:p OK, a little misleading with the title, but I've had a great day! :D :D :D :D
I spanned the Bay today to test ride the Trek 520 and the Bianchi Volpe, the two touring bikes I had narrowed down my choice based on some specific features I was looking for (larger tires, low gears, and steel frame) and high recommendations from TE and others.
First stop; Pleasanton to test ride the Trek 520. I decided right away that I did not like the bar end shifters. I gave it about ½ hour to get a little more familiar with the shifting, but I just didn’t like it. It was awkward and I’d prefer to have quick shifting maneuverability when I round the corner and find a 12% grade staring back at me. Plus, the bike didn't fit that well to begin with.
So off to Berkeley to Left Coast Cyclery – a woman owned bike shop with a good reputation. Judy was fantastic – very attentive and seemed quite knowledgeable. She acknowledged that I would probably want a narrower handlebar before I ever mentioned that the handlebars on the Trek I had just tested were too far apart (is this common with touring bikes?). She pulled the bike down, pumped up the tires, adjusted the seat for me, and handed the bike over to the mechanic to check the bike over before I headed out (nice!). The location of the bike shop was just perfect for testing out the lower gears (upland and tunnel road for those of you familiar with the Bay Area). It felt good. Plenty of play for the real hills to come.
It would have been nice to be able to test ride the bike fully loaded, but I think it should be ok. I’ll try the bike with the trailer and with panniers to see which I like best. I was tempted to buy the Bianchi right then and there. But as it turned out, my credit card was back home in Walnut Creek sitting on the dining room table.
That gave me a little more time to think about the $900 or so that I’ll have to shell out for the bike. As some of you know, I’ve been a student for the last 8 years :eek: and money is not exactly flowing out of my bank account – plus I’m taking the summer off, so my student loan stash is quickly dwindling.
But - a decision by Veronica and I to tour the Atlantic Coast (rather than France) will probably save me close to that (airfare is much cheaper and we won’t get robbed by the euro).
So, I guess I have a new bike! I’m calling the shop to put a deposit on the bike right now. I LOVE SHOPPING! I am so excited!!!!!! :D :D :D :D :D :D
