P__'s New FC600

John Neugent had (still has) his FC600 on a great sale and we were heading to San Luis Obispo to ride anyway, so I ordered one for P__.  It prevented our renting a bike at a ~$150 cost and saved ~$300 in round trip carriage, turning the $2000 sale-price bike into a net $1850.  Putting that into perspective, this is about a 16 lb. build, which I can find elsewhere for something closer to five large.  OK, four at off-season pricing.

Pump tucks away nicely and the small seatbag is well hidden.
We've also achieved bars level with the saddle, which is
about right for P__.

Trek's may have its Project One, but for no additional cost Neuvation allows for a fair amount of design and configuration customization.  We had this bike built with brand new Ultegra 11-speed, including a monster dinner plate on the back that puts P__'s lowest gear at a hill-gobbling 34-32; a high-angle stem that brings the bars nearly level with the saddle; and Neuvation's comfortable S1 saddle that P__ rode and loved on the demo bike while in SLO.  We requested blue decals on the frame and wheels; blue nipples on the front and non-drive-side (Neuvation won't build with alloy nipples on the drive side, which I applaud); and blue bar tape to match.  (In my judgment the bar tape may be slightly over the top, but it is easily replaced).

Were it mine I'd want clearance for bigger tires,
but P__ can ride 25s at 85 PSI

I added the tail-light, without which I personally refuse to ride anymore; the speed and cadence sensor; and the mini-pump.  The only thing still missing is a computer that can receive ANT+ signals, whether that is a GPS unit or otherwise.

I love the gray Ultegra groupset.

P__ loves the bike.  (She hasn't actually ridden the new one yet, but she did get ~50 miles on a similar setup over a few days in San Luis Obispo.)  Which brings me to answer to the question, "why do you buy an occasional cyclist a brand new carbon bike?"  There are two obvious reasons.  I've probably just paved the way for my next four-digit bike gear purchase, whatever it may be.

The second is better:  I wasn't a British car guy until I bought a 1957 MGA in the summer of 1998.  I'll probably never again own a British car, but I will always be a British car guy.  P__ may not have been a cyclist but getting her this bike is making her one.  I'm looking forward to some great rides together this spring.