Welcome guest, is this your first visit? Click the "Create Account" button now to join.

To disable ads, please log-in.

Shop at TeamEstrogen.com for women's cycling apparel.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 17
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    West MI
    Posts
    4,259

    It was worth the wait!!!

    To disable ads, please log-in.

    FINALLY my 2013 Salsa El Mariachi 3 arrived yesterday. Today was my maiden voyage on "Gossamer," aka Gossy. I'm battling lower back hell and owe my rugrat a run tonight, so just went out for a few miles at a little park with some singletrack near us. Mostly to look for any issues, see what things need adjustment, and take some photos.




    Amazing how much EASIER uphills are on this bike compared to my '09 Cannondale F5. Hard to believe they're even the same species! I really like the Shimano SLX triggers over the SRAM ones that are on my previous bike. MUCH lighter touch and shorter throw to shift to harder gears.
    Kirsten
    run/bike log
    zoomylicious


    '11 Cannondale SuperSix 4 Rival
    '12 Salsa Mukluk 3
    '14 Seven Mudhoney S Ti/disc/Di2

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Central Indiana
    Posts
    6,034
    Oh my; I covet thy bike! Did you end up going with the XS? How's the fit?

    If you are like me and my Santa Cruz, it took more than a few rides to get used to one another. Hopefully, it's love at first ride with you and Gossy, but if not, give it a few rides to get used to her.
    Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Listen hard. Practice wellness. Play with abandon. Laugh. Choose with no regret. Continue to learn. Appreciate your friends. Do what you love. Live as if this is all there is.

    --Mary Anne Radmacher

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    West MI
    Posts
    4,259
    Yep, I did go with the XS. Right away my LBS chopped about 1 1/8" of handlebar off each side. I *might* go a hair narrower, still, but maybe not. Also flipped the stem down. Perhaps will end up cutting the steerer tube some, since it's quite long and there are still a ton of spacers under the stem. Again, I will give it a while before I make any decision on that.

    Overall the fit is really really good. I ended up with something like 2 extra inches of cockpit room with this bike. It feels SO good to be stretched out and not sitting so upright. I feel much more stable, even though I feel higher off the ground.
    Kirsten
    run/bike log
    zoomylicious


    '11 Cannondale SuperSix 4 Rival
    '12 Salsa Mukluk 3
    '14 Seven Mudhoney S Ti/disc/Di2

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Erin, Ontario
    Posts
    188
    Nice pictures of a great looking bike!
    Lucy 2012 Surly Cross Check
    Sally 2009 Specialized Dolce Elite
    Peppermint Patty 2009 Trek 4500 WSD
    Marcie 2008 Giant Sedona
    Violet 1994 Norco Kokanee

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Utah
    Posts
    108
    Beautiful bike, beautiful pics. Enjoy!
    Road bike: Specialized Ruby Comp (2011)
    Commuter: Salsa Vaya (2012)

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Tucson, AZ
    Posts
    4,632
    Very nice bike and pictures. Have fun!
    At least I don't leave slime trails.
    http://wholecog.wordpress.com/

    2009 Giant Avail 3 |Specialized Jett 143

    2013 Charge Filter Apex| Specialized Jett 143
    1996(?) Giant Iguana 630|Specialized Riva


    Saving for the next one...

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Houston
    Posts
    1,301

    Re: It was worth the wait!!!

    Beautiful pics and bike! Congrats!
    2012 Jamis Quest Brooks B17 Blue
    2012 Jamis Dakar XC Comp SI Ldy Gel
    2013 Electra Verse

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    10,889
    Beautiful indeed - many congratulations!

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Uncanny Valley
    Posts
    14,498
    Very nice! Enjoy!
    Speed comes from what you put behind you. - Judi Ketteler

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    100
    Like cherry candy! Beautiful!

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Oregon
    Posts
    471
    Absolutely gorgeous!!!!
    2013 Specialized Myka FSR Comp
    2013 Specialized Ruby Sport (carbon)
    2014 Salsa Vaya 3 (steel)
    2014 Felt Z75

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Redding, CA
    Posts
    50
    Vary cool!

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    452
    Big congrats!
    2013 Kirk Frameworks JK Special/Selle Anatomica
    2012 Gunnar Sport/Brooks B17
    2001 Calfee Tetra Pro/Selle Anatomica
    1984 Raleigh Sport/Brooks B66

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Whitmore Lake, Michigan
    Posts
    920
    Love it Love it Love it. Your photos are stunning and the color saturation is a joy to look at. Love the red color, that bike looks so rugged it's amazing. I'm very happy for you!
    Bike Writer

    http://pedaltohealth.blogspot.com/

    Schwinn Gateway unknown year
    Specalized Expedition Sport Low-Entry 2011

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    West MI
    Posts
    4,259
    Quote Originally Posted by Bike Writer View Post
    Love it Love it Love it. Your photos are stunning and the color saturation is a joy to look at. Love the red color, that bike looks so rugged it's amazing. I'm very happy for you!
    Thanks! So far I'm certain I chose the perfect bike, sight-unseen! Our LBS friend is pretty good at yay-ing or nay-ing bikes. He definitely supported my interest in this bike, based upon my previous fitting, the geometry of this bike, and bikes I'd previously fit well on. I've still yet to test ride a bike before taking it home.

    Funny you say rugged. The bike feels like a tank until I start pedaling...then it just feels so smooth and strong and responsive. It wants to GO! Uphills that killed me on my previous bike hardly get my HR up at all. The bike this replaces felt like a tank ALL the time, ha!
    Kirsten
    run/bike log
    zoomylicious


    '11 Cannondale SuperSix 4 Rival
    '12 Salsa Mukluk 3
    '14 Seven Mudhoney S Ti/disc/Di2

 

 

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •