Well, cycling wasn't making the sciatica any worse. In fact the sciatica seems to be improving in small steps. So, I pulled the trigger. I got the 2012 Giant Defy 1.

You know you need another bike, don't you? That's how N + 1 works, you know.

Like the Blue......Dang you is a skinny guy.

nicely done sir

Nice machine.

I also like your bike.

Very nice.

Thanks.

As for being skinny...I am now...back at the end of August 2010, I weighed 251 lbs. Now I weigh 147 lbs.

Sweet!!!

Very sweet machine, ride the wheel's off of it and ENJOY!!

Not sure anyone noticed, but I had the LBS put on Gatorskins instead of the default tires. I took the default tires home as back ups.

My LBS gave me 15% off all the accessories I bought since purchasing the bike(tires, bag on the top bar, water bottle, water bottle cage, spare tube, cycle computer)

Looks so sweet Mike, glad you pulled the trigger! Now a ride and pie choice report are in order form you. Keep on riding my friend!

Bill

Very impressive!! The bike is cool, too.

I can't believe I forgot the PIE!!!! Being diabetic though, I have to be careful with pie. Mmmmmm, blueberry, or cherry, or... But, I did celebrate with an Italian sausage with sauteed onions and green peppers on nice bun at Costco last night.

I can't tell the wife my weight any more...she's frustrated with hers at the moment...btw, I checked this morning and I'm actually 145. Don't regret that treat I had yesterday now.

That's a very nice looking bike and I'm sure it will give you many miles of enjoyable riding. I really like the color combination. I bought a set of 25 cm Gatorskins to replace the Kenda OEM tires on my Defy and had about 150 miles on them when I purchased the Colnago, in January. I had the LBS swap the tires out because I like the ride of the 25 cm tires over the 23's that came on the Colnago. So far they have over 1,400 miles on them and have not had the dreaded f word. I have the Vittoria tires from the Colnago on the Defy, which I'm trying to sell.

Way to go Mike, enjoy the new ride.

Congrats on the weightloss and the bike.

Bikey Mikey only needs to say "WINNING". Great going all around!

By definition we are all in the N+1 club...

Love the new bike, especially the blue accents. Go out and ride!

Congrats! Hope you get many happy miles on it.

So what's the next one going to be?

Did 23 miles on the new bike. I had to stop a couple of times. Butt was hurting--not sure if it's because the saddle is not that great, or because I'm in a new position and not used to it compared to the really cushy comfort bike seat and its position. I got fit yesterday at the LBS and several adjustments were made. I think I'll need to give the saddle several rides before making an accurate evaluation.

I was conservative with the ride so my speed wasn't that much different than on the Diamondback comfort(The avg was faster though and more consistent throughout--definitely easier in the climbs). I need to get used to the new position and balance. Left hand did some tingling--might have been griping too tight in addition to the carpal tunnel I have. Need to get comfortable holding on with only one hand so I can shake the tingling hand back to normal. Comfort and confidence with balance will come quickly I'm sure.

Woo hoo. Very nice.

Had that happen when I got my N+1. The OEM saddle on the Defy was a wider saddle then the Colnago saddle. After my first thirty mile ride on the new saddle, my sit bones were sore to the point that it hurt to sit. They got better a few rides later and now the new saddle is broken in and very comfortable. And yes, the new riding position will take a few rides to get used to.

Yesterday, I mounted the Airstrike aerobars that I got last year for Father's Day on the Colnago. I tried yesterday to go from the hoods to the aerobars and back and it looked as if I was riding drunk; swaying all over the bike path. Went and practiced some more today and did a lot better. I think I figured out a way to get the hands to the aerobars and back without swaying the bike from side to side. More practice is certainly needed. The aerobars also put you in a slightly lower position than riding the drops so that is also going to be something to work on.

Hope you realise that these defy's are a Special machine so it is a good job you are a lightweight. But putting all that weight onto the frame is going to slow you down. Bag under the saddle--in fact two--Bag under the Bars and the size of that water bottle

Good choice- Now all you have to do is post it under the 2012 N+1 Post and join Club Tombay

Good choice.

Edit--See you have already replied on the N+1 post.

@Stepfam,

There's nothing in the bag on the top frame under the front of the saddle so I'll likely take that off. The water bottle is an insulated one, so not as much more water fits in it than a regular bottle. The under the seat at the rear bag has a spare tube, patch kit, multi-tool, and 3 plastic tire changing tools and it's where the Radbot 1000 hangs--so that bag's a keeper. Got to keep the pump. What really adds weight is the MagicShine 808e + battery(what appears to be the bag under the bars)--I want to be seen in the daytime, so it's going to stay. I guess I need to get stronger to go faster. Here's my fingers crossed so that club Tombay is one I never join.

@John_V,

When I rode yesterday on the test ride and then later to go take pics, I felt like I was re-learning to ride a bike and was really nervous moving the hands. At times I bet I looked like I was drunk riding the bike. In the later half or last third of the ride today, I was able to ride one handed to get my left hand feeling normal again much more easily. I need to get used to, confident with, and good at using only one hand on the bars so I can signal when I need to turn. Getting into the drops doesn't seem to be too much a problem, but getting out is still a tad shaky.