I'd like to introduce you to...

[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.

[uforgot]

Very nice! Have a blast on it!

[kaybee]

Beautiful bike! Congratulations. Love the "basic black." It's like the little black dress of the bike world!

KB

[Owlie]

Very nice. I love the black and white.

[ClockworkOrange]

Yesssss, love the colour of the bike, really smart and tasteful.

Happy times and safe riding on her.

Clock

[Seajay]

The set up looks really neutral. Great! Its possible the hands/neck issues are caused by a handlebar that is a tad wide. Since the Secteur is the "men's" version of the Dolce...it may come stock with a bar intendeded for someone with wider shoulders. It also is going to come stock with the men's saddle.
Have fun with your new bike

[esmorin]

1) awesome bike!!! I got a Dolce earlier this summer and I LOVVVE it!

2) to the not-so-newbies out there - why is the "pie plate" such a newbie mark? I know they get yellow and yucky...but don't they actually serve a purpose like preventing a situation like ncsrbug described? This isn't the first time that I've heard that 'real' cyclists don't keep them on the bike...anyone know why? i am just curious. i want to take mine off, but am afraid that my first ride with it off, it would be just my luck, my chain would get sucked into my wheel!

[WindingRoad]

I take my scissors to the pliable pie plate ones, just makes the hubs easier to clean when I wipe my bike down. They are supposed to keep you from shifting the chain off the cogs into the wheel but most derailleurs have a setting that won't let you do that anyways. I have yet to drop a chain off my cogs back there and I take that plate thingie off all my bikes even my cheapie commuter/hybrid. The reflectors on a road bike can be dangerous. Those wheels spin really fast and if a reflector comes off while you are going down a hill it's going to hurt someone. That's why they make you take them off in order to race. Plus they are really rinky dink too, they come off rather easily.