My new bike

[pfunk12]

I just bought the 2011 Specialized Amira Expert. It was sort of a spur of the moment decision. I love my Madone 5.2 but the Amira is my team's bike and the team deal seemed too good to pass up. When I went to the bike shop 2 weeks ago to try one out, they didn't have my size. It sounds crazy but I bought the bike sight unseen without even sitting on it. But like the shop manager said, even if I don't like it and it doesn't work for me, I can wait a year (team requirement) and sell it and I would make money off the sale. But of course, I'm hoping it works for me. :) I went to the shop last night and got fitted so I'll be riding it for the first time tomorrow morning on my commute.

[HillSlugger]

Congrats!

When I was bike shopping it was suggested that I try an Amira but I couldn't find anyone local that had them. Which shop is this?

[pfunk12]

Spokes, Etc. in Alexandria, VA. They have 5 shops in Virginia but the Alexandria one is the closest to us. The service there is outstanding.

[7rider]

Sweet.

[kmehrzad]

Beautiful bike, PFunk. Should be wonderful to ride.

Is Bill Mould the bike mechanic at the Spokes you buy from? I believe he's now at the Quaker Lane store. That guy is a real gem. I took a bicycle maintenance class from him a couple years ago. He's so helpful, informative, and very kind.

[pfunk12]

Thanks, K. I only dealt with Steve, the manager, and Mark, the bike fitter. I was very impressed with them. Haven't met any of the mechanics yet.


Beautiful bike, PFunk. Should be wonderful to ride.

Is Bill Mould the bike mechanic at the Spokes you buy from? I believe he's now at the Quaker Lane store. That guy is a real gem. I took a bicycle maintenance class from him a couple years ago. He's so helpful, informative, and very kind.

[Bike Chick]

Very nice! Give us a ride report after your commute tomorrow!

[pfunk12]

I hope it doesn't get dirty. :p


Very nice! Give us a ride report after your commute tomorrow!

[kmehrzad]

LOL - it's way too pretty to ride unless the weather and road conditions are perfect. Kinda like the guy or girl who only drives their sports car on sunny days.

[lawnchick22]

drooling...........

[7rider]

I hope it doesn't get dirty. :p

So, how'd it go??

I ran into a co-worker this a.m. who used to ride on your team (has kids and now a dog....so he fears his riding/racing days are behind him :rolleyes:). I mentioned your awesome new acquisition. He asked if it's custom colors and has the team name on it. Didn't have an answer for him (other than to say the colors seemed to match the current kit). So????

[pfunk12]

The Amira does have the team colors - black, red and white. I saw team member's bikes from last year that had the team name and cyclist's name on the bike but I don't know if you had to make a special request for that.

So...the ride... Well, you of all people know me and know that I'm not a true cyclist and I don't "talk the talk". :) I like it. How's that for a response? :p It's a little different from the Madone. Like the shifting wasn't as easy as it is on the Madone. But it was a smooth and quiet ride. Since it's supposed to be my racing bike, the true test will be when I try to sprint or go up hills. I'm going to take it to Hains Point tomorrow at noon to test it out. But even my co-workers who know nothing about bikes are impressed because it's so pretty. :D


So, how'd it go??

I ran into a co-worker this a.m. who used to ride on your team (has kids and now a dog....so he fears his riding/racing days are behind him :rolleyes:). I mentioned your awesome new acquisition. He asked if it's custom colors and has the team name on it. Didn't have an answer for him (other than to say the colors seemed to match the current kit). So????

[Jo-n-NY]

Gorgeous bike!!! I hope it works well for you in your races. I believe the HTC Pro womans team use the Amira.

[redrhodie]

So...the ride... Well, you of all people know me and know that I'm not a true cyclist and I don't "talk the talk". :) I like it. How's that for a response? :p It's a little different from the Madone. Like the shifting wasn't as easy as it is on the Madone. But it was a smooth and quiet ride. Since it's supposed to be my racing bike, the true test will be when I try to sprint or go up hills. I'm going to take it to Hains Point tomorrow at noon to test it out. But even my co-workers who know nothing about bikes are impressed because it's so pretty. :D

I love that, with as many miles as you ride, you still don't consider yourself a true cyclist. What's it gonna take? ;)

[Scrappy]

(Insert wolf whistle here) Gorgeous! I suspect the people you race against will get an appreciation for how beautiful the back of the bike is ;-)

[PinkBike]

she's gorgeous!
the specialized website says ultegra compacts. suh-weet!

[aicabsolut]

You can ask Steve for team stickers--he used to have some at least.

For your name, I've used Victory Circle Graphix and liked the results. http://www.vcgraphix.com/

[pfunk12]

Thanks, aicabsolut!


You can ask Steve for team stickers--he used to have some at least.

For your name, I've used Victory Circle Graphix and liked the results. http://www.vcgraphix.com/

[LivetoRide]

I've test ridden the Amira Expert and it's a sweet bike! Congrats :)

[pfunk12]

Thanks everyone for your nice comments about the bike. It really is sweet. I did my first attempt at speed today and I was pretty happy with how the bike felt. The next test will be hills and group rides to see how it responds. Then again, if the bike doesn't work, is it really the bike or who's on the bike? :D

[7rider]

Then again, if the bike doesn't work, is it really the bike or who's on the bike? :D

Well, who's on the bike is a wicked fast, amazing athlete.
So....the engine is sound. That part is covered.

Be glad you don't have deep dish aero wheels on it, tho. Wind gusts to 60 mph tomorrow! :eek:

[pfunk12]

I know! Yikes. I'm hoping to get out in the morning and if it's windy, I'm hoping for a 60 mph tailwind! :D


Be glad you don't have deep dish aero wheels on it, tho. Wind gusts to 60 mph tomorrow! :eek:

[aicabsolut]

Thanks everyone for your nice comments about the bike. It really is sweet. I did my first attempt at speed today and I was pretty happy with how the bike felt. The next test will be hills and group rides to see how it responds. Then again, if the bike doesn't work, is it really the bike or who's on the bike? :D

Heard you were at the noon ride today. Did some laps at Hains tonight, and one of the guys was talking about how sweet your Amira was when he saw it earlier today. :D

[pfunk12]

It was my first time on the noon ride in months. What a wake-up call. :D I did get a few nice comments about the bike.
Hope you had a good ride. I can't believe how warm it is.


Heard you were at the noon ride today. Did some laps at Hains tonight, and one of the guys was talking about how sweet your Amira was when he saw it earlier today. :D

[andiewest]

I just got a Specialized Amira Expert 2010 yesterday. It is a thing of beauty!!!! As a relatively new rider I thought that it was probably too much bike for me. But I was in the market for a new bike, and as I was able to pick it up used, it was in my price range. It feels very zippy and light. I have been riding a steel framed touring bike for the last 7 years. So, this is clearly a very different feel. I was worried about not have low enough gears, but I have been using my husband's road bike for the last few weeks, with the same gearing and it has been fine. I can't wait to test it out. They're predicting winds up to 70 mph today, so I might wait until tomorrow,

Andie

[pfunk12]

Enjoy, Andie!

[Chinook]

pfunk12 - yes, it is a great looking bike and was jealous when i saw you in the store that night! the 2010 Amira is awesome to ride and I hope to get this years model to match the team too! I was a little leery about buying a WSD last year, but I have been pleasantly surprised.:D