Shout-Out to kacie tri-ing

[wnyrider]

Finally... Here is my "new" 50cm 2008 Rocky Mountain Sherpa 30. I had been researching touring bikes and was leaning towards the Sherpa. I PM'ed Kacie tri-ing for her opinions, since in my google research her thread popped up (http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=28903). Long story short... I bought her bike! It took until now to post this thread because: A) I didn't want to take any attention away from the glory of her Ironman success and B) I wanted to get the bike tour ready first. The original stem was under recall and after contacting Easton was replaced with a new one. I outfitted the Sherpa with 29er fenders and Jandd racks. The rear rack extenders had to be replaced with longer ones. Coincidentally, the Arkel panniers you see were bought from a woman that I ride with that I "met" through this forum!

I am so loving this bike, especially the incorporated brake/shifters. If any of you recall from my earlier posts, I had a multi-sport bike with the all-in-one handlebars. I do like that bike, and the handlebars are oh so comfortable. But, because I thought I'd participate in some group rides, I swapped out the handlebars for a drop style and moved the end shifters to the drops as you can also see here. I strongly dislike this set up. I am forever knocking the shifters out of place. I don't hit them while riding, but when I am at a stop to blow my nose and the handlebars swing to the side it hits my knees, or will hit my hips when I stand to get a drink, or on the car rack when I mount it. Too much of an inconvenience.

I will be able to use the Sherpa for group rides, long leisurely rides and tours. It is such a comfortable all around bike. When I saw the thread that Kmehrzad posted back in July looking for companions for a cross country trip I thought maybe I could try to strive for that. First step was the research into a touring dedicated bike, and all the rest followed. I still have many more steps to achieve, however, before I could ever commit to a tour of that magnitude.

When Maidei arrives for her visit soon, she will ride this very Sherpa!

...now I am off to respond to Ambikes post from the other day where she was asking about a Rocky Mountain Sherpa!

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[kacie tri-ing]

She looks AWESOME, and I am SO glad that she is getting such love and time on the road!

[kacie tri-ing]

I really love the fenders you added!

I bet everyone else is just very quietly jealous of this awesome bike!!!!

I think there is a steel thread down below here too, and you should totally post up pictures down there with people who love the steel!

I am so glad this was such a great change for you!

[Tri Girl]

LOVE the pink fenders!!! Congrats on your new ride. She is a beauty!!!!

[warneral]

oh boy sounds like she will get lots of love! I hadn't opened this thread b/c I didn't know it was about new bike goodness. Congrats!