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

**Bad JuJu** · 02-19-2007, 06:00 PM

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** · 02-19-2007, 06:44 PM

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.

**logdiva32** · 02-19-2007, 07:32 PM

Originally Posted by li10up

Ok, this is another clue that my bike in some ways is too big for me. When I'm in the drops I can't reach the break levers very well. Not that I mind...I haven't found a hill big enough to want me to break on the way down...but then again I live in a fairly flat area.

Slowly but surely I'm talking myself into buying a new bike.

I also have the same problem. The LBS shifted the shift levers up and Handle Bars up a cm each, so I can brake from the hoods. Yet I have trouble reaching in the drops. But I don't plan on giving up my bike. I have to find a fix. I also have a 32" inseam at 5'4, but short upper torso, so I am riding a 48cm ( center to top) . I can not afford to spend my kids college fund on a bike, so I got the best I could non custom. I spent most of my of HS basketball referee money from this season on the bike. I still haven't told anyone the real price, my friends and family would not understand. I would never hear the end of it. Especially since i bring my lunch and rarely pass up a free meal. So buy what you want, is what I say, hehehe.... I am pretty athletic, so not sure about the difficulties some are having in handeling

**LBTC** · 02-19-2007, 07:43 PM

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** · 02-20-2007, 06:42 AM

Originally Posted by ace

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** · 02-20-2007, 06:46 AM

Originally Posted by Bad JuJu

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** · 02-20-2007, 07:18 AM

Originally Posted by ace

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** · 02-20-2007, 10:19 AM

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** · 02-20-2007, 10:51 AM

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** · 02-20-2007, 03:20 PM

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** · 02-20-2007, 03:37 PM

Oh, my! To have such a wonderful hard decision to make!

This is going to be one sweet ride.

**melissam** · 02-20-2007, 04:03 PM

Originally Posted by ace

But I'd still like to bike with the women from this board, as long as the rides aren't too tough. But now they all know I'm getting a $4000 bike!!

Just kidding.

Amy,

I spend a fair bit of time up in your neck of the woods and would be happy to ride with you. $4k bike or hybrid -- doesn't matter to me!

I have a Trek 5200 WSD -- a nice little carbon bike that I bought because it fit me well, has a triple chainring and nice Ultegra components. Oh, and I could afford it. I aspire to be half as good of a rider as my bike is a bike. Sometimes I think that even kids on their Schwinns could pass me. Thank goodness I have a nice bike, or I'd be even SLOWER!!!

-- Melissa

PS I hope I'm not too slow for you!

**ace** · 02-20-2007, 05:29 PM

Well, Melissa, if you're too slow for me, just take me up a hill and I'll eat your dust!

Definitely send me a message if you're going to be up my way....I will almost never say no to a bike ride.

-Amy

**Bad JuJu** · 02-21-2007, 08:58 AM

Oh, man, this is bad. Very bad. So bad. Reading this thread has started me thinking about a custom Serotta again, after I'd solidly put the idea out of my head when I got what I thought was that deal-of-the-century last fall on my Bianchi.

But after some major tweaking, I'm still not quite comfy on the Bianchi, though I love everything else about her. So with that, and with the evil influence of Ace, I've taken to lurking at the Serotta website again. *sigh*

**mimitabby** · 02-21-2007, 09:08 AM

Originally Posted by Bad JuJu

Oh, man, this is bad. Very bad. So bad. Reading this thread has started me thinking about a custom Serotta again, after I'd solidly put the idea out of my head when I got what I thought was that deal-of-the-century last fall on my Bianchi.

But after some major tweaking, I'm still not quite comfy on the Bianchi, though I love everything else about her. So with that, and with the evil influence of Ace, I've taken to lurking at the Serotta website again. *sigh*

what's wrong with the Bianchi?

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

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