New bike, oh yes.

'07 Specialized Tricross Comp.

Lots of carbon goodies, 105 shifters, Ultegra derailleurs, high-flange hubs.

I was going to buy the Sport entry-level model (it had cooler paint), but the components weren't much of an upgrade from my old bike. So why not treat yourself?

Best feature: shallow-drop handlebars. Very comfy in the drops.

So far, after only two pathetically short rides (one with rain), it's been plenty fast and stiff. A lot twitcher than the Fuji Touring, but much racier. Looking forward to several long events next year: the Ironman ride, maybe RAGBRAI or a Wisconsin ride, definitely the MS150, the longer Tour de Cure, and a couple centuries around the metro. Credit-card touring to IL would be a nice vacation.

The problem is, this bike is too nice to take everywhere. I wouldn't trust leaving it locked in a park. So now I have to convert an old mountain bike into an urban asault vehicle. Or set up a single-ring 7-speed from an old road bike.