The new bike

[Chile Pepper]

Today was the first day of the year that felt like spring, and I went out for a couple of hours to test out my new bike. It felt great! I haven't done hills at all this winter, but I wanted to see how it climbed and descended, so I went up one of my favorite hills in the area. Very nice! But I really need to work on getting my climbing legs back. Just after I crested the last, steepest bit of the climb, a guy blew past me like I was standing still--on an old steel Bianchi. Man, I felt like I had Fredwina stamped on the back of my jersey. Other than that, I really liked the way the bike handled, and I felt comfortable throughout the ride. The brifters are nice!

So, here it is. My husband was laughing when he put on the frame pump, claiming the pump weighs more than the frame. What do all you CF weight watchers carry?



And here is a detail of the yellow bumble bee stripe:



And a gratuitous dog picture:

[Blueberry]

Sweet bike, and cute dog!! Congratulations!!!

I carry a pump (the same one, in fact) - but I'm not exactly a carbon fiber weight watcher, either.

CA

[mudmucker]

Gosh, CP, cut yourself some slack. It sounds like you've had a bit of a winter layover and you haven't been out much. However, I do marvel at "their" #@%!! power to weight ratio. They so blow by me too. Looks like a nice ride. Congratulations.

I use only a pump, a short Blackburn, similar to yours but a little shorter I think. I don't bother with CO2 cartridges.

I love big dogs. What a cutie.

[Fujichants]

I also use CO2, wouldn't want to weigh my bike down with a pump. Not only that, I find it to be an eye-sore on my bike if I put a pump on there.

Your dog looks like a bear! So cute!!

[TxDoc]

Hi, that is one HOT bike! I like the yellow stripe!

What do all you CF weight watchers carry?

I never have the patience to pump tires... I just stuff a CO2 cartridge and a spare tube in the jersey pocket, together with a tiny multi-tool.
When I am really in the mood for heavy exercise then I put the spare tube, tool, patch kit, and CO2 in a small saddlebag.

Just after I crested the last, steepest bit of the climb, a guy blew past me like I was standing still--on an old steel Bianchi.

Don't worry about the guy on the hill, I am sure you were climbing great - it's just that old steel Bianchi's are smoking fast!!!

The dog is very cute!