Fifty Plus (50+) - I Know I'm Smitten When:

I buy something like this!

http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h470/sarals/P1040101.jpg

http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h470/sarals/P1040109.jpg

http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h470/sarals/P1040106.jpg

Yes, I did!

Okay, okay - I'm really, really protective of my Look 566, and I do NOT like to ride it on errands and in crappy weather. I don't want to chance it getting stolen and I don't like abusing it in foul weather. My old mountain bike just doesn't suit me on the road, and the old Centurian I borrowed from a girlfriend doesn't either (and it's not mine, so I'm NOT going to abuse it or risk it disappearing). So, I got it in my little head that I wanted a "beater bike" for a daily driver. Not just any beater bike, mind you. It had to have a certain amount of panache, it had to be capable, reliable, and suit my need to ride like I think I'm a twenty something (or something). I was looking at the likes of "entry level bikes" - Windsor Fens, Motobecane Vent Noir - 105 bikes, and they just weren't what I would term as having "panache". So, I was looking for an "older" bike, and I found this one. It's 19 pounds, it has an Ultegra group, it's a triple, it has the lighter Mavic CXP 33 wheels (I think they may be lighter than the Fulcrum racing 7's I was going to put on it), it's a carbon frame (with aluminum joiners, kinda cool), and it certainly has panache! I'm going to stick a nice bright tail light on it, a big seat wedge, and load my Kryptonite Lock in my backpack and have at it. I really think I'd enjoy this bike on our (sometimes fast) group rides, too, and I'll bet it's a decent climber.

Yes - I'm either crazy or smitten. I'll go for the smitten!

It had to have a certain amount of panache, it had to be capable, reliable, and suit my need to ride like I think I'm a twenty something (or something).

Excellent! Of course you and I seem to have similar requirements.

I've found that the mid-to-late-90s stuff offers a lot of nice bikes for very little expense. I now own two from that era, and love the dickens out of them. Best of luck with your find!

Very nice choice sarals, I bet you begin to look for some bad days to ride the Giant occasionally.

Bill

Flip it and slam it.







I know, I know.....

^^^ With a quill stem?:eek::twitchy:

Nice score Sara. Looks like a climber. Love the vintage look bar and the TTT stem.

A beater bike? Right.

Thanks, fellas! I think I'll be riding the Giant more than on bad days!

I'll post some updated photos when it arrives. It being Christmas week, I don't expect it to get to me quickly, and I told the seller not to rush. When I do get it, I'm going to put a new chain on it and detail it to the nines. As I said, I had considered putting my Fulcrum 7 wheelset on it, but I really think I'm going to leave well enough alone - for now, anyway.

I'm excited!

Nice score Sara. Looks like a climber. Love the vintage look bar and the TTT stem.

Thanks, AJ! It's a bit more race bike than my Look, from it's appearance. I think I'm going to be surprised when I ride it!

I can never understand why yellow is not a more fashionable colour on bikes. I owned a Merida Extreme 900 that was yellow and I enjoyed it a lot. My fleet of hire bikes was yellow. But trying to find yellow (or predominantly yellow) bikes is not easy these days.

The Mavic CXP33s have a reputation for being durable, so if they weigh less than the Fulcrums, you might as well stay with them.

Your Giant looks balanced and is well equipped. Enjoy.

A beater bike? Right.

:innocent:

I can never understand why yellow is not a more fashionable colour on bikes. I owned a Merida Extreme 900 that was yellow and I enjoyed it a lot. My fleet of hire bikes was yellow. But trying to find yellow (or predominantly yellow) bikes is not easy these days.

Your Giant looks balanced and is well equipped. Enjoy.

:thumb: Thank you!

Where is the "Green Envy" emoticon?

I have the CXP33 Rims on my handbuilts. with 105 hubs they work and are light. Just make certain That you get them checked out by your wheel builder before too many miles are on them as you don't know the history.

I sold my OCR last year to a mate and am now looking for the beater bike for when I retire. I should think you are over the moon with finding this one so ride it- adapt it to fit and don't scratch it.

Very nice Sara! Merry Christmas to you! I like the cheery yellow color as well. Hope you enjoy many fast, fun miles on it!

Nice looking bike. I am envious of you because I can never seem to find deals like that in my area, although others in this area don't seem to have that problem. May you enjoy many safe and memorable miles on that bike. Great Christmas present to yourself.

Having a beater bike rocks!

I've never started with a complete bike. I just equip an old frame with whatever tires and components that I think will best meet my needs. It usually starts out with whatever I can find in my spares box and gradually evolves from there.

The last one I built for my son with my 11 year old grandson's help. It's a Felt aluminum road frame with new-in-the-box, 9-speed Ultegra brifters, 105 derailleurs and, I think, 105 brakes. The wheels are brand new Tiagra hubs with salvaged CXP21 rims. The grandson did most of the assembly and I basically just advised and ran the cables. Of course, now that I've done that, my son is changing jobs and won't be needing a ride to work bike anymore.

My "beater" bikes always see more use than my "good" bikes, and are used on sunny days all-year-long! Great find and it looks like a great riding bike.

Happy holidays.

Sweet, Sara... Congratulations!

Sweet, Sara... Congratulations!

Thank you, AzT! Merry Christmas to you!

Where is the "Green Envy" emoticon?

I have the CXP33 Rims on my handbuilts. with 105 hubs they work and are light. Just make certain That you get them checked out by your wheel builder before too many miles are on them as you don't know the history.

I sold my OCR last year to a mate and am now looking for the beater bike for when I retire. I should think you are over the moon with finding this one so ride it- adapt it to fit and don't scratch it.

Well, it's coming to me "pre-scratched", but I'll clean it up in short order. I'm the odd girl in that I love to take care of my "vehicles" :love:.

This bike is turning out to be nicer than I expected, and is becoming real surprise. Yes, the rims are CXP 33, but hubs are Ultegra. They seem to weigh in at around 800 grams all told, which is down there with the Easton EA90's on my Look. Wow. I mean - wow!

I think I found a Ferrari in the barn with this one - and it was on eBay!

Merry Christmas!

Very nice Sara! Merry Christmas to you! I like the cheery yellow color as well. Hope you enjoy many fast, fun miles on it!

I thank you!

I'm pretty sure it's going to see many more miles put in on it than my Look will in the coming year!

Merry Christmas!

Having a beater bike rocks!

I've never started with a complete bike. I just equip an old frame with whatever tires and components that I think will best meet my needs. It usually starts out with whatever I can find in my spares box and gradually evolves from there.

The last one I built for my son with my 11 year old grandson's help. It's a Felt aluminum road frame with new-in-the-box, 9-speed Ultegra brifters, 105 derailleurs and, I think, 105 brakes. The wheels are brand new Tiagra hubs with salvaged CXP21 rims. The grandson did most of the assembly and I basically just advised and ran the cables. Of course, now that I've done that, my son is changing jobs and won't be needing a ride to work bike anymore.

I'm a Felt lover, I've met Jim Felt and I love his bicycles! My first true road bike was a Felt F85. I still have my old 2004 B2. I hardly ride it, but it's staying with me!

Your build sounds sweet - and it certainly was sweet having your grandson help! It's a shame it's not being ridden...

Merry Christmas!

My "beater" bikes always see more use than my "good" bikes, and are used on sunny days all-year-long! Great find and it looks like a great riding bike.

Happy holidays.

"Beater Bike", in this case, is more like the Chevy Volt with the big block in the back seat - it's a real sleeper, I think! It will be ridden, you bet!

Happy Holidays!!

I'm the odd girl in that I love to take care of my "vehicles" :love:.

And guys love a girl who knows her tools!

Your build sounds sweet - and it certainly was sweet having your grandson help! It's a shame it's not being ridden...

I'm thinking it will be. The new job is a technician setting up and servicing Mikita machine tools. Noteable accounts include Rolls Royce and (ta da) Chris King. Within a 400 mile radius or so he'll be traveling in a van. He's planning to take the beater with him when he drives. How cool is that?

And guys love a girl who knows her tools!

:eek:

:innocent:

:D

GER-BER!!

http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h470/sarals/GerberTool.jpg

I'm thinking it will be. The new job is a technician setting up and servicing Mikita machine tools. Noteable accounts include Rolls Royce and (ta da) Chris King. Within a 400 mile radius or so he'll be traveling in a van. He's planning to take the beater with him when he drives. How cool is that?

Oh, good deal! It's better than hanging in a garage somewhere. By the way, Rolls Royce as in cars? Or aircraft engines?

I like the colors they really 'POP'
nice looking ride

I like the colors they really 'POP'
nice looking ride

I wonder how bright it will be in person? It is "visible", isn't it? Thank you, and Merry Christmas!

By the way, Rolls Royce as in cars? Or aircraft engines? Aircraft engines. I think that it's in Ohio. Makita has a machining center that makes the power turbine blades.

Aircraft engines. I think that it's in Ohio. Makita has a machining center that makes the power turbine blades.

Ahhhh. I didn't think Rolls made car parts over here, but you never know. Pretty cool!

Very nice, sarals! enjoy!

Smitten? Alternatively it could have been a TIA. Either way, she's a beaut.

Thank you, fellas!

I'll post more pictures after I have a chance to go over it and detail it.

One thing - I've been trying to pin down the model year - and not even Giant (I emailed them) is sure: "looks like a mid 90's road machine" is what they told me. Well, umm, yea-uhhh! But what year???

Yes - I'm either crazy or smitten. I'll go for the smitten!

Or, both, which is not necessarily a bad thing.... at least when you're crazy for a bike, that is. ;)

I hope it serves you well!

Or, both, which is not necessarily a bad thing.... at least when you're crazy for a bike, that is. ;)

I hope it serves you well!

Not a bad thing at all, and I am crazy!

Thank you!

:eek:

:innocent:

:D

GER-BER!!

http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h470/sarals/GerberTool.jpg

You should try an SOG tool Sara. I have one and my wife and daughter will put their Victorianox knives away. I gave them both complete tool sets several years ago. Both will use them as they see fit!!

You should try an SOG tool Sara. I have one and my wife and daughter will put their Victorianox knives away. I gave them both complete tool sets several years ago. Both will use them as they see fit!!

I know of the SOG tool. It is nice. I've had co-workers who carried them. I've had my Gerber for ages. It lives in a pocket in my flight suit when I'm at work, and then in my seat wedge on long rides. Yes, I manage to remember to move it in both cases (that will change at some point - soon, I bet). Not only is it useful, but it has a great deal of sentimental value to me (yes, AzT, I'm a gal who LOVES her tools!:love:)

No problems with the Gerber, the SOG tool was a gift from my Sheriff's deputy brother, he gets a discount on them. When I was engineer on the E.C.M. Pod shop addition at Hurlburt Field AFB in '92 the Chief Master Sergeant ordered enough Leatherman tools and their ballistic cloth holster for his entire squadron (1st SOCRS) and issued a notice that any airman not having theirs on them while in uniform was on report. He really believed in this tool. I love when a woman appreciates her tool set and knows how to use them. One reason I suppose I am head over heals in Love with Monica.;-)

Bill

Very nice..... is a ride report forthcoming? Pics in its natural habitat?