Peter_C

The Shop: Bisesis Bicycle & Fitness
5164 S. Main ST
Akron, OH 44319
330.882.6727

I found out that my Heart DR wanted me to have a full knee replacement surgery done as soon as possible. Since I have had seven prior knee surgeries in the past, it was simply a matter of getting all the ducks in a row and all the paperwork done. This was back on 09-16-09.

So I started doing some research to even see if this was a dream, or even possible?! I was told that during my rehab the “PT people” could focus me on ‘cycling’ and muscle groups that would concentrate on the type of motion needed for spinning the pedals.

So then I went to a few Bike forums (such as this one, and started asking questions, and bugging people… then did more research on bikes –sought after more Bicycle opinions, and got them…heh, buy did I GET THEM!

Then on 09-26-09 I actually went to a few Bike shops and took a few parking lot type “Demo rides” (yes, they should have been longer, blame me, not the shops) – WOW is all I can say, WOW!!!


The biggest single point in all this for me is the difference (to me) Pedal-Forward (or Foot Forward) frame design means to me! I surprised the living hell out of myself! To the point that even if it were decided that I was to not get the replacement, I believe I would STILL buy the Bicycle!!

So, yesterday, on Saturday 10-03-09 at 4PM I met up with Sam Bisesis and we designed/modified my new Bike (What would you call this? It’s not custom build is it? It’s the stock bike, we are adding parts to it, we are swapping out some parts, etc???)

Since I am not in any real hurry I told him 7-14 days would be fine. And, if he’d like to push it out at all, simply just give me a call – no worries. Otherwise, call me when it’s done, and Ill come back to pick it up and pay for the rest of it.

I’ll lay it out here for all you guys to either drool over or tear apart. What’s done is done, so please, no need to point out how “by doing such and such you would have saved $97.43!! <GASP>


$449.95 2010 Giant Suede DX
$ 39.95 Giro Atlas II Sport (color Gray)
$ 24.95 Freddy ATB Full Fender Set (color Black)
$ 29.95 Giant Alloy Rear Rack (color Black)
$ 00.00 Bisesis STD WB 24 OZ
$03.95 Bisesis LRG WB 28 OZ
$30.00 Tire upgrade to Schwalbe Marathon 26 X 2.0 @ 100PSI
$45.00 Cateye Strada cadence
$04.95 Giant water BTL cage (color silver)
$27.50 Cloud 9 Exerciser – Lycra (Seat upgrade)


It’s funny (well, kinda sad really) – one of the neat things Sam does, is He knows must folks are not happy with the factory seat, so He tends to have His top 4-6 best selling seats already mounted on posts! So, you ride a few loops in the parking lot, stop, he swaps seats on you, you ride a couple more loops, and you rinse and repeat as needed until you hit gold!!

Like me being me, with the stock seat, and four others to choose from, I had to go through all of them, toss 3 out, and then ride a bit more with the final 2 until I landed on the one I did. I can see myself buying bike seats the some women are forever buying new purses.

gaint_suede_dx.jpg

Saltybeagle

grats on your new bike, I have Schwalbe Marathon on my hybrid and have been very happy with them, put 2000 heavy miles on them before getting a road bike.

AiredaleII

Good luck Peter and I hope you are happy with your new bike.

kenseth03

Congrats on your new bike Peter and keep us posted on how your doing.

ECB1

Great news, keep us posted and don't forget that this training is going to hurt but it will be a good hurt after you get in better shape, good luck and drop the smokes. ECB1

moose67

Congrats! I have a Specialized Globe Carmel 3 26. Only real upgrade I've done on mine since purchasing 4/1/09 was rebuild the rear wheel with better spokes. Keep pedaling.

txvintage

Alright! That box is checked off and you are basically on your way. Now it's time to get through your surgery and do the rehab.

I'm with you on the "no looking back" aprach. The important thing is you have what you want, got it the way you liked, and are happy with the finshed version. After all, it's YOUR bike!

takingcontrol

Gratz on the bike. That is a great idea your lbs has on the seats. I am looking to upgrade myself.

Rosie8

Hope all goes well with your surgery. Congratulations on your new bike. Hope you have as much fun riding as I've had on my 7 speed Suede. Still love to ride it after 2 1/2 years.

petflunky

Sweet bike! Ride it lots and lots!

Peter_C

According to Sam at the Shop - bout the only differance between your bike, a new 21SP - besides the different amount of gears!

Heavy duty rear axle - was the primary item


HTH

ArtO

Congrats on the new bike. Let us know how you like it. It sounds great.

Nighteyez

Contratulations on the new bike. I am sure you wil love it once you pick it up.

cyclefreaksix

That's slick! Looking forward to a review and some pix...

Neil_B

Congratulations!

billyymc

Nice bike Peter. So are you planning on riding through the winter? Not sure how harsh your Akron winters are.

Peter_C

UPDATE:

The bike is almost done - I will hopefully be able to pick it up sometime this next week!!

Weight has dropped a bit more, almost to my pre-surgical goal-weight.

Call me lazy if you like, but at least I am heading in the right direction - got my script for "wellbutrin" - at least for me, it makes it very easy to quit smoking. So that is started - still smoking, but it usually takes bout 3 weeks for the pills to make me stop.

Do not have a surgery date yet - everything is done but the "conference" with the surgeon - his first available date is not til the 23rd... so am still waiting for that.


Now, to reply to a few posts:

billyymc - Am not too sure how much through winter I will ride to be honest. Rain, and cold temps (down to close to freezing) will not slow me, but am not honestly sure about snow. Sam (the shop owner I am buying my bike from) - has ridden year-round to the shop from his home every day the shop has been open - he states he has driven only 4 days in the last 2yrs. He limits his riding to how deep the snow is - not because of his skill, but fear of the cars...

cyclefreaksix - It may be a bit in coming, but of course I will put up photos and probably way more info than you ever wanted to know about *my* bike PP

ECB1 - Hurting is OK, *IF* there is a good reason for it! Hurting just to be in pain - I am so done with that it just plain ain't funny no more! But trust me - PT ought to be my middle name - sadly - I have done some many different types and styles of PT, that I hope and pray it will be different this time. The "no pain, no gain" - believe it or not is so completely true it makes me want to puke! You can pay me now, or you can pay me later...
If I want to ride again,
If I want to enjoy riding again,
If I want to ride again pain-free,
Then I need to bust my ass from the moment I get out of surgery! Believe me when I say I have my head wrapped all around this thinking. This is why the better half was so willing to spend the bucks on the bike - something for me to stare at, and drool over, and dream about, from now past surgery, and through rehab!

And yes, it will be in the living room! I have a wonderful wife that spoils me!

To all the rest of you, thank you for all of your kind and encouraging comments! I am expecting this to be part of the new beginning of my life - ya - sounds corny! But, if you look at it from my perspective, and from everything that has been going wrong, and going down-hill in the last 2-3yrs, I honestly was wondering if I would make it to age 50. Now, we have a very real recipe for success, that also happens to include "quality of life" improvements"! That has been missing until now.

w00die

Congrats on the bike purchase and the decision to stop smoking. I have been without a smoke since last Sunday. I am doing it cold turkey this time. The one time I did quit for several years I had used wellbutrin as an assist and it worked well. I look forward to pics and ride reports.