So I've been working with this older woman who was originally interested in updating her Fuso she brought in a few months ago but the cost for everything she was able to buy a new carbon Trek Domane 4.5 with Ultegra...in which she did. She's a pretty unique lady as she basically bought the bike without really riding it. Reason being she didn't want to crash it as she's been sick for a few years and has diabetes and wants to get back into riding. She's not overweight and really quite frail. I'm guessing mid 60's?

She's retired and used to ride a lot back in day. Originally she wanted a Scott CR1 but I pursued her away from it since it's a pretty darn stiff and fast bike for someone who hasn't rode in about 30 years. So we set her up on a trainer and fitter her to something more relaxed and comfy. Plus it was prettier too!

So fast forward about two months and she's still coming in asking questions about her new Trek and possible directions for the Fuso. I'm guessing the Fuso must of sat outside but under a porch on the coast. Almost all of the chrome is rusted on all of the hardware on the bike but the paint on the frame is still really nice and glossy.

Now since I'm the only retro guy at the shop I get to work with her which I don't mind. The guys in the shop really despise since she comes in right before we close and stays for about half an hour at the least. She's a bit quirky also but I enjoy that in customers. She still wants to bring the Fuso back to life but we're still figuring out what direction to take. So for helping her out and just doing my job. She brought a gift in for me that she said she had laying around with no intentions of ever using again.

....



Early 80's Medici Pro Stada with a SR headset and spacer and SR bottom bracket. I replaced and repacked all the bearings. The size is a little strange at 54 ST and 52 top tube so I'm guessing maybe something custom or was this a common size back then? It's in relatively decent condition with paint chips here and there.

All in all...karma does pay off.

Wow. Great story. A very nice frame.

I have to disagree just a bit, though, Henry.

Karma doesn't pay off. Per se. But good Karma attracts good.

Wonderful story. That frame looks a bit like D. Dude's green Medici.

That's great!
Way to go Henry!

Cool frame and nice present! There's no such thing as karma though

Very cool. Congrats! (and welcome to the Medici club )

Great story and lovely frame to boot.

Also, totally agree with rootboy's statement on karma. Your story is a good example of that.

Great story! Very happy for you

Cheers,
Chris

Nice, but have to yell at you for clamping around the decals on the seat-tube.

it's was just to take the picture. I didn't have a 27.2 post or binder bolt and it was barely clamped down John. Alex didn't hire me on my good looks.

Good on you and your karma for helping this lady out, and I'm sure that you will continue to help her. Keep us up to date on her progress getting back to riding, and hope all goes well for her!

Very cool frame, and it's obvious that your kind and helpful attitude you bring to the forum works it's magic in real life too! Enjoy building and riding this well-deserved beauty.

Let the guys with the bad karma work on that little pink bike in the background.

Hopefully with all that good karma the Medici is your size. Do you plan on keeping it?

Neat story. I'm a big believer in karma, especially in the bike world. Lately it feels like there's been some odd karma going on around me (dishonest people, etc,) but it comes and it goes. In any case, I trust it will all work itself out in the end. Enjoy your new ride! But remember to take good care of it for the next person down the line.

The frames I normally ride a 50 ST and 53/54 TT so it's a little backwards. My Ciocc I had last year fit like this. The post was slammed but I felt really cramped. It just never felt right so we'll see about this. THough I'm not super picky on frame sizes as I'm used to riding bikes too big. When your 5'5" smaller frames were hard to come by when I wasn't on the forum so I took what I could find. lol. So we'll see about the frame. About the woman. She's become a normal customer especially for me since she'll ask what days I'm working so she can work directly with me. Plus she bought a bike from us instead of a CR1 at REI that she originally wanted. This is my 3rd customer I helped purchasing a bike from us instead of REI. So they always get a little more attention when they come in. Being they spent a little more on the bike then wanted to just to help out a local shop instead of a big box.

Congratulations. You earned this.

I love working for quirky clients, too. I wear that as a badge of honor.

I think at my LBS I'm the quirky client (though I try not to be a pest.) I owe a couple of the guys who work there many beers, including one tech who is a genius among wrenches and a saint among men.

Stop waiting. Bring the beer tonight.

I was gonna say the same. Just yesterday afternoon I was digging through the bins with staff from a local shop looking for a french threaded freewheel. I don't think they would have bothered if I hadn't brought by many beers in the past. Turns out we found a french freewheel.. a Zues 2000 alloy that they didn't even know they had. It pays to be on good terms.

Congrats on the Medici. You deserved it.

That would fit me perfectly! Want to trade for a very small Miyata 1000?

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I agree, especially your definition of karma.

Namaste.

Great story...I agree with the comment of "good karma attracts good karma!"...wow...way to go...love the guys at the LBS that are like you!