Window Shopping

I am starting window shopping for bikes. The more I ride, the more I am fascinated. So I had another go at Stadler, which is a big bike chain and offers an indoor test track. Customers can test any bike they like, even expensive ones. So this time I had a go on some real racers. First one was in my price range at around 800 EUR. Quite nice, then I saw a couple of "much better" reduced bikes from last year... Wow...



First one was a 8.5KG with Shimano Ultegra equipment, then I went for a 7.6KG with Shimano Dura-Ace. Although I am not used to the racing handle bar, both bikes were easy to ride and the steering felt ultra precise. But what astonished me most was that I was able to block the real wheel by braking "from the top", my hands resting on the brakes rather than on the low part of the handle bar. I thought I really felt the difference between the already very good 105 equipment and the "expert" Ultegra gear and the "pro" Dura-Ace components (see wikipedia article on Shimano).

I think biking is going to turn into a serious and expensive hobby of mine.... shoes, clothes, pedals, etc etc etc