Kirk bike ready for build! I'm off the wall happy!

[murielalex]

Did I mention I can't stop smiling. Pics really don't do the paint job justice.

[roguedog]

Man... sweetness. Love the wheels. What are those wheels? Dang.. nice looking bike. RIDE REPORT! Oh would love a comparison to the Gunnar and the Calfee..

tick.. tick.. tick.. Hey. It's Sun.. only a few more hours to go...????

[murielalex]

Wheels are Enve Smart Systems 3.4 clinchers with DT Swiss Hubs (Shimano). I picked them up a year ago, when the 11 speed first came out and have tried them out on both the Calfee and the Gunnar. I'll admit it was hard to go back to other wheels, but I can only afford one pair of these, and I'd planned them for the Kirk.

For components, I'm going with DA9000 and a mid compact 36/52. I have Ultegra pedals on all my bikes, so will use same. I've got a Ritchey seat post and stem (silver), and to tell you the truth, I don't remember what handlbars I chose I'm starting out with a Selle Anatomica saddle in black as I know it's comfy, but I'm enjoying my demo of the smp avant, and may try it on this bike, even though I hate the way it looks.

I should have the bike tomorrow, with only the tape (black with blue stitching) and the bottle holders (not sure which yet, but polished silver) to arrive on Wednesday, though I'll have loaners of both. Sad to say, the weather report is saying thunderstorms all week I have a three-day cycling trip planned for Labor Day weekend, so keeping fingers crossed.

[murielalex]

Crappy iphone pic right before my 10 minute fitting.



Moved the saddle back a bit, and made one small adjustment to the bars. Rode around near the shop for a few minutes, and I'm kinda really shocked on how perfect the fit is, as well as how smooth it is. It feels like my Calfee with ride. I get noticeable vibrations with the Gunnar steel fork. No so with this bike. I managed to get in a nine-mile ride on A1A before the thunder and lightning scared me back in. I had to do my version of a sprint to make it back home, and actually managed three miles at 25 mph in a headwind (note to self: cardio conditioning needs massive improvement). I made it to the end of my street right before it started storming. The whole house is shaking right now.

Though I need to obviously get in more miles to know anything, what jumps out is:

1. Love the hoods (fits my hand perfectly) and shifting of the new Dura Ace. Also like the mid compact. Was laughing while spinning up a bridge.
2. The fit of this bike needs no adjustment that I can tell. I feel balanced and strong with no weight on my hands.
3. This Selle Anatomica is comfy comfy comfy
4. This bike feels so much smoother than I expected. I'm not sure what I expected, but I guess I was going off the feel of the Gunnar. Also feels really stable. Right before I turned around to do my little scared sprinting thing, I was drinking from my water bottle, sitting up with no hands on the handlebar.
5. According to my bathroom scale. It weighs 18.2 pounds. Since I need to lose about that much......
6. I look forward to getting a real ride in, hopefully tomorrow.

I'll take more pics Wednesday when I go back to get the final touches (bottle cages with little red buttons, different bar tape).