Thanks to those of you who provided guidance as I was choosing my first road bike - finally went for the Orbea Mitis Dama with a few upgrades - full Ultegra, Ksyrium Elites, an FSA carbon compact crank for the Boulder climbs. Can't wait till I can actually breathe at this altitude!

Photo attached for your viewing pleasure.

Laura

That's a beautiful ride. I'm jealous, as I have to wait until Wednesday until my schedule allows me to pick up my new bike. I talked to the head wrench on Saturday and he said he did a full pro-build on it that morning (I noticed some poor braking on my test rides).

C'mon...Wednesday...

Congrats on the new wheels.

Thanks to those of you who provided guidance as I was choosing my first road bike - finally went for the Orbea Mitis Dama with a few upgrades - full Ultegra, Ksyrium Elites, an FSA carbon compact crank for the Boulder climbs. Can't wait till I can actually breathe at this altitude!

Photo attached for your viewing pleasure.

Laura

The bike looks great. Hop on and take some easy rides--you'll get accustomed to the altitude soon enough (just as this east-coaster stops sucking wind after a few days of Rockie Mountain skiing). You'll find your legs and your lungs, and will tweak your setup, with time.

My advice is to sit and stare at it a lot.... Become good and friends and most importantly don't push getting used to the altitude too fast. We moved out here this past spring. I think I pushed riding a little too har to start with and I ended up coming down with a nasty cold/pnuemonia that had e down for a month. Do some spins around Boulder and take the time to dial your bike in. You will start to tell when you are getting your lungs. Even the flat rides have up to five hundred feet of slow elevation gain as you climb up to some of the mesa's.

Beauty of a bike.. enjoy

I love it! I have an '04 Mitis Carbon as well (although not the Dama) and I absolutly love the geometry of the bike, it fits me perfect. Yours has a little better set-up than mine as I have full Campy Centaur with a triple up front on Campy Vento wheels. Ventos are not known for their lightness (2000g for the pair, no skewers! Heavy) but they are super tough, good for a Clyde like me. Looks like you got one of the smaller sizes so expect it to be stiff when out of the saddle but with the carbon stays and forks you wont feel much road vibration.

After having my bike for only a month now, and doing only fast group rides once a week for 26miles, I finally did a lonbg distance ride: 90.4 miles!!! My first major ride on this bike (or any bike for that matter!) and I learned that I am too FAT to climb with my riding buddy! He is about 50lbs lighter and 6" shorter so he can climb like a goat. But even after a greuling 6 hours in the saddle I love this bike even more!!!

Only problem I had with the bike is one of my bottle cages rattled loose, no biggie, stopped at the local firestation (no place else was open on Sunday) and borrowed some tools and got on our way.

Love the color choice, as well!!

Enjoy, and ride often.

Thanks to those of you who provided guidance as I was choosing my first road bike - finally went for the Orbea Mitis Dama with a few upgrades - full Ultegra, Ksyrium Elites, an FSA carbon compact crank for the Boulder climbs. Can't wait till I can actually breathe at this altitude!

Photo attached for your viewing pleasure.

Laura

I have an Oebea Onix, love it and most other Orbea's. bet you'll love this one too!!! sadly my onix must be sold due to neck injury, but from the few months I rode it, I'm quite sold on Orbea's

I bet you will look HOT riding that beauty! So if you ever want to get a little ride action with me just say the word! I'll show you a good ride!!! ;^) (relax everyone [moderators??], Laura is my GF and I helped her pick the bike. Just a little humor) Ride ON!!!

Keep it clean!