Design update: Bikefanclub.com

Thanks to everyone for the comments so far.

First, a little more about me. I'm 5'7" with a riding weight of 150 (but I'm 165 right now

). So I'm not a stomper/clydesdale. Craig has judged my fit to be a 52 with no custom required. This was based on fitting data I had sent to him from a little trip...

I was visiting a friend in Wisconsin and there were many good bike shops to I took advantage of the opportunity and had 2 fittings.

The first was a Serotta fitting and I felt good about the results. After the fitting was when he measured the bikes and let me ride his Serotta which he was interested in selling so he could upgrade to the latest model, as well as a Roubaix. He spent a lot of time with the fitting, measuring me as well as just looking at me ride the sizing
cycle while making small adjustments so I looked the way he wanted on the bike. Being able to ride a bike immediately after the fitting did make me feel confident in the results even though it was only a few miles.

The other was a bikefitting.com system. He was very precise in measuring me and then plugging the information into the computer. He was also very nice but there was much less time spent looking at me ride and making adjustments. Maybe the computer makes it all take a lot less time but when you are paying for a fitting, it is nice to be fretted over a little.

I don't know exactly what pieces of data were most important to Craig but he did comment "Thanks for your very complete fitting data. It makes my job easier!" So I'm sure it was more than actually needed.

I am 42 y.o. and I usually ride 100-150 miles / week. This consists of a group ride of 40-50 miles with me on my 1978 Gitane and a slower group ride of 25-35 miles on my 1987 Counterpoint Opus III with my 11 y.o. son. I try to get in a couple of rides each week to keep the mileage up. I rode 45 miles on my own Monday since the group rides this weekend were only 25 and 30 miles (and my son bailed to hang out with a friend of his but that is another story).

My 1978 Gitane is steel, lugged, has had its components replaced periodically along with the wheels. It did weigh 32.5 lbs until last week when I broke the kickstand and took that as a sign to drop a little weight so I also removed my touring rack, aerobars, 3rd bottle cage (I use a M.U.L.E. now) and my "cheater" brake levers. Now it is 29 lbs (10% weight reduction!) so the riding seemed pretty easy this weekend (or was it just the short distances?) At some point I repainted the battered frame with brown rust-o-leum (stripped old paint, whole nine yards) and I will never do that process myself again! But the bike does still look good so I didn't do too bad a job...

Now that you know a little more about me, you might be less surprised to hear that I like the lugged look and I favor the Luna and Dragonfly over the Tetra (not that I couldn't adapt, but ...)

I think the compact crank 50/34 with a 12-25 cassette is a good idea. I do need the mix of lower gears, returning to my house involves 600 ft of ascent in 4 climbs over the last 4 miles. The top of the 3rd climb gains 50 feet over 225 feet for a 22% grade. I knew it must be tough before I got out the GPS to check because they switched from asphalt to concrete when they were paving it!

I suppose this is my "dream bike" but I do dream of comfort and durability more than just spending $$$. As far as Chorus vs. Record, I had originally assumed that I would be getting Record but I became a little concerned about the drivetrain durability of Record (how many miles before replacement). At 100 miles/week with 6 months of riding, that would be 2500 miles which I heard might be the lifetime of the Record where the Chorus might last 3 times as long. At this point, I may at least get a Chorus cassette so it will be all steel.

Bruce, my design goals for this bike are to be fast, comfortable and stable. No plans to "race" or to ride a bike that is uncomfortable in order to go a little faster. I want to have fun, enjoy myself and have an easier time keeping up with everyone on the group rides. If I end up overachieving, that is fine. I'll just be more inclined to ride the 5-10 miles to the start of the ride. I won't do any loaded touring on this bike, at least not while it is so shiny and new. I'll just have to put the rack back on my Gitane or take the Counterpoint if I can talk someone into going along. I'll also use the Gitane on any rainy rides and on the trainer so the new bike will have a pretty easy life.

I also use Bebop pedals so you must be a kindred spirit of some kind! Of course, I am one of those smaller guys so my little bike will weigh even less.

As far as paint, I was considering a fade because I like color and it does allow the fiber to show. Maybe a green fade with purple lugs?

Thanks to everyone on the fork advice. I think I can't really go wrong and I still don't have a strong preference so I may just let Craig help me pick the one that will work the best with my size and style.

I am also considering a Phil Woods bottom bracket and Wipperman chain.

Thanks,
Dana

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