I Bought My First Road Bike!!! (long)

[zoom-zoom]

Thanks! I was so excited that after the test rides, I drove back to our town to discuss with DH, then ended up driving back to the bike shop with him in rush hour traffic! I didn't eat all day until I finally ate dinner around 8:00 p.m. and I couldn't get to sleep until after 3:00 a.m. due to excitement and looking up all sorts of goodies for my new steed. Now for a name??? hahaha

It's just like being in love for the first time!

[Velocivixen]

Yes, it is as a matter of fact! I think with this bike I've done a ton of research, asked many questions, thought long and hard about what I want/don't want, I even read that book called Every Woman's Guide to Cycling by Selene Yeager, which was recommended by my buddies here on TE! I purchased this bike with *intention* vs my current bike, which I purchased more spur of the moment after about 5 test rides. I went into this with knowledge.
I also forgot to mention a huge factor was cost. The Kona was $1575 and the Surly is $1025. My DH is "financing" this purchase but I've got to pay him back!

[Orange utopia]

Congratulations!!! I can't wait to see pictures.

[Velocivixen]

@Orange utopia, thanks. I'm looking up stuff already. Now how to figure out how to size a Brooks saddle???

[Velocivixen]

I found a video which confirming what the bike shop guy said about removing the decals. Use duct tape or gorilla tape, press it over the decals (Surly does not use a clear coat over their decals), and pull off! Voila! No more decals.

So....who still has their Surly decals? Why or why not?

[Owlie]

I can't wait to see pictures!

[surgtech1956]

Can't wait to see the pics

[KnottedYet]

I found a video which confirming what the bike shop guy said about removing the decals. Use duct tape or gorilla tape, press it over the decals (Surly does not use a clear coat over their decals), and pull off! Voila! No more decals.

So....who still has their Surly decals? Why or why not?

Congratulations!

Oh, I'm so excited for you!

I'm really pleased that you found a shop which didn't cut the steerer tube. I love having my (new) fork with just enough extra length in the steerer to make it really great for commuting. I can see over cars, and I hope you can, too! My stem is placed so that there are still 2 spacers above it - so I can move the stem up another cm if I feel the need. Not sure I'll need to, but I don't think I'll get the tube cut. It doesn't look bad.

I did not know you could remove the decals. Thank you for the info! I might try removing the "FFF" decal from my chain stay. If that works well, I might take off the "Cross x Check." I might even take off the "Surly" from the downtube. I'd leave the "Surly" on the fork, though. I quite like that. And the head badge.

There is a woman who makes sterling silver and enamel headbadges. She does a Surly, let me see if I can find it...

ETA: Ah-HA!!! HERE IT IS! http://www.headbadges.com/catalog/i5.html
She makes people-jewelry as well as bike-jewelry. I have one of her chainring necklaces. It's great!

[Catrin]

I found a video which confirming what the bike shop guy said about removing the decals. Use duct tape or gorilla tape, press it over the decals (Surly does not use a clear coat over their decals), and pull off! Voila! No more decals.

So....who still has their Surly decals? Why or why not?

I like my Surly decals on my LHT, I kept them

The non-Jamis decals on my mountain bike are going away though. These are the ones that say "Made in China", "Read the manual to prevent certain death" (paraphrase there). Surly doesn't put all of those extra decals on the bike, at least not the LHT.

Congratulations on your new steed, and looking forward to seeing the pictures!

[Biciclista]

Oh congratulations! a friend of mine test rode one of these bikes (with me watching) it is one GREAT looking bike

PHOTOS !!!