Decisions!

[Aggie_Ama]

Have you tried a Specialized? Only reason I ask is the tend to come in a bit cheaper than Trek and I know from DH's experience they are amazing on warranty. He had them give him a new pair of shoes when his were two years old because what happened to them they viewed as their flaw.

And I totally get making choices and knowing your situation, it is tough. When I got my road bike I was very boxed in with my budget. Luckily with my mountain bike I took the time to find what I wanted and would make me happy. There are some good quality aggressive bikes without totally breaking the bank.

[limewave]

I'm going in to get a fitting and look at a Specialized tomorrow and they may try and adjust the stem and bars on the X-Cal to see if that will work afterall.

I called and passed on the Superfly a few moments ago. With no warranty on the frame, I just couldn't chance it.

I'm also waiting on a dollar amount for the Salsa Mamasita. That may be just out of my price range tho.

[limewave]

I spent a couple hours at the bike shop today getting an official "fit." Turns out I'm right b/w a 15.5 and 17.5" frame.

They put a significantly longer stem on the 15.5 Trek X-Cal and flipped the handlebars. Then they raised the seat to what the computer told them would be the "ideal" height. Now it was looking like a race bike Those adjustments gave it a much more aggressive feel and look.

Then they adjusted the 17.5" to similar set-up.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!!!!!!!!!! (not between the 2 frames, but from how it felt before the adjustment).

I road both of them around the parking lot and in the grass, up and down the drainage trench and both frames felt very good. But, the 15.5" felt more nimble!

They are letting me take the 15.5" demo bike again. They said I could have it for awhile, knowing that I just sold my bike.

Friday they will have a Specialized Stumpjumper in that I can test ride.

I am pretty certain I have it narrowed down to 2 choices:

Trek Paragon
or
Specialized Stumpjumper Comp

Both are a smidge above my price range. But just a smidge.

[Catrin]

Sounds exciting! Looking forward to find out what happens next

[jessmarimba]

I think we must be built pretty similarly. I'm kind of between framze sizes, but I tend to size down for a 29er and up for 26.

I'm loving the suspense...bike shopping vicariously! (and haha, I typed "suspension" and stared at it for a moment before I realized that wasn't the word I was looking for!)

Have fun with those demos!

[limewave]

The Salsa dealer called me and said they could have a Mamasita frame for me in July (not October as they previously said). And that they would do a build on it the same as the El Mariachi which would bring the price of the bike nicely into my budget.

How did this get so stressful?!

I am determined to make a decision this weekend. I think I will feel much better once I sign the dotted line so to speak.

[limewave]

Salsa Mamasita it is. It will have the same build as the El Mariachi components to bring the bike down into my price range, but will x.9 shifters instead of x.7.

Fingers crossed the frame comes in July. Please! Please! Please!

I was hoping to feel better after I made the decision. But I'm actually feeling still stressed about it

I'm going into the bike shop on Monday and we'll hammer out the details.

Here's what the frame looks like:


Click here for a BIG picture.