from this point, it might get ugly

[KnottedYet]

Was Chris at lunch or something?

Tim looks older than Chris (late 40's early 50's) from what I remember, but he does have a young voice.

Remember, if you get a Mondonico from Chris like Trek did, it will be custom made for you with all your specifications (room for fenders, etc like Trisk says); rather than a modified existing frame like Mr. DumpsterDiver is trying to shove off on you.

It will take longer, but might be worth it.

[Triskeliongirl]

Was Chris at lunch or something?

Tim looks older than Chris (late 40's early 50's) from what I remember, but he does have a young voice.

Remember, if you get a Mondonico from Chris like Trek did, it will be custom made for you with all your specifications (room for fenders, etc like Trisk says); rather than a modified existing frame like Mr. DumpsterDiver is trying to shove off on you.

It will take longer, but might be worth it.

I couldn't agree more. Mimi, you have a perfectly acceptable bike you can ride right now, your veloce. TO create a dream bike takes time. Once you broker the return of this bike, you need to slow down, take a deep breath, first find a local builder you feel understands both your FIT and FUNCTION needs, and then BE PATIENT while a bike is made that meets those. Everyone I know that has done this has no regrets. Remember, you will ride a bike like this for 20 years, so even if it takes several months to start over, that is nothing compared to the years of pleasure it will give you. I noticed another thing in your email, you referred to this bike as a custom mondonico but its not a custom bike for you, whether its a custom bike for someone else's specs, or stock bike, it won't compare with a bike made for your body and your riding needs.

[mimitabby]

Was Chris at lunch or something?

Tim looks older than Chris (late 40's early 50's) from what I remember, but he does have a young voice.

It will take longer, but might be worth it.

ha, no matter what i do now it's going to take longer!

Chris was with another customer, and Tim was pleasant and respectful. Knowing his age gives him even more credibility, thanks Knot. (see that, I'm prejudiced against young men!)

Trisk, I am sure you are right, the bike needs to go back, we've re-wrapped it
so I'm not worried about hurting it by taking it to the bike shop it's in the box.

Will call the credit union on monday and see what my options are.

I know that the racing fenders aren't like real fenders, that's part of why I was still shopping for a bike. And I was going by my Physical THerapist's recommendations, that's how I arrived at that bike.

[Triskeliongirl]

I was going by my Physical THerapist's recommendations, that's how I arrived at that bike.

Did you PT have the full specs on the frame geometry before you ordered, that means the seat tube angle as well as top tube length. If he just told you that you need a bike with a certain size top tube, he may have been assuming a standard seat tube angle like 73 (this is what a fit kit does) but then you need to add a cm to the TT legnth for each degree increase in seat tube angle. Mondonicos have *VERY STEEP* seat tubes, so that I why I am worried this may still not even fit you. PLEASE try to understand this before you order you next frame. I think it is explained well here: http://www.cervelo.com/viewkb.aspx?id=00692

[KnottedYet]

Would you consider calling Chris (and talking to Chris or asking Tim to have Chris call you back when he's available) and explaining what you need in a bike, and asking if they can help you get a truly CUSTOM Mondonico with the clearance and braze-ons you want?

Tim was probably right, that you can't modify the existing frame for what you need. Mr. DumpsterDiver was probably pulling a fast one telling you he could do it for you.

Now that you are getting free of the "wrong" frame, maybe ask Chris if Mondonico can create a frame, the "right" frame, just for you?

Not modify and paint an existing pre-made frame, but make an entirely new one to meet YOUR measurements and YOUR requirements?

(Chris and Mondonico did it for Trek, I bet they could do it for you)

[Triskeliongirl]

Would you consider calling Chris (and talking to Chris or asking Tim to have Chris call you back when he's available) and explaining what you need in a bike, and asking if they can help you get a truly CUSTOM Mondonico with the clearance and braze-ons you want?

Tim was probably right, that you can't modify the existing frame for what you need. Mr. DumpsterDiver was probably pulling a fast one telling you he could do it for you.

Now that you are getting free of the "wrong" frame, maybe ask Chris if Mondonico can create a frame, the "right" frame, just for you?

Not modify and paint an existing pre-made frame, but make an entirely new one to meet YOUR measurements and YOUR requirements?

(Chris and Mondonico did it for Trek, I bet they could do it for you)

I couldn't agree more. Again, I am worried cuz Mimi refers to going to this shop to see if they can talk her into keeping it. Mimi, to decide that you need to ask yourself why you thought you were buying this frame, if you think it meets your needs. I don't but its not what I think, its what do YOU think. If this frame won't meet your needs, then you must return it. Once the stress is behind you, by all means visit with Chris, your PT, Davidson, etc. Listen to recommendations. The fact that trek is happy with Chris is important, the fact that your husband is happy with Davidson is important too. Because many so-called professionals are lousy at customer service and fitting petite women.

[KnottedYet]

The fact that trek is happy with Chris is important, the fact that your husband is happy with Davidson is important too. Because many so-called professionals are lousy at customer service and fitting petite women.

Chris has a loyal following in the SF Bay area among women for a reason. He is NOT like Mr. DumpsterDiver. He's a bike geek, a real nice HUGE nerd who loves bikes. He treats women like cyclists, not like easy-marks for poor service.

He got Trek onto the bike of her dreams, and she's TINY. He fussed and fiddled with that bike until it fit her so perfectly that she can do the AIDS rides multiple times!

If Mondonico cannot make a brand new frame to meet your needs, Chris will tell you so. He won't "bend the truth" just to make a sale like Mr. Dumpster.

[spokewench]

Chris has a loyal following in the SF Bay area among women for a reason. He is NOT like Mr. DumpsterDiver. He's a bike geek, a real nice HUGE nerd who loves bikes. He treats women like cyclists, not like easy-marks for poor service.

He got Trek onto the bike of her dreams, and she's TINY. He fussed and fiddled with that bike until it fit her so perfectly that she can do the AIDS rides multiple times!

If Mondonico cannot make a brand new frame to meet your needs, Chris will tell you so. He won't "bend the truth" just to make a sale like Mr. Dumpster.

Chris Robinson is the best bike shop owner that I have ever known. He used to live in my house when he was getting his shop started. He is honest, smart, knowledgeable and will be helpful at all times. He is and was a friend obviously when we lived in California. I would recommend his bike knowledge and honesty to anyone. He will be able to answer your questions and if he can't he will find out.

Now, yes, he might be a big huge bike nerd now as Knotted said, BUT I remember him when he was just finishing being a VERY GOOD RACER and deciding to open his shop, and he was nowhere near as big. That's what a bike shop will do to you. He is knowledgeable in all areas of cycling.

[KnottedYet]

Ooops! I didn't mean "huge" in the physical sense, I meant "huge" in the bike-nerd/loves-bikes sense.

(it was a compliment, as nerds and geeks are very cool in my worldview)

[Trek420]

Remember, if you get a Mondonico from Chris like Trek did, it will be custom made for you with all your specifications (room for fenders, etc like Trisk says); rather than a modified existing frame like Mr. DumpsterDiver is trying to shove off on you.

It will take longer, but might be worth it.

Knot necessarily, Knott. You can get a Mondonico or Torelli off the rack so to speak. I went full custom route because at the time i was looking for a bike Antonio the builder just happened to be in town. So why not get measured and get the custom build at no extra cost?

Otherwise I would have bought the closest frame I could and had Chris fit me.

There's been a lot of good advice on this thread but folks if you have a bike shop you love and a good wench oops, I mean wrench treasure them bake cookies, write them into your will, send flowers....good service is so important in this sport and apparently.....it's hard to find.

I feel very lucky after reading this to have several excellent shops in my area and two local ones I particularly like.

It's not the fancy custom build, over the years Chris has saved me the cost of my bike with his good sound advice: minor adjustments where I know others would sell me a new bike, his "sure, you could do this, but this is better and less expensive" approach.

And he treats my commuter with the same care as my road bike, I see he does the same for others.