warneral
10-02-2010, 02:30 PM
Oh girls! I picked my new bike up today. My DH finally agreed to the extravagant purchase of this bike.
My first road bike only has a few hundred miles and months under my belt. I bought it used and it is still a nice bike. But I've been wanting higher end components and a better fit from day 2.
I had tested out the Ruby Elite Apex and the Madone 5.1 which dh was supportive of purchasing. But I just wasn't 100% sure they were right for me. And I couldn't decide between the two. Then a few weeks ago, after leaving urgent care (for the bronchial problem I'm still fighting), I stepped into Williamson Bicycle Works in Madison. And hanging on the wall was a Independent Fabrication steel bike. In my favorite color of green. With pink accents. I peeked to see that it was just my size (50cm). I saw the price tag say that it was a 2009 marked down from 3,999 to 3,199. I told the guy I loved it and he said to bring in some pedals. They were closing.
So I did. That week I brought in my frogs and took a ride in Madison along the bike paths. The bike sung to me. Campy chorus components are similar in functionality to my Tiagra/sora components but OH so much better! It has a carbon fork that was handpainted.
I came home and told DH about it but he wasn't too keen on the price. Especially b/c my job is unknown (I've been doing contract engineering work for a company and the project is coming to a close).
A few weeks later, he went into the shop and said he wanted to pay 3100 with taxes and the lowest they would go was 2,999. So he bought it and they sold me a nice protoge bike computer for 50% off. I picked it up today. I'm quite sick still but took a 6mi spin on it today. I just know we are going to be very good friends. I don't care for the fiz'nik vitesse sport saddle. I think I need my cutouts to be happy. Perhaps I need to try a Terry butterfly? Will have to investigate.
I don't care for the white handlebar tape but I wasn't sure what color I will want. I think some dark pink will be nice :D
I'm a little worried about the fork paintjob but they say the bike has a lifetime warranty so I will try not to think about it... When I spend too much $ I tend to get paranoid.
forgot to mention it is a Steel crown jewel with carbon fork.
Here are some pictures :)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/5044829111_29879c454f.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/5044828497_8c329a465d.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4147/5045450310_1d9b1a6170.jpg
My first road bike only has a few hundred miles and months under my belt. I bought it used and it is still a nice bike. But I've been wanting higher end components and a better fit from day 2.
I had tested out the Ruby Elite Apex and the Madone 5.1 which dh was supportive of purchasing. But I just wasn't 100% sure they were right for me. And I couldn't decide between the two. Then a few weeks ago, after leaving urgent care (for the bronchial problem I'm still fighting), I stepped into Williamson Bicycle Works in Madison. And hanging on the wall was a Independent Fabrication steel bike. In my favorite color of green. With pink accents. I peeked to see that it was just my size (50cm). I saw the price tag say that it was a 2009 marked down from 3,999 to 3,199. I told the guy I loved it and he said to bring in some pedals. They were closing.
So I did. That week I brought in my frogs and took a ride in Madison along the bike paths. The bike sung to me. Campy chorus components are similar in functionality to my Tiagra/sora components but OH so much better! It has a carbon fork that was handpainted.
I came home and told DH about it but he wasn't too keen on the price. Especially b/c my job is unknown (I've been doing contract engineering work for a company and the project is coming to a close).
A few weeks later, he went into the shop and said he wanted to pay 3100 with taxes and the lowest they would go was 2,999. So he bought it and they sold me a nice protoge bike computer for 50% off. I picked it up today. I'm quite sick still but took a 6mi spin on it today. I just know we are going to be very good friends. I don't care for the fiz'nik vitesse sport saddle. I think I need my cutouts to be happy. Perhaps I need to try a Terry butterfly? Will have to investigate.
I don't care for the white handlebar tape but I wasn't sure what color I will want. I think some dark pink will be nice :D
I'm a little worried about the fork paintjob but they say the bike has a lifetime warranty so I will try not to think about it... When I spend too much $ I tend to get paranoid.
forgot to mention it is a Steel crown jewel with carbon fork.
Here are some pictures :)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/5044829111_29879c454f.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/5044828497_8c329a465d.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4147/5045450310_1d9b1a6170.jpg