New ride

My new toy has arrived. A 2002 LeMond Tete de Course:

• 53cm butted Reynolds titanium frame, carbon fiber fork, integrated Cane Creek headset.
• Factory ITM Mantis aluminum stem, bars, and seatpost
• Shimano WH-7700 wheelset
• Shimano PD-7750 pedals
• Selle San Marco Era saddle

I don’t have road shoes yet, so no long rides. I’ve only rolled around a few parking lots to adjust fit. Still, it’s amazing how much quicker this 18.5 lb. racing machine is than my older 27 lb. Trek mountain hardtail. Weight and tire friction just can’t explain it all, I guess all that frame geometry and component precision voodoo might be for real.

The saddle has to go, though. Italians must have pelvises about half the width of mine. Hopefully I can find a way to test a SaddleCo.