Addition to Our Family (Good News 3 of 3)

(No, we’re STILL not having a baby.)

My tri bike, Big Rhonda, has treated me well. I started my amateur triathlete career in her arms (well, in her aero bars).

She got me through Ironman WI 2007:

Kissing Big Rhonda the morning of IM


IM WI ride

But it’s been 3 years. It’s time to get a “big boy” tri bike. (Pharmie was actually pushing for it more than I was - I think she realized how great biking was once she got a “big girl” tri bike, and she felt a little guilty that I was still stuck on old, heavy Big Rhonda.)

So, on Valentines Day, I asked this beauty to “be mine:” (a Specialized Transition Expert 2007)

Aero bars and computer


Carbon seat post


Carbon front fork






I added Armadillo tires to the Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheelset

Here's more than you probably care to know about my new bike (heck, this is more than I even care to know):

• FRAME: Specialized E5 AEROTEC, fully manipulated Columbus aero tubing, compact Transition race design
• FORK: Specialized FACT monocoque carbon aero fork, carbon legs, crown, and steerer, Speed Zertz (for dampening vibrations)
• HEADSET: Specialized Mindset Plus Carbon, 1 1/8" integrated threadless, cartridge sealed bearings, alloy 20mm cone w/ one 10mm and two 5mm alloy spacers
• STEM: Specialized Pro-Set lightweight stem, 3D forged alloy, 4-bolt 31.8mm bar clamp, 4- position adjustable
• HANDLEBARS: Specialized Zertz Transition bullhorn bars, 31.8 clamp, w/ Profile Designs T2 Cobra aero bars
• FRONT BRAKE: Shimano Ultegra
• REAR BRAKE: Shimano Ultegra
• BRAKE LEVERS: Aero Levers
• FRONT DERAILLEUR: Shimano Ultegra, 31.8mm clamp, bottom pull
• REAR DERAILLEUR: Shimano Ultegra, short cage
• SHIFT LEVERS: Shimano Dura-Ace, 10-speed bar ends
• CASSETTE / FREEWHEEL: Shimano Ultegra, 12-27t
• CHAIN: Shimano Ultegra, 10-speed
• CRANKSET: FSA SL-K MegaExo, 2-piece carbon crankset
• CHAINRINGS: 53x39T
• BOTTOM BRACKET: FSA MegaExo, integrated exterior cartridge bearings, alloy
• RIMS: Mavic Kysrium Elite
• FRONT HUB: Mavic Ksyrium Elite, 18 hole, Mavic QR
• REAR HUB: Mavic Ksyrium Elite, 20 hole, Mavic QR
• SPOKES: Stainless 14g aero
• TIRES: Replaced factory tires with Specialized All-Condition Armadillo tires (700x23c)
• SADDLE: Body Geometry Toupé Team, superlight foam, carbon reinforced base, microfiber cover
• SEAT POST: Specialized Transition carbon w/ Speed Zertz
• SEAT BINDER: Specialized CNC, alloy

So, basically it's an upgrade on most every level from Big Rhonda: frame, wheelset, seat post, derailleurs, aero bars, and every other component. Here’s Pharmie and I from a few days ago as we’re on our bikes in the basement:

I don’t have a name for her yet (yes, I THINK it’s a female). And I won’t be riding her outside until it clears off a little. I might take Rhonda out for a ride or 2 before I sell her. Yep, Big Rhonda has to go. It’ll be a sad day, because I’m sentimental about each piece of equipment / gear / clothing that got me through my first Ironman. But I’m hoping I can sell her to a good home and help get someone else hooked on triathlons!!

It felt weird to get a new bike, but then to spend yesterday on a strange spinning bike for over 3 hours! It felt like cheating on my new bike! (If you didn’t see my post from last night, a bunch of us went to a 5 hour spin class, and Pharmie lasted ALL 5 HOURS!)