I'm 5' 13 1/2", 35 1/2" pubic bone height (damn. never thought I'd be telling a guy that :eek:!). I stood over the bar with my shoes off and have the right clearance.

Chuck, the shop owner, is real adamant about the right size frame - says many bikers he sees go by his shop on PCH are on bikes that are too small for them.

He spent a lot of time fitting the bike to me. I have the seat a little lower than I'll end up having it and he wants me to ride it for a while and come back in to possibly take a spacer out of the stem.

I like the feel of this bike sooo much better than the cf big box special I tried on Sunday!

DARISC,

Nice choice! Let us know how you like the bike once you get some miles on it.

I'm currently piecing together a new commuter (I'm tired of using my 20 year old converted mountain bike ;)) and have narrowed the frame choices down to the Surly Long Haul Trucker or Crosscheck, the Soma Double Cross, or possibly the Salsa. It all comes down to what kind of deal I can get with my industry discount. (Our company is tight with Rock Lobster and Retrotec as well, so I'll have to check those out too.)

My build is going to be more flatland oriented, with a single front chain ring:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1237346322.jpg

and either an 8, 9, or 10 speed rear, using bar cons on:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1237346468.jpg

I think you'll like the steel frame and more relaxed riding position. :)

Again, thanks for all the advice from you guys. I'm lovin' this bike! Had a hitch mounted to the C3 and found a nicely crafted Hollywood bike rack. Put on a rack with a slick removeable dove-tailed mounting bag w/zip down panniers and bought led lights, so I'm finished and ready to go. SmileWavy

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1237682583.jpg

Congratulations! Now put some real pedals on that.

Thanks! Edumacate me about pedals, please. I wear tennis/running shoes and want to jump on the bike at will without changing shoes. I told that to the guy I bought the bike from and got what he suggested (bike came sans pedals).

Had to get my rack from a different shop and the guy I dealt with, maybe early 30 year old, owns 55 bikes, rides 400 mi/week, SoCal native, doesn't drive a car and has never had a driver's license. :eek: Said he took lessons when he was in highschool, never took the test, his dad gave him a car for graduation and he gave it back to him. Before I could ask, he said "I've only ever dated biker babes".

Funny guy. He's been ticketed a number of times and, having no driver's license, shows his state issued ID. The cops run their check, can't find where he's ever had a license, can't believe it and suspect he's some sort of criminal. So he's always delayed while they do more checking for criminal records or ? before ticketing him. :)

Today he was riding a super clean old vintage racing Botecchia with its original paint job. He stores his bikes in rented storage units and considers them his nest egg.

In the course of bull-shIrting with him while he put my bike rack together he mentioned he never wore a helmet unless he was in a sanctioned event that required him to. Cracked me up; said every time he has to wear one he feels like a lawn dart. Said he puts it on, gets on his bike and looking down at the pavement feels like that's where his head is supposed to go and it makes him real uncomfortable. :D

I wear a helmet.

I always find great deals on used bikes. Craigslist or ebay, or whatever. My last two bikes were as new for a lot less $$$. I then took them to my bike shop and they adjusted. I will never buy new again. Too many people out there that buy them with great intent and never actually use them!

Look at the mountain biking shoes. The cleat is recessed, so you can walk around after riding. I use Time cleats and pedals, but egg-beaters will work fine. Or you can get SPD compatible pedals. This nice thing about this, many of the bike equipment/spinning classes use SPD cleat compatible equipment.

Cost = 1 / weight

Update:

I'm very happy with the bike, but not enamored with the barcon shifters. Maybe just not used to them, but thinking back to my old Peugeot 10 spd, I think I liked the shifters on the down tube better - makes no logical sense, right?

Anyway, I'm thinking of getting Paul Thumbies. The reviews I've read are all positive and they're made specifically for the Shimano shifters that I have. Any opinions to offer?

Also, I didn't like the indexing feature so I'm shifting using the friction mode. Shimano deleted an easy adj. feature from the current XT and it's a pain to adjust the indexing now (mine went out of adjustment shortly after buying it). So, I'm learning the feel and am happy in friction mode. Again, maybe not logical - but, I also prefer shifting my 915 over shifting a G50. :)

These are the thumbies:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1239572068.jpg

Damn - I just had my bars retaped to kinda match the Brooks saddle. That'll probably need to be redone if I go to the thumbies. :mad:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1239572386.jpg

Edit: I just noticed that jim72911t in Chico (where these are made), above, is using these thumbies.

I would not use the thumbies.
Can you not use the ergo-style shifter/brake combo ?
The shifter/brake unit is most efficient system.
The ergos with the bar/brake/stem look a bit odd.
Perhaps due to your height.

EDIT: Oh, "the bar/brake/stem look a bit odd" won't be my setup.

Barcons rock. Give them time. They are quicker access than the downtubes and don't have all the complicated parts of the integrated brake/shifters. Thumbies are old school mtn bike shifters. I like them on a mtn bike but not sure on a road bike. It really depends on where your hands end up most of the time.

I think I've seen some Thumb shifters mounted close to the brake levers (just under the bodies)

I might have a pair of 7spd xt if you want to try them from '88?

How you liking that saddle Darisc? I've heard they can take a while to break in, but after that they're nice. I converted my old MTB to street use for about a year.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1239593664.jpg

I almost picked up a 2007 Trek Modone 5.2 on clearance at a local shop for $2K, but couldn't get it by the wifey. I watched craigslist for nearly a year before I found my Litespeed Tuscany with 9 speed Ultegra for $1K. This is a pic right after I bought it. I've since upgraded the stems, seat, & peddles.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1239593950.jpg

DARISC,
I'm not currently running Thumbies on any of my bikes, but last week I put the finishing touches on Paul's latest design, and put them into production. ;)

I can never seem to leave well enough alone. :) Actually, my hands end up on top most of the time, though I'm not sure that's a good thing. But I'm gonna give the barcons some time......maybe.

Thanks Jim. I sent you an email.

Nice! Try a Brooks. :)

I'm actually surprised. My old Peugeot years ago had a similar shaped, hard saddle (an AGFA I think) and it was painful until I broke it in (or it broke me in :)) and I expected the same with the Brooks. But it's great and, while it will form fit me more personally over time, I've had no soreness (but no long rides yet either).

A couple days ago I was at my bike shop and a guy from Colorado who rides every day (for over 20 years) bought a Surly like mine that the bike shop guy had put a Brooks on. He said "man, that saddle is hard like a block of wood!" but had always heard good things about them so decided to test ride it instead of with the saddle that comes with the bike. He came back after a short spin, said, to his surprise, that he really liked it and bought it. Another customer I talked with there has had them on all his bikes for years.

But, then again, there are probably those to whom they seem like medieval torture devices. :)

Ah, so you're Paul's designer/engineer? If I get them they'll be your latest and greatest?

Well, technically, he's the designer, and I'm his manufacturing engineer. He gives me a 2D sketch, then I create a solid model and figure out how the heck to make it!

And yes, they will be the latest and greatest! :D

I'm starting to look toward Europe to buy my next vintage steel bike.

http://cicli-berlinetta.de/images/Co...pionissimo.jpg

http://www.cicli-berlinetta.de/images/lauer-1.jpg

http://www.cicli-berlinetta.de/image...r_blue_big.jpg

If you want a good new steel bike to race the daylights out of, it seems many like Gunnar out of Wisconsin, which is a division of Waterford who build beautiful bicycles, including the extremely rare new $10,000 handmade Schwinn Paramount.

This is a Gunnar:
http://www.waterfordbikes.com/images...KRoadieweb.jpg

Not using ergo-style shifters because they are mechanically complicated?
Never had a problem. They are the best, for the application.
Trust me, having your shifter /brake combo together can be a potential lifesaver.
As far as collecting steel bikes, nice ones are becoming very desirable. Italian bikes are at the top of the list.

Dude, with that set-up, you belong on an Ivy School campus. LOVE IT!

I just got a new bike myself, if a 30 year old Roberts w/ Reynolds 531 & Record can be called new. :D Hoping to get the sew-ups on tonight, can't wait.



http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1239725359.jpg

Nice bike Shaun, I think I recognize it.