New bike! Such joy!

[Lise]

Resistance is futile! You will all learn to love steel frames

Trek, I asked Dennis, the LBS guy, and my new love , "now, this is a steel frame?" He replied, "This is a good steel frame. A very good steel frame."

Tell me again, o Trek, BorgQueen of the Steel frames, what you love about this material! (so I can purloin your best lines and sound smart when I brag to my friends... ) L.

[Trek420]

I dunno, don't really have great lines or vast knowlege, or even the fanciest schmaciest steel bike here. I just think people generalize so much about frame material.

* Aluminum is light but stiff, uncomfortable
* Carbon is light and stiff, but feels "dead"
* Ti is light but "noodley"
* Nothing rides likes steel but it's so heavy, old fashioned....

But it's all about the design, the frame builder and his/her art. With the right designer none of that matters. Carbon can have great road feel, comfy aluminum an oxymoron? Nope! Ti can be stiff and zippy and steel? Well steel's always going to be great but it can be light!

Ok, I'm editing and ranting; all a' you TE gals with older frames like Shasta and and Mary9761... show of hands who else has an older frame they are revamping? Anyway, IMHO you can take a fancy shcmancy any 'anium frame and slap heavy parts on it vs a "old heavy" steel bike but hang new lighter bits on it, and not only the "old heavy" steel bike may be lighter but may ride better.

So if the frame fits, ride it!! That's why I'm a big fan of revamping old bikes.

Just enjoy the look when people pick up your bike and say
"light, it's Ti, right?"
"No, it's steel"

Now get out there and pass 'em

[allabouteva]

Lise, its a beauty! That colour is I would say, a Bianchi signature colour, as I don't think anyone else does anything like it.

So congratulations, happy miles! And after all life is short, enjoy. You deserve it!

[DrBee]

Absolutely beautiful Lise! Congrats and enjoy her!

[Selkie]

Another Bianchi Beauty. I love that Celeste green. Does she have the campy shifts (thumb button)? I'm still trying to adjust to shifting my Eros Donna (whom I named Veronica---not after our Veronica, but after the Elvis Costello song and because I think it's a classy name).

You could go with an Italian name, like Gia, Francesca, Gianna, etc. Or Cecilia after Cecilia Bartolli (Bartoli?). But you'd have to pronounce it CHA-Cheeel-ya).

[Lise]

She does have the campy shifters. I think I'll get used to it pretty quickly. The big adjustment for me will be braking. On my Larkspur, I'm relatively upright, and the brakes are right there. I think once the Bianchi is fitted to me, it will feel easier. Right now it's a bit of a stretch. On the test ride, three people and two dogs stopped in the middle of the intersection as I approached, staring at me. I yelled, "KEEP MOVING!" as I fumbled for the brakes. Great, I thought, I'm going to wipe out on this incredible bike on the test ride! But no, I found the brakes, and the pedestrians found their brains and started walking!

Ahhh, I can hardly wait to take her out for a long ride on the southern stretch of the lakefront path, on a sunny weekday, when I can really fly. L.

[Running Mommy]

Saaaaweeeetttt!! How did I miss this thread? DOH! I guess my head is in the clouds or soemthing???
Congrats missy on such a sweet classic ride! That Bianchi green always catches my eye. And campy?? Oh mother of all that is good in this world... I so wish I had a bike w/ a campy groupo. It's soo freaking SEXY!!

[Lise]

Ummmm, yeah. What's a campy groupo? I am such a bike gear newbie. Looks pretty, feels unbelieveable. Soooo....what is it? L.

[Trek420]

from campagnolo.com

[Lise]

Whoa. (as my 6 year old nephew would say)

Oh, so pretty.

The only thing different is the pedals--I didn't want to buy a new pair of shoes and learn a new way of clipping in and out and then remember which bike I'm on in that split second--so I had them change them out for SPDs.

Thanks, Trek! L.

[CorsairMac]

COngrats Lise! Your bike is a Beaut! and the price was "just right"! makes the deal all the more sweeter! May the 2 of you have many happy miles together!

[Trekhawk]

What a beautiful bike. I love it when people post their bike pictures.

Soooo many beautiful bikes now all I have to do is win lotto.

I hope you enjoy many long rides together.

[maillotpois]

Congrats! What a beautiful bike!!! I love that color - my first "real" bike was a celeste green bianchi also, and I just loved it!

I am sure you'll have many happy miles together!

[aka_kim]

I feel lust in my heart (for the Campy Record porn, that is).

Beautiful bike, Lise!

[SandyLS]

Yes Lise, my Veloce has those same beautiful Campy Vento wheels. I also needed SPD peddles. The shop put some beautiful celest colored ones on my bike. I finally decided to name mine Serena short for serendipity ( dictionary says it's "the gift of finding valubale or agreeable things not sought after". ) Every ride on her makes me feel that way! I'm so glad the weather is going to finally be warm enough to ride this week. Enjoy!
Sandy