Bike Shopping- day 3- the freak out (long)

[Bad JuJu]

Good for you, Ace! Like many of us here, I've also felt that twinge of buyer's remorse after slapping down a wad of hard-earned bucks for a snappy new bike. And at least once, my fears were confirmed--but that was my first adult bike, which, as it turns out, was too big for me and the salesman either didn't know or didn't care. OTOH, I sold it easily after only riding it for a few months and my next bike purchase was a Terry Symmetry, bought from another shop, of course, and after checking all the measurements and taking a good long test ride.

It sounds like you're doing this right--getting fitted, dealing with an LBS that you've built an honest relationship with. I can't speak to the diff between a hybrid and a road bike since I didn't start out on a hybrid. But I will say that the difference between the too-big road bike and the just-right Terry was vast, and too some getting used to simply because it was so much more responsive. So when you start riding your new bike, give yourself plenty of time to get used to it.

I've been eyeing those custom steel Serottas myself--is the Coeur d'Acier that you're getting? Yummy! We want pix, as soon as you get her home!

[ace]

Yup, Juju, it's the Coeur d'Acier.

Do you think I should have them put "Coeur d'Acier" on the bike? They asked me millions of questions about the paint job, and I felt clueless....I guess it's all a matter of personal preference, but nothing I've thought about before.

[LBTC]

Congratulations, Ace! On quitting smoking, and committing to a healthy lifestyle with this fabulous new purchase!! Don't fret. A well fit bike is the most important ingredient to an enjoyable ride that you'll want to do all the time. What a great world we live in that you know how you want to get in shape and you can afford it, too!

Hugs and happy butterflies,
~T~

[Bad JuJu]

Do you think I should have them put "Coeur d'Acier" on the bike? They asked me millions of questions about the paint job, and I felt clueless....I guess it's all a matter of personal preference, but nothing I've thought about before.

Have you looked at the Serotta web site, where you can see examples of what various paint jobs look like? That might help you make some decisions about your paint design. Where would they put "Coeur d'Acier" on the frame, and how large would it be? I wouldn't want it to be very obtrusive, but that's just me.

[mimitabby]

Have you looked at the Serotta web site, where you can see examples of what various paint jobs look like? That might help you make some decisions about your paint design. Where would they put "Coeur d'Acier" on the frame, and how large would it be? I wouldn't want it to be very obtrusive, but that's just me.

Heart of Steel? It's a steel framed bike ? Cool.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Yup, Juju, it's the Coeur d'Acier.

Do you think I should have them put "Coeur d'Acier" on the bike?

Like.....YEAH!!!!!! I can't think of ANYTHING cooler than having that on my steel bike frame!!!!! Plus I think it will add bigtime to the collector value of the bike years from now.

[Bad JuJu]

I went and looked at some pix of the Coeur d'Acier on the website, and it is a very subdued yet noticeable way that they apply the name "Coeur d'Acier" on the top tube. I'd definitely have that included. Do you get to pick your color for the lettering, or do they just use a standard complementary color?

[ace]

You get to pick your own colors. The frame color I picked is "Harlequin," it's sort of a medium purple-blue irridescent color, changes with the light. It's number 22:

http://www.serotta.com/pages/colors.html

I picked white for the lettering of "Serotta," but I can change it. What color do you think I should do the Coeur d'Acier? I thought silver might be good for all the lettering, but I'm not sure it will show on the Harlequin.

Now that I'm looking at the colors on the website, number 23 looks good as a frame color, too.....

[Bad JuJu]

Looks to me like either white or silver would show up OK. I like that harlequin color but I like the other one, too--the "copper harlequin." Tough decisions!

[7rider]

Oh, my! To have such a wonderful hard decision to make!
This is going to be one sweet ride.