I Got 99 Problems and a Bike Ain't One

Remember last summer when I brought home my first road bike? Aw, that was cute. Puppy love.  Crush, it was simply a crush. 

Well, on the hunt again, this is the real deal. Forever. Lucky in love is not how I would usually describe myself, but this time, this time I was going to find The One.  A Big Girl Bike.

Crush One, the Felt AR5. Oh, I've had my hands all over this bike. I dreamed about this bike. But sadly, they didn’t have one in my size.  Anywhere. Oh, there may have been tears burning in my eyes when I had to pass on this bicycle.

Felt AR5

Next, a sexy Cervelo. Oh mah guah. BSM (Bike Shop Man) put my pedals on it and sent me off with instructions to "ride for an hour or so." And who wouldn't jump at the chance to spend quality time with someone so handsome? And fast, and light and...easy to get along with. Sigh.

Cervelo S2

Of course, BSM knew I would crush hard on the Cervelo once I rode it. And I did. But, but I'm not super crazy about red, I'm a pink girl. And in the back of my mind is what first caught my eye, the Felt. As with music and resturants, I prefer the road less traveled. I’m attracted to a bike brand that isn't just everywhere. BSM calls all over creation. Cannot find a Felt in my size. So I try the next shop. My BSD, (Bike Shop Dude, younger than BSM) at another shop, cannot locate the Felt either. Felt says the supply is "low". Sigh.

What does a desperate pink girl do? Call up her friend Mike. We talked for a bit about our lives, then he asked me to remind him what I'm riding now. And he then reminds me that I already have a nice bike. But yes, he's a Felt dealer and wants to help me out. And, it turns out, is a also a close friend of the Felt rep, who, turns out, was able to find my size. He's a matchmaker, good ole Mike.

Turns out, it wasn't even an issue. Mike held a measuring tape to my a$$ and frowned. (not the first man to do that, ha!) Uh oh, not good. While he could get the seat height right, the top tube is about 4 inches too long. I can barely reach the bars. Whomp whomp.

Oh yes, the Felt rep let me borrow HER Felt AR1.  Uh, thank you!

So we talk about my goals. This is why I come to Mike with my bike drama. He knows what I need better than I do. Together we decide that I need a TT (Time Trial or Triathlon) bike.  So we start over. I find a Felt that is a similar frame as the AR5, but a tri bike indeed. And it comes in WSD. (Women's Specific Design, basically, shrink it and pink it)  But, and this is totally a chick move, it's teal. That's not very tough, teal. Then he put my pink pedals on a Cannondale Slice. You know, like Chrissie rides. And I start to smile. I really like this bike, I do. My heart starts to warm up a bit. Then men's bike is a beauty in black and white, but sadly, too big. He cut off the seat post and had it all the way down but I was barely able to get clipped in. Short legs, you know.

Cannondale Slice

Here's the truth, I need a 47. (cm, that is) I'm a little lady. And most men's bikes just won't work for me. (Cervelos are notoriously small...they've got it figured out, those Canadians!) As much as I loved that Cervelo, it's red, not a TT and pricier than the TTs he has me admiring. So, I'm home, thinking about it.

Another call, he found a 47 Slice.  My first reaction when I saw it?  “That’s a tiny bicycle!”  His reply?  “You’re a tiny bicyclist.”  Indeed.  So I ride the Slice for a long while.  And I love it.  But.  But, small as it is, it has 650s, not 700s.  (700 refers to the wheel size) And we all agreed that 700s are the way to go if I can make it happen.  (nothing wrong with 650s, just not the right choice for me)

47 Slice, WSD with 650s

I get off the bike, conflicted.  And my buddy hands me a water, instructs me to take off my cleats so that I don’t bust my pink butt on the slick concrete floors and…shows me, once again, a bike on-line nearly identical in geometry to the WSD Slice.  But. But, this isn’t a WSD and it features 700s.  And we talk about every last detail of this bike.  Twice.  And he reminds me of all the good features of both bikes.  I can tell he wants to say more, but he wants it to be my decision.

So…I order a Scott Plasma.  And grinning, he pulls up bookface and shows me his Scott Plasma.  Ah ha. So happy with my purchase!  It's not a WSD, it features 700s, upgraded components from the Slice and a sick, sick matte gray finish.  A wise woman once told me that you should think your bike is sexy! Oh, and I do.  Very.

Getting' my pink bar tape to match my pink pedals!

I waited two weeks for my bike to arrive and be assembled.  Then I waited another few hours for my fitting.  (there was still a lot to cut down on the seat post and bars) But it was worth the wait.

Me and Mike - so thankful for his guidance and patience with me!  

All good things are. And when you know, you just know.  

I've been out a on a few longish rides.  Kind of broke his rules by going out longer than 2 hours the first week (and again the second) but I cannot help myself!  I'd stay in the saddle for an entire day if I found a route that would accomodate me. I'm loving it!  It's fast and fierce and I'll work very hard, every day, just to deserve this bike. 

Because it deserves only the very best!  :)