Hummm.. I haven't posted here in awhile as I haven't done much riding as of late. Work has kept me crazy busy and we had a record tying 17 straight days with temps over 90 degrees with oppressive humidity. The city had smog warnings during that whole stretch.

During the Tour de France I stopped into the LBS to pick up some goodies DH had ordered and they were having a huge sale. I spied a 2010 older stock hybrid bike in my size (one "trim" level up from my current steed) and $150 off sticker price. I talked to the manager who knows us-- we've bought four bikes from this shop-- and asked if that price was the bottom line. He did some pondering and knocked off another $100 off the price saying in another few weeks the 2012 bikes will be out. I say to myself-- do I NEED the grocery getter "upgrade" and HOW much could I get out of my bike???

I went on vacation and when I got back the bike was still there-- so I went ahead and did it. I then posted my bike for sale-- to which I have a strong buyer lined up and were meeting in the morning for her to ride and test out the bike.

Ok. So far no real achievement here, but I had a slew of stuff on my old bike that I didn't want to sell with it. Ergo grips, fenders, saddle, tires, and recently upgraded brakes that are better then the stock ones I would rather keep.

I didn't want to pay the shop to move all of these parts to the new bike. I was confidant I could do most of it myself.. Except the brakes. The derailures and the brakes have been my nemesis. I took the brakes off one bike and used DH's bike as an example of how things were supposed to look if I got stumped.

Tires-- check x4
Grips-- check x4
Saddle-- check x2
Fenders-- nearly: hardware malfunction with the carbon fiber fork.. Original wouldn't work on front fender now
Brakes-- check x4!!! I finally got the brake calipers removed and adjusted and have working brakes-- wooooo hoooooo

Finding the right adjustments was frustrating, but once I stopped being afraid that I would 'brake' something, I realize I could do it

Shannon