New Bike Pics!

[Catrin]

New bike love :) I've decided he simply must have blue accessories, and that includes blue knobby tires! I want to find some nice blue (or blue and white) tape, and the same in a seat bag. Tonight he goes on the trainer so I can work with the shifting before taking him to the park Sunday afternoon.

I didn't know that Surly provides extra spokes with the bike, and the lettering on the chain stays was unexpected! I didn't think to ask them how to undo the brakes when I need to take a wheel of though - the cantis are different from the brakes that my Trek has. Stella is a little jealous, but she is bigger than him :)

I wish that I could go ride NOW instead of having to work for a few hours...

[kiwibug]

Looks fantastic!!

[sarahspins]

Pretty! But that's the wrong side.. we wanna see drivetrain! :P

[Catrin]

Pretty! But that's the wrong side.. we wanna see drivetrain! :P

Your wish is my command - this is way more fun than working anyway :rolleyes:

[sarahspins]

Even better - love the big chainring! :)

Have you had a chance to go for a ride yet? What do you think of it so far?

[Catrin]

Even better - love the big chainring! :)

Have you had a chance to go for a ride yet? What do you think of it so far?

No...not yet :( That will change this weekend though, and tonight he goes on the trainer so I can practice with those bar-end shifters a bit before taking him out to the park :p

[bikerHen]

WOW! Love the "new" blue. Yep I agree, blue acessories. Why knobby tires? There are nice wide slicks, that are fine for pavement and dirt. I use Schwalbe Marathon Plus for loaded touring and dirt roads. These are heavy hard working tires, 1.75" wide, and are just about bullet proof. Just put Schwalbe Marathon's (no plus) on the bike for spring commuting. They are 1/4" narrower, take 100 psi and are quite a bit faster. :p

Don't stress to much about those bar end shifters. They scared me too. But now I just love'em. Practicing on the trainer is a great idea. The right shifter (rear cassette) is easy. It's indexed and will click up or down when you shift. The left side (front rings) is a little tricker. It's old school friction shifting and you have to learn to feel for the gears. Truth be told, I still look down when I'm shifting the front. :o bikerHen

[Catrin]

WOW! Love the "new" blue. Yep I agree, blue acessories. Why knobby tires? There are nice wide slicks, that are fine for pavement and dirt. I use Schwalbe Marathon Plus for loaded touring and dirt roads. These are heavy hard working tires, 1.75" wide, and are just about bullet proof. Just put Schwalbe Marathon's (no plus) on the bike for spring commuting. They are 1/4" narrower, take 100 psi and are quite a bit faster. :p

Don't stress to much about those bar end shifters. They scared me too. But now I just love'em. Practicing on the trainer is a great idea. The right shifter (rear cassette) is easy. It's indexed and will click up or down when you shift. The left side (front rings) is a little tricker. It's old school friction shifting and you have to learn to feel for the gears. Truth be told, I still look down when I'm shifting the front. :o bikerHen

Thanks for the tire tips - I want something that can do dirt and I was assuming that my tires wouldn't be so good at that since they are slick in the middle. The outer edges are more aggressive than my Trek's tires though. I am learning, so thanks for the tip.

I am assuming that it isn't hard to attach a water bottle cage, so will do that next weekend - and I want to find the right bar-tape. No, I don't NEED new bar tape, what is there is perfectly fine and new - but I WANT new bar tape in a light blue or blue/white. I have time to look around :D

OK, what IS friction shifting? :o

[OakLeaf]

Sweeeet. :)


Friction shifting is like playing a violin or a fretless bass. ;) Except for lots easier. No indexing, you just push the lever until the derailleur shifts.

[bikerHen]

Basically with friction shifting you are controlling the movement of the front deraillure(sp). You lift the shifter up the chain moves to the bigger ring. Move it down, the chain moves to the smaller rings. It takes a few tries to get the feel of how far to move. There is lots of chain rattling going on, but that doesn't really hurt a thing. It's not that hard. You have an infinite number of possibilities for chain placement, which is a good thing. Just play with it tonight on the trainer and it will make more sense. The operative word here is play, have fun, take your time to learn and you'll love those nice big gears when you hit the road. :D bikerHen

[Miranda]

:cool:Awesome! Wishing you many happy and safe miles together!:)

[moderncyclista]

Nice! Congratulations Catrin! Enjoy and happy riding. :D

[rubywagon]

Love your new bike! What a beautiful, vibrant blue!

[Tri Girl]

He's SOOOO bee-you-ti-ful!!!!!! LOVE it!!! Congrats again! I can't wait for you to take him out for some fun miles. Woot!!:D

[Bike Chick]

Very nice, Catrin! I agree that the new blue is very sharp. I know you two will have many happy miles together!

[Chicken Little]

Awwwwe, for craps sake, that is beautiful. Perfect. I need one sitting in my garage.

[WindingRoad]

WOW! That bike is awesome! I will be looking for you this weekend in the park:D:D:D

[Catrin]

WOW! That bike is awesome! I will be looking for you this weekend in the park:D:D:D

It is supposed to rain tomorrow...so the current plan is to take him to the circle drive at the park at 4 Sunday pm :)

[Trekhawk]

Great bike!
I hope you have a fabulous ride.:)

[cosc]

What a wonderful blue bike! My LHT is the dusky blue, but I like your blue better.
The bar shifters are very easy to learn. I hope you have many wonderful adventures with your bike.

[Biciclista]

congrats on your new bike!

[bikerHen]

It is supposed to rain tomorrow...so the current plan is to take him to the circle drive at the park at 4 Sunday pm :)

One word for ya . . . FENDERS. :D You've got plenty of space for them and then you will fear no weather! Add them to your ever growing list of must haves. :rolleyes: bikerHen

[ColoKate]

Very pretty...congrats and enjoy!

[annielynn]

What a gorgeous bike!! :) Have fun with her this weekend. :)

[Catrin]

One word for ya . . . FENDERS. :D You've got plenty of space for them and then you will fear no weather! Add them to your ever growing list of must haves. :rolleyes: bikerHen

Indeed! I am waiting for the new Performance Bike store to open next weekend here in Indianapolis and check out their fenders, water bottle cages, and seat bags :p

[bikerHen]

Yeah, you've got the idea! It never ends. :D There's always one more must have . . . . :o
Pimping out your new bike is almost more fun than buying it. :rolleyes: bikerHen

[t.ruf]

Congratulations!! Just found out that mine won't be here until Monday. Now that you've met your LHT in person, how do you think a Brooks brown or honey brown saddle and bar tape would go with that blue velvet? (I'm considering that combo for my bike...)

[Catrin]

Yeah, you've got the idea! It never ends. :D There's always one more must have . . . . :o
Pimping out your new bike is almost more fun than buying it. :rolleyes: bikerHen

This time I am taking my time pimping it out - I wasted no time with Stella :) There is also the little detail of having the scratch since I paid cash for the LHT :p


Congratulations!! Just found out that mine won't be here until Monday. Now that you've met your LHT in person, how do you think a Brooks brown or honey brown saddle and bar tape would go with that blue velvet? (I'm considering that combo for my bike...)

Sounds beautiful! I went with a Brooks black B17, and am considering eventually changing to light blue or blue/white bar tape. Congrats on your new LHT!

[bikerHen]

Congratulations!! Just found out that mine won't be here until Monday. Now that you've met your LHT in person, how do you think a Brooks brown or honey brown saddle and bar tape would go with that blue velvet? (I'm considering that combo for my bike...)

The bike will tell you. I was all set to accent my olive green LHT with brown, even bought the honey Brooks B-17. Got my first look at the new frame and it just screamed black accents. I tried to do brown but the bike was not having any of it! So black saddle, bar tape and under the seat bag. It was a happy bike. :p I did just replace the bar tape with green camo tape that looks very cool! Now it's an even happier bike :D bikerHen

[Catrin]

The bike will tell you. I was all set to accent my olive green LHT with brown, even bought the honey Brooks B-17. Got my first look at the new frame and it just screamed black accents. I tried to do brown but the bike was not having any of it! So black saddle, bar tape and under the seat bag. It was a happy bike. :p I did just replace the bar tape with green camo tape that looks very cool! Now it's an even happier bike :D bikerHen

We certainly do want to keep our bikes happy :)

BikerHen - have you had any problems reaching the brake levers on your LHT - or anyone else? I've posted a question on this in the bike parts section - couldn't figure out where to put t :o

[bikerHen]

Yes and no on the brakes. I can reach them ok but don't seem to have the leverage to stop quick, as in a panic stop. I discovered last summer I couldn't stop well at all with a fully loaded trailer! :eek: I ended up replacing the brake system and adding in-line brakes. Which are a second set on brake levers on the top of the bars. I really only use the in-line brakes when I'm pulling the trailer or loaded up for a tour. They have a LOT more leverage and I can stop going down the steepest of hills. bikerHen

[Catrin]

Yes and no on the brakes. I can reach them ok but don't seem to have the leverage to stop quick, as in a panic stop. I discovered last summer I couldn't stop well at all with a fully loaded trailer! :eek: I ended up replacing the brake system and adding in-line brakes. Which are a second set on brake levers on the top of the bars. I really only use the in-line brakes when I'm pulling the trailer or loaded up for a tour. They have a LOT more leverage and I can stop going down the steepest of hills. bikerHen

Interesting - and you say they went on top of the bars? That is something to consider. If I wind up needing to go that far then I may just replace the bars and go with trigger shifters/brakes. I am not going to rush in that direction though, I want to get some miles on this bike before I start changing something like that :eek:

If we could just get the levers closer in, that might take care of things - but I don't know if they are adjustable. Until we get this worked out I have to stay out of the drops - but as I've never HAD drops before I won't know what I might be missing (can't reach levers in the drops).

This was unforseen, especially since the bars/levers are compact and meant for small hands/short reach.

[bikerHen]

Oh! You're trying to reach the brakes in the drops! :eek: No way I can do that on any bike I own. I spend 99.9% of my time on the hoods and/or top of the bars. Even getting into the drops has been a very recent accomplishment for me. I was actually surprised how hard it was to even try for the brakes while in my drops. I wouldn't worry to much if you can't reach them in the drops. Just my 2 cents. :p bikerHen

[Catrin]

Oh! You're trying to reach the brakes in the drops! :eek: No way I can do that on any bike I own. I spend 99.9% of my time on the hoods and/or top of the bars. Even getting into the drops has been a very recent accomplishment for me. I was actually surprised how hard it was to even try for the brakes while in my drops. I wouldn't worry to much if you can't reach them in the drops. Just my 2 cents. :p bikerHen

Wheww! That makes me feel better - I asked my fitter if I should be able to do so and he said yes - sounds like he had me worried for nothing. Let's face it - at this point I probably won't be going anywhere NEAR the drops :o Getting my hands down to the shifters will be enough.

I am thinking though that if there are levers that would fit me better then I am going to let them switch them out - I don't know how much leverage I actually would have in an emergency stopping situation the way it is now.

Yeah, trying to reach the brakes in the drops was like some contortionist activity :eek:

I keep looking at the weather forecast for tomorrow morning in hopes it changes - I don't want to wait until Sunday to take my new bike out for his first real spin!

[PamNY]

Beautiful bike! Have fun!

[Atlas]

I love that blue!

[Catrin]

I love that blue!

I didn't realize how close a match it was until I picked it up :D

[bikerHen]

Whew! Now you don't have to buy a new car. :D Well done on matching the colors. :p bikerHen

[Tri Girl]

That's too funny! I think the LHT was *meant* to be yours all along!!! :D

[Catrin]

That's too funny! I think the LHT was *meant* to be yours all along!!! :D

hehehe, I think you are right.

This little brake lever detail is just a small thing in the end. It may also be that since I am NOT accustomed to road bars that I am unconsciously putting all of my weight on my wrists and not my core - which would certainly lead to wrist issues...

Monday I am taking it to the LBS so we can all confirm what brake levers are actually on the bike, and then proceed from there.

[Tiddle]

That is an absolutely beautiful colour Catrin! Some crisp white accessories will look great on that

Re the brakes - on my vintage road bike, I found adjusting the angle of the bars allowed be to reach the brakes comfortably in the drops (where you get much better braking). If I tilted the bars up higher so it was more cofortable in the hoods I couldn't reach quite as well in the drops. It seems to be a bit of a trade of, but it allows you to adjust for your preferred riding position.

Play around with the up/down angle and see what suits.

Personally I don't use the hoods much cause the braking is a bit soft there. Looking forward to fitting the cross/top bar levers on my new Cross Check though - they sound like a huge improvement on the old-style top levers (which my LBS called "suicide levers"!)

[Catrin]

I am using blue accessories, along with a little white and black :rolleyes: I found some delightful blue/black bar tape to use and my LBS will have it on my bike before they return it to me.

As it turned out the brake levers were the wrong ones, they were for a much larger bike and were NOT compact at all as they were supposed to be, and the bars that came with my bike were too wide for me - so both are being replaced :D I hope to bring him home this weekend and go try riding him again!

[kmehrzad]

As it turned out the brake levers were the wrong ones, they were for a much larger bike and were NOT compact at all as they were supposed to be, and the bars that came with my bike were too wide for me - so both are being replaced :D I hope to bring him home this weekend and go try riding him again!

Beautiful bike, Catrin.

About the brake levers, my hands are small and on some of my bikes, I've felt uncomfortable applying the brakes. On my Specialized Ruby, the LBS put shims in the levers, which helped tremendously. However, that's not an option on some of my other bikes' levers. On my single speed Scattante, I had in-line brakes added, which was a good fix. If you're still having problems reaching the brakes properly, ask about shims.

[Catrin]

Beautiful bike, Catrin.

About the brake levers, my hands are small and on some of my bikes, I've felt uncomfortable applying the brakes. On my Specialized Ruby, the LBS put shims in the levers, which helped tremendously. However, that's not an option on some of my other bikes' levers. On my single speed Scattante, I had in-line brakes added, which was a good fix. If you're still having problems reaching the brakes properly, ask about shims.

Thanks - though I am hoping that having the right size levers will take care of the problem :) My fitter (a very tall/large man) said that the levers on my LHT would have been hard for HIM - which was the double whammy for my hands since the bars were also too wide - so that made me feel better.

[Red Rock]

Catrin- Congrats on your new LHT. What an awsome set of wheels. I'm sure you'll have a great time once you get all of the bugs worked out of it. Happy riding.

Red Rock

[Catrin]

Catrin- Congrats on your new LHT. What an awsome set of wheels. I'm sure you'll have a great time once you get all of the bugs worked out of it. Happy riding.

Red Rock

I am sure I will...though I don't know when he gets to come home. They just got the final parts this morning and now it is a question of my fitter having time to install the parts - hopefully I get it this weekend. The important part is that they install things properly and hopefully that problem is solved :cool:

However, that gives me more time to take Stella to the country roads this afternoon - and that is going to be fun :D