Accidentally in Love

[smurfalicious]

I went for a mountain bike ride in the tourist town of Sisters today, and I thought before I headed out I'd check with their LBS to see if the logs had been cleared. No luck, it was still like riding my own cross race. As usual I gravitated towards his selection of bikes. There was an Allez comp from last year, and a Dolce from this year. I asked if he could stick some SPDs on them when I got back from my ride.

My mountain ride was awesome, looooved the trail, can't wait to ride it again. Now that my bike isn't messed up, and now that I've gotten my strength and climbing tecnique back, life is a lot more fun. Especially when you're not wanting a nap 2 miles in.

I tried out the Allez, but it was lackluster. Didn't like how it fit, and it was kind of ugly. The body geometry saddle rocked though, the owner of the shop said I'd hate it. In fact, loved it soooo much I had him put it on the Dolce so I could test her out.

The Dolce was awesome! She was sooo catty, squirted right out and well, I love that Ultegra rear end. And, she is pretty! Road bikes in my mind aren't usually pretty, except Columbine's which there's no way I can afford one of those. The best part, she's two tone blue, just like pony, has silver accents, even a silver stem, tires and silver bar tape. Check it out, Pony is my mountain bike, under Genesisters choose Big Sur GS:

http://fisherbikes.com/archive/

And the Dolce in a picture that doesn't do her justice:

http://www.specializedbikes.com/OA_M...lceElite_l.jpg

I'm thinking I might not be building a bike...

love and cookies
-smurf

[Jo-n-NY]

Hi Smurfalicious,
We are Specialized riders in my house. My son has the Allez from last year and my husband got himself an Allez Comp this year. My son would probably have liked to look into the Cannondale line for the one reason of color. He feels they make the colors of their bikes nicer.

My husband tried both a Roubaix, but rather the better components that the Allez Comp had for the less money. We really to not ride on very rough terrain, at least not yet so the aluminum frame is working out fine for him.

Now I have the Dolce Comp as I have mentioned in other post. Yes, I feel this bike was fit just for me. I rode a 62 mile ride yesterday in CT, rain off and on, major hills and I don't feel the slightest bit of pain anywhere. I even kept the seat it came with and it felt great from the very first ride.

Just thought I would add to your post with my opinion of the bike. That blue is really pretty btw. ~ JoAnn

[CorsairMac]

I have the Specialized BGs on all my bikes - the MTB for my commuter and my MTB and the road sport for the Peugeot and I plan on putting another road sport on the Trek when my buddy finishes building it out. I love their seats. And very pretty bike!! sounds like you're in lust!

[smurfalicious]

Yeah, I'm thinking she might be the one. So long as they sell that pretty silver bar tape somewhere! I'd like to build, and I'd really like to go with steel, but I also think sometimes supporting the LBS is important. I can still use Joshua for fat upgrade hookups, but this guy in Sisters is soooo nice! Besides, it's easier to make payments to the shop then build, my Surly is still sitting on the ground because blowing off a build is way too easy.

The only thing I don't like is the generic Sm, Med, Lrg sizing business. The medium, aka the 51 feels pretty good though. I don't have the stem eclipsing the hub, I don't know if that's bad or what, but I don't feel at all stretched out, or squished. She felt good, that's all I know. Her aluminum is forgivable, I mean, look how pretty she is!

Aaaaack! I hate bikes! I hate them! Hate them almost as much as dogs, that's why I have two dogs!!! Can't stand them!!!

love and cookies
-smurf

[trigurl]

I ride the Allez, it was in my price range I Really like it too, the seat is great, the color is yuck but one dayI hope to add some color, if I can find someone who does airbrush painting, I like to personalize my toys

I rode a couple of other bikes, the Giant was ok, this one just fit better.

When I win the lottery I plan on buying a pretty pink one made especially for me (no I'm not girlie, I just love pink)

[spazzdog]

Love my Allez Comp... she's a fine looking zebra.

spazz

[trigurl]

SPAZZ, I love your bike! tooooo cool. I am partial to zebra stripes, I have had several black and white animals b/c I like that color combo best, and I have a huge cow collection!

[spazzdog]

thanks trigirl! I'm kinda partial to black & white as well. My old TREK was white with black detail, my jeep is black... i wear a lot of black... hmm, i see a trend here.

spazz - who despite buying the wildest most colorful jerseys she can find, finds that black is still her favorite color.