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06-11-09, 11:54 PM
Wow..so this might turn into a novel but I'm just so happy with it all.
The short story is that I found myself in Mill Valley's StudioVelo (aka BikeRX). I was visiting from Modesto and was dropping off some tubulars to get glued up and just couldn't stop staring at a Wilier Cento Uno they had built up. I've been eyeballing that ride for a year now, and the gears were turning on how to make it mine.
Its a sexy bike no matter which color you choose, but I had to be difficult. I wanted the 'Yellow' as its called. Unfortunately, it wasn't imported to North America. I thought about it for a day or two more before calling Scott at StudioVelo. He got back to me immediately and stated that there was indeed one left in the factory in Italy and they could bring it in for me. woohooo!!
A week later I get to the shop and its already built up with Super Record, and some nice 3T bits. I bring in a saddle, pedals and some wheels and the put it all together for the fit.
On a side note, I should say that I brought in my other Wilier for them to fix up- shifting poorly and some scary noises from the BB area. No advance warning (i'm a dick) they graciously fixed that ride up too. On top that, I forgot to mention I ride 'moto-style' or whatever you want to call it..basically with the front brake on the right like it should be. Again, graciously, they tear it apart the new bike to run the cables that way- no charge.
On to the fit- I've never really been fitted for a bike before let alone an hour long Retul fit. I climb aboard and Scott places little sensors all over me. The geometry is so different than what I was riding (I had no clue). I quickly learned how much my pedal stroke sucks and proper posture...I don't even deserve this bike. Well now I have even more stuff to work on besides just putting miles, climbing big hills and trying to go fast.
In the end, I met some really great guys that are so into what they do (Scott and Colin). Spending the day there, I was able to see them interact with all these people that come thru the shop- long time customers, people just starting to look for a bike, and folks that just need an bit like a tube or a light. It was pretty cool to see that they are friendly and helpful to everyone..not just some dude buying his dream bike.
I got out today on the bike. A quick 40 miles, alternating between the training regimen I set up for myself and getting used to a new bike and working on all the stuff that I do wrong. This bike is amazing. It just jumps when you stomp on the pedals- even for a wimp like me. I would say its laterally stiff and vertically compliant but being 135 pounds I don't think I stress anything out quite like that. I haven't ridden many carbon bikes. My other Wilier is an aluminum/carbon number and the ride difference between the two is night and day. Hopefully by Monday I will be able to hit some hill to do some climbing.
The short story is that I found myself in Mill Valley's StudioVelo (aka BikeRX). I was visiting from Modesto and was dropping off some tubulars to get glued up and just couldn't stop staring at a Wilier Cento Uno they had built up. I've been eyeballing that ride for a year now, and the gears were turning on how to make it mine.
Its a sexy bike no matter which color you choose, but I had to be difficult. I wanted the 'Yellow' as its called. Unfortunately, it wasn't imported to North America. I thought about it for a day or two more before calling Scott at StudioVelo. He got back to me immediately and stated that there was indeed one left in the factory in Italy and they could bring it in for me. woohooo!!
A week later I get to the shop and its already built up with Super Record, and some nice 3T bits. I bring in a saddle, pedals and some wheels and the put it all together for the fit.
On a side note, I should say that I brought in my other Wilier for them to fix up- shifting poorly and some scary noises from the BB area. No advance warning (i'm a dick) they graciously fixed that ride up too. On top that, I forgot to mention I ride 'moto-style' or whatever you want to call it..basically with the front brake on the right like it should be. Again, graciously, they tear it apart the new bike to run the cables that way- no charge.
On to the fit- I've never really been fitted for a bike before let alone an hour long Retul fit. I climb aboard and Scott places little sensors all over me. The geometry is so different than what I was riding (I had no clue). I quickly learned how much my pedal stroke sucks and proper posture...I don't even deserve this bike. Well now I have even more stuff to work on besides just putting miles, climbing big hills and trying to go fast.
In the end, I met some really great guys that are so into what they do (Scott and Colin). Spending the day there, I was able to see them interact with all these people that come thru the shop- long time customers, people just starting to look for a bike, and folks that just need an bit like a tube or a light. It was pretty cool to see that they are friendly and helpful to everyone..not just some dude buying his dream bike.
I got out today on the bike. A quick 40 miles, alternating between the training regimen I set up for myself and getting used to a new bike and working on all the stuff that I do wrong. This bike is amazing. It just jumps when you stomp on the pedals- even for a wimp like me. I would say its laterally stiff and vertically compliant but being 135 pounds I don't think I stress anything out quite like that. I haven't ridden many carbon bikes. My other Wilier is an aluminum/carbon number and the ride difference between the two is night and day. Hopefully by Monday I will be able to hit some hill to do some climbing.