Off topic again, I bought meself a Tourmalet!

Walked down into Clarence St and looked around a bit. They hadn't listed what discounts they had on Tourmalets online, but in fact they were 30% off at $1400. They had about four out on display, including one with a 2005 frame (same frame, different colour) and one with all 105 (including the crankset, but also the rear der. which is normally Ultegra).

I told a nice guy my needs and he took me to the back, answered my questions well and stuck the bike into one of a few trainers they seem to keep there constantly - so it seems like their general policy is to fit people using these trainers - without any prompting. Then Kerry, who seems to have been more experienced at fitting and selling them (although the other guy seemed perfectly knowledgeable) went back, watched me pedal for a bit, checked my posture and explained gear changes and to avoid having the chain on high-high or low-low.

It was here I was happy that I had a guy that knew something watching me bang on the pedals for a bit - the bike felt quite comfortable save only that I felt the seatpost was much lower than I have it on my mountain bike. Unless he was spinning me a tale for no good reason, I have simply been having my seatpost too high all these years and my legs overextended. With this new posture my knees were coming up a lot closer to my stomach at the top of the stroke and pedalling felt less work.

Anyway, when I felt I had enough I got off and then he went through with me how to remove both tyres in turn - with him demonstrating and me then practicing - how to inflate tyres, how to strap into pedals etc. etc...

On pedals, while the first guy had recommended SPD over SPD-SL when I questioned him and told him what riding I'd like to do, the 'fitter' said I should really start with strapped pedals to get used to it, and then upgrade if I wanted to later on.

So, overall, I felt really good about purchasing from Clarence - I had gone in quite vulnerable, not knowing much about riding and fully ready to use their sale as an excuse to 'upgrade' to a Chambery and buy top quality pedals and shoes and accessories for $3000+. If I had met a guy who just wanted to upsell me, that's what would have happened. Instead, with helpful guys, I have a bike that was $1400 and all the extras I need to start cycling (spare tube, tyre levers, pedals, bottle + holder -- plus some other stuff I already own) for only $75 more. I realise the proof of the bike is in the riding, but am still happy so far

The only downside was that they wouldn't deliver - I got the impression that they don't deliver generally, but especially not because of the sale. So, I rather foolishly decided to walk the bike the whole way home - which is near Roseville on the North Shore. Took me 2 hours and gave me blisters with the shoes I was wearing, but it's enabled me to bond with my new Tourmalet.

I'll post pictures sometime when I'm fully 'recovered'. Thanks to everyone who gave me advice!