tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post1681561874908723181..comments2024-03-27T05:14:23.738-04:00Comments on Lovely Bicycle!: The Bella Ciao 'Superba' - My Take on the Italian City BicycleVelouriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-74492886735930122162011-02-14T19:53:16.951-05:002011-02-14T19:53:16.951-05:00and I really dig your drab green very much. it'...and I really dig your drab green very much. it's beautiful, different yet not too girlie.MamaVeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09519007680870604271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-21059294113625128802011-02-14T19:52:39.805-05:002011-02-14T19:52:39.805-05:00well golly I miss this. Love it and can't wait...well golly I miss this. Love it and can't wait to see them inthe store ( if any remain for show) I would love to test one out. Sadly I think it would be too big for me. I'm curious of what only coaster brake would be like but I do indeed enjoy a coaster brake and think the wierd feeling I get is due to rear steering and NOT coaster issues so I bet I would get along very well with this bike in a smaller frame. you had me on the HILLS :-)MamaVeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09519007680870604271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-20044013246684250272011-02-10T21:12:20.061-05:002011-02-10T21:12:20.061-05:00I'm very excited for this bicycle, and for you...I'm very excited for this bicycle, and for you, Velouria!<br />I've been reading your blog for a few months now, and have been considering buying a transport bicycle of the Pashley, Gazelle ilk with some hesitancy. Super-hilly Pittsburgh can make cycling difficult in general, before introducing the issue of gearing (weight isn't much of an issue for me - I currently ride an old Schwinn that's about forty pounds). The get-up-and-go of this bike is quite promising. <br /><br />I wonder, however, about the choice of caliper brakes for the front brake. You always praise drum brakes for their virtually weather-proof stopping power, and deride the inconsistent performance of caliper brakes in rain and snow. Precipitation of varying states are a perpetual concern in Pittsburgh, and reading your blog has made me realize how much I would prefer anything but caliper brakes if ever I do make a transport bike purchase. Why the choice of calipers?Shaihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05019580828789692042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-4456675313616304082011-02-07T17:43:22.911-05:002011-02-07T17:43:22.911-05:00Caspita...In Italia non c'è nessun dealer dove...Caspita...In Italia non c'è nessun dealer dove poter vedere e provare una bella ciao... :( sigh sigh...Marcohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17401171095294355239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-74533645223015093362011-01-20T06:18:21.843-05:002011-01-20T06:18:21.843-05:00I've received a couple of questions over email...I've received a couple of questions over email asking to clarify whether this is a "Limited Edition" or a "Special Edition". The reason I call it the latter, is that I cannot guarantee that the batch of 12 will be the end of the run, or uniquely identified should the run continue. For that reason, I think it would be false advertising to call it a "Limited Edition" - which in my mind is defined as "no more than 12 will ever be produced, so your bike will be extra valuable/collectable for that reason." Both Bella Ciao and I are open about our relationship continuing after the first batch. There might be a second batch and it may be somewhat different (a different colour, or a slight change in components or accessories). Or if this batch proves to be insanely popular and there is demand for the exact same bike, that may happen as well. Or we may decide to stop. The point is, I cannot promise a limited run. Therefore it's a "special" and not a "limited" edition. Hope this explains it!Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-85711464694666525612011-01-19T08:15:07.686-05:002011-01-19T08:15:07.686-05:00I like the concept of Bella Ciao and posted alread...I like the concept of Bella Ciao and posted already some news about them on my blog (in german). I hope to meet those guys at the "Berliner Fahrradschau" bike show in Berlin in march.<br /><br />By the way: great blog! Thanks for sharing your personal perspective on "lovely" bicycles.<br /><br />Cheers from Germany<br />IwoIwohttp://www.stahlrahmen-bikes.denoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-4271794814428363672011-01-16T10:43:09.909-05:002011-01-16T10:43:09.909-05:00Wow. I love it. I want one. At 5'4" - and...Wow. I love it. I want one. At 5'4" - and far away in Chicago - I might be pushing the size minimum. But it looks gorgeous. (And I could get used to not touching my toe down, right?) Congratulations!khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10471433672476485368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-18091328669966905022011-01-13T19:22:46.357-05:002011-01-13T19:22:46.357-05:00Carine - They will definitely be on the floor at H...Carine - They will definitely be on the floor at Harris in May. But if you'd like to know whether it fits you earlier, email me and you are welcome to try mine. To be honest, I would be surprised if it fits you - but oI suppose you never know! <br /><br />PS: Your father is getting a Royal H! Nice : )Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-64514994088632759922011-01-13T19:10:32.369-05:002011-01-13T19:10:32.369-05:00Hmn... I wonder if I can fit it. I'm 5'2, ...Hmn... I wonder if I can fit it. I'm 5'2, sure, but my legs are longish. I will have to measure the ANT when I get home. As a huge Velouria fangirl, of course I would like to have your creation (especially the coaster brake :P) <br />Are these going to be on the floor at Harris or is this like a behind the counter wink wink secret handshake kind of thing? Probably will be coming to the area soonish to collect my Dad's Royal H, and I would like to try the size.Carinehttp://onceuponabicycle.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-49205045128874001952011-01-13T03:12:21.754-05:002011-01-13T03:12:21.754-05:00Lovely bike, V. And I agree with all your aestheti...Lovely bike, V. And I agree with all your aesthetic choices for it.<br /><br />For the past two days I've found myself singing "Bella Ciao bella ciao bella ciao ciao ciao..." etc. Here is a link to a YouTube video with a nice version of that famous song<br /><br /> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ow1L6UBW_bA <br /><br />for all the bicycle partisans out there.frozen prairienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-49540748393469589362011-01-12T23:41:27.802-05:002011-01-12T23:41:27.802-05:00I think your pronunciation loses the English descr...I think your pronunciation loses the English description of this superb bike. I am calling it the su-PERB-a!Dweendaddynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-69582584912641506692011-01-12T18:51:45.241-05:002011-01-12T18:51:45.241-05:00Mr. Colostomy - "the braking power doesn'...Mr. Colostomy - "the braking power doesn't seem linear in relation to the force applied at the lever"<br /><br />Which is why I have said I'd descend a mountain with a coaster brake and a front caliper, but <i>not</i> with a front drum. While the idea of the internal brake is nice, unless they lack any real power they can be treacherous.<br /><br />Velouria - "more classic component choices would enhance it."<br /><br />Like cranks that aren't blade shaped. <br /><br />"Many men read . . . for the debates and arguments in the comments section."<br /><br />I never.kfgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-54811835683761359922011-01-12T18:27:18.514-05:002011-01-12T18:27:18.514-05:00Velouria: Definitely get that. Us tall gals are on...Velouria: Definitely get that. Us tall gals are on the fringe and it doesn't make sense financially. Sometimes, I just get a little jealous of the fun shorter girls get to have. ;)<br /><br />That being said, I think that Bella Ciao's Uomo is one good looking bike (which comes in my size). I am beginning to think that I easily could rock a "boy's bike".Karahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12232157346482774504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-43622688659440158942011-01-12T18:16:02.396-05:002011-01-12T18:16:02.396-05:00To Kara, Patience and the other tall ladies: For a...To Kara, Patience and the other tall ladies: For a small company like Bella Ciao, it simply comes down to financial feasibility. The framebuilder charges different rates depending on how many frames in every size and style are made. And it is not viable to add a 60cm+ stepthrough frame as a standard model, unless the demand for it is sufficient to cover production costs. Gazelle and Workcycles produce bicycles in greater quantities than Bella Ciao, which is why they can afford to make the super tall frames as standard. I am sure that Bella Ciao could make a one-off in any size you want, since the frames are made by hand anyhow, but it would cost more.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-61481025888859268242011-01-12T18:01:13.939-05:002011-01-12T18:01:13.939-05:00I have to second the emotion of Kara!!! When I was...I have to second the emotion of Kara!!! When I was a young teenager and had to buy men's jeans, I started lamenting the fact that men were supposed to be tall, but women aren't! Anyhow --- things are better now. I, too, am a tad over 6' and my inseam is the reason. I have a 61cm roadbike that is perfect, so that is why I am drawn to the large ladies Oma....unless I decide to get a custom bike built for me!!! Thanks for the info though, and from a small company's perspective, that size makes total sense....I just like it when we tall womyn have options! :)Patience Meliora Blythehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03897974563208566336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-3407575050724388052011-01-12T13:28:36.788-05:002011-01-12T13:28:36.788-05:00Like Patience, this bike is too small for my amazo...Like Patience, this bike is too small for my amazon frame (6 feet). That definitely bums me out cause this bicycle sounds awesome! <br /><br />It is frustrating that many bicycle companies do only one size of their step-through bike for women but will have several size options for their bikes for men. Like they recognize that men come in many heights, but not women. Anyway. That is not what we are here to talk about.<br /><br />Congratulations on this amazing venture! I am totally excited to see the final product. With your supervision, it will be impeccable.Karahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12232157346482774504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-25359366706353620532011-01-12T11:48:28.237-05:002011-01-12T11:48:28.237-05:00As a man I read your blog primarily because it'...As a man I read your blog primarily because it's very well written and the photographs are never less than excellent, secondly it's about bikes, finally it provides an insight that I don't see very often.<br /><br />Have you considered frame building? You seem to have a love of form that I think would translate well. You could start by designing lugs, then cutting them, then joining them with tubes. I not aware of many female frame builders and, I imagine, too many frame are designed by men and I'd be interested to read your exploration of that area.<br /><br />Best of luck with this project. Ciao bella.Mike McLennannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-61774903164966467602011-01-12T07:40:29.177-05:002011-01-12T07:40:29.177-05:00Fair enough about the headbadge and decals! I'...Fair enough about the headbadge and decals! I'm sure the end result will be gorgeous.<br /><br />I was a little surprised to read all the comments about the coaster brake being a problem. I tried Dahons with my mom who just had to have a Dahon, and she chose the most basic model partially because of the coaster brake. She said it reminded her of bicycles she rode when she was growing up. :) <br /><br />I was skeptical at first, but when I ride it myself I enjoy that particular function. It sort of reminds me of riding [horses] and achieving a more centered position by using leg and seat aides, position, and weight more effectively than the reins for changing speed or halting. That's sort of a stretch, I know! But, it work for me.Fjelltronennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-15137399285991985822011-01-12T07:19:26.600-05:002011-01-12T07:19:26.600-05:00Velouria - I forgot about the weird brake lever on...Velouria - I forgot about the weird brake lever on this bike. I think your version will look perfect. Complete.<br />Oh and I definitely read for advice. I even bought my mum some Delta Cruisers for Christmas!John (2:18am)noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-89373751435580627422011-01-12T05:05:05.063-05:002011-01-12T05:05:05.063-05:00John 2:48 PM said...
"I think you underestim...<i>John 2:48 PM said...<br />"I think you underestimate the number of men who follow your blog"</i><br /><br />I do realise than men read Lovely Bicycle, and possibly as many as 50% of my readers might in fact be male, if the comments and emails I receive are indicative. (Thank you, Men!)<br /><br /><i>But</i> consider that:<br /><br />1. There are more options for men than for women already in existence, so if I have a choice of 1 model only, a women's model would be more helpful.<br /><br />2. I think men tend to read the blog for different reasons than women. Many women read for bicycle advice. Many men read just as food for thought, as well as for the debates and arguments in the comments section. The emails I receive from women usually ask me for bicycle advice (including where they can find a good coaster brake bike!). The emails I receive from men are usually just to say hello, to show me pictures of their bicycle builds, or to further debate some point that was brought up in a post or in a comments. So while I have many male readers, I am not sure that all that many of them would actually seriously be in the market for a diamond frame Bella Ciao. I could be wrong about this of course, but that is my impression.<br /><br /><i>"...I really like the idea of the internal brakes for winter riding."</i><br /><br />The rear coaster brake is an internal brake. For winter riding I would suggest using it predominantly, which is what I do. And yes, I know that I am opening myself up to potential further critique, but that is my stance. Front brake is unsafe in the snow anyhow, so whether it is caliper or drum is not important.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-74968213685121294172011-01-12T04:52:18.028-05:002011-01-12T04:52:18.028-05:00Mr C - I have tried Shimano rollerbrakes many time...Mr C - I have tried Shimano rollerbrakes many times and do not like them. I specifically wanted the rear SA coaster + front caliper combination on this bike; I think they work really well here. Once again, a matter of preference.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-77965188144985439542011-01-12T04:35:05.491-05:002011-01-12T04:35:05.491-05:00I use the 70 mm SA drum on both my Raleigh DL-1 an...I use the 70 mm SA drum on both my Raleigh DL-1 and Twenty. The stopping power is better on the smaller wheel, the reduction in size from 28inch as used on the larger Pashley (and my DL-1), to 700C should yield a slight improvement.<br /><br />Personally I find my drum brakes great, even on the DL-1. Under normal conditions they are modest but effective, but the braking power doesn't seem linear in relation to the force applied at the lever; when I have been in some hairy situations I have squeezed the levers that little bit harder and they have given me a lot more stopping power when I really needed it.<br /><br />Having said that, I can see why you might prefer rim brakes here, but to me they just don't feel quite low-maintenance enough for a dependable everyday transportation bike. Did you consider Shimano rollers during the design (such as the ones without the cooling fins)? The advantage of those is that the brake becomes modular again, rather than an integral part of the wheel.Dr C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10234078254243840589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-69292196994672419622011-01-12T04:08:00.409-05:002011-01-12T04:08:00.409-05:00Dottie - Thanks so much for your encouragement, it...Dottie - Thanks so much for your encouragement, it means a great deal!<br /><br />Thank you to the ladies under 5'5" who chimed in about their experience with 52cm and 54cm frames! I wanted to be conservative and cautious with my recommendations, but your experience is more telling than anything I can suggest.<br /><br />Fjelltronen - The raven headbadge is definitely staying. I like it a lot, and after all it is still a Bella Ciao bike! But the Superba model will have its own decal (as does each model) somewhere near the bottom bracket. The decal on the seat tube in the last picture says "handmade in Italy". That will stay as well, but I am hoping they can change the colour from the standard blue. I would like silver or at least slate gray.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-81070429468291208352011-01-12T03:57:55.496-05:002011-01-12T03:57:55.496-05:00John - It was a bit of both. I think for a frame t...John - It was a bit of both. I think for a frame that is as classic, graceful and minimalist as the Bella Ciao, classic components are appropriate. For that reason, I find that the rubber twist shifter, the short "interruptor" style brake lever, the puffy grips, and the Shimano rear hub with the <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Y336933ByX0/TIUVk7qaLYI/AAAAAAAABQU/FuwaxC6Atqk/s1600/Nexus3.JPG" rel="nofollow">enormous, super-modern adjustment box</a> that are on the stock model detract from the personality of the frame, whereas more classic component choices would enhance it. The fellows at Bella Ciao disagree and are happy with their choice of components. But this is really a matter of taste, and I think that plenty of my readers would prefer the stock components over mine. And the other thing is that yes, my vision of a "city bicycle" includes a rack and lights as inherent parts of the model. Bella Ciao currently does offer a Pletscher rear rack as an accessory, as well as dynamo lighting as an extra option, but their idea is that the bike itself is presented as light, airy and unencumbered - a creature of the sky. I understand the concept, but to me it is unrealistic. Owners will end up clipping lights and racks to the bike anyway to make it useable in an everyday setting - so why not integrate these things to begin with, so that they are more harmonious with the frame? Those were some of the suggestions I made. <br><br>Basically, there is nothing shocking, novel, or ingenious about the bike I am putting together. It is simply a mix of all my favourite stuff - which I have never found all together on one stock bicycle model!Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-71783102622862726162011-01-12T02:18:49.534-05:002011-01-12T02:18:49.534-05:00I find it interesting that Bella Ciao didn't a...I find it interesting that Bella Ciao didn't agree with your criticism. Are you able to elaborate on this any further? Did they just not envisage this bike as a commuter with racks and lights or was it about more specific component choices like hubs and brakes?<br /><br />Anyway, I'm incredibly jealous. What an honour.Johnnoreply@blogger.com