I did it! I bought a bike!!!!

[ladyfish]

Well, I'm now officially a cyclist or biker, or wannabe or whatever I should call myself since I have a bike, but really haven't ridden anywhere yet!!!

After lots of reading, researching, test rides, etc, I settled on an '05 Specilized Dolce Comp!!! I was looking at the '06 Trek Pilot 2.1 as the runner up. It was a tough choice, but it came down to the fact that the Comp had some better components, and it felt better on the ride (especially when I did a standing climb). It also helped that the Comp was on sale (last year's model), and I was able to talk the salesperson down another $100 (and got him to throw in the clipless pedals too). That brought it down under what the other store was selling the Trek for. I could have gone back and tried to get the Trek down, but I really just liked the Comp better!!!!

It's sure is pretty! Now I just need to practice clipping in and out so I don't kill myself when I venture out of the neighborhood!!! Of course now that I've made the commitment expect it to start snowing in N.VA so I can't ride the bike!!!

Thanks for all the advice, and I'm sure I'll have tons more questions as I get used to the new bike!!! I can't wait to take her out for a long ride!!!

Cathy

[kiwi girl]

Yay for you ladyfish.

[SnappyPix]

Ladyfish.

Just one word ...

Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooohooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Betcha doing a little fishy dance round your living room non-stop at the moment! Well stop it, and get on that baby and ride! Hee hee!

I love my Spesh - different model but same little breed of baby that will rock your world!
Welcome to the magical world of cycling!
And well done on your bartering skills - more money to buy more STUFF!! Yay!

[Jo-n-NY]

Cathy,

Best of luck on one beauty of a bike if I must say so myself as I have the same one and love it.

Don't worry, you will get use to clipless. Practice on a trainer if you have one.

Wishing you many happy and safe riding miles. I will look forward to reading about your riding adventures.

JoAnn

[mtkitchn]

Wow, nice bike, lady! Congrats!

[Lise]

Good for you! Have a blast playing with your new bike! I got used to the clipping in and out very quickly--it feels like second nature now. One good scare in early days, but just because I forgot to unclip--as soon as I remembered, it was easy to do.

[justduckie06]

aren't new bikes the bestest??? Congrats and have fun!

[luv'nAustin]

Yeeeeha! Wishing you both miles and miles of happiness

[RoadRaven]

Congrats, LadyFish… so exciting to get something new and purty!

Enjoy!!!

[Elodie]

Lucky you! I'm about to embark on the puzzling journey of a road bike purchase having ridden my mountain bike forever! And the web research is helpful but tiring.

Care to share any tips? I'll look through the other records/posts as well.

[Geonz]

Listen to your body :-) THe bike that feels right will be the bike you ride. I would hesitate to get something and hope that I "will get used to" a position that isn't comfortable, unless you're looking to be racing. It's sort of like shoes :-) I am still on a hybrid (light with skinny tires) and do a lot of pretty fast road miles.

[CyclingChick]

Congrats on the new toy!

[Melody]

Ladyfish, may you and your new bike have many many miles together.

Mel

[Wisconsin]

Congrats Ladyfish,

How do you like your bike so far? I'm looking at the trek pilot 2.1 also and now am going to go try your bike? Still trying to save my money so don't know if I'll be able to afford carbon but am more worried about the correct fit as I'm brand new to biking. I'm loving the test rides and still searching. Learned I should bring winter hat or head band along as my ears were numb on my last short ride. Have a great time biking!!

Wisconsin

[bikerchick68]

wooohoooo! there is nothing as great as those first couple rides on a new bike you love... you just feel weightless... as if you can ride forever! Hope you're just loving it