Things got a little challenging as we started riding with the WWFs in February this year. Daddy Lim and I are the rare MTBs while the rest flew by on their roadies and hybrids. They are a considerate group though and made sure that nobody gets drop off during the group rides. Nevertheless, Daddy Lim and I tried our best and feel bad when the rest have to wait for us.
Regardless of how hard we tried, we realised that there are physical constrains. Any speed above 25km/h leaves us panting like mad and a 40km ride is already pushing our limits. I am quite sure that our fitness has to blame but I would still like to blame it on the lack of "proper" bikes. Hehehe. At times that we were exhausted chasing on the group rides, I really want to get a roadie.
After much consideration, it is finally THE time. Hehehe. This will be the 1st roadie in my life. I had intended to wait for Daddy Lim; I would sponsor his roadie so long as he quits smoking. Ya, I got fed up with waiting and was hoping that my purchase would give him more motivation. I am imagining myself cruising past him whistling as he pants and huffs. Muahahaha.
There was much discussion of a 2nd hand bike. Seriously, I have no qualms while Daddy Lim was all for a brand new bike. We had been paying some attention to To Go Parts in hope of finding good deals with the right size and specs. Unfortunately, we have no such luck so far.
Then, there was this question of a racing geometry or an endurance one. Without ever being on a roadie, we decided to go bike testing/ shopping to find out.
The kids were in Maths class while we rushed to Rodalink at TradeHub. They didnt carry the brands that we were looking for. Seriously, there are so many different brands but I only have 2 in my head - Specialised and Giant. My MTB is a Giant and Specialised is an atas brand. For Daddy Lim, it is usually an atas something or nothing. He had been Specialised this and Specialised that for a long time, which is why I only registered 2 brands in my head. Haha.
So, I got to try a Polygon endurance bike and a Colnago racing bike.
Granted that the test riding distance was really short, I could not tell much of a difference. However, the latter comes with Ultegra groupset and it was smoother. I now know that I wanted an Ultegra. Hahaha.
While enroute to the ECP skatepark, we detoured to the bike shops at Ubi; the same place that I had bought my "love". We visited Specialised and have to acknowledge their good customer service.
The sales recommedned a over $3k bike for me. Test riding is not allowed but I did get to mount the bike. Then I was reduced to entertaining Zaky in case he knocks over $10k bikes. Lol. I didnt particularly like or dislike the bike; the encounter (with the bike) was way too superficial for any feelings to develop.
Then, we hopped over to Giant. Yes, the same place where I got my MTB.
The sales recommended the Liv Langma Advanced Pro. While there was again no ride testing, the sales gave me a simple bike fitting, measuring here and there before declaring that it was a perfect size and optimal saddle height. I also got to peddle while on the trainer. The feeling was good. It comes with the Ultegra groupset - brownie points!
I was told that it was the last piece but I wasnt ready to splurge almost $3k without more research. The boy was also starting to whine about his skatepark. The Langma didnt go home with me despite how encouraging Daddy Lim was and I do have a good feeling about it.
I wanted to do more research (ok, Daddy Lim to do more research) to make sure that it was the best (or at least good) deal. I get confused with all the differnt jargons and left the reading up to Daddy Lim. There are afterall so many other brands that we didnt explore.
Daddy Lim nicely read up on the other possibilities and declared that the Langma is indeed value for money. Hehehe. I like this conclusion. The only hurdle now is storage - where can we store another expensive house in our tiny house?
Then what happens to my trusty Giant MTB?
Hehehe. When Lil Shauna is finally comfortable with my MTB, we do have her Btwin to give away. Hands up anyone?
At least I now know that I wanted an Ultegra and I fit a size 48 or 49 or a S size bike. Nice...
Mummy Lim
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