My new bike, finshed.

[Antaresia]

My new bike, and I do love the matte green civia fenders with the black of the Soma double cross frame. As far as looks go, I'm very pleased and also happy with the minimal, subtle branding. I put a neon pink thrift-store back pack on as a pannier. Classy.

But it's not all about looks now.

When I first got it, I was disappointed. Mostly due to the fact it was fitted, yet I still almost fell off it a few times and was NOT confident on it. That has gotten a bit better, but I'm still surprised about how I feel. I wanted an upgrade from my old, heavy beater. But I find I enjoy both bikes equally, and that the soma isn't a billion times nicer to ride than the CCM.



Soma has more 'go'. It does feel lighter - 10 pounds (I'm surprised the difference is only 10). It also has a much wider ranger of gears, so hills are easier. I feel like I'm flying on this bike - stopping is another story. These type of breaks are harder for me to use; it takes a lot more effort and feels awkward. This bike is for my daily commute.

CCM is a more relaxed ride. Doesn't feel as fast, it's harder to take hills, and it's sluggish to start but none of that is a big deal. This bike is fun, the breaking is easier, the upright position more comfortable for short rides. I love the milk crate; but I'm sure you all understand when I say I *can't* put a milk crate on the Soma. This bike is what I lock up downtown without worrying, my grocery-getter back up bike.

[pll]

Both bikes are beauties!

[Velocivixen]

Thanks for posting that! I like the subtle, yet bold color choices. You will always be able to find your bike in a crowd.

[laura*]

Thanks for posting that! I like the subtle, yet bold color choices.

Mmmm. Ice cream. Mint and strawberry ice cream...

[hebe]

I must say, I love your beater bike, but both are beautiful. I think that "beater" is a very tough act to follow in terms of beauty, the frame shape is stunning and I love the milk crate!

[Velocivixen]

I do like the brown bike though for it's classic beauty.

[sarahkonamojo]

10 pounds wow! That is a huge difference. Not sure what total weight you are talking about but most people are fixated by ounces/grams. Congrats on 10 pounds less of bike.
Both bikes look like lots of fun.

[goldfinch]

Very nice! So are you now at a good seat height?

I think both bikes are lovely. I would love to have a mixte like your classic bike. Interesting how far the crank is forward on that bike compared to your new bike.

[Antaresia]

Also, hey, anyone have any ideas about what it means if the gears start skipping down when you pedal backwards? It only happens sometimes, but something got screwed up when the fenders were installed. I'm leaving town for a week though, so I won't even be able to take it in to the bike shop for a while....

Oh, also they switched the shifters. It used to be the left side that shifted the rear derailleur, now it's the right. They didn't tell me they had changed it. JFC.

I really, seriously regret ever getting a bike from this place. Did I mention that when I went to get the fenders installed, he said half an hour. I get back 1.5 hours later, still not done. Another 20 minutes. I come back an hour later. Still not done. 3.5 hours total. He didn't realize the type of fender he ordered was the harder type to install. They don't even know what they're ordering. I wasn't going to complain about that, but with the screwed up derailleur(?) it's just too much.

Regreeeeeeeeeets

[Biciclista]

Also, hey, anyone have any ideas about what it means if the gears start skipping down when you pedal backwards? It only happens sometimes, but something got screwed up when the fenders were installed. I'm leaving town for a week though, so I won't even be able to take it in to the bike shop for a while....

Oh, also they switched the shifters. It used to be the left side that shifted the rear derailleur, now it's the right. They didn't tell me they had changed it. JFC.


Regreeeeeeeeeets

THIS is too much. Bad scheduling is something that always happens. But switching the shifters???

[withm]

Oh, also they switched the shifters. It used to be the left side that shifted the rear derailleur, now it's the right. They didn't tell me they had changed it.

Are you sure about this? The standard configuration is for the left hand to control the chain ring (front) derailleur, and for the right hand to control the rear derailleur. All 5 of my bikes are set up this way. I would be very surprised to see any bike set up differently but I suppose anybody can make a mistake.

[laura*]

Also, hey, anyone have any ideas about what it means if the gears start skipping down when you pedal backwards? It only happens sometimes, but something got screwed up when the fenders were installed.

The rear wheel might be installed crooked - with the wheel pointing to the left.

When you pedal backwards, there is nothing to guide the chain onto the cassette cogs. (The rear derailleur only works in the forward direction.) Now assume you are cross chained in the big to big gear combination. The chain is forced through an extreme angle. Now increase the angle even further because of a crooked wheel. At this point the chain might not track backwards onto the current cog. Instead it will skip down.

There's a simple two part solution: 1 ) Don't cross chain, i.e. don't use the big to big and small to small gear combinations. 2 ) Loosen the quick release for the rear wheel. The wheel should have enough freedom of movement for you to center the tire between both sets of frame stays - both by the cranks, and also by your brakes. Once the wheel is centered, tighten the quick release without letting the wheel move.

The standard configuration is for the left hand to control the chain ring (front) derailleur, and for the right hand to control the rear derailleur. ... I would be very surprised to see any bike set up differently but I suppose anybody can make a mistake.

Maybe that's why it took so long to "install the fenders". The mechanic may have noticed their error and fixed it (switched the brifters*) without saying anything.

* If the left hand was controlling the rear derailleur, then the brifters must have been installed switched. Had the error been a cable misconnection, then the shifting wouldn't have worked properly. Of course, with switched brifters, the shift paddles would have been operating backwards.

[Antaresia]

Are you sure about this?

100% positive. I never shift the front ring unless I reeeealy need too, so I pay attention. Left was rear for sure.

And I needed to shift the front ring today. Guess what? Also borked. Which isn't fun to find out when there are cars behind you in a round about and you're just a spinnin' without any traction and something is clunking down there and oh god why isn't it just catching on like it's supposed too ffffffffuuuuuuuu.

When I look at the rear while pedaling backwards, the chain is actually hitting the side of the part that hangs down (lowest cog?) and it shifts down gears really fast. I wish I knew more about bikes, but I never had any problems like this with CCM. I feel like the BARE minimum attention has been given to this build, which is not really what I expect for around $2000 CAD. I am calling him tomorrow and asking how much of a refund I can get; this is just way to ridiculous.

I'll also add, I hear that the guy runs the shops is supposed to be awesome with bikes, but I know for a fact all work done on mine was done by other people; whatever mechanics he has hired. Maybe they're new or something.

[Biciclista]

maybe you need to talk to the manager!

[goldfinch]

maybe you need to talk to the manager!

Really! You have had one of the oddest bike buying experiences I have ever heard about. I can't believe that you were able to shift before with your brifters backwards!