LBS that also offers professional bike fittings - not just somebody who knows how to set up a bike on the trainer and pulls out his little rulers and all he does is adjust the seat height.

Good luck!

[Kelly728]

Run away from this LBS! You can get nice bikes for your price range, so for them to say that is unacceptable. It seems like they are trying to push that 50 cm Trek onto you.


Oh I did, that's why it is #0!!

Next Saturday I'm going to make a day trip of a few of the AA county/north east of DC shops since it isn't something I can do during the week at all. Bike Doctor, Capital Bike, Proteus, any others that should be on my list?

uforgot- I do have pretty short arms as well. Its pretty funny when it comes to my running clothes. My shorts look like hot shorts and my shirts come down below my hips! I swear my hips are way up near my belly button.

ETA: I sent an email to Jill at Proteus to see when/if she'll be in this weekend.

[aicabsolut]

The Bicycle Place and City Bikes (Conn Ave store in Chevy Chase) are both right off 495.

If you want to take the GW Parkway down south (pretty short drive), then you can learn more about Trek, Specialized, Cannondale, Time, Colnago, Giant, and Orbea from Revolution Cycles and Bicycle Pro Shop (though the Giant and Orbea bikes are only at their Alexandria or Clarendon stores, I think). They will let you do some good length test rides, but they will be on fairly crowded roads or trails--which aren't so bad this time of year when it's too cold out. If you go on a Sunday, you'll probably run into some of my friends working at both shops. :) Revolutions tends to have a decent selection of lower priced bikes and WSD bikes. BPS not so much except for Cannondale. They do have one 52 Specialized Ruby Elite in stock, I think.

[Kelly728]

Thanks for the other suggestions.. I'll see just how far SW I get! Leave the house early, hit about 6 different shops and be home to make dinner.. Sounds good. :D

[divingbiker]

I know you said college park is far from where you are in MD, but the owner of Proteus did my bike fit (and several other folks on the board if I'm not mistaken) and I just loved her!!! She really helped me a lot, made a ton of changes that all seem to have worked out well for me, and didn't try and sell me anything else. Just to toss out that as a recommendation for a fit. I'm going to have her fit both my nieces this year and I think my sister is going to bring her bike in from Philly and have her do one for her too. Obviously, I highly recommend her. :)

Ditto. Check out what they have at Proteus and talk to Jill about fitting.

Edit: I see that you're planning to talk to Jill. I don't think you'll be disappointed!

[Aquila]

I'm 5'5" and ride a 54cm wsd Trek Pilot, and it feels great. The modifications we've made have been to put on narrower handlebars and a piece with a slightly higher angle so the handlebars are slightly higher. The stand over is fine (a couple cm clearance); I'm in better shape now, and could probably change back to a less high angle so the handlebars are lower.

When I was trying out bikes, it seemed like the numbers were different and felt different with different models, even within the same brand.

Let us know how your adventure looking went, and good luck with it.

[fatbottomedgurl]

I agree on getting fit with a fit kit. Did anyone actually measure your inseam, torso, and arms? or when you said they "fit" you did they just put you on a bike? Measurements are where a bike shop should start the fitting process. Then they compare your measurements to the bike charts.

You can't determine the right bike size by your height!

BTW I have the Trek 2.3, 50cm. I got the triple because on the Treks there are issues with chain clearance on the smaller frames w/ doubles. I am 5'2", have short legs and a long torso so did not get the wsd. We put a more upright stem on it to ease my shoulders and neck. I love my Trek. She is fast and climbs and corners great! Hope you find the right bike for you too.

The components on the Trek and Giant are similar. I would take the WTB Deva saddle on the Giant over the Treks Bontrager any day of the week.

[Kelly728]

Yes, the other "fittings" were just me hopping on a bike and them uncomfortably watching me pedal on a trainer. :(


I'm heading down to College Park on Saturday. :D I wrote down everything I (think) I didn't like about the other bikes I tried, just so I know a bit of what I want. Now, do I take the credit card just incase? eek. I was previously planning on waiting until my next paycheck so I could buy the whole thing with actual money, but I don't want to leave any of the shops empty handed if I do find something I love. :confused:

So many decisions, but I'm excited again rather than stressed. (Just stressed how my budget seems to be slowly inching up...)

[Tri Girl]

Oh, bring the credit card for sure. :) There will be so much that you'll want and HAVE to have that you'll need it along.
I hope you not only learn a lot, but find something that you LOVE. From my experience, a good fitting includes measuring your body all over, then plugging those numbers into a magical formula that gives you a "cockpit" measurement and lots of other confusing things. I've bought 5 bikes new and all my fittings were detailed and took a couple hours to get just right. I make my LBS work for it. :)

Have fun and be sure to report back on Saturday so we can hear all about your experience.

[Kelly728]

You are looking at the proud owner of a Jamis Ventura Race! (Nope not the women's version either..)

Just wanted to thank everyone who suggested going to Proteus for my bike. It was complete information overload when I first got in, but I test rode a Felt (not sure of the model), the Jamis Ventura, and Orbea Aqua (tried both Campy and Shimano versions). For the first time I could actually feel a difference between bikes, knowing what I flat out did not feel comfortable in. It was pretty tough deciding between the Jamis and Orbea but I took the Jamis out for a 2nd spin and think it felt "right". With a few in store adjustments I brought the bike home. I am heading back in 2 weeks for a full fitting of the bike. I really have to work on not rounding out my back which I tend to do due to some neck problems. Can't wait to go play a bit tomorrow! :D

Now..In that 2 weeks I need to find shoes and pedals... :eek: Back at square one with cluelessness.

[Kelly728]

...no one is even peaking back for my report?

*sigh*

[divingbiker]

...no one is even peaking back for my report?

*sigh*

Sorry, I missed it. So glad that you had a good experience at Proteus! Jill is great. I must get back there and take more food for the shop cat...

And of course, we want pictures!

[salsabike]

Kelly, what size did you end up with?

[DebTX]

Congratulations Kelly!
I know how hard it is to go from clueless to clipless...
Sounds like you did a great job teasing through it all :D

Ride her in good health!

[Kelly728]

Kelly, what size did you end up with?

51cm
Thought I mentioned that, oops!

I'll get some pictures of beautiful soon, once I find the connector cable for my camera. Now I need to get some MUCH warmer clothes (rode a mile and had to stop because I was so cold) and decide between spd or frogs.

[uforgot]

I just had to go to the Jamis website and take a peek! Very nice, although I still want to see pics of the actual bike.:)

The geometry of your bike is almost the same as my Surly! 525 top tube. How long of a stem will you have on it? It's good to have my measurements verified. It's not often I get to read the adventures of another long legged, short armed rider. Why did you not go with the femme version? Was the top tube at 515 too short for eventual racing or just too cramped? I want the details of what they said. I'm having a virtual fitting through you!lol

I saw that you had to wear petite tops for short arms, and regular pants. I always had to purchase "tall" pants when 30" inseams were the norm, and petite tops. I wondered what tall women wore, and then when I started riding and trying to get correctly fitting bikes, I realized that we are actually not the norm. Your running attire cracked me up.

[Aquila]

Congrats!

Now you have to post pictures so we can all ooh and ahh :)

[Kelly728]

Uforgot- I am going in for my full bike fitting in 2 weeks and I'll give you a thorough report! The bike in my non-cycling educated brain is still a bit big reach wise, but a lot of adjustments still need to be made.

Apparently I'm not as disproportionate as I thought. :o

[Tri Girl]

I've been so busy, I haven't been back to check up on you. Congrats on your new bike!!!! I can't wait to see your beauty!

[ilima]

...no one is even peaking back for my report?

*sigh*

I'm back. The Jamis is a nice bike! I think you'll be happy with it for a long time.

[tantrumbean]

I had a similar problem when I started road bike searching, only difference is I'm long-legged, short-armed and 6ft tall - which means none of the wsd bikes are big enough and most of the men's are too long in the reach. It's a nightmare. Funnily enough, both my bikes have ended being Trek's, after testing loads of others... (only picking the road bike up from the shop on Saturday, so can't comment on what it will be like in the long run), but there appears to be something in the trek geometry that agrees with my akward proportions...

[Kelly728]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/f3arxn03vil/KellysBike.jpg

:D

[OakLeaf]

Very nice! :D

[Kelly728]

Very nice! :D

:D Thanks... I think it is enjoying my kitchen.

Now I'm just waiting on my TE order so I can ride more than a mile without freezing!

[uforgot]

Looks great! You'll be on that bike soon. TE ships FAST! Enjoy and don't forget to let me know what the fitter says.

[Kelly728]

Looks great! You'll be on that bike soon. TE ships FAST! Enjoy and don't forget to let me know what the fitter says.

Oh I won't! I'm heading down thursday after work (yikes...traffic).

[ilima]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/f3arxn03vil/KellysBike.jpg

:D

Beautiful! Love the white saddle and bar tape (although I have to admit that's the look my bike is rocking, too).

[Kelly728]

Beautiful! Love the white saddle and bar tape (although I have to admit that's the look my bike is rocking, too).

I love the way it looks, but that saddle will be swapped out very very soon. YIKES I swear that thing fits IN BETWEEN my sit bones.:eek:

(Oh I did receive my TE order very very quickly by the way!)

[Kelly728]

Well I had the fitting for my bike last night and I plan on taking it out for a short ride tomorrow. Surprisingly, it needed very few adjustments. The seat tube was raised a bit more. The stem was flipped over to change the angle on the handlebars. I have a new saddle which is a HUGE improvement in the right direction (Serfas TI-RS2 Stinger) but I'll know more so what I'm looking for with more riding. I also went with the base end Shimano SPD pedals for now. They are nerve wracking to say the least!

...I also learned my left leg is shorter than my right. :eek:

[Tri Girl]

I have a shorter leg, too. One of my shoes has shims on the bottom, the other doesn't. Funny how we lived all this time without even knowing it until we bought a bike. :p
I sure hope you have a great time with your bike this weekend!