Wheels built, eagerly anticipating call from LBS on frame

My friends just don't understand so I thought I'd post here because I'm about to burst/get sick from the excitement. :D

My DH insisted this year that we should spend our tax return on a custom frame for me. I was hesitant at first as I haven't ridden all that much recently and couldn't see spending all that $$$. It seemed there for a while that he was way more excited about this than me. He's an enthusiast and has always wanted to share his love for cycling with me. And well, this year I agreed to do the STP with him(and I'm considering commuting when I start school). But I have had a hard time adjusting my ride to fit me.:mad: Way long torso, short stubby legs. So I gave in and we are getting one from a bike shop that said they could do it in about three weeks and they are local.

Sean finally finished the wheels a few days ago and the anticipation has been building ever since. I find myself hoping its the LBS every time I hear the phone ring. Alas, no call.:( So I went there today to visit with my new frame. She's built.:) But not painted.:( Darn Bike Expo. They've been backed-up because they had to finish painting some exhibition bikes for it.:( LBS dude(sorry I don't remember your name) assured me it should be done within the week.:D

I don't know if I'm sick in the head or something but my insides are all a flutter just thinking about it.

:( UG! Now I can't sleep.:confused:

:D :p

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Originally Posted by sgtiger

:( UG! Now I can't sleep.:confused:

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Hehehe. Did you ever get back to bed for a nap? Someday, I'll get custom bike, I know I will. I'll be the same way... worrying over every little detail and when I'll get to pick her up from the LBS. Make sure to post some pics when you get her. Good luck. :)

what IS it? who is building it? What kind of wheels are they?

Details are most necessary if you want the most empathy!


:D

And what color?

It's a Rodriguez Adventure with the basic shape modified to look kinda like a mixte because of my very short stand-over height. I chose the Kelly green metallic with their chrome script. As for the components, well... being a virtual noob, I can't go into complete detail but most of them are Campy Veloce.

My DH chose the component level because before all this started, I was clueless. He would talk about the bottom bracket and I would be like be like:"What's that again, Dear?" with my eyes glazing over as he described it. Then I would answer, "Oh you mean the thingy the cranks are attached to." "Yeah, that." Him trying very hard not to roll his eyes at me because it's about the umpteenth time he's had to explain. Poor dear. Sometimes he's way more patient with me than I deserve.(Thanks, love.):o :rolleyes:

But I'm coming around. I've been absorbing everything up from him, his mechanic friends, and this forum. I even asked if I could help him when he was building the wheels, so I could say that I had a little part in her production.:D:cool:

Finally!!! Got the call from Smiley yesterday just as I was about to leave for Tai Chi. Happy!Happy!Joy!Joy!
I went to drop off the wheels today and Beau had her up on the stand already working on her. She's so lovely. I get to pick her up tomorrow. Life is definitely good.

It sounds fabulous. Tell us MORE when you get it home!

You are so lucky to have a custom frame! And I can identify with not knowing anything at first- my DH helped choose all the things about my bike too- he knew just what I would need too. Like yours, my DH is endlessly patient as well in explaining complex bike stuff to me- he is my adorable bike guru. :p

More bike gushing is encouraged here! :p :p

She's home. Joy! I went in for my scheduled pick-up last night so they could do the final fitting. After a few minor adjustments, she was ready to take home. I wanted to ride her right out of the shop, but I had too much crud in my arms. So I unloaded all that junk and took her on the road. Wow! Just wow! I finally understand what it means to have a bike that feels like a natural extension of the my body. I think we're going to get along just fine.;) :cool:

On the car ride home, post ride, I felt tingly in my girlie parts(in the good way). Blush.:o And at a stop light I couldn't help but reach back and stroke my new frame. When I returned home with her, DH was laughing at me 'cause I couldn't keep my eyes off her. But also I think he thinks it cute that I feel this way about a bike. He's always felt that way about Kira(his custom Co-Motion).

I'd like to thank Smiley, Scott, Beau, Jon, and others who worked on her. And a special thank-you to DH whose idea it was to do this and for lovingly building my wheels. I feel so darn lucky right now.:D

Wow, she's purty! And is that a Brooks B72?

Very cool! Congratulations!

Congrats on your new bike!! It's a great color and it's definitely not your standard looking road bike; which is cool too.

Very nice! Congrats and I hope you have many miles together. I just have to add that I know how you feel. My friends don't understand either.

Wow, never seen a frame like that. You've got a one-of-a-kind beauty!

Very nice. Interesting frame (in a good way) and the perfect color for a St. Patrick's Day ride. How does that lower bottle cage work? Never seen one that low before. Also, what type of stem is on your new beauty?

that bottle cage is really in the normal place. I hope to see you around
(I'll be looking) do you ride in the Seattle area?

Thanks everyone for the wonderful compliments. I really love the way the new bike turned out, too; especially the color. And yes, Knot, that is a B72. I like the color combination of the Brooks with the green that when it's time to replace the handlebar tape, I just may have to get some of the matching tape. I wonder how leather tape will hold up in the rain though. Anyone know? Or even natural cork color might work if I can find any.

As to the funky frame shape that has to do with the reason stated above (very short legs, long torso). I guess I could of insisted on a more traditional looking bike, but I imagine it would look very stretched out kind of like a BMX bike frame. So they designed a step through, but it has that extra tube from the top of the seat tube to the slanting top tube to provide lateral stiffness.

Mimitabby, I'm not riding around Seattle too much yet, as I live in the Bothell/Mill Creek area and I don't think I'd survive the trip there and back yet. :o I am working on getting in longer and longer rides so that I will be able to head out that way in the not too distant future. Hopefully, I'll see you then. If you're interested I'm doing an Xtracycle ride (but any kind of bike is welcome) around Seattle on Memorial Day that some friends of DH are planning. I'll post details in the NW section when I have more info.

what is an Xtracycle?

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Originally Posted by sgtiger

I wonder how leather tape will hold up in the rain though. Anyone know?

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It does just fine in the rain. I have it on both of my road bikes.

V.

An Xtracycle is a cargo bike. I think it was originally designed by a guy who was a cyclist and a surfer who wanted to be able to carry his surf board to the beach.

The people who have these will be carrying most of the gear to the picnic sight. Like this. That guy(John?) is carrying a full cooler of beer and pop and a bbq.

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Originally Posted by Veronica

It does just fine in the rain. I have it on both of my road bikes.

V.

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Thanks Veronica. Good to know.

Soo

Both TrickyTiger and I are in your neck of the woods (Lake Forest Park/Bothell).

When I get Flossie back from the LBS I'd love to do a TE ride.

BTW I'm likely to put Cinelli natural cork on Flossie's bars when I get her back, as the lovely Lavender Samson isn't gonna survive the work being done. It's $15 for enough for the entire bar, and it doesn't look bad at all.

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Originally Posted by KnottedYet

Both TrickyTiger and I are in your neck of the woods (Lake Forest Park/Bothell).

When I get Flossie back from the LBS I'd love to do a TE ride.

BTW I'm likely to put Cinelli natural cork on Flossie's bars when I get her back, as the lovely Lavender Samson isn't gonna survive the work being done. It's $15 for enough for the entire bar, and it doesn't look bad at all.

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Cool, I'd love to do a TE ride. That sounds like lots of fun. As long as you don't mind that I go s-l-o-w and I don't know right now how far I can go.

I didn't do too bad yesterday. I took my children out to lunch yesterday which was < a couple of miles round trip. I was pulling my daughter in the trailer and my son rode out in front of us on his Trek. Because of where we live(right on 527) and I'm a nervous mother hen, we road on the sidewalk. Later my SO took the children with him to visit his friends so I could get in some ride time on my own. That was really nice.:D Though it was a little scary returning home and I had to change lanes, in the dark, so I could turn left into my apartment complex.:( :confused: I think my next purchase with be some reflective gloves/gear.

I think the Cinelli cork might be a good alternative to the Brooks tape, especially for the pocket book because I have so much gear to buy still, you know-fenders, racks, panniers, whatever else I might actually need as opposed to all the fun stuff. That will just have to wait.;)

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Originally Posted by sgtiger

I think the Cinelli cork might be a good alternative to the Brooks tape, especially for the pocket book because I have so much gear to buy still, you know-fenders, racks, panniers, whatever else I might actually need as opposed to all the fun stuff. That will just have to wait.;)

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I've been trying to find an alternative to the leather tape. On bikeforum, someone mentioned that you could get tan or yellow cloth tape and then use amber shellac on it. has anyone tried this?

I also found this tape from soma, and was wondering if the brown would be close, also.

Soma Tape