The shop where I bought the Cypress spent an hour fitting me on a Sedona. It was pretty good, but a little small. They ordered the next size up, but when the bike came it was the Cypress instead of another Sedona. It felt OK on a brief test ride in the store's parking lot, which is what they would allow. After I tried it on the C&O, I wasn't happy with it. I went through all the ritual described above, trying to get them to do something about the situation. They remained cordial but inflexible--the bike is fine for me, according to them.

So, on to bike shop number two, where I asked for help in modifying it. They flatly stated it was too large for me and there was nothing they could do short of selling me another $500 bike.

I went back to bike shop number 1, where I finally got a reduced price tune up and another free personalized adjustment, but nothing more except the advice to spring for a pair of $40 handgrips to make the lowered handlebars more comfortable, which I did.

I agree, I know nothing about fitting a bike. I suspect that the 2 people who fitted me at shop number one, and the person who waited on me at shop number two, also know nothing about fitting a bike. And yes, these are bona fide bike shops.

Ideally I'd continue visiting an ever-expanding circle of bike shops until I got a better fit on a good bike. I don't feel that's an option for two reasons. One is that I have a demanding job, a family, and other interests and I barely have time to get on my bike for a weekly ride, let alone undertake a major shopping project. Even if I did, I couldn't buy a bike in that price range right now, because I've incurred thousands of dollars in medical bills over the last few months. Even the $65 I spent on the Boulder is a stretch for my current budget. Many hugs to my wonderful husband, who took the news of this purchase without batting an eye.

And the Boulder is fun to ride. Maybe it doesn't fit me well, but it feels like it does. Reminds me of Duke Ellington's comment about music, "If it sounds good, it is good." I'd rather be riding it than window shopping for the perfect bike that I can't afford.

I'm hoping readers here can help me make the ride feel even better. I'm intrigued by the comment that I might tire of the completely unnecessary suspension on a bike that had it. Would like to hear more on that subject!