New Road Bike!

When I decided to do a triathlon last fall, I knew I would need a bike.  I balked at the prices and hemmed and hawed and tried to figure out an inexpensive way to get a bike.  Finally I decided to use some of the money that my grandmother left me to buy a sporty red hybrid in January of this year.  My TNT coaches told me to buy a road bike, but I was stubborn.  I didn’t want to spend $1000 on a bike before I decided if I even liked cycling or tri’s.  So I thought I’d get a hybrid.  I figured if I didn’t like cycling, I’d still have a commuter type bike for those days I might want to go riding.

Of course, now that I’ve set my sites on the Miami Man Half iron distance next November, I knew I would have to upgrade.   A few weeks ago I did a few test rides, and I decided that I would purchase a bike with Conte’s.  We do many of our rides out of that shop so I figure it’ll be easier to get it to the shop if I ever have problems.  I also just really like the way they treated me.  I’ve heard a few people grumble about some employee named Jason, but I didn’t work with him.  My sales guys (Tory and Rob) were great.  Seth (bike fitter) really helped cull all the information for me, and all of the various bike mechanics were just awesome about answering my questions.  Seriously, they were all quite supportive.  Of course, they should be if I’m going to drop that much money on a bike!  But still, it’s a nice atmosphere that they have cultivated in their shop. 

Luckily for me, Conte’s did a Team Z night last Wednesday.  They had some FANTASTIC deals!  Including a sweet deal on this little Specialized Ruby that I’ve had my eye on.  I went ahead and outfitted the whole bike.  I also bought some awesome arm warmers (yep, it’s like leg warmers, but for the arms, and not in cotton, but high performance fabric).   I left the shop at 11:00PM.  Unfortunately,  I only walked out with the arm warmers.   I had to leave the bike there so the mechanics would have time to install my computer and pedals and water bottle cages and put the cleats on my new shoes and change the seat and wrap the handle bars in a spicy metallic silver that matched the bike.   It’s a weird feeling to drop some dough and only have the warmers below to show for it! 

Belle's so jealous...

I went back the next day to pick up my baby!  I adore this bike!  I took it out for a quick spin on Friday afternoon before I headed to Heather and BR’s reception site to help decorate for their wedding!  The hill near my house that I tried was still difficult, but certainly less hard than on the hybrid.  I can’t wait to see how she handles on a long ride.  I’m planning to do the Glen Echo ride next week for a comparison of the road bike to the hybrid.

Here are some shots of the new bike!  She really needs a name…hmm….I’ll work on that!

The Metallic Silver Handlebars really pick up the silver accents on the bike frame!

My red hybrid is in the back and my new blue road bike is in front. You can see that the seat is higher on my road bike and that the handle bars are lower. This will make me lean forward more which somehow also makes me faster.

I went for the speedplay pedals. I've read that they are easy to clip into and more importantly, easy to clip out!

Here she is!