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

[Velocivixen]

I had a 1975 Schwinn Le Tour 10 speed back when I was about 13 to 20 years old & rode it everywhere (I'm 47 now). I've not been on a dropped bar bike since then! I currently have a 2011 Trek 7.3 FX hybrid that I bought in October and have ridden it more than I've ridden in the last 27 years! As my confidence grew I decided I wanted to try "drop bars" and a different geometry. I live near Portland, OR & if you live around here you know that we're famous for riding all manner of bike and doing "alternative" customizations to them! lol. So I decided, for that reason, but mostly just for something "different" to get a steel "classic" looking bike with some personality. After test riding several drop bar bikes, going to different shops, talking with bike folks I narrowed it down to the Kona Honky Inc (it looks great on paper) and the Surly Cross Check ("lesser" componentry than the Kona).
So yesterday I re-test rode the Kona & felt disappointed. I just wasn't in love with it. It lacked personality & wasn't pretty, although it had nice components. I also noticed that the sales person wasn't as outgoing/enthusiastic with me. Maybe it's because I've been in a couple of times, asked questions, test rode once and didn't purchase anything.
Then I went to a place I didn't know existed called Citybikes near downtown Portland. It's an employee-owned coop & has been in business 21 years. They're located on a bike boulevard and they sell primarily to the commuter type.
I called first to see if they had a Cross Check in Robin's Egg blue since I really didn't like the black, and NOBODY in town had the blue. I walked in and the first thing I noticed is that they had different tires on the bike. They took off the 'cross tires and put on Panaracer Pasela TourGaurd tires with tan sidewalls. Next I noticed is that the steer tube was very tall! I've test ridden this bike elsewhere and the steer tube was about 2-3" above the top of the head tube, but these steer tubes were like 5" taller! The sales person said that they come that way & that most shops cut them down! He said that "most commuters around here don't want to be bent over so much". I knew from my measurements and hours of research that I should test ride the 50 & the 52, which I did (I test rode these before). Not much difference in the frame size, although I LOVED the shorter stem on the size 50.
So...(drum roll please) I bought a 52 Robin's Egg Blue Cross Check! It's the only one in my size and in a box, so I've made changes. It already has the Panaracer Pasaela tires, replace the Tektro RL340 brake levers with Tektro compact brake levers. I bought Velo Orange Touring Pedals, and they will replace the black seat tube, add a shorter stem, and spacers on the steer tube with silver. They will use "natural" cork handlebar wrap.I will leave the steer tube long and as I ride the bike I can always either ask them to cut it down or, as they did on a LHT, they move the stem down by rearranging the steer tube spacers, but didn't cut the steer tube.
I felt great test riding this bike and don't recall feeling that way when I test rode them about a month ago. Maybe the different height on the steering tube? It shifted more "tightly" than the higher end components on the Kona, so not sure why. I felt comfortable in the drops even!
Now I've got to figure out how to "accessorize" her. Maybe leaning to "Rivendell-esque" look. VO fenders or Hanjo hammered fenders???
Ideas? I'm SOOOOO excited! I pick it up on or after the 17th.

[zoom-zoom]

Oh, this sounds HOT! Promise you will post photos once you have them! I can't wait to see!

I rode a friend's Cross Check this past Spring. But hers is black and boring...yours sounds like it will be so much more appealing to the eye.

[Velocivixen]

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

[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

[Velocivixen]

Oh yes, there will be pictures. I see that VO sells colored derailleur cable housing in white. Now I'd have to find white brake cable housing.

[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!

[KnottedYet]

Oh yes, there will be pictures. I see that VO sells colored derailleur cable housing in white. Now I'd have to find white brake cable housing.

I guess I'm dense, I thought they were the same cables and housing whether used for brakes or for derailleurs.

[Tri Girl]

I can't WAIT to see it!! Congrats!!!! You will post pics when you get it in, right?
My LBS has a cross check that the owner built up for himself, but doesn't have enough time to ride it. It's robin's egg blue and all decked out as a commuter. Gorgeous!! I'm so excited for you!!!!

[colorisnt]

Now you'll be addicted. It's why I have two instead of one!