I'm too impatient...

[Blueberry]

I think I'm *much* too impatient...

*whine*

So...I've been waiting on my Bike Friday since we ordered it way back in early August. My promise date was 9/18 and DH's was 9/22. Promise date = bike ships within + or - 4 days of the date. So...we talked to the BF folks on Friday and apparently my bike has been ready since Friday *the week before*. The held it until DH's bike was ready, and missed the UPS pick up yesterday. They won't ship until Monday.

I was prepared to wait date + 4, but apparently not one day more. I'm impatient. I want my new bike to ride. Weekends are the main time I have to commune with my bikes, which means it will be another *week* (it's beside the point that had it shipped I wouldn't have had it for this weekend, I just want it to be on the way). I know it's a custom bike, and the folks there have been awesome. And I know it's not that big a delay. But I don't understand why they held my bike when they knew I was anxious to get it......I know, it's a minor thing to whine about. It's just been a really crappy week and I was really looking forward to riding this weekend. Anybody else ever felt like this about something??

*end whine*

Carrie Anne

[Kano]

Oh, I've been there!

Mine was a few years ago, and a sewing machine -- brand new model, top of the line, learned about it in July, and it was supposed to be delivered right about in time for my late-autumn birthday. Six months later (the following May), I had mine, finally!

Oh that was a hard wait! (luckily, I had opportunity to play with the one in the store for a while before mine arrived)

I know this weekend is a bummer, but won't it be fun for you and your husband to take that first ride on those new bikes together? (with luck, yours is faster than his!)

Karen in Boise

[mtkitchn]

Funny on the impatient stuff! I ordered a Bike Friday and it was delivered Sept 1. I was anxiously awaiting it and going nuts before it finally got here. Once it was in the house, I was intimidated by the amount of work to put it together and left it sit in its suitcase for three weeks. I finally put it together the other day, but STILL haven't taken it for a ride!
UGH!

[Trekhawk]

Funny on the impatient stuff! I ordered a Bike Friday and it was delivered Sept 1. I was anxiously awaiting it and going nuts before it finally got here. Once it was in the house, I was intimidated by the amount of work to put it together and left it sit in its suitcase for three weeks. I finally put it together the other day, but STILL haven't taken it for a ride!
UGH!

LOL - but that first ride will be bliss.

[emily_in_nc]

Carrie Anne ~

So sorry your Friday hasn't made it's way to you yet - it's such a nice weekend for riding, too! I can't remember if our Fridays were late or came exactly on our promise date, or what, and before you know it you'll forget all about this week delay, but I do understand -- I've been impatient too when I've ordered a bike part or a jersey or something and really wanted it for an upcoming weekend or event, and it was late.

And more recently, when my mountain bike sat in the LBS for 3 weeks being tuned up, repaired, and having her crankset replaced. I was going insane. He had told me it would be "about two weeks" (they were swamped, I didn't buy the bike from them, and it was my first trip to this shop, so I didn't expect any preferential service), so of course when two weeks passed, I wanted my bike immediately! But now, a couple of months later, it's all water under the bridge.

And, like mtkitchn says, even if both your bikes had arrived late this week, there is a fair amount to do to put them together initially, so you might not have been riding them this weekend anyway. They come with a very helpful video, which we watched, stopping, rewinding, and watching parts again, as we put together our Crusoes, but it's not something I would have wanted to have to rush through on a week night after a long day at work. We were able to do it on the weekend. TIP: Take a photo of how everything is packed in the suitcase when you open it up. It helps when packing them back into the suitcase for travel later!

You'll be riding those Fridays before you know it!!! Can't wait to hear how you and your husband like them!

Emily

[CyclChyk]

oh Carrie Anne I think I would have had to let the redhead in me out and wail on someone!!! Venting on TE is probably much more mature; I applaude your choice.

Let us know how wonderful your baby (bike) is when you finally do get it!

[Blueberry]

Just got the confirmation emails - they're on their way via the big brown camel! They're coming ground, so the estimated arrival time is a week from today. But at least they're headed this direction!!!!!!

I'm hoping they'll make it this week, but UPS doesn't tend to run ahead of schedule Ah well.....at least I'll have all week to figure them out before a weekend ride this way

mtkitchn - How was the first ride?? Was the putting together really that bad? What kind did you get?? *stamps foot* PICTURES!!!!! (please)

If we get stuck or intimidated, we have a local BF owner (and veteran of many overseas trips with Fridays) who has offered to help.

[emily_in_nc]

Don't worry CA, it's not that hard to put them together. The video leads you right through it! It just takes a little while. And then when I got mine put together and discovered that the top tube was 1.5" (or so, can't remember exactly) longer than I requested, I just wanted to cry! I had to send it back and have them remake it. Sigh...but worth it to get it exactly right - and they paid postage both ways.

So, hopefully you won't have a delay like that to deal with! And maybe UPS will surprise you and deliver them on Friday. What a fine surprise that would be - and kinda fitting, considering their name!

Emily

[Blueberry]

HeeHee. We can hope. I'm reloading the UPS tracking several times a day - they left Portland, OR at 3:07 AM, so they should be on the long leg of the cross country journey (what did we do before online tracking!?).

They're gonna be SWEET! We ordered Schmidt Dynohubs on them, so no more night riding issues. I hope they work as well as everyone says!

We have all accessories purchased and ready to go

I've even watched the "how to put it together" video. Didn't look too bad!

Once they're together, we need to plan a Bike Friday NC Ride!!

[Squeaky]

Congrats on the new toys!! I'm sure they're gonna be worth the wait. Oh, and post pics when you get them!

[Blueberry]

They're in Greensboro (about an hour away), so hopefully they will make it here on time tomorrow!

Of course, wouldn't you know that they're arriving just as work gets nuts. I've been told to expect to bill 240 hours this month (which means working ~270). Not sure how much time that will leave for riding.

Worries me a little, as BF has a 30 day fit guarantee. Anyone know how strict they are on the 30 days? I seriously don't know how much riding time I will have in the next month I don't anticipate there will be a fit problem, but I want to be sure...

[veekcee]

I know how painful it is to wait for delivery of a new bike! I would have been frustrated, too. I ordered two BF NWT's on 8/3 with a promise date of 9/14. Both bikes were shipped on 9/12 and arrived on Friday, 9/15 at 6:30pm. I was on pins and needles all day since UPS never showed it "out for delivery". I was so affraid that it wouldn't show up, but it did.

I, too, had previewed the video several times before the bike's arrived and thought it looked pretty easy. Opening the cases for the first time, staring at this folded bike, I became intimidated. Took pictures, as Emily suggested, and started unpacking. It took me a good hour to put the first one together; the second one only about 30 mins. After riding them around the neighborhood a few times, packed them back up for a road trip. Packing the first one took forever; packing the second one was much easier. Unpacking at our destination only took about 15 mins. per bike. Quick folded the bikes for a short car ride and found this to be really easy. Don't worry, take your time and follow all steps in the video and you will "get it" really fast.

Friday was our first big ride on the bikes. The bikes are set up with H-Bars, bar con shifters on mine and trigger shifters on DH, triple up front and 11-32 on back. We also have the adjustable stem for a little more flexibility in riding position. I found the bike to be very comfortable; no neck or shoulder issues and no numb hands. I'm not too sure about the gearing as I found myself (52-42-30 chainrings with the 11-32 cassette) spinning way too much and didn't feel like I could find that "just right" gear. We will be doing another long ride in a couple of days and I'll continue to play around with it. I really like the bar con shifters and wish I had set up DHs bike with them.

I really don't know what a perfectly fit bike feels like, but I will say that I felt very comfortable on my BF and it handles really well. At this time, I am really satisfied with our BF purchase.

Will be interested in your thoughts on the bike!

Take care and enjoy,

Vickie

[emily_in_nc]

They're in Greensboro (about an hour away), so hopefully they will make it here on time tomorrow!

Of course, wouldn't you know that they're arriving just as work gets nuts. I've been told to expect to bill 240 hours this month (which means working ~270). Not sure how much time that will leave for riding.

Worries me a little, as BF has a 30 day fit guarantee. Anyone know how strict they are on the 30 days? I seriously don't know how much riding time I will have in the next month I don't anticipate there will be a fit problem, but I want to be sure...

Yay, Carrie Anne - glad it looks like you'll get them tomorrow as promised, but sorry about the workload....doesn't it always happen at the worst time?

I think Bike Friday's fit is always guaranteed, not just for 30 days (perhaps it has to be within that period for them to pay shipping both ways, though). They will make it right if it's not, but you should know pretty soon about the frame size, I'd think. If you have a bike that fits you (or close enough), you can measure the effective top tube to make sure it's right. Your bike will come with a fit stem, so you will adjust that to your liking. Other than the top tube being wrong (as mine was the first time, unfortunately), there's not much else that can go wrong since you can adjust your saddle fore/aft and your stem. And you can keep the fit stem as long as you need to make sure it's just right before getting the final, custom stem made. (I am assuming you went with that stem option as we did, but I might be wrong.)

I hope you and your husband both love your bikes - and that you get to ride them very soon!

Emily

[RoadRaven]

So - I think its "tomorrow" now where you are - have they turned up yet?

Road *wings crossed hopefully* Raven

[Blueberry]

They're "out for delivery" - it's 1PM here, so we have a while yet during which they could come UPS is *usually* pretty good.

Hubby is at home waiting for them - I'm looking at a LONG day in the office, unfortunately. So, there may not be pictures for a few days...