Quick advice needed re:Trek 1000, please!

[mkidd]

Thanks, everyone. I still can't believe I finally have a decent bike!

And yes, Geonz, I got the morph and the little bag under the saddle with extra tubes, etc too. Score! I’ve been looking for awhile and I do think this was a steal at $350.

Aquila, yes, I’m going to try the saddle. Not only did I do 2 tri’s on an ancient mountain bike, I did it with no padded bike or Tri clothes, just regular exercise gear. And I never wore anything padded when I trained. I think I have a high tolerance for pain-- which I wish would kick in when it comes to mile 2 on the run. But I’m open to swapping it out if it’s not working for me.

KSH, Zen, Sara, Sandra, Tuckerville, Susan, Cyclechick, Possegal, rij73, thanks so much for weighing in. It was also great to get the thumbs up from people whose threads I’ve followed in the tri thread.

Liza, yes, I want to take my time before dropping $1k+. I’m lusting for the tangerine C-dale Synapse Fem 3, but I’d like to save and see (and ride) what else is out there rather than just knowing about Giants, C-dales and Treks. This feels amazing compared to my mountain bike and it’s what I suspected all along that I would not need a top of the line to be happy for now.

Trisk, yes, exactly re: staying to budget. I have good helmet, but I need a few things like clothing (!), and maybe special biking pedals and shoes, maybe a decent used bike rack now that I cant just throw this in the back of my husband’s pickup.

Mr Silver, thanks for the vote of confidence. I had read a bit on Mrs. S’s recovery and its really inspirational.

Now if this wind and rain would stop! Millie

[Triskeliongirl]

Big Congrats. She's a beauty. May you have many happy and long miles together! That is a steal, especially including the pump and saddle bag. That is an excellent pump by the way, only portable one that I can fully inflate a tire with.

[Starfish]

maybe a decent used bike rack now that I cant just throw this in the back of my husband’s pickup.

I love your new bike! The Trek 1000's got really good reviews for their frame geometry in Bicycling Magazine a year or two ago.

Just a note about the truck...

A couple of times I have had to put my road bike in the back of my brother's truck, and it is very easy to do and kind to the bike to use tie down straps like dirt bike (motorcycle) riders do. One tie down strap each attached to the bar on either side (and tightened down gently) holds the bike stable and upright without needing any special fork attachment. And, the bike doesn't touch anything or lean on anything, so the derailleurs don't get bumped, etc.

I use the same tie down system in the back of my Honda Element, and it takes just seconds to load, and the bike is really protected.

[mkidd]

Thanks Starfish. That's good info. I borrowed a friend's bike for about a week and bungeed it upright nicely to the truck bed but your way sounds better.

[RolliePollie]

Congrats! She's my bike's twin! Don't you just love the shade of blue? I think she's one classy looking ride (even if she is made of aluminum!).

Hopefully your snow will melt quickly and you can take her out for a spin. I think there's a chance you'll be ok with the Bontrager saddle. I didn't hate mine, but I wanted to try something different. I ended up with a Terry Butterfly (thanks to ebay).

Enjoy your new bike!

[VeloVT]

Congratulations & have fun with it!!!

[SouthernBelle]

I carry my bike in my pickup and built my own carrier using some spare lumber and something like this.

If you need a picture let me know.