DerekU2

I've been engaged now for about three months. My fiance, bless her heart, feels that since I put so much out buying an engagement ring that it's only fair that I get something big in return. My friends had been trying to talk her into an HDTV but thankfully she stayed firm and informed me I could pick out my choice of road bike!

This is my first road bike. I finally settled on it today, and she made the payment in full from her own account. I'm going in for a pro fit on Wednesday. Now I can't wait for spring! I give you, my 2005 Orbea Dauphine!



Frame - 7005 DB with carbon seat stays
Fork - Zeus AC
Ergo / STI - Ultegra 10
FD - Ultegra 10
RD - Ultegra 10
Chain - Ultegra 10
Crank - FSA Gossamer Mega Exo
Chainrings - 39/53 or 34/50
Brakes - Ultegra 10
Cassette - Ultegra 10
Wheels - Shimano R-500
Tires - Michelin Speedium
Handlebar - ITM Road Racing SO
Stem - ITM Road Racing SO
Seat Post - Kalloy Carbon
Saddle - Selle Italia Filante
Tape - Zeus Gel Cork
Suggested Retail: $1899

Quick question - is it bad form to ask that the bike shop not put their shop sticker on the fram when they build it? I don't want any stickers on my hand-painted frame!

Grasschopper

Hmm good question. Is that price full retail? This may sound like odd reasoning but if it is full retail I would say go ahead and tell them not to put it on...if you got some sort of deal...especially if it is a good deal then I woul dprobably be more hesitant. How bad of a sticker is it? Maybe you can con them into putting it between the bolts for the seat tube bottle cage so it will be covered once you get a cage on there.

DocRay

that bike is High definition. win-win!

worker4youth

The sticker won't damage the paint, and can be take off easily with a hair blow drier. Some shops, however provide the free lifetime service based on that sticker. But if they haven't put it on yet, of course, you have every right to ask them not to put it on.

DerekU2

I got it for $1599 - the sticker sale price. I asked them to come down, but they said they couldn't. Instead they offered to knock $50 off the next bike up - the Mitis - making it only $150 more. Only difference was that it had a full carbon rear triangle, but I rode them both and liked the Dauphine - plus I liked the look of the Dauphine better.

Anyway, I imagine they'll start building tomorrow so I'm interested to find out if I should bother asking them not to put the sticker on it. It's a red sticker that they put on the bottom of the seat tube. It doesn't go with the bike at all, really.

If they put it on, are they easy enough to remove without damage?

SeqTarRou

She's a keeper...I hope your fiance works out too.

My LBS puts their sticker on bikes they stock but not on bikes that are ordered. Not sure if that is normal protocol or what. If nothing else, just peel their sticker off when you get home.

OrionKhan

I feel that unless that LBS is giving you a ridiculously good deal, then there is nothing wrong with telling them to leave the stickers off. I feel the same way about buying a car. I those dealer emblems, stickers, and license plate frames. Unless they want to pay you for advertising for them, leave it off.

And in the worse case scenario, five minutes with a hair dryer will have you sticker free again.

Grasschopper

Depends on the quality of the sticker but most are pretty easy to remove. Red huh? My LBS uses a clear sticker with gold lettering so it isn't all that bad.

dekalbSTEEL

Names, please!!! I want to buy a bike from one of those!

patentcad

Shwag ride. Outstanding fiance. Win-win-win.

OCP

She just wants a bigger diamond when you finally get married in the wedding band.

Nice bike by the way and any woman willing to buy a bike as a gift is OK in my book. Even when they do it to get something bigger for themselves.

SpongeDad

There's some value to having the LBS recognize one of "their" bikes when you come in for tweaking / problems etc.

DerekU2

Valid point. They don't know me there yet, so I'll let them put the sticker on, leave it on until they know me and my bike, then take it off.

oboeguy

Your fiancée sounds like a winner! I agree with the crowd, find an unobtrusive place for the sticker to get recognition when you're in the shop.

DRLski

sounds like she's a keeper, where can a find a girl like that

caligurl

awwwwwwwwwwwwwww

you both are very lucky to have each other!

56/12 and 22/28

She is SOOOO gettin' some!

toomanybikes

Explain to them your concern about the colour and palcement of the sticker.

They'll work with you on where they put it.

After they get to know you - like everyone else said - hair blower and plastic scraper - sticker gone!!

Ramjm_2000

Nice gift! My wife got me a stainless grill. You'll love the Orbea, I had a Lobular 100 that I recently sold (too many bikes). It fit me like a glove and in the end I had a Ti bike made with it's geometry. Enjoy and congrats on the bike and nuptuals.

JR

DieselDan

She's a keeper. Marry her, before someone else in these forums do.

DerekU2

She's going to get a kick out of these responses, I'm sure. I've been spending my evening searching for accessories. Anone care to offer any advice on Bottle Cages, Seat Wedges, etc?

56/12 and 22/28

Bottle cages: Elite Cuissi Stainless.

cydewaze

Nice bike man!

Slice2

Derek - it's your (well OK, your fiance's) money, and your bike. If you don't want a sticker, tell them to not put it on, or if it's already on, tell them to take it off. If they give you grief about recognizing it for future service, tell them that's what your reciept + serial number is for.

Alternately, tell them to put it on the bottom of the BB shell.

Nice bike. What color will your fiance's be?

blandin

Nice better, better fiancé! As to the sticker, when you buy a shirt does the department store put a sticker on the collar? Why should you be free advertising for them while defacing your bike. If they treat you well, your word of mouth promotion will be more valuable than an innocuous sticker. Ask them to kindly leave it off.