I think I may have found....THE ONE

[southtxrider]

After a few weeks of shopping, test-riding, researching, etc, I think I have found the bike for me!

It's a TREK PILOT 1.2 WSD. Not the cheapest entry level, but not overly aggressive price-wise for a super-beginner. I don't know a lot about riding/bikes right now, so I am sure eventually I will find things I don't like about it, but I am ready to start riding NOW so I have to go with what I like now

I got on it and it felt RIGHT! Smooth, comfortable. I just loved loved loved it. I am 99.999% sure I am going back to get it tomorrow.

I did make the mistake of riding a mountain bike and a hybrid just for kicks and now I want one of those too!!!!!!

Here's a link, although the pics are of the men's version. But the specs (except for frame size- mine is a 47) and color are the same

http://bikecatalog.bikeworld.com/aroad.php?id=8899222

Does it look like a good choice? I am so excited!

[pooks]

That's a gorgeous bike -- if it fits as great as it looks, no wonder you love love love it!

[esther231]

LOL That's my bike. I love it. It's the first bike that ever fit me well. I love riding it. I hope you have as much fun on it. We could end up bike twins.

It's so comfortable to me that I can ride without my hands!! Okay, not if there's traffic or the road is bumpy but if the road is smooth and there's no cars around, I do. It feels that stable to me.

I did have the LBS swap out the 28 tires for 25s. It's hard to pull the wheel off if you keep the 28s on. Next to impossible. They also added shims to the brakes so I could reach them easier in the drops.

[southtxrider]

what are these exactly? That is SOOOOOOOO funny because the ONLY complaint I had was that I could not reach the brake levers easily/comfortably when my hands were in the lowest/most stretched out (what position is that called) position. They told me they could adjust the position of the handlebars down some so that area was actually closer to me.

We really are bike twins!!! LOL

It really did "catch my eye" too - and while I realize that is secondary to a good fit/feel, it really kinda matters to me! The only other bike I loved the looks of as much was a specialized WSD. The bianchi was beautiful too, but I don't like green! LOL (that was the color on the model I was looking at, there may be more)

I can't wait to go get her. I need to think of a name.......

[esther231]

Shims are rubber triangle thingys that they put in where the silver part of the brakes meet the hood.

The kind of brakes the bike has aren't suppose to be able to use the standard shims. But when I told my bike shop I was having trouble, one of the mechanics said to put in shims. Another mechanic said - you can't use them on those. You need this other kind of brake to use them. My guy rolled his eyes and said they can shaped and they'll work just fine. So he shaped them a tad and put 'em in. It took about 3 minutes. lol It cost me $5.

However they work it out for you, I hope it works well. Brakes are good things.

I'm excited for you. Getting a new bike is wonderful.

[tygab]

I am glad you found *the one.* Be careful tho I understand the one can turn into the many, at least in time.

Enjoy many beautiful rides, look forward to persevering over whatever challenges present, going new places and making new friends.

I got a Trek Pilot WSD (the 2.1) this year also as my first road bike, and my hubby got his first road bike too. We both feel like we have a long way to go before the bikes hold us back. And we rode a lot this summer - around 800 miles (well, starting from 0 anyway - that is a lot!). Our friend who got his bike/started biking a year before us says it took about 1500 miles and a few tune ups later to feel like his bike is fully broken in and working to optimal! So you have a while to just get to know everything and how the bike works - should be a lot of fun!

[wannaduacentury]

I was going to test ride one of those but the shop didn't have any. I rode the pilot 1.0 and it was nice. bought the Giant ocr2, I'm glad you found your ride. Hope you get it soon. Jennifer

[southtxrider]

I went today and they began the sizing process and ended up bumping me to a 50 instead of the 47. I did look better on the 50 (size wise) but they had to do some major stem/handle adjusting to get it to feel right. I took it out for a spin as soon as I got home! I went about a mile on VERY hilly rough roads. Loved it! I got up to 10mph downhill! Anyway, I want to find some flat, smooth terrain to really get my comfort level down. My thumbs were killing me from gripping so hard! I was nervous!

So I left the LBS $1300 poorer, but got:

Trek Pilot 1.2 WSD bike
Trek computer
Trek disco safety light for back
Trek sonic helmet
Shebeest pink and orange jersey (on SALE for $50-but I love it)
Shebeest socks
Trek club gloves (half)
Trek waterbottle
Tifosi Forza Silver glasses
Saris Bones2 bike rack

I tried to only buy what I thought I really needed and still ended up adding $400!!! I already have a pair of pealrizumi shorts and some shoes on the way from performance bike. AND I still want to get a tool kit, mirror for my helmet and a strap for my glasses. I guess it's not too bad considering the bike I was originally looking at was more than all this put together

Oh, and I already have my first injury - I shut my trunk and forgot the bones bike rack was on the trunk and it scraped up my nose and face!!! Not even on the bike yet and have an injury! LOL

Haven't decided on a name yet. Keep thinking of "red" but that's kinda boring...seeing as she's red and all LOL

[Bad JuJu]

All right--new bike in the fold! Sounds like you pretty much cleaned out the store !

And, um, you may be broke by now, but I hope you saved a few dollars for a spare tube, patch kit, and some kind of pump or CO2 inflation gear, plus a bag to carry it all in. Hate to rain on your parade, but you're gonna get a flat sooner or later, so be ready for it.

Let's see--names. Here are some ideas:
Firecracker; Black Cherry; Ruby; Hot Stuff; RedRover?
OK, now I'm just rambling. You'll probably come up with something great.

Most of all, have fun getting to know your new best friend!

[Bikingmomof3]

Wow you had a wonderful shopping experience. Enjoy your new ride.

[esther231]

WOOOWOOOO

New bike!!!!!!!!!!

Excited for you. I hope you have a million happy rides on it.

The money really does add up. The start up costs are a killer. But worth every penny.

The more I ride, the cheaper it becomes. lol

Congrats and enjoy.

[senior rider]

I ride a Trek Pilot 1.2. Bought the bike last April and it just feels right!
The longest ride I've done on it was 40 miles this past weekend. I paid a little more for the bike, about $900, but it's worth every penny. Before this I was riding a hybred and the shifting was terrible. It's so nice to ride a bike that shifts so easily and rides so nicely.

[southtxrider]

BADJUJU yes, I did save some money for my repair kit - I am going back to that shop in a week for a group ride for beginners and they show you how to use all of it, so I figured I'd just buy it then (already having sticker shock after all I got that day - so buying it on a different day makes it not feel so bad! LOL)

Hmmm I like firecracker....

I was thinking "they must be so happy I'm here - I'm buying everything" but then someone was checking out next to me with a bike almost TWICE what my bike and all my goodies combined cost LOL So I guess it's all relative - at least I felt like I got ALOT of stuff for my money

[short cut sally]

congrats on your new bike and all your goodies to accessorise with...yes, it is a sticker shock..but well worth it. just wait until you decide you need 3 different thicknesses of clothing for all the varying weather, and so on... it's just the beginning ...ENJOY and realize it's money well spent on something you love..