Cascade's Group Health Bike Expo . . . New Location!

Thanks Eden! My hubby tends to agree with you! He said with today's geometry so much better than in the past I shouldn't have any trouble getting 700cc wheels on my new bike. I will weigh and ponder and really take my time when I finally do go looking for my new bike next year. I think there is a 700cc bike out there for me. I will keep my old 650cc that I currently ride as my around town/to the store/bad weather bike but I am looking forward to a new shiny 700cc bike next year. I think the hardest part will be choosing the color! I am so fond of red and black. Joe said it's time for a new color! I did like the pearlescent purple and green bikes I saw yesterday. Oh I hate making decisions sometimes! :confused:

But I will take my time. Weigh the pros and cons see how the bike fits. I too have an odd body shape. Like you I have long legs for my short height of 5'4" (well almost 5'4" . . . I round up! LOL) This time around I am going to take my time do my homework and see what feels right. I can't wait!

Hey Susan, we're the same size and I round DOWN! how funny!

Bike expo was a lot of fun; each year I go, I see more people I know. We rode there and then home again, so i really felt the part.

I saw East Hill. She has a new (old) Sachs that someone GAVE her...

that's MY big news; and it's not mine.

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Originally Posted by Eden

I know a lot of people really like Smiley, but he seems to recommend everyone under 6' have 650c wheels...... Don't neccessarily believe this.

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Smiley can be challenging at times. I gave up on Rodriguez after spending half an hour with him a couple years ago.

I've had to fix one of his "bike fits" where he (as my fit-ee described it) "washed his hands" of her, and told her he just couldn't make her bike fit her. All it needed was the saddle down and back. (his tapes were still on the bike, so I know the customer didn't mess with any of his fitting) Women have longer femurs to tibias, but he fit her by the book as one would a man, and it just didn't work.

Take everything with a grain of salt. (even what I just said!!!)

YMMV.

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Originally Posted by mimitabby

Hey Susan, we're the same size and I round DOWN! how funny!

Bike expo was a lot of fun; each year I go, I see more people I know. We rode there and then home again, so i really felt the part.

I saw East Hill. She has a new (old) Sachs that someone GAVE her...

that's MY big news; and it's not mine.

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Hey Mimi glad you had a good time at the expo. I love browsing and checking out all the bikes, clubs, rides, gear, and all. And you even got a ride in too. I didn't get a ride in yesterday when we went. So bonus for you!

Oh I almost forgot, I round up because I try to be as tall as I can possibly be! :p

I had much the same experience with Smiley.

I am a little under 5'5". When I went to buy a road bike, I had fittings by Smiley and then by Erik Moen. I took that info and did a little spreadsheet (and I am NOT very OCD--I just wanted to get it more or less right, since the bike I had then was too big) with desired ranges of top tube length, seat tube angle, stuff like that. Smiley let me borrow a Rodriguez with 650c wheels for four days to do some 20-30 mile rides, which I really appreciated. In the end, I chose the Bianchi because any change in the Rodriguez was a charge of $250, and I had a few changes I needed to make in their model. The Bianchi gave me the measurements I needed at less money. And I concluded that I didn't particularly need 650c wheels either. But I did like the Rodriguez bike.

I think R&E are a bit like the Rivendell of the West--by which I mean, they have some VERY firm beliefs about bikes and how they should be. They seem to push 650s a lot--there's another article about them in the newsletter we got today. I think they're good guys and make fine bikes. It just helps to be aware of what each shop's beliefs are so you can filter them out for yourself when you need to.

We rode from Logboom to the expo and back yesterday. Saw Mimi and RD, which is always fun, and MM_QFC. Went to both the swim and bike tri lectures. Liked the swim lecture fine; bike lecture was okay. I still have plenty of questions so will be looking at some tri books and talking to some of you...

Also not a big Smiley fan here. But, like Knot said, YMMV. I know at least one person who absolutely had a great experience and loves her Rodriguez.

I had a wonderful time, too. But I still haven't had a chance to meet any of y'all. And after suggesting the buff, I forgot to even take mine to Seattle. We were busy in our CROC booth pushing our ride. I didn't feel that I had as much time to roam this year. I surely like the location, as we stay downtown at the Camlin. But I sorta felt that going through the different rooms was a minus. Still I'd rather be there--MUCH nicer bathrooms and plenty of them. Has anyone heard an attendance figure? It seemed to me that I wore my tongue out talking to more people this year. Our ride isn't full yet.....
www.cyclependleton.com It's gonna be lotsa fun!