Red candy cigars all around. It's a Trek. :D
Today my guts were finally back in shape for some test riding (though they still protested painfully when the bus hit that bumpy stretch of road on Science Drive!). Anyways, twinges or no twinges, I wanted to test those bikes. Also, I sold my car today so I both need and can afford a better bike.
The Jamis has a ride smooth as butter! Also very smooth shifting. And my back and shoulders were ok with the fit, but the geometry of the bike had me sitting so high I couldn't get a toe down without standing down off the saddle entirely. I was glad I wasn't clipped in!
The Specialized has a very efficient, stiff frame. Also a good fit for my back and shoulders, and not quite so high a perch. But it's so stiff that I felt every bump in the road, which made me a bit nervous and I could also envision it making my arms very tired.
The Trek was nearly as smooth a ride as the Jamis. In addition to equally smooth and precise shifting the buttons were easier for me to understand (on the Jamis the thumb button was up on one side but down on the other, on the Trek the buttons for front and back have the same effect on effort). Furthermore, it has a geometry that allows me to get a toe on the road while seated. So it was kind of like Goldylocks testing the beds -- too soft, too hard, just right.
The LBS found a triple chainring set that somebody had traded for a compact double. The triple is actually a notch up the scale in terms of price and quality, but they said they'd make that an even trade and throw in the work time for free too. They've already put on a shorter stem with a steeper angle, which made the fit pretty much perfect, though I think we'll raise the seat just a smidgen when I pick up the bike tomorrow. On the way home I bought a Serfas Carma saddle from the other shop owned by the same guy. They'll put that on for me tomorrow when I pick up the bike.
I think her name is Ruby Slipperz, because of the jewel-like candy-apple red color, the slipper-like sloped diamond geometry (as opposed to the stilleto-heeled Jamis), and the fact that I'm about ready to head home.
