Cascade's Group Health Bike Expo . . . New Location!

[Susan126]

Hey Susan, we're the same size and I round DOWN! how funny!

Bike expo was a lot of fun; each year I go, I see more people I know. We rode there and then home again, so i really felt the part.

I saw East Hill. She has a new (old) Sachs that someone GAVE her...

that's MY big news; and it's not mine.

Hey Mimi glad you had a good time at the expo. I love browsing and checking out all the bikes, clubs, rides, gear, and all. And you even got a ride in too. I didn't get a ride in yesterday when we went. So bonus for you!

Oh I almost forgot, I round up because I try to be as tall as I can possibly be!

[salsabike]

I had much the same experience with Smiley.

I am a little under 5'5". When I went to buy a road bike, I had fittings by Smiley and then by Erik Moen. I took that info and did a little spreadsheet (and I am NOT very OCD--I just wanted to get it more or less right, since the bike I had then was too big) with desired ranges of top tube length, seat tube angle, stuff like that. Smiley let me borrow a Rodriguez with 650c wheels for four days to do some 20-30 mile rides, which I really appreciated. In the end, I chose the Bianchi because any change in the Rodriguez was a charge of $250, and I had a few changes I needed to make in their model. The Bianchi gave me the measurements I needed at less money. And I concluded that I didn't particularly need 650c wheels either. But I did like the Rodriguez bike.

I think R&E are a bit like the Rivendell of the West--by which I mean, they have some VERY firm beliefs about bikes and how they should be. They seem to push 650s a lot--there's another article about them in the newsletter we got today. I think they're good guys and make fine bikes. It just helps to be aware of what each shop's beliefs are so you can filter them out for yourself when you need to.

We rode from Logboom to the expo and back yesterday. Saw Mimi and RD, which is always fun, and MM_QFC. Went to both the swim and bike tri lectures. Liked the swim lecture fine; bike lecture was okay. I still have plenty of questions so will be looking at some tri books and talking to some of you...

[Starfish]

Also not a big Smiley fan here. But, like Knot said, YMMV. I know at least one person who absolutely had a great experience and loves her Rodriguez.

[Aint Doody]

I had a wonderful time, too. But I still haven't had a chance to meet any of y'all. And after suggesting the buff, I forgot to even take mine to Seattle. We were busy in our CROC booth pushing our ride. I didn't feel that I had as much time to roam this year. I surely like the location, as we stay downtown at the Camlin. But I sorta felt that going through the different rooms was a minus. Still I'd rather be there--MUCH nicer bathrooms and plenty of them. Has anyone heard an attendance figure? It seemed to me that I wore my tongue out talking to more people this year. Our ride isn't full yet.....
www.cyclependleton.com It's gonna be lotsa fun!