THE Bike Version 2.0

I have been without a road bike for a couple of weeks but that is no more.  I shopped around a lot, I went to pretty much every single bike shop in Miami and I was able to test ride a grand total of THREE bikes.  Why?  Because apparently people my height don’t test ride bikes.  OK, that’s not true but it does have to do with my height.  I am 5’1.5″ (every half inch counts!) which is pretty short, especially as bikes go.  Most unisex bikes are not made small enough for me and most shops don’t bother to stock and/or build bikes my size, period. All this makes for a very frustrating bike shopping experience.  Everyone can and wants to order me a bike but no one has one I can ride.  I don’t remember if I mentioned this before but the bike I had to return, the Cannondale, actually gave me medial epicondylitis, otherwise known as golfer’s elbow, a type of tendinitis, on both elbows.  Ouch.  I’m MUCH better after two weeks off the bike but I’m not 100% recovered, I couldn’t even straighten my arms out.

Anyhow, the bike shopping was getting frustrating because it’s like buying a car you haven’t been able see, let one test ride, except that YOU are the engine in this vehicle and if it’s not the ride bike the engine simply won’t function well.  I ended up take a leap of faith and ordered a bike.  It’s not carbon and it’s not quite the same as the Cannondale but it was priced in range and it’s not entry level.  It has nice components and it’s a good looking bike.  Most importantly, IT IS THE RIGHT SIZE!  The shop ordered it on Tuesday and it arrived yesterday. I went today to pick it up and get fitted.  I have only ridden it on the trainer so far (while being fitted) but I know that at least I’m not kneeing myself in the face when I’m in the drops.  The real test of course is a proper ride.  Some changes may have to be made but at least the frame is the right size.  It’s a 47cm  (Trek does not make 48cm) 2011 Lexa SLX, a women’s specific line of bikes,  with the following specs (not that anyone other than myself cares!)