Test Rode 3 bikes today. A little Adventure story!

[light_sabe_r]

Alrighty. Even though I only bought my hybrid a few months ago and I love it... I'm aiming to buy a road bike in a few months because I can't stop drooling every time I see one. So I headed out to NRG cycles to try the one I've been drooling over.

There I met Erin. She was the most helpful sales person I'd ever met. AND she knew her stuff!We were gossiping over bikes like high school girls.

Okay so Today Erin set me up to road-test three bikes. I've never sat on a road bike before so i was nervous at the thought of how the hell was I going to steer with those drop down thingys...

So The first bike I tested was a Dolce Comp

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkM...26&sid=06Dolce

First thing I thought of was "White???" But I quickly got over it and jumped on. Even though the frame was small the handle bars were WAYYY to wide making it impossible for me to reach the brakes or manuver her properly. And the saddle was a pain in the arse. But other than that the comp was one smooth machine. Nice and light, carbon fork and back. Really nice.

Next I tried the bike I've been drooling over and envying since I got my hybrid. Meet SUB Zero.2 (SUB standing for Sarah Ulmer Brand. They're put out by Avanti and are just REALLY COOL bikes)

http://www.sarahulmerbrand.com/sub_bike_three.asp?ID=62

Now they didn't have a small frame in this one so I tested out the medium frame. And JEEZ other than getting on and off it was a perfect fit. hehehe.

I tested the 05-06 model and it was a nice pale blue colour. Apparently the 07 is gonna be all black and pink. Which is nice (I guess).

The most striking thing about it is the paint design... the big FEMALE symbol in the paint. Now if that doesn't scream "CHICKS BIKE" I dunno what does.

The thing that stood out about this bike was the handlebars. they were the PERFECT reach for me. They were as wide as my hips, no strain in the neck and my arms were bent nicely. The pedals were a fine reach too. So even though I needed help jumping on and off this machine it was a great riding style and fit.

I must say that the zero.2 was much heavier than the comp but gave a REALLY nice ride.

Finally... I tried the SUB Zero Pro!

http://www.sarahulmerbrand.com/sub_bike_one.asp?ID=62

I tried the small frame size. No worries gettin on and off this one. ^_^ The gears were SOOOO responsive, as were the breaks. Infact the whole bike handled so well I didn't want to get off!!! I was zooming around the carpark for ages. Lets just say I HAD FUN!!!! It's so light I could pick the whole bike up with three fingers! Which is a LOT considering I'm struggling lifting the BAR at the gym!! It glides... It's sooooo smooth. Like Melted chocolate!!!

It's a darker grey and it's got carbon back (including chainstay) and fork in the front. And of course the big female symbol.

I think I'm in love.




Anyway I went home to ponder the price tags vs longevity vs I WANT THAT ONE... and wouldn't you know it, I realised just howgreat my sales rep was!!!

SHE WAS ON TV!!!!

http://www.greatsoutheast.com.au/gse...18&storyID=645
(She's in the top picture and was interviewed as part of the Great South East's feature on Mountain Biking)

If anything this cemented in my mind where I'll be doing my road bike shopping from. And it's confirmed I've been bitten by the cycling bug.

BF is jealous cause I want to buy a bike that's cooler than his... And my bike willo cost more than my car. O_O But I'm gonna get that SUB Zero Pro!!!!

[Trekhawk]

But I'm gonna get that SUB Zero Pro!!!!

Hey light saber - Thanks for posting the links. I love the bike l havent seen this brand before. Dont forget to post a pic once you get your new bike home.

Sweeeeeet.

[tulip]

Nice bikes! My road bike is worth more than my car, too. My commuting bike is getting there, as my car approaches it's 15th year/175,000 mile birthday. I ride my bikes more than I drive my car, so that's okay.

[light_sabe_r]

Hey light saber - Thanks for posting the links. I love the bike l havent seen this brand before. Dont forget to post a pic once you get your new bike home.

Sweeeeeet.

Hey Trekhawk. I think Sarah Ulmer Brand is a NZ and Aussie only brand. ^_^ It's basically the new women's specific brand from Avanti with NZ road cycling champ Sarah Ulmer's name on it.

And I will post a pic... May take a while to save up the dosh for it though...

Nice bikes! My road bike is worth more than my car, too. My commuting bike is getting there, as my car approaches it's 15th year/175,000 mile birthday. I ride my bikes more than I drive my car, so that's okay.

lol My car's done almost 400000km... But I bought her second hand. Now she only seems to get used when we have to travel somewhere long distance for a ride. ^_^ She's still useful!

[maryellen]

hey light sab*r: having posted elsewhere about my indecision re a road bike, it is great to hear that you had a great experience test-riding. It sounds as if this is the bike for you. I'm jealous!