jefpac

Thank you! I wish the reality was even close to your compliment. This bike is a survivor. It was delivered to me in this condition:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2272/...20c46cfa_o.jpg

I don't know why, but for the first time ever, I was really upset by the damage done to a BIKE. I didn't even ride it for about 3 months. Every time I looked at it, all I could see was this:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2263/...b001b0aa_o.jpg

Well I finally "got over it" and made a few changes to make it rideable. Here's a better look at the current set-up:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2366/...8ac15ab3_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2059/...83cc7d27_o.jpg

I don't know what to do about the damage. I'm eight months down the road from delivery of the bike and the shipper is STILL stalling on the payment.!!!

The gouge went right through the decal and the paint. It dented but did not penetrate the downtube. The right thing to do is to have the downtube replaced, re-spray the frame and replace the decal set. If I was still living in the US I cold probably talk myself into doing just that. Since I'm currently living just outside Paris in France, the cost, complexity and hassle factor of the repairs will increase exponentially.

So what's a guy to do? I think I'm just going to focus on the awesome ride qualities and overlook the "beauty-mark".

Don't worry, be happy!