New ike Pix

[Kathi]

Since it custom it's a "me" geometry. The frame was built for me based on the kind of riding I do. Some of my specifications were I wanted the "snap" of the frame I was currently riding. Snap means when you push on the pedals it takes off fast. A relaxed frame wouldn't necessarily do that. I wanted the feel of carbon, no road feel, buzzing in my hands. I wanted a bike that could track well on downhills and on curves. I wanted a frame that I could ride long distances on, do tours and centuries. I do unsagged touring, which means the organizer carries your luggage for you, so I didn't want a touring bike. And because I'm light it had to be lightweight but not super lightweight. And I wanted a frame that was designed around my body proportions.

In general, my bike would be considered aggressive because my seat tube is 74.8 degrees. But it also can be considered relaxed because my head tube is so high, meaning the average person would be more upright. However, I have short arms and I needed a high head tube just so I could be in a "neutral" position not an upright position. I also have a short femur so I needed a seat tube that has a steep angle to get me positioned over the center of the bike.

When I talk about steep or shallow, a steep seat tube is more upright, it comes close to center of the frame, whereas, a shallow seat tube is farther away from the frame. Steep brings the rider closer to center, shallow puts them farther away from center.

However, your body size dictates what type of frame you need. A shallow seat tube is not going to work as well for a person with a short femur because it does not allow the rider to get over the pedals and power is lost.

The neutral position I'm talking about is not low like racers, nor is it upright, it's somewhere in the middle.

So I'd say my frame is built both for comfort and performance, I can race it, tour, do centuries or whatever.

That's also the beauty of custom, its designed to fit the individuals style of riding and their body type.

I hope I didn't confuse you more, there's alot more to geometry than what I told you. I don't know the fork rake and other things about the geometry of my bike.

[Tiffanie]

Oh wow. It's (she/he?) gorgeous!!!

[Triskeliongirl]

She is absolutely beautiful, but it seems like the top end of your gearing is awful low. I ran your numbers through the sheldon brown site and it seems your top gear ratio is only 90. Why did you choose a 48 vs a 50 ring in front? That would help a little. I have a 50/34 compact double and the shifting is just fine on it, and I have it paired with a 12/27 rear, so for me even the 50/13 would be a tad low for the high end. If you swapped your 48 for a 50 you wouldn't compromise your low end but could get a bit more of a high end. But, what is important is that you chose gears that work best for your body! Do enjoy her, she is absolutely beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DirtDiva]

At long last. May you have many happy miles together.

[pooks]

She's SO beautiful! The colors are stunning.

Have you considered dying your hair "Ciao Bebe?"

Your pedals look like they're almost on the ground. Is that unusual for them to be so low?

[Bikingmomof3]

Kathi,
The bike is lovely. The colours are splendid! Enjoy.

[Kathi]

She is absolutely beautiful, but it seems like the top end of your gearing is awful low. I ran your numbers through the sheldon brown site and it seems your top gear ratio is only 90. Why did you choose a 48 vs a 50 ring in front? That would help a little. I have a 50/34 compact double and the shifting is just fine on it, and I have it paired with a 12/27 rear, so for me even the 50/13 would be a tad low for the high end. If you swapped your 48 for a 50 you wouldn't compromise your low end but could get a bit more of a high end. But, what is important is that you chose gears that work best for your body! Do enjoy her, she is absolutely beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When we chose the gearing back in the spring we didn't know how well my knee would be healed when the bike came so we chose a gearing that wouldn't push the it too much.

Since the knee is still "talking to me" the 48 was a good choice.

[Triskeliongirl]

Do know that if you ever feel the need, its not a big deal to swap out that 48 for a 50. Also, be aware that sometimes knee problems can be fixed with saddle height adjustments, and cleat positioning and/or increasing float. I know since I did all of the above! I like speedplay pedals with lots of float, and even then my cleats have to be mounted just right, and my saddle has to be high enough or I get knee pain. My recommendation to use the 50 shouldn't effect anything, since you won't compromise on your low range, but you'd have another high gear to not spin out on descents or in a tail wind, which also shouldn't bother your knee.

[Cassandra_Cain]

Wow! That is a stunning bike, I absolutely love the colors and the lines are great.

Happy riding and congratz

[Kathi]

Do know that if you ever feel the need, its not a big deal to swap out that 48 for a 50. Also, be aware that sometimes knee problems can be fixed with saddle height adjustments, and cleat positioning and/or increasing float. I know since I did all of the above! I like speedplay pedals with lots of float, and even then my cleats have to be mounted just right, and my saddle has to be high enough or I get knee pain. My recommendation to use the 50 shouldn't effect anything, since you won't compromise on your low range, but you'd have another high gear to not spin out on descents or in a tail wind, which also shouldn't bother your knee.

Thanks but my knee problem is recovering from ACL surgery in Feb. It's getting stronger but still has not regained the strength of my uninjured leg. And yes, I know that I can go with a 50, I plan to do that when my knee regains its full strength. Dr. says it's a year until it's fully healed.

[HappyAnika]

Congratulations Kathi! 15.4 lbs? Wow, you'll be flying up those mountains. Have fun!