My Bianchi has served me well for the past 20 years (notwithstanding the broken femur incident), but lately I've been thinking that I'd sure like to have a triple chainring. In order to convert the Bianchi to a triple, well, we're looking at a very slippery slope. The chainring, the front derailleur, the shift lever, the chain, the rear derailleur and shifter, etc., etc.

So, I started shopping for a new bike. Since I tend to keep my bikes for a while, I decided to get something that I wouldn't be tempted to upgrade in a few years.

After doing a bit of research, I decided that I'd really like to try the Trek 5200 WSD. The challenge was finding one to test ride in a 47cm. My LBS had one coming in this week, so I put a deposit down, and waited for THE DAY to arrive.

That day was yesterday.

My strategy was to ride my Bianchi and the Trek back to back on the same route. Here are some of my observations (in no particular order):

1. The Trek is waaaaaay lighter than my Bianchi (which is no heavyweight.)

2. The Shimano Ultegra brakes on the Trek are phenomenal. What I considered feathering on my Bianchi would pretty much bring the Trek to a halt. Both bikes had short-reach brake levers, but the new ones are even more comfortable that the ones on my Bianchi.

3. I love STI shifters. Still have to get used to which lever shifts which way, but it's still nicer than the shifting on the downtube (friction, no less!)

4. The paired spoke wheels sure look cool! Bonus points: the spokes are bladed.

5. A triple chainring -- I can try all those hilly roads that I've been avoiding because my legs just aren't strong enough yet.

6. The bike just goes. During my test ride, I came across one of those radar things that tell you how fast you're going. I was "lollygagging" on the Trek, and the radar showed I was going 19 mph?!?

7. Very comfy over road imperfections. My steel Bianchi wasn't bad, but this is even better.

8. My Local Bike Shop took plenty of time to make sure I was fitted properly to the bike. The changed out the stem, and kept stressing the fact that I could come back any time for adjustments, or to try a new stem.

9. I thought I'd buy a Terry Butterfly saddle, but during my fitting I found that it was really uncomfortable for me. We ended up going back to my Performance Contour Women's saddle from the Bianchi.

10. Even with a 10% discount on accessories, it sure is easy to spend $$ at the bike shop!

11. (Last, but definitely not least.) The Trek WSD fits me like a glove! I'd test ridden a non-WSD Trek about 10 years ago, and I felt very stretched out.

My debut ride will be at the Cinderella Training ride this Saturday, and I plan to do the Portola Loop on Sunday. Here's hoping we don't get rained out!

Sorry this is so long. I'm so excited, I had to tell SOMEONE, and thought you all would understand.

-- Melissa

PS Anyone know of someone who's looking for a nice, 18" road bike? (Preferably in the SF Bay Area so they can check it out in person.)