New Bike - What's Reasonable to Expect?

[Velocivixen]

I pick up my Surly Cross Check this Sunday! I currently have a 2011 Trek FX 7.3 and I've had a fitting. I have no aches or pains after riding it, unless I do a rare 25+ mile ride, then sometimes my upper back (rhomboids) are only slightly sore.

So I haven't ridden a drop bar bike in 27 years, have never used bar end shifters, have great flexibility, am fairly fit, and a healthy weight (BMI 22). So the bike will have a WTB SST saddle and the fork steerer has NOT been cut (yet). My pedals are Velo-Orange Touring Pedals (platforms). I'm wondering what to reasonably expect regarding breaking this bike in and what is typical regarding any aches/pains I may have the day after riding. I mean, do I just do 2 miles per day and build up? Can I ride 10 miles the first day? I know there's probably no "rule" for this, but I figured that with the combined wisdom of the folks on this forum I'd have a good and reasonable starting place.

I have a MUP with a 2.2 mile loop immediately behind my house that I plan to practice on quite a bit, just to get used to the handlebar positions and shifting, and how the bike reacts. Once I'm ready to branch out from there I'll take side streets with low traffic volumes that I'm familiar with to practice. After that I will take side streets & heavier volume roads with dedicated bike lanes that I'm familiar with and so on.

I will post pictures too.
Thanks in advance.

[Owlie]

That sounds like a good plan. The geometry's different, the gearing's different. It's not the same thing as going from road bike to road bike, is it? You might have a few aches and pains, in which case you'll probably have to head back to the fitter, but that's probably normal. Enjoy!

[Velocivixen]

Thanks. I haven't been to the fitter for the new bike, but I've got my measurements and generally know what to look for. At least it will get me started.

[blue_angel]

When I was trying new saddles, I put over 100 miles on one of them before I decided it was not to me. I say jump in with both feet and take as long a ride on your new bike as you can manage. That's the only way you'll really find out which things need to be adjusted, and how. You certainly won't break it by riding it for 50 miles right out of the gate.

[Velocivixen]

@blue Angel, thanks. I'm concerned about breaking myself! Hahaha. Okay, I'll just listen to my body and go from there.

[Velocivixen]

UPDATE: I'm going to pick up my Surly Cross Check today instead of tomorrow. I'm so flippin' excited! First bike I've ever purchased with intention and a lot of thought.

I'll take photos & post.

[redrhodie]

Wow, I can't wait to see! I remember how excited I was before getting Sugar. I looked at her all night the day I brought her home.

[Velocivixen]

Well, I got the bike home, removed all the stickers which came off with just regular old masking tape. Surly does not clear coat over their stickers. I removed the stickers/adhesive on the rims as well. There are NO stickers on this bike-just the head badge.
I'm not sure why and maybe this is normal but I noticed that I feel sort of a let down. I was all excited, the bike feels fine, rode it about 3-5 miles or so in the park, then on a quiet street. I practiced shifting the bar end shifters. My Trek has a lovely metallic, really rich looking paint job. The surly, next to the trek, regarding color/paint, looks lackluster. I'm also tired and it's the end of the day, so my attitude may change in the morning. The LBS had not received the silver stem (shorter and angled up a bit), but will have it on Wednesday. I may have to buy a Brooks B17 in Honey. They're $97 with no taxes, free installation and an $18 trade in on the WTB SST saddle that came on the bike, so the Brooks will be $79. So the bike looks generic and it doesn't have any "VVixen" personality. It just looks like a bike. It also feels similar to my Trek Hybrid. So I'm not sure what I was expecting.

[redrhodie]

Well, you need to make it your own, and those feeling will go away. You can get personalized decals, so you could put her name on her tt, once you figure it out. There are also really cool reflective stickers sold on TE that always make a bike look more exciting. But, I bet you'll feel better once you ride her some distance.

[Velocivixen]

Thanks Red. It's pouring rain right now and she doesn't have fenders yet, so I'm waiting for the rain to stop and for things to dry up.