Tomorrow’s the Big Day, so today I stopped by to say Hi to the Clever Cycles Gang, and just see if there was anything to see. And there was! Turns out they’ve hired a new guy, named Colin, and he gets the honor of building my BD. I say honor because it’s a super fine BD, not because it’s mine.
So I went over to the CC, met Colin (look how adorable he is, posing for me), stood around chatting and petting the BD, snapped a few pics with the trusty old iPhone, chastised all of them for not participating in the World Naked Bike Ride, and just had a fun time there as usual. And by the way, one CC employee DID partake of the WNBR. Yay to you, my friend!
Tomorrow at lunch I’ll take my old saddle and pedals over for installation on the BD. It’s not that I couldn’t install them myself, it’s just that I know Colin will want to test ride his work, and pedals and saddle will help. We’re getting there! I’m scheduled to pick it up Wednesday night. I have a stupid meeting from 12 to 5 that day, can you believe it? I’m going to try to duck out as early as possible; I hate when I get to CC late, and keep them there while they’re trying to close. I’m sure they hate that, too. Sorry, CC
Edit: Tomorrow is not the Big Day, tomorrow is the Big Day Eve. Apparently I’m too excited to know the difference.
Another Edit: No wait, tomorrow IS the Big Day. My god, somebody build up that bike and give it to me before I have a stroke trying to figure out where I am!
June 17th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
TONIGHT is Big Day Eve! I hope you’re hanging the crepe paper streamers and have hired enough clowns for the occasion of your triumphant arrival home with your new BD!!
June 17th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
DAMNIT! I forgot to get the clowns! … I was voted Class Clown, does that count?
June 19th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
I like CC and everyone there, especially Sarah, she’s hot!
June 19th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
There’s really not an unhot person in that place, is there?
June 22nd, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Hi Sue! Nice Ride!
Just getting ready to pull the trigger on my own Xtra Xperience, and deciding between a custom build BD and retro-fitting my Trek 7300 of some unknown vintage.
Since you are way more experienced than I am at the whole X game, I have a couple of questions for you:
1. Can you define “short”? I am short (5′4″) and a quick measurement of my fave MTB ride (Schwinn Home Grown) shows the BD to have about 1.5″ more TT length than what I know fits like a glove. And I can tell you that my inseam is a lot less than 29″. Not sure I am willing to go to 24″ wheels, either…Hmmmm. Surly needs to make this in a 14″. Yeah! That’s what they need to do!
2. Can you give me a sense of what the total cost on your build + frame was? I’m not looking to go super high-end, but do want disk brakes. The full-build price from Xtra-cycle seems to be a sweet deal, but I don’t have patience to wait until August…or later. And, of course, I am short.
What do you think?
Jealously,
MaryBeth
HREF=”http://www.dinkswithkids.com”>dinkswithkids.com
June 23rd, 2008 at 3:06 am
Hi MaryBeth,
1. I am five-foot-nothing. I get around the longer top tube length issue by using the Albatross handlebars.
2. Price is between you and Clever Cycles! It all depends on what components you choose. I’m pretty sure there are no 16″ frames left anywhere BUT Clever Cycles right now. I agree that Surly should make a 14″ DB – maybe if they get enough emails they will.
3. If you like your Trek, then I’d say convert it to an Xtracycle. You can always sell it and upgrade to the BD later. I didn’t really like my MTB, so that’s why I went for the BD.
June 23rd, 2008 at 9:19 am
Thanks, Sue! I guess you’ve got me on “short”. I think I will stick with the old 7300 for now. It really is a nice ride and has served me well for the 6 months I’ve been commuting on it. I’ll give it a little love, and a long rear-end, and we’ll be in business!
Cheers!