New Bike

[kdskaggs]

Hi Kathi,

I just checked the underside of my Serotta and it is a size 50. Rivendell's method puts me at a 54 or 55. No wonder it seems so small, it is! I'm not giving up on it fitting me but I'm not very optimistic. I'll email the guy at Serotta tomorrow and get him to double check where he really is. The teacher/fitter's name is Chris Bohannon. Do you recall the name of the person at Sports Garage that fit you?

Thanks for your help!

Kenda

[kdskaggs]

Hi Lisa,

I live in Oklahoma. I'd love to find a place in Dallas, if possible, since it's just a 4-hour drive from here. I'll drive as far as Colorado but probably not much further. California and Massachusetts would be a heck of a road trip from here.

Kenda

[boy in a kilt]

I'm going to throw another weird option at you.

Normally, I recommend against buying bikes on the internet unless you know exactly what you want. However, if you are willing to lay the money down to get a custom frame built, and ensuring that all the components are the proper size, try co-motion.

It looks like the closest dealer is in Plano. I'm guessing you are somewhere between OKC and Lawton. The factory is in Eugene, Oregon. I've been there, it's a really cool place. (The factory, Eugene is so-so).

What will happen is they have you fill out a form with about 13 measurements on it and determine what the best size is for you. If they don't have a stock frame that'll work, they'll build you one. They aren't cheap but it's a very solid bike and they take the quality of their frame very seriously.

I had one built about 7 years ago and I swear I will take this bike to my grave.

[Kathi]

Hi Kathi,

I just checked the underside of my Serotta and it is a size 50. Rivendell's method puts me at a 54 or 55. No wonder it seems so small, it is! I'm not giving up on it fitting me but I'm not very optimistic. I'll email the guy at Serotta tomorrow and get him to double check where he really is. The teacher/fitter's name is Chris Bohannon. Do you recall the name of the person at Sports Garage that fit you?

Thanks for your help!

Kenda

The person who fitted me is Chris Jacobson. From what I understand he was one of the original Serotta trainers. If you look at the Serotta website his picture and bio is there under SICI staff. Chris B is also there although he is not listed with a shop affliatiation.

Be aware that sizing from company to company is not the same. Hpwever, a50 for someone your size sounds small. I'm 5"1.5 and my custom frame is a 49I have a 44cm Aegis and a 47 cm Cannondale. It seems there should be consistancy among frames but thats not so.

You may also be a good candidate for a custom frame.

Do you remember who was at Wheatridge when you bought your bike?

[kdskaggs]

Kathi,I don't recall the man's name at Wheatridge, it seems like it was a three-letter name.

I know sizing varies amongst manufacturers but this bike in tiny! To make the picture worse, I am not actually 5'4", I'm 5'5"! Either my spine has stretched over the years or I have grown. I didn't believe it when the doctor told me so I remeasured myself at home. Sure enough, 5'5"! I went out to check the size on my Santa Cruz for grins but I can't find the size on the frame. I did check my daughter's Specialized Dolce, she's 5'0", it's a size 51! I have a hard time imaging that I ride a smaller bike than my daughter who is 5 inches shorter than I am, regardless of manufacturer.

I am wondering if Chris B. isn't on staff at Wheatridge but maybe does fits there when necessary. I wrote Serotta back to find out and wrote Chris B. as well.


Boy in a Kilt, I'll check out co-motion. I have never heard of them. Thanks for the suggestion! I'm willing to pay for proper fit, even if it's a bunch!

Kenda

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

[QUOTE=kdskaggs;246208]Hi Kathi,

I just checked the underside of my Serotta and it is a size 50. Rivendell's method puts me at a 54 or 55.

Kenda, Riv's sizing method tends to put women on bikes that might be a "touch" too big. I am 5'5" just like you. PBH of 80cm. My Riv Rambouillet is a 54cm and although it *does* fit me, I think I would have been a bit better on a 53 (which they don't make). If i had followed their recommended sizing chart I would had bought a 55 or 56cm....which would have been too big for me actually.

[kdskaggs]

Boy in a Kilt, I contacted Co-Motion and there is a dealer in Plano, TX, just a 4-hour drive from here!! There is also a Serotta dealer near there!! Sounds like Dallas is the place for me!

Kenda

[boy in a kilt]

Good deal. I hope you can find something that'll fit you right.

The only thing I don't like about co-motion is they don't do lugged frames.

They'll add all sorts of little things if you ask. I had them install a pump peg, a chain hangar and double eyelets on both my front and rear drop outs. Also, I asked them to deviate from their standard decal scheme because I wanted my bike to have a cleaner look to it.

To give you some idea how much attention they paid to small things, Duan, the guy who designed my frame spent a lot of time trying to make everything just right. He seemed bothered that he couldn't completely eliminate the toe overlap, but he said that because I have a short upper body, I use long cranks (175mm) and big feet, he couldn't make it happen without compromising the handling.

[kdskaggs]

Boy in a Kilt, My Serotta isn't lugged either but I still loved the bike. I'll have to get over to Dallas in the next week or so and check out the new Serottas and Co-Motion. I wrote the Co-Motion shop to see if they have any test bikes. What color did you order? They have great choices!

Hmm, just thinking, my husband and son will be out of town this Sunday. Maybe I can go then.

Thanks for your help!

Kenda

[boy in a kilt]

She's ferrari red. I'm torn about touching up the paint. Numerous scratches but none that go through the powder coat underneath the paint. And I'm always a little suspicious of bikes with no scratches on them.

[kdskaggs]

How long have you had the bike? My 18-year chose magenta for me. Personally, I liked the reds and purples!

I'm with you, scratches show that you ride your bike!

Kenda

[bikermomma]

I use T-Towns other store, Midtown Bikes on Harvard next to Trippet's and Staples. I also use Tulsa Supercenter of Bikes over on Mingo. I bought my bike on mingo (they are very helpful), but the guys at are helpful and ultra nice.

I saw in the phone book that Sand Springs has a bike store? Does it still?

[kdskaggs]

Biker Momma,

I emailed the Serotta user's forum for help with my bike and a very nice man responded. The world is so small! He is a dog trainer from the dog club that I'm a member of in Tulsa. He and I are both at advanced obedience levels now but he was my puppy teacher four years ago. Larry works at the Mingo store! He asked me to come in so they can help me with fit and he also rides a Serotta! Because my name is so unusual, he knew immediately who I was.

I'm doing the happy dance now. At least I can get another local opinion about my bike and perhaps they have something to show me in their shop. I really like the Co-motion bikes and would still like to drive to Plano to see/ride one before I decide on anything. There is also a Serotta shop nearby.

Boy in a Kilt, I have a silver car, does that mean I can have any color bike I want? I was showing the Co-motion website to my husband last night and he really liked them. He initially wanted me to get an aluminum or titanium bike because they are lighter than steel. I'm used to the weight of my Serotta, it's also steel, and don't think the weight is an issue. Of course I don't want to get a tank.

Kenda


Kenda