This is somewhat normal behavior, right?

[IBrakeforPastry]

I took my new Specialized Vita back to the shop today for our initial fitting. I asked if I could also bring along my Dolce which I bought a couple of years ago at a different shop. Sure, no problem, he said. The Dolce is 48cm and I've often wondered if I should have gotten the 44cm. What I didn't tell the guy was that there is a shop about 90 miles away with the same year, make and model (and color - red) on closeout in the 44. It turns out the 48 is fine with some adjustments.

Now, that same bike shop (90 miles away) also has a 48 from that year, on closeout, with better components, in glossy black. Yes, I want a glossy black bike. The red is sharp, but limiting. I like the black. Just so happens I have to go out that way next week and I'm tempted to "just go look" at it, using the better components as an excuse I've only had the Dolce for a couple of years. It's not too soon to upgrade, right?

[Crankin]

As Murienn said, you are talking to the wrong people.

[IBrakeforPastry]

Oh, no no. I'm talking to exactly the right people I wanted reassurance, people telling me what I want to hear, not some sort of common sense rationalization. So thanks!

[ny biker]

Contrarian here. I'm spending all my $$ on upgrading my condo, traveling to the F1 grand prix in Austin for my father's birthday and otherwise spending time with family. Not thinking about buying any new bikes.

Talk to me about grab bars that are decorative enough to double as towel bars and exhaust fan/light fixtures that don't look hideous.

[IBrakeforPastry]

Contrarian here. I'm spending all my $$ on upgrading my condo, traveling to the F1 grand prix in Austin for my father's birthday and otherwise spending time with family. Not thinking about buying any new bikes.

Talk to me about grab bars that are decorative enough to double as towel bars and exhaust fan/light fixtures that don't look hideous.

Ah see. I've done lots of home remodeling lately, and still have more to go. Would you like to see pictures of my new roof?

As you've probably realized, it's hard to use a grab bar as a towel bar. It's too fat (towel slides off) and a grab bar is usually installed vertically or diagonally (again, towel slides off). Good luck with your projects and travel plans.

[smittykitty]

Really like to get involved in this conversation, but I need to go paint the hallway! No bike upgrades in near future, we're gonna install new interior doors!!!!

So, in short YES, YOU NEED A NEW BLACK BIKE for all of U.S. buying new light switches and towel bars! And yes, red is way to limiting! Send pics of the new girl!

[ny biker]

Ah see. I've done lots of home remodeling lately, and still have more to go. Would you like to see pictures of my new roof?

As you've probably realized, it's hard to use a grab bar as a towel bar. It's too fat (towel slides off) and a grab bar is usually installed vertically or diagonally (again, towel slides off). Good luck with your projects and travel plans.

I planned to have two towel bars on the wall of the bath/shower alcove that is opposite the tub faucet and shower head. (It's a small bathroom, so there's no other place for towel racks large enough for bath towels.) But they make grab bars now that are not totally commercial/hospital looking, so I will install two of them instead. At first I was going to go with Delta:

http://www.build.com/delta-41724/s940429

But the Moen cost significantly less and have grippy things on the back. And I think this style would look better for the vertical one that I plan to install on the wall next that has the tub faucet/shower head.

http://www.build.com/moen-lr8724d1g/s592289?uid=1205628

I'm also going with this for the toilet paper holder.

http://www.build.com/moen-lr2352d/s591174?uid=1959168

Do I need grab bars? Not now, not usually. But I bet my parents would appreciate them when they visit. And if I'm sick, or worn out from a long bike ride, or maybe drunk , they'll come in handy. Since I'm gutting the room down to the studs and have no plans or money to move to a different home, it makes sense to either install these things now or at least put the blocking in behind the walls for future installation. (I'll be adding blocking for a horizontal or slanted bar along the back wall of the but alcove.)

[rebeccaC]

Contrarian here.

is it contrarian to quote merckx 'don't upgrade, ride up grades'??....no wait....upgrading to ride up grades is why i got my seven.

[IBrakeforPastry]

Curious what they did to adjust the fit. (Didn't you ask about that before?).

I've gotten where I can fit myself on a bike, except road cleats. Ugh. Spacers and wedges require help. It takes time and experience, though. Finally figured out that if I measure from the center of the saddle clamp to the center clamp of the bars, then replicate that length on another bike, I can figure out the correct stem length, even if the reach is different. End up with same cockpit length that way. It's taken a lot of trial, but have also figured out what to look for in neck pain to determine whether bars are too high or too low, of if the reach needs to be extended a bit, or shortened.

Makes a big difference in my bike fits. If they helped you correctly, you may be able to do the same with the way you are switching back and forth between bikes.

I'm sorry I meant to answer this sooner. Briefly, we played around with the stems. He wanted to try an adjustable one, but realized he didn't have any. So I'll go back next week and finish up. Since I like to be a little more upright, the smaller bike would have created problems with the shorter head tube.

This is the first time I've worked with this fitter. I had brief sessions with two others with mixed results. So far I like this new one. He started by asking me my concerns, watched me ride, and worked with me. He didn't just set up the bike to some formula of how things "should" be. He even suggested I try a Jones bar on the Vita.

[thekarens]

FWIW my sister has a very expensive Kitchen Aide dishwasher and hates it. She says the best dishwasher she's ever had was a mid priced Maytag. We're in the market for a new one. I hate my Frigidaire.