Meet Marley!

Okay, I finally got it. Well, got the bike last week, but just got pictures today.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...n/d924056e.jpg

It's taken a little bit of getting used to...as with any new bike, I guess. I'm not too sure about the handlebars -- drop bars might be better (with these H-bars, you can only brake in one position, and my shoulders feel really scrunched together in that position). Hmm. But aside from that, it's been fun.

Three weeks minus one day till scheduled departure! (Not that I'm counting or anything....)

Hey Marley -
Welcome to the world of touring! And please take good care of Leila as she takes off on her adventure. I'm wishing good things for both of you.

And Leila -
If you continue to feel that the H-bars aren't right for you, why not talk to Bike Friday about switching to a drop bar? I have no idea what they'd charge you for a change like that at this point (as in would they be willing to swap out the parts - the bars & shifters/brakes - for little or no cost?), but it can't hurt to ask. Make sure that the bike is really right for you since you're going to be living on it for a good number of days.

--- Denise

Welcome, Marley. I can't wait to meet you in person. :) As Denise said, take good care of Leila, I'm looking forward to meeting her too!

(Good looking bike ya got there, Leila)

Howdy Marley! How do you like your new home?........there are lots of women on this board wishing your new mistress the best of luck during her ride - and keeping tabs on you to take good care of her!

Ered: have fun hun and keep us posted!

Congrats, Ered!!!! :) :) :) :)
Beautiful bike, gorgeous color! Have a great time together!

annie

awww, Marley is so cute :D

It continues to amaze that these bikes ride like a regular full size bike. Best of luck with Marley and I will look forward to hearing about your trip if you plan on posting.

PS. I agree with Denise. Comfort will be most important. It is worth a call to Bike Friday.

~ JoAnn

:D I'll be sure to pass on your greetings and instructions.
If the handlebars still feel weird in a few days, I'll take your advice and call Bike Friday. Will keep you updated!

Congratulations - Marley is darling! Love the green! :D

I considered the Touring H-bars on my Pocket Crusoe but after much thought and discussions with others, went with drop bars since that's what I am used to. I'm very happy with my bars. I would have liked to try the H-bars, but not enough to order them and then risk having to have them changed if I wasn't happy.

I don't know if they'll do it for free, but I do know that another Friday-riding friend recently had Bike Friday order and split a wider drop bar for her bike; she'd had a bike fit done after getting her Friday and determined that she needed to move from a 38cm bar to a 40cm. Bike Friday sent the split bars to her, and her LBS installed them for her. However, she went from one drop bar to another so it was a relatively simple change and didn't involve a different type of brake.

Bike Friday has a very good guarantee - you can send the entire bike back in the first 30 days if you aren't happy - so they might just change the bars out for free; it's a lot less expensive for them to do that than to risk having to take the entire bike back. In my case, they made my bike with too long a top tube, so back it went for redoing at no charge at all to me, even for shipping. They're a great company, so if the bars continue to bother you, don't hestitate to give your salesperson a call and ask!

Enjoy!

Emily

It is truly a lovely shade of green. Congrats on your new baby!!

spazz