My new friend (baby?) is here!

Oh girls! I picked my new bike up today. My DH finally agreed to the extravagant purchase of this bike.

My first road bike only has a few hundred miles and months under my belt. I bought it used and it is still a nice bike. But I've been wanting higher end components and a better fit from day 2.

I had tested out the Ruby Elite Apex and the Madone 5.1 which dh was supportive of purchasing. But I just wasn't 100% sure they were right for me. And I couldn't decide between the two. Then a few weeks ago, after leaving urgent care (for the bronchial problem I'm still fighting), I stepped into Williamson Bicycle Works in Madison. And hanging on the wall was a Independent Fabrication steel bike. In my favorite color of green. With pink accents. I peeked to see that it was just my size (50cm). I saw the price tag say that it was a 2009 marked down from 3,999 to 3,199. I told the guy I loved it and he said to bring in some pedals. They were closing.

So I did. That week I brought in my frogs and took a ride in Madison along the bike paths. The bike sung to me. Campy chorus components are similar in functionality to my Tiagra/sora components but OH so much better! It has a carbon fork that was handpainted.

I came home and told DH about it but he wasn't too keen on the price. Especially b/c my job is unknown (I've been doing contract engineering work for a company and the project is coming to a close).

A few weeks later, he went into the shop and said he wanted to pay 3100 with taxes and the lowest they would go was 2,999. So he bought it and they sold me a nice protoge bike computer for 50% off. I picked it up today. I'm quite sick still but took a 6mi spin on it today. I just know we are going to be very good friends. I don't care for the fiz'nik vitesse sport saddle. I think I need my cutouts to be happy. Perhaps I need to try a Terry butterfly? Will have to investigate.

I don't care for the white handlebar tape but I wasn't sure what color I will want. I think some dark pink will be nice :D

I'm a little worried about the fork paintjob but they say the bike has a lifetime warranty so I will try not to think about it... When I spend too much $ I tend to get paranoid.

forgot to mention it is a Steel crown jewel with carbon fork.

Here are some pictures :)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/...29879c454f.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/...8c329a465d.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4147/...1d9b1a6170.jpg

That is a GORGEOUS bike! My favorite colors together too...so stunning. I am extremely envious! ENJOY!!!!! :p

It's BEAUTIFUL!!!! Is that an Independent Fabrication? LOVE the pink headset. I think pink camo bar tape would look good. ;)

http://www.the-internet-eye.com/Spor...Pink-Camo.aspx

oooh that bar tape would be fun :)

it's Independent Fabrication - handmade in Massachusetts :) They build mostly custom sized bikes but sell some stock frames too. My shop built this up with the wheelset & components.

Yay! You got it! It's gorgeous! I actually like the white tape, but you have a lot of options with the color scheme.

Wow! It's stunning. Congratulations!

Very Nice!

Congrats!!

Color me jealous, that is one gorgeous looking bike! Congrats.

Very beautiful bike. You have a great husband to suprise you with that! I think pink bar tape is the way to go, and I would suggest the pink Fi'zi:k tape. I just put it on my white and pink Orbea and it made the handlebars pop! Congratulations! And if worse comes to worse, you can always sell your old bike.

-Jessica

Its sooooooo pretty!

oh my! That's very beautiful. I hope it helps you feel better very soon.

Great looking bike!
I hope you enjoy many miles together.:)

Very, very nice! Seems like it was meant to be.

Beautiful bike! I like the white tape, but I would think that white tape wouldn't stay white very long... matching the pink would look great!

Oh, very nice! Feel better soon and enjoy!

Congratulations! Willy Bike Works is a great shop--I wasn't so into cycling when I lived in Madison as I am now so I didn't patronize it myself, but I always heard good things. My dear friend bought a beautiful Bianchi from them a few years ago.

And I agree--dark pink would be a fabulous color for the bar tape.

Willy street bikes had the rug pulled beneath them when the owner of Budget Bicycle took their lease. They opened a new shop called Machinery Row in the location that Willy bikes was in! Now poor Willy street bikes is no longer *on* willy street! They are on W. Washington and Regent. Still on a bike path though - so a great place to test ride bikes :)

She's a beauty!

What an absolutely stunning bike! Have fun.

Oh baby! Oh baby!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by warneral

I don't care for the fiz'nik vitesse sport saddle. I think I need my cutouts to be happy. Perhaps I need to try a Terry butterfly? Will have to investigate.

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Warneral, I'll trade you a Terry Rosie saddle for the Vitesse. It's the one with pink on it and "Ride like a girl"

http://www.sagecycles.com/mm5/mercha...ent=SD05TERS01

Let me know if you are interested!

Rita

gorgeous!! enjoy it!!

Great bike! Mine is steel, custom with C-Chorus components too! Just a tad bit older...no carbon fork. I LOVE mine and I know you'll love yours too!!!!

Ooh, very nice. Enjoy!

I rode a short 10mi yesterday on some country roads and it was a bumpy ride! I got a little scared. Perhaps I shouldn't have bought such a $$ bike so soon? My new "roadie" mirror (I have one on my trek 1000) kept moving around when I hit bumps.

I think the reason it felt so much bumpier is my tires and tire pressure. I also need a plusher seat. I do hope I'll love long rides. It definitely was faster (thanks to those tires at 100psi). I think I was riding my trek 1000 on 80-90psi.

I kinda wigged out last night. I got scared that maybe I should have test-rode carbon again.

When I test rode this, it was on a paved bike path.

I'm still sick and super busy with kids and work - no opportunity to REALLY ride yet.