Super sweet ride!!!

[GLC1968]

OOOh she is georgeous! I know, I ride the same bike but she is even prettier in the larger frame size. I think you were right on with the sizing given that you ended up needing the longer stem (just out of curiosity what length is the stem?)! You really lucked out getting her. For folks that don't know, they only did her in ti for a single year (2005), and most sold out in 6 months. They still have one available in 20" (C-C) on their website. I believe the geometry and sizing info. is the same as their current bikes, but the major difference is she is ti not scandium, and 9spd ultegra rather than 10. And she is cheaper than the newer scandium bike. Imagine, they are charging less for ti than aluminum! Its the deal of the century.

I ended up with a 110mm stem. I had to move the saddle as far forward as possible (damn short legs!) so I had to compensate with stem. I just took her out at lunch and it was wonderful. Rode like a dream...fit like a glove. I'm sooooo thrilled!! Now I pray that DH doesn't want to take her away from me to put her under the Christmas tree!

Oh, and as we rode, she whispered to me that her name is Skye.

[sbctwin]

Skye is soooo pretty....

[wannaduacentury]

Lovely bike. I knew you'd pick a name w/ blue as the theme. many happy miles. Jennifer

Still haven't picked a name for my silver Giant. It has black and yellow stripe(graphics etc).

[Triskeliongirl]

I ended up with a 110mm stem. I had to move the saddle as far forward as possible (damn short legs!) so I had to compensate with stem. I just took her out at lunch and it was wonderful. Rode like a dream...fit like a glove.

Well that is very interesting. Even though our heights are similar we are oppositely built. My thighs are very long, so I have to push the damn saddle so far back on the rails of the most laid back seatpost that I can get, so that I couldn't even tolerate the 1 degree increase in STA between the 17.5 and 19" bike. But seeing your bike made me so wish I could have. She is definitely prettier looking than my weird set up, but I too just love the way my Isis rides, and mine also fits me like a glove. Another cool thing about these bikes, is that while they are light for fast riding, they have eyelets for a rear rack, and accomodate tires up to 28c, so you can even use Skye for light touring. I think an 11 cm stem is perfect. Often women end up with really short stems cuz they are riding bikes with too short a top tube. But, I read 10-12 cm is actually ideal from a handling perspective. ENJOY her! I am soooo haaaapy for you! BTW, you can also change out the stem on your classic, the nitto technomic is a good choice, available in many sizes for only $30. You could also lengthen the reach on your classic by putting on longer reach drop bars like the nitto noodle (a great touring bar).

[Bad JuJu]

Wow-a-licious! Enjoy!

[twin]

Beautiful bike with a lovely color scheme! Happy rides.

[GLC1968]

BTW, you can also change out the stem on your classic, the nitto technomic is a good choice, available in many sizes for only $30. You could also lengthen the reach on your classic by putting on longer reach drop bars like the nitto noodle (a great touring bar).

This is EXTREMELY helpful! I do need to switch out the bars still and I'll definitely need a longer stem. It's ok the way it is now for my commute (which is only 14 miles) because I'm more upright anyway...but for tourning or longer rides, I'll need to customize it a bit more. Thanks!!

[Triskeliongirl]

This is EXTREMELY helpful! I do need to switch out the bars still and I'll definitely need a longer stem. It's ok the way it is now for my commute (which is only 14 miles) because I'm more upright anyway...but for tourning or longer rides, I'll need to customize it a bit more. Thanks!!

Yes I always put longer stems on my terrys, but I still prefer having the shorter top tube and longer stem and bars since I think they handle better. I bought my stem from these guys: http://www.lickbike.com/productpage.asp?PART_NUM_SUB='1173-10'
The only bad thing about this system is that you need to unwrap your bars to insert them (not a pop top style). Salsa makes some nice newer pop top ones, but they don't have as much rise as the nitto stem. Does your classic have v-brakes or long reach side pulls (I believe if it is a 2001 or older its v-brakes). If they are side pulls you can use sti levers with no modifications, but if they are v-brakes, you either need to use roll-amajigs to modify the cable pull with stis, or use a special brake caliper and bar end shifters. Alternatively you can upgrade to special canti brakes that work with sti levers (Shimano BR-R550, http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/cantilevers/index.html) which is what I did.