Maiden voyage
 

Well....if it were a boat.

My Marin San Rafael hybrid started falling apart after 6 months. Yesterday I visited REI and returned it for a full refund and 2 hrs later walked out the door with a Novara Randonee. I originally wanted a Cannondale T800 but with a 20% off coupon, the refund, and my dividend, spending $300 for this bike was a steal.
That and I threw a cyclocomputer on it. :)
My wife is lucky I did not walk out of there with the bike, a jersey, bib shorts, and more. :p

Keep in mind that I have only ridden MTBs and hybrids before this. Thus, making the Randonee my first drop handle bike. Heck, figuring out how to shift took me a minute. The drop handles will take a bit of getting used to. I ended up using the straight part of the handles most. Probably, due to the types of bikes I have ridden in the past.

I have determined that I can not estimate distance and\or speed. 35 miles from my house to my work was actually 30 miles. I thought I was hauling on my hybrid. However, the speed was probably more like 12 miles an hr.
When I hit 17 mph on the new bike I felt like I was flying. Then the 30mph I hit going down a hill.....egads.

One wonders how others manage to pull 20mph+ as their average speed. Guess I will blame it on my fully loaded panniers :p My average was an amazing 15mph. In a month this should be up quite a bit. Too much fiddling around with the bike on this commute.

Incidentally, would 45mm fenders look odd on a bike with 700X23 tires?

Congratulations on the new bike and on a new personal best speed. Have fun and enjoy the bike.
Aren't you going to share a photo?

If my camera was working. A link is about all I can manage
Nevermind. This site seems a tad frelled.

Just set your computer for a bigger wheel circumference and you will match the speeds quoted by bf members. Enjoy!!!

Gratz !!!

But, as you well know, this thread is useless without pics :)

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!

Once you get used to the drops you will not go back to straight ... never.

As soon as you get one with your new bike you will be hauling major a$$ ... even with panniers.

Even my hybrid is donned with drop bars.

LOL!

On my way in I am still running about 12-15mph.
The way back is in the low 20s. Obviously, I have hills. :p
Heck, I spent 20 minutes at 25mph.
The strange thing is my overall time has not dropped for the return. Dang traffic, lights, and stop signs.
I did shave 15 minutes off of the way in. :)

I am already there. :)
I love the drops. It's nice that I can do 15mph up a small hill into a 20mph headwind using the end of my drops to achieve a better aero position.
Now I'm seriously addicted. :p
The first thing out of my mouth when I got home yesterday to my wife was "I need a more aerodynamic helmet and a tight jersey".

Two questions:
1) Do they make any attachments to allow you to either brake or shift from the top of the bar? This would be in addition to the drop shifter\brake.
2) Would 45mm freddy fenders look strange on a 700X23 tire? I guess I could try it. I'm curious what y'all think. Otherwise, it's time to buy another set of fenders.

1. Yes, there are top mounted brake levers made for Cyclocross. They intercept the cable on its way from the road levers to the brakes. There are lots to choose from at the link below. You should be able to get some and have them installed at your LBS.

http://www.store.yahoo.com/cyclocros...untlevers.html

2. Yes, those 45's will look 'very' strange if you are running a 700x23 tire.

I saw a pic of your bike and you should be able to brake riding on the "hoods"

Thanks all. Time to order a new set of fenders.

DataJunkie you may want the 45s anyway. Do you commute in the winter? going to use studded tires? Those 45s will allow a studded tire. The question is will the 45s fit on the Novara?

Actually, my wife may be getting into cycling. She is getting a tad envious of my weight loss.
Or I may try a larger tire in winter.
With bike parts I am a packrat. You just never know when a part or accessory may come in handy.

Once you get used to the drops you will not go back to straight ... never.
+1!

"I ended up using the straight part of the handles most"
Many of us ride the "tops" or the "hoods" most of the time while navigating traffic etc.

Congrats on the upgrade in speed, keep up the good work!