OiS

Well, i am very happy with my new bike, I have had it now for nearly 3 weeks, and although I already swapped out the saddle, I am loving it!

[About me and my story]
For anyone interested, first a little story about me, and how I came to buy the bike I did (skip down a few paragraphs if you just want to get to the part about the bike!) Some time ago, about 2001, I had a bike custom made for me, I road it a lot, and thoroughly enjoyed it. About 18 months ago, I moved country, and did not bring a lot with me, although I did bring my bike! Not long after being here, a spoke snapped on me and threw my old 16 spoke shimano wheels way outta wack. At that time, they had lasted me a good 8 years, so I thought it time to upgrade, and put on a new set of HED Bastogne wheels. They were not top top end, but still a very nice set of wheels. Then, a few weeks of running in the new wheels, and on a bright sunny Sunday afternoon, after I stopped at a shopping centre, locked up my bike to a pole, with my usual 2 locks, a thick steel u-bolt to secure the front wheel to the frame, and a cable lock to lock the back wheel and frame to a pole. Around 30 mins in the shops, I come out, and bike is gone, no trace of it. Lots of people around, no-one saw anything.

So, I was very annoyed for a number of weeks, but finally thought I would buy a replacement. Annoyed about the theft, I was reluctant to spend a lot, and just bought a reasonable quality MTB 2nd-hand. So I started riding that around for a little while, and was determined not to leave it in any public place. As for home, I thought it was pretty safe. I currently live in a secure condo, no-one is supposed to be able to get in or out without an access card, or talking to security. Nevertheless, one morning I went down to the secure car park to get my bike for a ride to work, and, it's gone. I complained to the security guards about it, and they said that sometimes that happens, they don't know how. Well, that's just great.

So, there I was, annoyed that I had lost another bike in such a short space of time, and basically gave up on the idea of getting another one for quite some time, until about a month ago. About a month ago, I realised my weight, which had not been that low at the time my bikes were stolen, had taken a turn north. About 15kg north. That realisation was a bit of a shock and I thought "bugger it! I am not gonna let a bunch of thieves have such an impact on me!" So instead of just another moderately priced bike that I would have to keep inside to feel it was secure enough, I thought I would pull out all the stops and get something really good. This way I could feel that in the end, I would have a much better bike as a result of the others having been stolen. I would feel I came out on top. Also, in getting something really good, I would have much more motivation if I have a sweet bike to look forward to riding. Naturally, I was also determined to actually hold onto it, so, actually, now I have NO lock for my bike. My new bike will be kept IN the apartment, and (because my wife drew the line at it being in bed with us ), it is locked within a large walk-in closet within the apartment. And when I am out with it, it does not leave my sight, even for a second.

Of course I knew that I was going to get a top end road bike, and that being the big guy I am, I might look a bit stupid on it, but I didn't care, the bike was for me, not for anyone else. I did a bit of research, and after checking out a number of bike shops here In Singapore, judging, most importantly, the bike itself, but also the feel and quality of the bike shops and how friendly the staff were, I made my decision.

[The Bike]
After much debate, I decided on the Trek Madone 6.9, Project One, LIVESTRONG version, complete with Shimano Di2 groupset. After a few weeks of riding, with a bit of pain in the privates, I have today just had a new Selle SMP Carbon seat added to replace the matching Bontrager saddle.

For any interested in reading more detail about this bike, and better pics, although not of MY actual bike, see here.

Here are a few pics of my new baby:



This one was from last weekend, by the water along the East Coast Park of Singapore.



This one was taken with a view to the new Marina Bay Sands in the background.



This one was taken today after having fit my new Selle SMP seat - looking forward to testing that out tomorrow morning!!

As for the impact on me so far, I weighed in a few days after picking up my new baby, and I was at 129.2kgs. That was 2 weeks ago, and as of yesterday 125.6kgs. Still a long way to go to my target, but nevertheless, a solid start.

Wish me luck!

Happy trails everybody!

scrming

That is terrible about your stolen bikes! It's a terrible feeling...

And wow.. that is a very nice new bike! Congrats on it!

And great job on the weight loss!

engstrom

OiS - good luck and sorry to hear about thieves stealing your other bikes but congratulations on your new sweet ride. Also, good on you for realizing that you get the bike YOU want for what YOU want to do and not worry about what others think. Keep up the good work!

cyclist2000

Nice new ride. sorry to hear about the stolen bikes. But I love sharp new bikes.

Mr. Beanz

Yeah, nice bike!

I won't even keep my bikes in our garage, they stay inside...also under locks and keys! If we ever go out to eat after a ride, I never go anywhere that requires taking my eye off the bikes, locked in the back of my truck. My seat faces my truck or I don't eat there!

And my bikes are near as nice as yours!

turtlewoman

That is a super, super sweet ride, man!!! But I am so sorry to hear about the two you lost. That seriously sucks!

OiS

Good safety philosophy that!

Also thanks everyone else for your kind words.

Happy trails!