Christmas Came Early - New Bike!

[MTBMaven]

Back in November I placed an order for a new '07 Lemond Zürich with Pasadena Cyclery. I wanted to support my LBS and got a good deal on the bike. They have always taken care of me in the shop and even help you with trail maintenance.

The bike was schedule to arrive sometime in mid-February. I was preparing myself for delays on top of that, until yesterday. I was at the hardware store and got a call from the shop...
LBS: "Hey Brian this is Matt from Pasadena Cyclery."
Me: 'Oh sh!t, what's gone wrong with the purchase' "Hey Matt, what's up?"
LBS: "I've got good news"
Me: 'F yeah, my bike is in'
LBS: "Your bike is in"

So I went by and picked it up. I had to steal some kids lunch money to pay off my balance but what the hell, he didn't need it.

I switched out a few parts I picked up to replace poorly spec'ed OEM parts. I ditched the OEM Bontrager Race wheelset for a set of Reynolds Alta Race from PricePoint. I will be ditching the OEM Bontrager Race Lite fork for a Reynolds Ouzo full carbon fork from PricePoint as well. Between those two items I drop the bike weight by 430 grams (453.6 grams to 1 pound).

I will be selling the wheelset, fork, and saddle soon. Let me know if anyone is interested before they go on the market.

Unfortunately I don't have my pedals yet. I didn't expect the bike so soon. I will be ordering a set of Look Keo Carbons from eBay (found them for $140 from some dude in Hong Kong). I will be riding with my huge platform clip pedals until the Looks arrive (that will make me look real cool with the roadie set).

I need to play around with a few things. The stem looks way to tall, it's 110mm/17deg. The bike has a pretty tall head tube to begin with plus a half inch riser and a 17 degree rise on the stem. The angle looks like my AM mountain bike. Still have to install my cool carbon water bottle cages I got from Performance too! (What a gear whore I know.)

I can't wait to ride it. If it were not for all this damn family stuff today and tomorrow...

My new baby under the tree

[Sharky]

Congrats...a fellow Lemond owner. She's a beauty!! You musta been a good boy this year. I had to threaten Santa to get mine...

[Schecky]

Very nice (except for that SC stocking)!
J/K - Looks like a ton of fun.

[Pain Freak]

Nice!!! It was the one I thought you were talking about. What's the total weight on her now? I'm getting real close to ordering my 07 Orca Orbea. Laguna Cyclery is supposed to get one in, in my size and I'll mosey on down there next week (providing it's there) and give her a spin. They changed the bike some from last year and before I spend 2 grand on a frame I want to make sure she's still as sweet as the last time I took her out. I might get a better deal on a bike already built with Campy or Dura-Ace. A lot cheaper then I could build it.

[dstepper]

Very nice...cough cough...RS.

[Burner]

congrats Brian, sounded like you were going to have to wait!

[MTBMaven]

I don't have a ton of time tomorrow but I'm going to take her out for a spin around the hood. Not sure where.

I really want to head out for a long ride soon. My thought is to ride PCH from LB, SB, or HB down south. My goal would be San Diego but have a bail out option in Del Mar maybe. I would love to have a century under my belt before the end of January.

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

I'm getting real close to ordering my 07 Orca Orbea.

If that's the frame I'm thinking about that is one hell of a nice frame.

[gurp13]

Nice, bike, Brian! Road bikes are faaaaassst. You're gonna like it! If you're as strong a rider as you seem, you'll have a century in no time. All you have to do is ride long enough. Oh, and you need a cycle computer. You must know how fast you're going, how fast your average was, how far you went, all that stuff. It's very important for when you stop and talk with the other riders. And, you also should get a little saddle bag. You have to have someplace to stash your extra tubes and tools and stuff. You can't carry a camelbak. I'm just saying this to help. I love my camelback and I wear it when I'm doing anything but riding my road bike with other roadies. It's just not cool. So, you gotta have the little bag under the seat. And, jerseys with pockets. Oh, and a final suggestion... you have to have a portable pump that will go to high pressure (personally, I didn't realize there was a difference at first). I recommend the Blackburn brand. The one I got had mounting hardward that put the pump just to the side of the water bottle cage, thereby allowing me to still use those braze-ons for a water bottle cage.

Okay, that's all my helpful hints. You probably knew all of them, in which case I shall have to f**k off now.

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

I'm getting real close to ordering my 07 Orca Orbea. Laguna Cyclery is supposed to get one in, in my size and I'll mosey on down there next week (providing it's there) and give her a spin. They changed the bike some from last year and before I spend 2 grand on a frame I want to make sure she's still as sweet as the last time I took her out.

Hey, PainFreak, that bike will *not* be as sweet as the last time you rode it. It will be SWEETER! And you do *not* get to complain about how much time people get off when you have an Orca in the garage. (Now I have to train even harder so I can keep up with you on an Orca? Crap.)

Originally Posted by Schecky

Very nice (except for that SC stocking)!
J/K - Looks like a ton of fun.

Schecky, you are out of control! I am a full-bore Trojan and *I* didn't notice the stocking. You can't be scoping out trees with bike porn like that sitting around! I worry about you. Looking at a tree when you could be staring at a bike!

[Schecky]

Originally Posted by gurp13

Schecky, you are out of control! I am a full-bore Trojan and *I* didn't notice the stocking. You can't be scoping out trees with bike porn like that sitting around! I worry about you. Looking at a tree when you could be staring at a bike!

Yes, but it's roadie scum bike porn.
I took a long look at that pretty, shiny new bike, but how could I miss that stocking? It's right next to the downtube!
It was like an easy 'Where's Waldo' book.
I have to have an eye for detail, it's my bread and butter.

PS-Did you see my Bruins against Michigan?

[Pain Freak]

Just look at this work of art:

[MTBMaven]

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

Just look at this work of art:

Man that thing is beautiful. Can't wait to see it.

Originally Posted by gurp13

Nice, bike, Brian! Road bikes are faaaaassst. You're gonna like it! If you're as strong a rider as you seem, you'll have a century in no time. All you have to do is ride long enough. Oh, and you need a cycle computer. You must know how fast you're going, how fast your average was, how far you went, all that stuff. It's very important for when you stop and talk with the other riders. And, you also should get a little saddle bag. You have to have someplace to stash your extra tubes and tools and stuff. You can't carry a camelbak. I'm just saying this to help. I love my camelback and I wear it when I'm doing anything but riding my road bike with other roadies. It's just not cool. So, you gotta have the little bag under the seat. And, jerseys with pockets. Oh, and a final suggestion... you have to have a portable pump that will go to high pressure (personally, I didn't realize there was a difference at first). I recommend the Blackburn brand. The one I got had mounting hardward that put the pump just to the side of the water bottle cage, thereby allowing me to still use those braze-ons for a water bottle cage.

I was thinking about not getting a little saddle sack and just use my jersey pockets but after this mornings little ride around the Rose Bowl I realize that is a stupid idea. I will stop by Performance and snag something. It would be nice to strap my pump on their as well but will likely do the water bottle side car thing. I was thinking about getting one of those cool dual pressure Crank Brothers pumps with the gauge on it. Not sure right now, there is nothing wrong with the one I've got.

[Pain Freak]

I've got one of those stubby crank bros. I use for my road bike. Fits easily in the wedge bag. I also keep 3 C02 cartridges,2 tubes, a patch kit,tire levers, and a multitool. And I have a medium size bag. I wouldn't ride far without this bag.