Hi Mark,

This overdue email is directed at giving you some feedback on the bike fit/adjustment you made for me on my Lemond road bike, back on June 5th (narrower handlebars, new stem, replaced and lowered the seat).

In review, shortly after returning to Hayward after my trip to Fountain City, I started teaching summer school which concluded at the end of June. This meant bike riding was limited but not excluded. In addition, on July 12, I was scheduled to have arthroscopic surgery for a meniscus tear on my right knee. I decided I’d be best prepared to meet surgery by exercising.  

At first after the bike fit when I began biking, as you indicated, I was using a whole different muscle group, and I had a few sore spots. However, after the first ride, the difference in my ability to reach the hoods, access the brakes and ride comfortably was dramatically improved. In fact, for the first time since I have been road biking (at least 10 years), I did not have a crick in my neck!

As time permitted, and I could bike more steadily, I began increasing my mileage. By the first week in July, my injured knee was feeling great. I shared my progress with my physician and ultimately cancelled my knee surgery.

Although I got a bit of a late start, I am now biking 30 to 40 miles a day, and doing great! (I think my pedaling form has improved too because I can pedal more evenly with greater power.

I cannot emphasize enough, the difference that bike fit has made in my ability to ride longer, and in comfort. Also the Sidi bike shoes I purchased fit and feel super. The shoes have contributed significantly to my biking comfort (no hot spots). I realize that the bike isn’t a great fit for me, but until I can afford for you to build a new one, the adjustments have made an incredible difference. I have some friends who would profit greatly from a bike fit. I wish you weren’t so far away.

We look forward to a trip to Fountain City in the near future! We will certainly stop when we come.

Again thanks for helping me stay biking!

Sharon Baertsch

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Hi Mark, 

I've been meaning to email you, but I have been gone most of last week.  I went out for 2 rides.  One the day after I picked up the bike.  Winds were horrible, but I felt like I was flying!  I didn't feel sore at all after the ride (other than the usual first ride of the year sore).  It was great!  I also was able to ride on Tues -I had the day of, by some stroke of luck.  I don’t know if I improved on the normal mph, but I think so.  Anyway, I love the bike.  The process was very smooth and extremely quick.  The custom fit really makes a difference and I will never do it another way again!  Thanks for everything.  I'm sure I will be stopping in Fountain City as soon as I'm ready for some hills!   

--Lynn 

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Mark,

I have had a chance to take the bike out twice and in one word "sweet".  It rides like a dream is very comfortable.  The longest ride I did was 12 miles so I have yet to try a 30-40 mile trip on the bike. 

As far as feedback, I appreciated the discussions we had regarding equipment choices.  Your extensive knowledge of biking is helpful to those of us who are novices in the biking circles.  Fitting the bike to my needs and lifestyle were in my opinion a big plus.  I know the bike is probably two pounds heavier than you would have preferred, however since comfort was the highest concern over weight it has worked out well.  You willing to listen to my concerns and take into account my physical limitations were big pluses in my opinion. 

This is not the bike you would have built for yourself but it is the bike built for my needs.  That is an excellent indicator on how well you listen and try to understand the needs of the people purchasing bikes from your shop. 

If I had to come up with any concerns, it would be your racing background tends to think more about weight and aerodynamics of a bike.  That is probably a big positive for most of your customers.  I do not know the demographics of who buys custom built bikes.  Broken down guys like myself will buy a custom bike for the fit and the comfort with aerodynamics and weight a second consideration. 

Overall the experience was certainly deserving of an A+.  You listened to what I had to say, offered me choices in equipment, explained the advantages/disadvantages of each choice and allowed me to make my selections without any noticeable condemnation.  Some bike shops look at you as if to say "real bikers would never make that choice".  This speaks volumes for your professionalism. 

I wish you much success and thank you for making my purchasing decision a most pleasant one.  Now if the cold weather and ice will go away I can give the bike a good workout. 

Best regards,

Jim

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Mark,

Received the bike yesterday and shipping went very good. By the time I got home from work and put it together I manage get a little 10 mile ride in and it is really great. I can not tell you how happy I am with the job you did here. I am very pleased with my experience with you and your bike shop. You would think in a city the size of Dallas I could find someone here to do what you did but no way. I will send you a picture here in the next week of me and the Great Look KG 381 bike.

Thanks again and if I know anyone who wants to have a bike built I know where to send them! 

Mark Russell

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Hi Mark, 

Once again, thanks for the Look.  I truly love it!  It’s slippery fast on the flats and a mountain goat on the climbs.

Later,

John

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Hi Mark, 

I just wanted to say a big fat thanks for helping me out.  I feel an even larger difference with the new ride than I ever expected; smooth and fast.  I only have a few rides on it but ‘wow’, if I would have known about the difference I would never have struggled as to weather or not it was worth spending the money.  Everyone (in the sport) who has looked at the bike has come right out and said that it is the coolest bike they have ever seen!  Then I point out the details you added to make it even cooler.  

Again THANKS! 

Roger

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Hi Mark – 

I’m very happy with your work on the new Lemond bike!  Looks great.  I like the technical package, and you have a good eye for creating a sharp appearance.  Your work and attention to detail is appreciated.  Over the winter I'll be working on better strength and skill level to try to match the ride!

See you soon --- Mark S 

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Mark- 

I just wanted to thank you again for helping me out with my bike.  The stem fits perfectly and now I don't have any excuses to not let it all out on the descents with the new brakes.  I have a pretty big exam on Fri., but hopefully I can catch the ride with you all on Thurs.

Thanks again,

Adam

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Hey BBS-

Thanks again to you guys, for training tips, as well as a great bike that made my triathlon wonderful. Oh, by the way...I took third in my age group, and qualified for Ironman Lake Placid, on July 27th!!!

See you soon,     Maggie

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Hey Mark,

Just wanted to let you know I am fully pumped about my new Klein. I spent Saturday evening dialing in and hooking up the computer, getting the Speedplay cleats on the Nikes, and generally looking at it on the bike stand from different angles.

Sunday morning I took my Klein out for the first time on a regular 26-mile route I take. On the Zullo I've typically been running somewhere between 16.5 and 17.2 or so mph (earlier in the year I was slower, obviously) for rides in the 20 - 30 mile range. Granted, I was probably riding a bit harder because I would have been embarrassed to go slow on so cool a bike, but I got back with an 18.0 average -- and I think a full mile per hour difference is pretty darn good!

I did another ride that night, went out last night again, and then rode in to work today. The Speedplay’s took a little getting used to (partly because they have so much float, I think), but I'm used to them now. And my average speed for these rides has been up. I have to believe most of that improvement is due to the new frame.

Going up hills, especially standing on the pedals, is fantastic -- quite a difference from my Zullo. People tell me the bike looks great. I think you're right: I probably won't be riding the Zullo too much, but at this point there's no way I'm taking the Klein out in the rain.

Anyhow, as you can tell I'm really happy with the bike ... it's just tough sitting here at work waiting to get out and ride it again.  Hopefully I can arrange to get down for one of your Thursday evening rides in 3 - 4 weeks and get the 30-day checkup in.

Thanks again Mark,

Paul