the universe wanted me to buy a handlebar today
You ever have one of times where it seems everything in your life is leading you to do a specific thing? I just had a minor one of those.
First, I decided to buy the Orca. Then I decided to wait until I could afford all new components rather than move the Pilot components over to the new machine. Then I started shopping for what I wanted and planning my budget.
While I was doing this earlier in the week, I got a newsletter from a local bike store chain about their "Women's Weekend" thing going on this weekend, with clinics and rides and whatnot. One caught my eye...a representative from Specialized was coming to do a clinic on women's products and bike fit on Friday night. And there would be wine! It was like they had been reading my diary. As it happened, I had a meeting yesterday that was going to get me out of work about an hour earlier than normal, so I would have plenty of time to get across town to this thing. I signed up.
Last night, I made it to the clinic, and it was really great. However, since I got there about 45 minutes late (the universe may have aligned to send me there, but traffic did not), I had missed the main thing I wanted to hear--the part about reach. Because, as I've mentioned a time or a thousand to everyone who will listen, I have reach issues on my current bike, and I am worried about perpetuating them on the new one.
So, after the clinic, I approached the Specialized girl with my reach questions, and after I described my shoulder pain, she mostly* confirmed what I already thought--my handlebars are probably too wide. She rolled out a 51cm Ruby, had me stand over it and put my hands on the hoods.
LOVE.
Not only did the narrower grip feel more natural, but the the drops were shallower and more curved, so the reach to every hand position was reduced by as much as 5mm. Lemme tell ya--my legs may not be suited to womens-specific geometry, but my arms sure as hell are. :) Though I didn't test ride, I was pretty sure this was exactly what I had been looking for. I got the name of the carbon version(Ruby SL), so that I could google for deals.
The only things I found on the internet were confusion about sizes (I had always measured end-to-end, sizing is center-to-center), and someone else on a forum, asking if anyone knew of anywhere she could score a deal on a 40cm. Apparently, this handlebar is hard to find as a separate component and eBay is useless on the matter. Crap. I would fall in love with a handlebar that I'd have to buy retail.
But this story isn't over. Because it rained this morning, I was going to just forget about my club ride and go to the 7:00 spin class instead. Then the other beginner ride leader called and said that it was just misting at the start area, so I told her I'd be there, if only to wait and see if anyone would show up. By the time I got there, it had graduated from mist to rain, we were the only people there, and we both decided to cancel.
On the way back to Rob's, I still really wanted a ride in some form, so I decided to go get breakfast and then hit the 9:30 spin class. I don't like the instructor at all, but I need miles and it was better than nothing. It turned out to be a good decision. While I did hate her more each minute of her whooping, weird-face-making, ponytail-swinging directionless "class", she did mention that one of the bike shops in town was having its big sale weekend. It's not my shop of choice, but it is a Specialized dealer. I left the class 10 minutes early, changed clothes, and headed to the big sale, hoping to score a good price on my handlebar.
The shop was as busy as I'd ever seen it. Since I was still unsure of the size I needed or if they even would have any in stock, I waited to talk to a salesperson. I had my keychain tape measure with me (I'm such a dork), so I spent my wait time measuring handlebars from end to end. Eventually, a salesguy approached me, and I got my questions answered--I needed a 38cm handlebar, they did have one in stock, and it was 10% off through the end of the weekend. Woo!
Because I'm kind of an asshole, I told them that I'd come back, and then went over to my regular shop to see if they would match the price so I could buy it there instead. This brought some more sizing anxiety, because the guy there insisted that my shoulders look like they should fit a 40 (see footnote). After some measuring and talking and checking of inventory, we determined that my current handlebar is a 40, and that a 38 is worth a shot(maybe just to shut me up about it...who knows?). Also, the only one they have in stock is a 40, and he couldn't match the other shop's price on a special order. They would, however, be more than happy to put the bar on for me once I get it. So, I drove back to the other shop, where they seemed surprised to see me again. :) I grabbed the box and some sport beans and stood at the counter line. Where the owner was manning the register, and asked me if I was sure about the sizing. Sigh. I fought back the urge to bang my head on the counter.
After I explained my whole handlebar odyssey (chronic upper shoulder/neck pain, three stores, differing opinions, feel totally fucking clueless, etc), he retrieved a big carpenter's level from behind the counter. He held it just below my shoulders asked me to put my middle knuckles on the 10cm and 48cm marks. Looking at the result, he pronounced me a definite 38, and even that was pushing it. Hmm...while I don't doubt the best intentions of all the shops I do business with, this experience kind of makes me wonder how much my bike fit has been influenced by stock on hand. The guy who had a 40 thought I was a 40, the guy who has a 38 thinks I'm a 38. Fortunately, I also feel like a 38, so I bought the handlebar with renewed confidence. Still, I made sure to put my receipt in a safe place. Trust but verify, you know. :)
So, to sum up--delayed gratification, work, email, traffic, free wine, google, weather, and a big weekend sale all came together to cause me to buy a 3-ft piece of bent carbon tubing. I paid more than I originally wanted to, but I think it will be worth every penny.
*(warning: geeky bike rant ahead) she also said that she would normally fit someone my size on a 51cm WSD frame. You know, after spending the past year or so talking with different people at different shops about bike fit, I've come to the conclusion that it is very subjective. When I first bought the Pilot, the first shop I went to was dead-set against selling me a womens-specific bike because I have long femurs for my height. This was confirmed on the test rides, when I felt very cramped on a 51cm Dolce. I based my entire shopping experience on that first impression. That guy's apparently the only one who could see this on first glance, though, because everyone else who looks at me says that they would "normally fit" me on a 51 (The Orbea guy said a 48, but that top tube is the same length as a Trek/Specialized WSD 51cm frame). Then I have to explain again that I've been there, done that, needed a longer top tube. They always kind of shrug when I tell them my legs need a top tube longer than 52cm, but it makes me doubt myself every damn time. I mean, if the experts can't agree, what hope do I have of ever finding the right fit?
Posted by Joy at February 24, 2007 06:48 PM
