Taking the afternoon off to buy a bike!

[dreamshark]

Somewhere between Circumference of a Squirrel and Tales of Cunning and Wit I found time to visit Alt Bike and Board, and finally found a bike I liked! It needs a little bit of customization to make it perfect (different handlebars, adjustable handlebar stem, more comfortable seat) but this shop is happy to do all those things for no charge.

I finally realized that the bike I thought I wanted just didn't fit me right. No matter which size frame I tried, the Marin City Bikes were too tall in the front (causing the top bar to be uncomfortably close to my crotch) and had a brake cable that stuck out at an awkward angle and hit me in the inner thigh. And somehow the frame just didn't feel like it fit me. I started looking at other brands, but kept coming back to Marin. I finally realized that I could have all the features I wanted if I just switched my sights to the Urban Bike line and looked for a shop that could modify the stem.

So I tried a 17" Marin Muirwoods, and it felt really good. The Muirwood is a modified mountain bike (unlike most hyrbrids, which are modified road bikes). I liked the lower gearing and the agility of the smaller diameter, fatter wheel. The top bar is much lower than the other one and the brake cable wasn't hitting my leg.

After finding this bike yesterday I was too excited to focus on Fringe shows. So I went back to the shop at noon today to confirm that I wanted it and get my required customizations in writing. I sent Richard off to some afternoon shows at the Ritz by himself and just came home to relax and think about my new bike.

Comments

[saracura.livejournal.com]

I saw Richard and wondered where you were. I thought you two were peas in a pod... haha I know you each have your own lives and all - I've just seen you together the whole fringe.

[dreamshark.livejournal.com]

"I thought you two were peas in a pod" Yeah, I can see how it would seem that way, since you only really know us from this event. Normally we go our separate ways more often than not. One reason we've been getting such a kick out of ultra-fringing the last coupla years is that it's something we can do together. Last year I got to a lot more shows than Richard did. This year he just went nuts and out-Fringed me by 7 shows! He's always been a sucker for the "all you can eat" concept.

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

Woo HOO! NICE BIKE!

K. [I bet you're 15 minutes faster on your work commute, *minimum*, just from trading up]

[dreamshark.livejournal.com]

"I bet you're 15 minutes faster on your work commute, *minimum*, just from trading up."

Well, maybe. It might actually be slower, since the wheels are more mountain bike than road bike. I don't actually get the bike until mid-week.

[skylarker.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on finding a bike that fits you. I am almost inspired to look for a bike of my own. But, shameful secret: I've never really learned to ride a bike, and feel too awkward about it to try now.

[dreamshark.livejournal.com]

Well, we've got a lot of bikes over here. Come over sometime and you can try riding one or the other and see if you can do it. If you find that you can ride a bike after all, I have an old one that you can have. I'm planning to keep my current bike in service once I get my new one (since they have different characteristics), but I have a third bike that I never use any more. The frame is actually a little too tall for me, but I think you're taller than I am. If you would like old Rocinante, you can have it.

[skylarker.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I doubt I'll take you up on that, unless - Do you have training wheels to go with it?