Bike for paths, light road use?

[rij73]

I too suggest a flat-bar road bike. I have one that I LOVE LOVE LOVE! But, they are out of it for this season. FYI it's an IBEX Corrida CT. They are a maker that sells directly to consumers on their website. Good value bicycles almost 50% less expensive than name brands with just as good components and frames.

[RoseC]

OK, one last post.

Yesterday I took the Volpe for its first real ride, on the Chehalis Western Trail. Just did about fifteen miles, which is a pretty good evening ride for me. Observations:

1. This bike is sooooooo sweet! Oddly enough, it's a much cushier ride than the mountain bike. It feels a little bit springy and kinda "thrums" silently when it hits a big bump. It seems to just absorb most of the shock. Kinda feels alive. Cooool.

2. Power Grips rock, but a) they take awhile to get adjusted right when new and b) I've done no pedaling involving pulling instead of just pushing (lots of p's there...) and my legs are out of shape. Ouch.

3. Inhaling insects = ickypoo.

4. Washington is flippin' gorgeous this time of year! Lots of wildflowers out. I also saw lots of bunnies and various kinds of birds - jays and another blue colored bird that I'll have to look up.

5. The seat the bike came with has *got* to go. I've met a lot of uncomfortable seats in my day, but this one may top 'em all. It has leopard print panels on the back corners too, which is just...very odd. The bike shop guys adjusted the seat to a very particular fore-and-aft position and angle and I risk messing that up if I just schlep a seat on there, but I'm sure I can get it right again with trial-and-error, even if they might could do it faster. Since I'd be putting on a seat I didn't buy there and since it's such a small "repair", I'd hate to bother them with it. Actually I bought a Brooks B17 awhile back when Nashbar had a big sale, but I've been afraid to actually use the thing. Perhaps its time has come! It's honey, which doesn't really match the color scheme of the Volpe, but hey, *everyone* has a black seat. This will stand out, for better or worse!

6. This is the first time in a very long time that I've come back from a ride without my hands and wrists hurting. I guess the drop bars aren't such a bad deal... No numbness, even though I forgot my gloves. I imagine my shoulders will be a little stiff tomorrow just because of the new position, but that's OK.

7. Did my fair share of shifting the wrong way (up when I meant down or vice versa), but I was getting the hang of it by the end of the ride. I stayed in the center chainring up front, but I think it's bigger than the mountain bike one. I could still pedal on the biggest downhill.

8. Whew, that's a good workout!

A Volpe in its natural habitat:


I wish the colors had come out accurately - it is astoundingly green out right now.

[KnottedYet]

Beautiful bike!!!! And the honey Brooks will look great on it!

(and if you feel the honey leather looks out of place, try switching your bar tape to something that matches the Brooks a little. or get some leather Brooks bar tape.... )

[F8th637]

Sounds like a dream, Rose! What a beautiful bike!

[cosc]

Wow, your Volpe looks like a fun bike with a great personality. My eros bianchi would like a longer stem so could I borrow some arm length?

[RoseC]

Beautiful bike!!!! And the honey Brooks will look great on it!

I think it does, now that its mounted! I didn't know Brooks made bar tape...that would be sweet! Probably out for a bit, but maybe someday.

I'm still struggling with the proper placement of the saddle. I think I need to wait a few days and then try again. I didn't *think* I was that sore from the stock saddle until I got on the bike again on Saturday. Holy bruised and mangled girly bits, Batman! It's hard to find proper saddle position when you're in pain to begin with. I have it mostly level and I think at the right height, but I hardly know what right feels like.

But it's pretty. And Proofide smells soooo good...