I just ordered a Seven!!!

[7rider]

I did it.
After I returned the Madone to the shop, I set up an appointment for this afternoon with Mike to order up and ID8!!!!
BikerZ - it's all your fault!!!
We were back at the shop at 3:30, and Mike went over Seven's fit kit with me and took all the measurements - off me and off my Axiom - and went over all their questions (handling, stiffness, vertical compliance, use, etc).
I'm looking for something with a little stiffer drivetrain than my Axiom - something a little quicker off the dime - yet with that buttery smooth road manners that the bike currently has.
I did find out that my left arm is shorter than my right. Go figure. I wonder how you address that when building a bike??
Most of the drivetrain will come off my Axiom - FSA compact crankset and full DuraAce. I may opt for new wheels, but I told Mike I'll need to ride a few first. Mike knows I refuse to put Bontrager on my Seven, so other components are up in the air (seapost, stem).
Since I'm not painting it (yet) and going with black decals and a black headset, it will probably look like something very close to this....

[Zen]

I had to leave a cart of groceries in the store Friday because i didn't have enough money to pay for them.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I had to leave a cart of groceries in the store Friday because i didn't have enough money to pay for them.

At the other extreme:
I know a man who has so much money that he has TWO custom titanium Sevens which are identical except that he has a big ugly metal basket on one of them and uses it to go get groceries. He never locks it up either. He had asked the LBS to install a kickstand on it too, but they refused and said they'd take it away from him if he put one on.

To be fair though, I'll say that this guy is actually really nice, a friend of ours, and aside from his bike issues he does a lot of good things in this world for a lot of good causes.

Regina- Congratulations! That's going to be a fabulous bike for you!

[bike4ever]

That is so cool!!!

[mimitabby]

lovely bike.

[divingbiker]

Good for you! How long before it comes in?

[7rider]

Good for you! How long before it comes in?

Not really sure. It all depends on when I can conduct my interview with them and when I can meet with the shop to go over the set-up. Generally, 6-8 weeks is the standard response, I think....

It'll be a little quicker than DH's, b/c it won't be painted.

And, gads....what if I get a custom Ti commuter??? I've been lusting after a Seven Mudhoney to replace my Felt someday (Rohloff hub, disc brakes, sigh). My neighbor's will spraypaint "DINK" on the side of our house.."Dual Income No Kids".

[bike4ever]

But you do have bunnies!!

[7rider]

But you do have bunnies!!

Yeah....and we don't need to save for college tuition for them!

[bikerz]

Oh Regina! Excellent - that's a beautiful bike! I and proud to be blamed for this! You'll have it in time for all those lovely autumn rides!

Yay!

[northstar]

YIPPEEE! Congrats!

[MM_QFC!]

I did it.
After I returned the Madone to the shop, I set up an appointment for this afternoon with Mike to order up and ID8!!!!
BikerZ - it's all your fault!!!
Since I'm not painting it (yet) and going with black decals and a black headset, it will probably look like something very close to this....

Congrats, Regina! I remember the excited anticipation myself (Seven Elium delirously happy owner here; I named her Joy as in Joy Ride!)...and wish you years and years of happy pedaling on your beautiful new bike...I think that Seven still has a link on their website for new owners to follow their bike being built (where's my frame)...you may want to check it out...enjoy!
Mary

[7rider]

Congrats, Regina! I remember the excited anticipation myself (Seven Elium delirously happy owner here; I named her Joy as in Joy Ride!)...and wish you years and years of happy pedaling on your beautiful new bike...I think that Seven still has a link on their website for new owners to follow their bike being built (where's my frame)...you may want to check it out...enjoy!
Mary

Thanks, Mary.
I've been on that link quite a bit lately (but it hasn't yet moved beyond "Reviewing your custom kit."). Still trying to get them to correct a spelling error to my last name, however, which Elliot promised to make right!

[Velobambina]

I might take the plunge, too, Regina. Let us know how it progresses.

[7rider]

Well, Seven sent the proposed specs to my LBS last week, but I went away for the weekend and was unable to get to the shop until tonight.

Mike set the FitBike up with the measurements. He stressed that the FitBike wouldn't look like my bike (which would have a 11 degree sloping top tube and looks to be TINY!), but mimics three points in space: the bottom bracket, the saddle placement, and the handlebars. My job was to ride and report back how it felt. We tried my standard 42 cm bars, then tried 40 cm bars. We moved things around. For starters, the saddle was way too low. We moved the handlebars up, fiddled with this, fiddled with that. Mike spent about an hour with me and finally I settled on a setup that felt good. Mike took the measurements and faxed them back to Seven - ultimately a few changes vs. their recommendations, but not drastic.

So.. a final consult with Seven tomorrow. We confirm the specs and they begin fabrication! Yay!!

Now...if I can only decide....Do I do a full build with all new parts, or do I pirate parts off my existing Seven? The "old" bike would be worth more to sell as a full bike (and thus help pay for the new bike), but it's got 2005 Dura Ace components and a FSA compact crank that are in perfect shape (except that cassette - which skips and I hate and will replace regardless).

Oh...decisions!