It was worth the wait!!!

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FINALLY my 2013 Salsa El Mariachi 3 arrived yesterday. Today was my maiden voyage on "Gossamer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gossamer_(Looney_Tunes))," aka Gossy. I'm battling lower back hell and owe my rugrat a run tonight, so just went out for a few miles at a little park with some singletrack near us. Mostly to look for any issues, see what things need adjustment, and take some photos.
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/222557_4816188046899_916972361_n.jpg
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/33857_4816200967222_645967405_n.jpg
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/269547_4816239288180_1928857283_n.jpg

Amazing how much EASIER uphills are on this bike compared to my '09 Cannondale F5. Hard to believe they're even the same species! :eek: I really like the Shimano SLX triggers over the SRAM ones that are on my previous bike. MUCH lighter touch and shorter throw to shift to harder gears.

[indysteel]

Oh my; I covet thy bike! Did you end up going with the XS? How's the fit?

If you are like me and my Santa Cruz, it took more than a few rides to get used to one another. Hopefully, it's love at first ride with you and Gossy, but if not, give it a few rides to get used to her.

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Yep, I did go with the XS. Right away my LBS chopped about 1 1/8" of handlebar off each side. I *might* go a hair narrower, still, but maybe not. Also flipped the stem down. Perhaps will end up cutting the steerer tube some, since it's quite long and there are still a ton of spacers under the stem. Again, I will give it a while before I make any decision on that.

Overall the fit is really really good. I ended up with something like 2 extra inches of cockpit room with this bike. It feels SO good to be stretched out and not sitting so upright. I feel much more stable, even though I feel higher off the ground.

[DebSP]

Nice pictures of a great looking bike!

[ZenBiker]

Beautiful bike, beautiful pics. Enjoy!

[Owlie]

Very nice bike and pictures. Have fun!

[thekarens]

Beautiful pics and bike! Congrats!

[Catrin]

Beautiful indeed - many congratulations!

[OakLeaf]

Very nice! Enjoy!

[Scrappy]

Like cherry candy! Beautiful!

[TrekDianna]

Absolutely gorgeous!!!!

[Shellyrides]

Vary cool!

[murielalex]

Big congrats!

[Bike Writer]

Love it Love it Love it. Your photos are stunning and the color saturation is a joy to look at. Love the red color, that bike looks so rugged it's amazing. I'm very happy for you!

[zoom-zoom]

Love it Love it Love it. Your photos are stunning and the color saturation is a joy to look at. Love the red color, that bike looks so rugged it's amazing. I'm very happy for you!

Thanks! So far I'm certain I chose the perfect bike, sight-unseen! Our LBS friend is pretty good at yay-ing or nay-ing bikes. He definitely supported my interest in this bike, based upon my previous fitting, the geometry of this bike, and bikes I'd previously fit well on. I've still yet to test ride a bike before taking it home. :)

Funny you say rugged. The bike feels like a tank until I start pedaling...then it just feels so smooth and strong and responsive. It wants to GO! Uphills that killed me on my previous bike hardly get my HR up at all. The bike this replaces felt like a tank ALL the time, ha!

[Bike Writer]

Zoom, it's funny but I almost used the word tank in my response. My bike looked pretty rugged before I dolled it up all girly and yes I too felt it to be like a tank except that it pedeled effortlessly compared to my other bike. I guess I am thinking tank in the sense it can go anywhere, do anything with no effort like a tank just mows down terrain as opposed to a car that would be bogged down in the mud and helpless. Maybe that description draws a better visual. Whichever the case, it's one drop dead good looking bike.

[zoom-zoom]

Zoom, it's funny but I almost used the word tank in my response. My bike looked pretty rugged before I dolled it up all girly and yes I too felt it to be like a tank except that it pedeled effortlessly compared to my other bike. I guess I am thinking tank in the sense it can go anywhere, do anything with no effort like a tank just mows down terrain as opposed to a car that would be bogged down in the mud and helpless. Maybe that description draws a better visual. Whichever the case, it's one drop dead good looking bike.

That is exactly it! It's a pretty go-anywhere ride. We are so lucky to be cyclists! Now you just need to get healed so that you can get back out there, too! I almost hope for some crappy weather so you won't feel like you're missing anything special, outside.