I got a beautiful new GIANT TCR ISP bike with the High Road Sports paint scheme. It is amazing. I am also trying out a new compact crank set from Shimano. It is their new Ultegra SL and is equally beautiful. The crank set is a darker color and matches the paint scheme beautifully.
I also changed bike sizes. I decided to try out a small frame versus the X-Small frame that I’ve been riding for the past couple years. I feel very comfortable on the bike, and it handles very well. I also decided to go with a bit wider handlebar and am finding that the extra width is giving me a nice leverage when I am climbing and accelerating in the drops.
The group set that I have from Shimano works very well. I cant tell the difference in the way the Ultegra SL feels from the Dura Ace that I’ve been riding forever. I was really happily surprised! I guess that the main difference is that there is a slight weght difference to the Dura Ace, but for my riding purposes, the extra few grams aren’t really making a difference! What I have not gotten used to yet is the compact set. I like it climbing, but am not so excited with it descending. I don’t have an 11 yet, and think that if I put on an 11 I will be much happier. I will keep you all updated.
2 responses
1 Joel Price // Mar 31, 2008 at 9:15 pm
You can’t announce you have a new bike and not have pictures. We want pictures! Pictures! Pictures!
2 Tim // Apr 6, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Thanks for the updates. I read your article in the cycling mag last month, and with some inner gumption I have gone back to the bike. I did marahons, and ultras for the last decade and beyond. Just found good sense for the legs finally. I check back into your site every so often. Just did a 72 miler here yesterday, new shiny, way too expensive bike. 12-23 cassette.
You mentioned getting an eleven. I might need a 35 and a 3rd ring on the crank. That last 3 mile climb into the mtns north of Phoenix was a killer.
Glad to be back on the bike. I was there with my tea waiting for my guys & gals at the shop when they turned the key this a.m.
It’s great to be a kid again!
Thanks!!
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