phredette

OK, I spent about 2 hours at Harris Cyclery in West Newton MA. They had a 46 cm LHT, from 08 -- the dusty-grayish blue color. I really loved it.

So I put a deposit on it, and am going to get mustache bars -- I don't ride the drops that often, and my wrists were angled on the hoods.

Now I have to get back to them about: color of bar tape, saddle (I'll get a women's Brooks B17) and panniers. Oh, and fenders. For the panniers I'm getting Ortliebs, they come in cherry red, black, or possibly navy. The fenders black and silver. Several choices for bar tape. I'm thinking of going with black for all, maybe the silver fenders.

But I wonder: though it wouldn't be my first choice aesthetically, would it be better to go for the red (bar tape and panniers) for anti-theft? I can bring it inside my workplace. But if I stop at a store or go touring or something, I'll be hitching it up. I would plan to carry 2 locks, the cable and U lock.

Anything else I should think of? Again, I'll use this for commuting, touring, general riding. I have a road bike. I want to make my decision by tomorrow so that they can start to work on it. I'm really excited, though it will be probably around the first of March when I can pick it up.

Oh, and thanks to whoever pointed me to Yen's posts in touring. They were very helpful.

One more thing: I know you all are going to force me to do the learning curve on posting pics

Thanks, Phredette

gotls1

Congrats on the purchase! Are you counting down the days? It would kill me to buy a new bike and not be able to pick it up for a month.

As far as color choice, I would do silver fenders (if they're metal. if they're plastic fenders, get black) and black everything else. I wouldn't see color as being much of a theft deterent. When I go shopping with my bike, I bring my Arkel pannier into the store with me if I'm in a bad area and going to be a while. If I'm at the high end grocery store in my neighborhood, or I'm just going to be a minute, I leave it on the bike since I figure it'll take them at least that long to figure out how to get it off the rack. haha

We'll all be looking forward to you pictures.

knzn

Yes, congrats! It's not my line, but "without pics, it didn't happen!"

overthehillmedi

Lady Phredette,you're welcome,glad to help!

TimothyF

Jealous. It is the bike I want, but cannot afford. Congrats, and ride and extra mile for me on that thing.

jgjulio

Congratulations. New bike = happiness! I hope the wait is not too bad.
Oh and ..... pictures please!

wayne pattee

Good choice on the bike.I love those.
Need pics as soon as possable.

phredette

Right now I can afford it, though like many, I'm looking at my resources in a new light.

Part of the reason for buying a really good and sturdy bike is that I may really need this for good transportation some day. My income relies upon the discretionary income of others: if this suffers, I still want to be able to travel, even if I can't afford road or plane trips if gas goes back up, which I suspect one day sooner or later it will.

I have a light road bike, but it might not get me through the long haul

Phredette

mesasone

Great choice, you won't regret it! I was very worried of the drops on my LHT when I first got it, having only ridden with flats prior. It took some time to get everything adjusted, but I love them now! I still probably don't have a perfect bike fit - something I look forward to doing this spring, but overall very comfy!

As far as security goes - I don't think the red bar tape is going to deter a thief who has already cut through your two locks! For my bike, well I haven't been locking it up... but that's because I only ride it to work where it's safe. Up until winter, I was just using a cable lock... didn't really care for it too much tbh. Now that it's getting nicer out, I'm going to need to get a new lock since I will be venturing out on my bike more often.

I've been looking at just getting a set of Pitlock locking skewers, and a high quality mini U-lock. I live in a pretty low theft area (Iowa in general), so I think with the Pitlocks my wheels will be safe, and if I can't find anything to lock my bike up to I cn just put the U-Lock through the rear wheel/triangle so it can't be ridden away. I want a system that is reasonably secure and no-hassle. Hopefully I'm not being too naive :x

BikeArkansas

Congratulations on the LHT. Mine is only a couple months old, but has already become a favorite. I also have a light road bike which I like to ride. It is just different to get on the LHT fully loaded, ride to a camping area, and spend a night or two. This bike does not care much about the weight it carries, it just keeps on going.

overthehillmedi

So where are the pictures?We've given you two days to post them.

phredette

I think it would help to get the bike first? Not gonna happen for a couple of weeks, I'm told.

Phredette

overthehillmedi

I think that between now and then thoust will develop a severe case of ants in the pants.The only treatment that I think might help is to put some quality time on the other bike and go for lots of rides.