Road Bike Dilemma

[Rebekah H]

I took the Gran Fondo Vigorelli for a ride and it's a lovely bike. Steel with 105 components. Very light. I, like you, prefer simpler graphics and am visual. I think the Via Nirone is ugly, like so many other road bikes out there. I do think you should test ride, but only the ones you like the looks of. Sure, you could fall in love with the ride of any bike, but if it's visually unattractive you won't love it.

The Via Nirone would be great if it didn't have so much crap plastered all over it! I have a friend who has the Infinito who literally slept with the bike and put his wife on the couch the day he brought it home. But you're absolutely right, it's not the awesome sauce that the Gran Fondo is visually. I am completely on board with the "if it don't fit, you must acquit" rule of bike buying. I couldn't imagine spending that kind of money on something that would make me uncomfortable. BUT, it has to look good to me. You pretty well have me pegged in that regard. If I don't love it, I won't ride it.

Test and buy without him. Just stick to agreed budget and do it. It's your bike, not his.

Just make sure you don't complain about anything to do with the bike later in front of him or it will be "I told you so".

AMEN. AMEN. AMEN. Did I say amen? I meant to.

His perfect bike is not your perfect bike.

Also, amen to this.

Also, if this is your first road bike, maybe it doesn't have to be THE perfect bike that lasts you the rest of your days. I mean, there's always custom . . . and how would you know what you want in a custom bike if you don't have a previous ride to compare it to?

That is a very good point! I don't know if I could ever afford custom, but it's certainly something I could aim for if I really love cycling down the road as much as I do now.

I freaking love this!

Thank you so much for all of your input! Y'all have some great insight and I will be remembering your suggestions while I'm on my search for my first, perfect (heh!) bike.

I completely overlooked the LBS in Mandeville, LA that carries Bianchi somehow so while the hubby is away on business next week I will be carrying my behind there to test the Via Nirone. Without telling the Homeboy. Because I love him and don't want to have to kill him when he comes at me like Rainman on meth with all of the facts and specs and blah-di-blah-barf that makes my head ache about what bikes I tested and wanting to know all about each one. Outside of school and work, I'm a go with your gut kind of person and not one who makes decisions solely on the technical merits of things. It's hard for him to understand that sometimes, I think.