Dachshund gets a Seven

**dachshund** · 10-04-2008, 04:16 PM

OK, here she is!

When I started riding again this year I decided it would be fun to get a custom bike. I have a very nice Bianchi that I do like, but it's too small for me. So I thought, hmmm, I could spend the summer test riding bikes again. This didn't exactly get me a good fit the first time, but maybe if I spend a lot more time at it.... Or I could wander over and see what Chris at Robinson Wheel Works has going on. If that works out, I could order a bike and then ride the Bianchi all summer. Hmmm...

Needless to say, I liked the custom idea. Chris is great to work with and a fun guy. He put up with my demanding gearing ideas admirably.

We just finished with the setup of the crankset - a TA Carmina crank with Zephyr rings, which SadieKate recommended. (thank you ever so much!) I was determined to keep the Campy brifters but wanted mountain gearing. The combo is 24-34-46 / 13-29, which isn't too shabby for this hilly area. The front derailleur that played best with this setup is an IRD Alpina-d.

So now that the shifting is working well, I can go out and start falling in love with my new bike. Yay! It really does handle well, and it's very light, fast, and smooth! Part of that is due to the wheels, which are Velocity AeroHead rims, White Industries H2 hubs, and Sapim CX-Ray spokes, 28 / 24. Jobob and SadieKate both steered me in the direction of these wheels. Excellent advice!

In case you're wondering about the orange bar tape, I will be getting the frame painted orange during the winter. Then it will make more sense.

-Amy