I'd like to introduce you to...

[Lesley_x]

...My new and first ever road bike! So excited.



About to head out on it now.

Not what I thought I would end up getting but it just fit me like a glove. It's so smooth and lovely!

[crazycanuck]

Nice bike ya have dere

How does it feel? Can you say "weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee"

Just a little heads up..remove the big plasticky thingy behind the cassette. It's ok for it to be there but most folks eventually do....

[Aggie_Ama]

I love the black and white, you will never clash with you clothing, you can accessorize the bike however you like! The plastic thingy may break off, we always remove ours but here the bike shops can't remove them until they sell them. Funny though is on my mountain bike once I paid for it they did it. Most people here remove the reflectors because unfortunately the factory ones are not very high quality. I see them break a lot and there are much better after market choices. But that is stuff you can do later.....

Which bike is that? It looks fast sitting still! How was the maiden voyage?

[Bike Chick]

How purty!!! Hope you have many happy miles together

[roguedog]

Nice, Lesley.

Have fun on her. Looks like you're going to have change your avatar pic

[TrekTheKaty]

Which one? Which one? I'm planning a Specialized Ruby purchase after I pay off my husband's build

[Trekhawk]

Great bike!
Hope you have many happy miles together.

[Lesley_x]

Hey guys, it's a Specialized Secteur Comp. It's actually the non-carbon version of the Roubaix or Ruby if WSD (I think).

My maiden voyage was great. A couple of niggles, like my hands getting sore on the hoods inbetween my thumb and forefinger and a bit of neck strain but otherwise it was wonderful. Was out and about for three hours. A much more relaxing ride than my hybrid.

She is fast, I didn't increase my average time but I was still unsure of the controls and my posture etc. It's quicker on the sprints, and middle aged men sure do not appreciate being overtaken by young ladies like myself! I also had a couple of old men shout at me 'that's the first appearance of one of those hot shots today'. I never got anything like this on my hybrid

The 25c tyres and the carbon seat stays/forks/seatpost really dampen the road vibration. A very, very comfortable ride imo.

The picture isn't great but it has this lovely matt paint finish. It's so subtle yet racey at the same time

Oh, and how do I remove the plastic thing?

[nscrbug]

I don't have it on my current bike...came that way. But I do have it on my first bike, my Trek 2100 WSD. And to be honest, I'm kind of glad it's there and I don't plan on removing it...and here is why. My second bike, a Cervelo, did not have the plastic thingy in place when I bought it. Cool, I thought...since I thought it was ugly anyway. About a year later, I was climbing a hill and somehow my gearing got all wonky. I was trying to get into my lowest gear (big cog on the rear)...when suddenly my chain got sucked into my rear wheel. I have no idea how this happened, but it did...and it snapped my rear derailleur off with it. I needed a new rear derailleur, chain, and rear derailleur hanger...all to the tune of $200 (with labor). Later on is when I realized, that if that stupid, ugly plastic thingy had been there...it would have prevented my chain from getting sucked into the spokes of my rear wheel. Oh well. Not saying you should keep it...but just presenting another perspective. Like I said, I don't have one on my current bike, but I'm always praying that something like this won't happen again.

Linda

[spindizzy]

Stealth, pure stealth. Unassuming, but can sneak up on you in a hurry. Nice choice!

[arielmoon]

Very nice! I love the color scheme!

As for the plastic cassette ring (and also the reflectors), it is obviously a personal choice, however, when I bought my bike the mechanic took them off. He told me it would help if I wanted to be taken seriously by other riders. Unlike nscrbug I have never had an experience that makes me wish they were there.

It's just one of those things.

[pumpkinpony]

The pie plates are easier to get off when they are yellow and brittle. you can just snap it into little pieces...

New and pliable - the mechanic at the bike store actually pulled the cassette off to get the plastic pie plate off. No charge.

[Catrin]

What is the purpose of the plastic thingie?

[lph]

I also had a couple of old men shout at me 'that's the first appearance of one of those hot shots today'. I never got anything like this on my hybrid

Hee-hee, this is so funny. Welcome to the world of stereotyping, ms hotshot! Training for the TdF, are you?

Oh, and your bike is beautiful! Congratulations.

[sundial]

Lesley, that bike looks so stealthy. You are going to be a blur on the streets as you zip around and climb the hills with abandon. Congratulations on the bike. And as for those tires, it will be nice to have that size for the winter.