gulp. i got my new bike

[mimitabby]

well, guys, i've been waiting really until it came. But it did come.
A beautiful Bianchi Veloce. I straddled it, plenty of room there.
So it's the right size.
I've never had a road bike, so my husband insists that it will take some getting used to.
I feel like i am sitting on the front of my crotch and stretching my thumbs right off of my hands. Suddenly, I can't remember which way to shift! (my cross bike has the exact same number of gears)

Husband wants me to take it out and get it fitted before i do much more.
I definitely want to do that.

Will i ever feel like i am not going to fall on my head when i'm riding it?
it wants to go like the wind. It takes almost nothing to make it go really fast.
I hope i am not too small.
WE figured out that my arms are plenty long, but my torso is what is shorter on me.

I never thought about it before but compared to the husband, my hands go much further down my legs, like a chimp

so we put the bike on the rack and i played with the gears for a while so at least next time i ride it i will know how to shift.

Has anyone else had these troubles?

If you look at my Avatar, you see how the cat looks? that's how i feel!
mimi

[KnottedYet]

Congrats on the new bike! Get a fit, and enjoy! Shifting does get easier, though I did look at my cogs and chain rings for a long time back when I had my Trek.

(I'm just a little envious. Ok, a lot envious. Even though I love my commuter-mobile, I want a whole stable of bikes!)

[Selkie]

Sounds like your top tube might be too long if you feel stretched out. Did the bike store folks fit you before they sold you the bike? If your torso is shorter (like mine), you might need to get a WSD bike. I have the Bianchi Eros Donna and love it.

[Bron]

Congratulations on your new bike. You may find that after a few weeks pedalling you feel a lot more comfortable. Mind you, I am another one of the short torso brigade, and I had to get a bianchi WSD (dama bianca), which I love and fits perfectly.

Bron

[SandyLS]

Hi Mimi,
Congratulations on the new Bianchi. I bought my new Veloce last year and love it. Is yours that beautiful celest color? Lise on this forum also has the same bike. The bike shop I bought it from did a fit before I even took her home. ( Included in the price of the bike). They changed the handlebars to narrower ones and put on a Salsa stem for a more comfortable reach. They also spent an hour or so making other adjustments. The results made for a very comfortable ride. You are right, she is so fast, well could be, with the right rider anyway! I did switch out the saddle to one that suits me better after a couple of weeks. I went from a Treck Mountian bike to my Bianchi. Give yourself some time to get used to the feel of being on a road bike. I still feel like I am flying every time I get on my Veloce. Have fun.
Sandy

[Lise]

As Sandy said, I have the same bike. I love riding the Veloche. So fast and smooth. It was an adjustment, going from the "geometry" of my Marin Larkspur to that of the Veloche. I was fitted to the bike when I got it, because I, too, felt like the cat in your avatar (which I love!). I went in to check the fit after putting about 200 mi on it, but they were really busy. I'll go back some morning when it's quiet and have them check me and tweak it. I did get a new saddle; the Terry CrMo was leaving my girly bits numb.

The shifting is a breeze. I had to get used to holding the handlebars and using the brakes differently. I don't like being so bent over, but have adjusted, and so far I can see the road just fine. I don't ride in the drops, because I need to keep my head up and watch the traffic.

I'll bet the new fit makes a big difference, and if not, well, you've got a lot of great advice here!

[Triskeliongirl]

Hi Mimi- as long as the top tube measurement isn't too different from your cross bike, I am sure it can be made to fit you with some tweaking. If it really doesn't work out, you might try a LBS that buys/sells used bikes, that way you can be fit but not pay as much as new, and maybe even broker a trade. I thought you were looking for a bike with fenders, but isn't this a racing bike without fender clearance? Good luck, and let us know how it works out! -e

[dachshund]

Hi mimitabby,
How's it coming along? Did you get the fit appointment?
I bought the same bike recently, so I'm curious to hear how it turns out.

Will i ever feel like i am not going to fall on my head when i'm riding it?
it wants to go like the wind. It takes almost nothing to make it go really fast.

I feel kinda the same way with mine, the bike is so responsive that I need some practice to get it under control. I'm sure it's the fact that it's light and relatively stiff. But for me it felt more relaxed and comfortable than the aluminum frames that I rode.

I had the fitting appointment when I bought mine and it was really informative. I learned a lot. It must have taken an hour. I don't remember if they did this twenty years ago - it seems like quite an effort on the part of the LBS staff, so it must pay off for them.

Good luck and let us know how it's going.
Amy