It’s hard to believe it’s been seven years since I first started cycling with my husband. He likes to tinker with bikes, and is always asking if I want to try a different seat, electronic shifters, or some other part I didn’t know existed. A few weeks ago I finally decided I was ready to invest in a new bike.
Isn’t she pretty!
How I Got A New Bike
The weekend before our vacation, we didn’t want to wear ourselves out with the Conte’s hill ride, so we opted for the somewhat easier group ride hosted by a different Conte’s store in Alexandria that’s much closer to home.
Like our matching Farm to Fork Fondo kits?
After the ride, I told Brian (the ride leader and store manager) about the numbness I’ve been getting in my fingers. I thought I needed different gloves, but he thought it was more likely due to poor bike fit.
Back when I bought my first bike, all I knew about bike fitting was that I wanted to be able to straddle my bike with my feet on the ground–not a given at my 5’1″ height. Brian put me and my bike on the trainer in their bike fitting area, took measurements of me and my bike, and thought I would do better with a smaller frame and narrower handlebars.
As luck would have it, they were having a sale on a bike Brian thought would be a great fit and my husband thought would have all the bells and whistles I could ever want–including a carbon frame, hydraulic disc brakes and 21 gears. Brian even agreed to install slightly narrower handle bars for me.
As luck would have it, he thought he would be able to get it ordered and set up by the time we got back from vacation.
As luck would have it, my bike was ready when we got back from vacation. Brian put me and my new bike on the trainer in their fitting area, and adjusted the seat and handlebars using a tape measurer to make sure everything was aligned properly. I took it out for a 10 mile test ride, and loved how smoothly I could change gears and brake.
Last weekend I took it on the Conte’s hill ride hosted by the Falls Church Conte’s store, and that’s when my luck started to run out. My bike made a clacking noise that no one could figure out–even their bike mechanic. I thought it was coming from the front wheel. My husband thought it was coming from the drive train. It was so bad it gave me a headache. I was really sad that my new bike was sounding like an old jalopy.
We decided to take it back to Brian so it would be closer to home if he needed time to figure it out. That’s when my luck ran out. Let’s just say that a rooftop bike rack and low-overhead clearance driveway do not go well together. Instead of wheeling my bike in to Brian with a mystery noise, I wheeled my bike in to Brian with a mystery noise and crunched shifters leaking brake fluid. 🙁
Luckily, Brian knew right away what the mystery noise was (a problem with the wheel bearings in the front wheel). Luckily, Brian had the same wheel (also new) he could swap in for me. Luckily, another Conte’s store had a set of the same Shimano shifters my bike came with. Luckily, Bob, their bike mechanic, was able to replace everything before the weekend rolled around again.
Fun coincidence–we met Justin (in the striped gray shirt)
at the Farm To Fork Fondo–Pennsylvania Dutch!
For my first ride with my newly rebuilt new bike, I wanted to do the Conte’s Alexandria ride with Brian in case there were any issues. Luckily, the 22 mile ride was blissfully quiet and otherwise uneventful.
With all that behind me, I am ready to enjoy my new bike. I can tell that the fit is much better, and it shifts gears smoothly and easily–important for those hills. I hope to put it to the test at the Reston Metric Century coming up in a few weeks.
I’m linking up with Rachel at Running on Happy and Lacey and Miranda at Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five.
Have you had a run of good luck lately?
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Glad you like the new Bike
Aw have fun with your new bike! Do you name your bike? I know some people do. It’s nice you have connections with a reliable bike shop who can help you out.
I don’t but if I did her name would be Tiffany for that blue. I got to know the Conte’s crew from doing the group rides — they are genuine!
Enjoy your new bike! Isn’t it great to have a sweet ride? Even better, you’ve got a great bike shop with an even better owner.
Conte’s makes all the difference – they are so helpful and supportive but not pushy about it.
Aww thT stinks that you had some issues with a NEW bike! Glad you got it figured out. Enjoy your next ride!
Thanks. I’m ready to ENJOY it now!
You’ve had quite the adventure thus far with the new bike 😉 I am really intimidated by all of the bike (or is it “cycle?”) language and whatnot. I do want to (eventually) learn more about the world of cycling…but I’m just so busy running all the races right now. We have a great bike shop in our town, so I at least have that going for me when I venture into that arena 😉
Enjoy your new bike! You have made such amazing progress as a cyclist the last year. I also named my bike-Betty 🙂
Just think about all the miles and fun you’re going to have on your new bike. How exciting!
Oh man, I’m glad it worked out and you got to take it out on a good ride! Here’s to many more to come! I got my bike last year and have been meaning to ride it more–I still haven’t thought of a good name for her! 😮
Congratulations on your new bike! She is a beauty! I good fitting is so important. I’ve dealt with numbing in the hands (and feet) and it all came down to the right fit
How exciting! Congratulations!
Congrats on the new bike! When I get home, I’m taking my old Trek mountain bike in to get tuned up so I can try a few rides with a friend. Maybe some day I’ll get a modern bike…
She is so pretty! Wishing you many happy miles together! I never had a “real” bike fitting either. I get numb hands sometimes. I know I need to go through the fitting process.
It didn’t take long but makes a big difference! Just a few cm change has a huge impact.
I had no idea that we’re the same height! Everyone always thinks I’m taller than I am from photos & now I know why. 🙂
You should have titled this a tale of two bikes or something! Wow! I’m glad that it all worked out in the end and hope that you have many happy miles on your new bike.
One bike. Two sets of shifters? 😉 One reason I stuck with my old bike so long was that it was so good to me!
That’s the same reason my car is 18 years old. 🙂
I love your new bike (as I said on IG) Love the black and teal.
My sister gets numb hands, I thought it was from too much pressure resting on her hands. I will tell her to have her measurements checked…bummer if that’s it because she has a real nice bike.
I definitely have a death grip too, but even when I don’t my hands got numb. It’s amazing what a difference a few cm of adjustment can make.
Congrats on the new bike!
PS: I think we need a sub-linkup for us short peeps. 5’2 ish here
LOL, we can stick together at least!
Uhhh, she is pretty! And I love the colors. Back like 20 years ago I lived in Germany and got into biking and triathlons. Not anymore, but you are making me want a new shiny bike! 🙂
They’re an investment for sure, but probably no more than running shoes if you do the math over the years. 😉
Wow, that’s a long and complicated process! Good you have a good bike shop, though. We have a bike cafe here that’s super, they mend bikes upstairs, do a lot of rides including very supportive ones for new riders and kids’ rides in the park and are lovely. A shame I can’t ride a bike but they do nice coffee!
Yeah, it was way more than I wanted to go through, but really it only took a week. Hopefully it’s all set now.
So…what did you name her? I think you’ll love her new fancy shifters!
With a blue like that it had to be Tiffany. 🙂
Enjoy the new bike. So did the better fit bike eliminate the numbness in your fingers? I have that problem too.
I haven’t ridden it enough to know for sure. It did help with my back/shoulder blades though. I’ll keep you posted!
What a pretty bike! Wishing you lots of great miles on her! Enjoy 🙂
Well I’m glad that all worked out. Enjoy your new bike. If I ever decide to bike I’ll have to ask you for advice
Congrats! She is a beauty! I have a Cannondale also and I love it!
I hope that all the issues with the bike are worked out and you can just enjoy riding! 🙂