First ride report :)

Rode my Gunnar for the first time this morning :cool: With impending rain it was a short ride, shorter than I would have liked, but a 55 minute ride was better than nothing!

I took her over to Eagle Creek Park - this is mainly a nature preserve with lots of walking trails (no bikes), lots of hills, and enough roads to ride a 6-7 mile loop. I wasn't trying for speed, just wanted to feel her out a bit, get used to the X0 grip shifters and so forth.

Shifting was fantastic, I really like them and they are not overly large for my hands. Different range of gears than I am accustomed to and I think I will like this gearing better than my LHT. The ride is even cushier than the LHT which was a surprise, but it is better steel. The bike is 10.5 pounds lighter than the LHT, though my overall speed seemed lower than the LHT. This is probably related to the size of the tires - they installed Conti Trail Contacts, 1.75 wide tires and my LHT has City Contacts (1.50 wide). At some point I will replace these tires with skinnier ones, but not now. There is no more money for more bike stuff for now...

I've an idea to get another set of wheels for the Gunnar, same wheels, but with skinner tires and then I could switch them between Gunnar and LHT as desired/needed. That would allow me to use the bomb-proof but quite heavy wheels on my LHT when I want, but also provide the option of dropping weight with the lighter wheels when desired - both have a 9-speed cassette so that shouldn't be a problem. That will have to come later...

Saddle discomfort limited my ride to just under an hour, but there was no numbness. This saddle does work for me, we just need to dial in the fit - and that will happen in a couple of weeks - trying to get a few miles on the bike before then. It may have been a short-related problem as well, but time will tell.

Awesome first ride! Hopefully tomorrow I can take out the Jamis and get a few pavement miles on her to get used to the SRAM trigger shifters. Lots of church activities this weekend, but I will be able to fit in some riding time :)

Yay...It's been a long wait for you for this to happen. :D Hope the weather gets better for you soon. We are in the same boat -weatherwise- in MI.

Yea! Let me know when you're ready to come down here for some hill repeats

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Originally Posted by Mr. Bloom

Yea! Let me know when you're ready to come down here for some hill repeats

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I certainly will, probably the last part of May. In the end I don't know how much faster this bike will be - the frame is closer to a rigid mountain bike than a road bike, but it should work well in the hills :) I would LIKE to ride in the Brown County Hill Challenge this fall, but we will see!

Cool beans, Catrin. Congrats on your maiden voyage! I'm sure you'll be fast friends. :)

One point of clarification: Does the frame itself, i.e., before being built up, weigh 10.5 pounds? I'm not aware of any bike--carbon, Ti, aluminum or steel--that weighs as little as 10.5 pounds fully built, even one as little as yours. Just curious!
ETA. Nevermind my question about weight. I reread your post. My reading comprehension is WAY off!

For clarification sake, my Gunnar weighs 24.5 pounds fully built :)

Just curious, Catrin, since it seems like your new Gunnar is an incredibly versatile bike (can take wide tires to function more like a rigid mountain bike or narrower for more of a road bike ride), have you considered selling your LHT? That would free up a good chunk of cash for a second "go fast" wheelset for your Gunnar, and you'd have the advantage of a much lighter bike no matter where you planned to ride.

You've probably stated why you're keeping your LHT as well; I just know that in the past when I've upgraded to a new bike that was a similar style, the old one ended up languishing until I wised up and sold it -- that has happened to me with both road and mountain bikes.

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Originally Posted by emily_in_nc

Just curious, Catrin, since it seems like your new Gunnar is an incredibly versatile bike (can take wide tires to function more like a rigid mountain bike or narrower for more of a road bike ride), have you considered selling your LHT? That would free up a good chunk of cash for a second "go fast" wheelset for your Gunnar, and you'd have the advantage of a much lighter bike no matter where you planned to ride.

You've probably stated why you're keeping your LHT as well; I just know that in the past when I've upgraded to a new bike that was a similar style, the old one ended up languishing until I wised up and sold it -- that has happened to me with both road and mountain bikes.

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The thought has crossed my mind - and I am torn. I must admit the extra money would be nice since I've used rather more credit than I would like in this quick acquisition of two new bikes + accessories in such a short time period. I also like that the LHT is a true touring bike and with the rack and fenders I can use it for commuting and actual touring...I really don't want to put racks/fenders on the Gunnar. I like the idea of a back-up bike as well. I've also put so much money in the LHT converting it from road bars that I suspect I would only get a small percentage of what I've put into the bike...

The pondering continues, though for now I am planning on keeping it. It is a lovely bike and fun to ride, time will tell what I decide to do ;)

So happy you finally got to ride your new bike, Catrin. If it ever stops storming and raining (grrrrrrrr) maybe you will be able to take it out for a real test ride! Did I miss the pictures? Where are the pictures????;)

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Originally Posted by Bike Chick

So happy you finally got to ride your new bike, Catrin. If it ever stops storming and raining (grrrrrrrr) maybe you will be able to take it out for a real test ride! Did I miss the pictures? Where are the pictures????;)

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Here they are :)

Am taking the Gunner out for a 13 mile ride this morning before I head out, weather/time permitting this afternoon I want to take the LHT for a 25 mile clipless ride - new bikes won't get clipless pedals until May 13.

Yay! Have fun!

I just realized that I was wrong about the starting time for something I was attending this morning...which means I've already missed the start and am still in night clothes. Oooops!

This means I can take the Gunnar out for a more relaxed ride. Darn, it will be hard but I think I can handle it. More later :)

Cat, sorry I missed the pics earlier. Very, very nice! I know you must be tingling inside. Do you keep pinching yourself to be sure you aren't dreaming?

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Originally Posted by Muirenn

Congrats Cat!

If you wait a couple of months, you'll know for certain whether you want to sell the Trucker:)

Cheers!

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At this point there really isn't a decision to make, I am not selling it. Besides, if the planets align properly I have a GAP ride in September, and it will be perfect for that ride. Afterwards, we will see :D

Just had my SECOND ride on Ms. PB (Plum Blossom). This time I aired it up to 75psi - the tires are rated for 80, LBS had it around 60-65. Next time will try 70psi and see what I think of that. I rode up my current "test" hill in a neighborhood close to Eagle Creek Park - it is very steep and the longest hill I've access to riding from my apartment. I think I may have gone up a little faster, though not much, wasn't quite in the granny gear, and my legs were far more comfortable - though my HR was about the same. Same basic amount of effort but it was easier on the Gunnar if that makes any sense.

The Gunnar is just a touch slower on the downhill - probably due to the different tire size between it and the LHT. It is possible that I was unconsciously taking it a little easy due to it being a new bike. Sweet ride - and I LOVE the X0 grip shifters! Pity I can't put them on my Jamis - they aren't making them for 10-speed :(

Now off to clean up and head out for a bike - long ride scheduled for the afternoon on the LHT - I need all the clipless practice I can get before I have them on all my bikes!

yay!!!!:D
Sounds like you made the right decision on that Gunnar! It's sure a beautiful ride!! :)