Had to put my bike in the shop today. I'm upgrading shifters from Sora to 105's. But, heres the rub, its not gonna be done until next Thursday.

I'm not sure I can go that long without a good ride.


(I believe this is where yall bust my cajones about working on my own bike, right?)

Yup! A job like that could be done in 2 hours easily at home, including a nap and a 3 course meal.

which is why everyone needs a back-up bike + 1.

I may be waiting for tires next monday morning, if I have to, I will ride the single speed retro crapo schwinn cruiser to work before I drive.

No, we bust them for not having a backup bike. What happens when something really goes wrong? Like a taco'd wheel or bottom bracket problems or your derailleur overshifted into the spokes and you bent the rear fork backwards.

Build a new wheel, hour job.

hour job with a nap

instal new rear derailleur, hour job with a meal

What the heck is a rear fork?

My question of your LBS would be why do they need to keep the bike a week for a job that'll take an hour or so? Why not schedule an appointment in advance and then bring in the bike when the shop has the needed parts and time to work on it?

Oh, they offered to do an appointment, but with my work schedule & commute I cant work out the timing & logistics to make that happen. My LBS has some good guys working there. They've taken good care of me so far. I go on vacation next Thursday and my bike is going with us so I am kinda in a time crunch there.

The funny part about a back up bike is that I actually sold the Trek that was gonna be my back up so that I could get my Allez sooner. And I loaned my mountain bike to a friend to try to get him hooked on the hobby so I'd have a riding partner. Im sure that once I have this bike where I want I will start looking for a back up.

Day five: I can now officially say that I am addicted to riding. I cant focus on work, I'm fidgety, restless & irritable. I WANT TO RIDE MY BIKE, DAMMIT!!!!!!


Unlike other addictions in the past, though, I hope this period of cold turkey doesn't cure me.

Does that seem crazy to yall?

WOOO HOOOOOO!

They just called and its done a day early. Yup, my LBS takes pretty good care of me.

I'm surprised that some bike shops can't be like car dealers - give you a loaner while yours in in their shop

Rode her over to the pharmacy just to see how the 105's feel. I'm likin' this a lot. Now I understand when people refer to the Sora's as "clunky".

Oddly, I am already mulling over the next upgrade. The word "brakes" keep coming to mind. Honestly, H + Son SL 42's are HUGE on my wish list, but brakes seem somehow a wee bit more important. (but I'm starting to set $$$ aside for the wheels!)

I think I am headed down a slippery slope of upgraditis. Yall don't see a problem with that do ya?

I don't see a problem with the upgrade path. I recently upgraded the brakes on my LHT from the stock Tektro Oryx to Paul Touring Cantis. The difference is very noticeable.

For bike +1, may I suggest something like a Christiania. Cheaper than a race-grade bike, and more practical for running to the home supply store for potting soil, etc.