tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post390108835659235586..comments2024-03-18T08:41:35.438-04:00Comments on Lovely Bicycle!: Retrovelo Paula in the Countryside (with Her Vintage Friend)Velouriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-26442632870639589052012-01-14T16:55:08.291-05:002012-01-14T16:55:08.291-05:00I was reading up on the Retrovelo when I got distr...I was reading up on the Retrovelo when I got distracted by the discussion on clothing! Anna is wearing a churidar type of salwar kameez. It's the kind with the tapered/close fitting leg, rather than the billowing loose fit. There is no place like India to do this kind of shopping, much cheaper and the range is far greater. You will find cottons and silks galore in both a simple and ornate style, and even tailor-made clothing will be very cheap. FabIndia is a popular place to go for cheap, cotton ready made kameezes (the top) and you can mix and match them with ready made salwars (the bottom). If going to India is too much of a stretch, you might try an Indian diaspora district ... is there one in NYC? But it wouldn't be anywhere near as cheap, and they might be too ornate.<br /><br />I really like the look and sound of the Retrovelo, but am not too keen on the wide handlebars, and lack of chaincase. Curious about the above comment... how does it handle hills, did you friend say?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-75310173725949305602011-08-07T03:39:38.235-04:002011-08-07T03:39:38.235-04:00i'm lusting after a retrovelo paula...but i...i'm lusting after a retrovelo paula...but i'm concerned about how it would handle hills?<br />right now i'm riding a vintage peugot mixte that has roadbike geometry but upright handlebars. i'm having pinched nerve issues with my hands due to the geometry throwing my weight forward and placing so much pressure on my hands. :/<br /><br />even though it's a roadbike and has 10 speeds, i feel like it's really not great on hills...either that or i am just not terribly fit. i'd really love to blame as much as possible on the bike, while admitting that fitness is certainly a contributing factor; in the weeks i've been commuting (rolling 8 miles each way), i've noticed an improvement.gwynhttp://www.gwyngoesdutch.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-30184952229354046942010-09-04T16:05:05.535-04:002010-09-04T16:05:05.535-04:00To clarify, Retrovelo offers the Paul "Classi...To clarify, Retrovelo offers the Paul "Classic" in 57 cm, and the Paul "Modern" series in both 57 and 59 cm.ron521https://www.blogger.com/profile/03719917286754138744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-66534907753259156412010-08-05T19:40:51.258-04:002010-08-05T19:40:51.258-04:00I drove to NYC from Boston and purchased my lovely...I drove to NYC from Boston and purchased my lovely Retrovelo Paula in cream color. It is absolutely wonderful to ride in and around Boston! The potholes are no match for the Fat Franks. I also have an Electra "Tree of Life," which I wish came with 8 gears instead of 3, and a screaming red Viva Juliett, which is quite the head-turner. The seven gears come in handy, and the full chain guard and skirt guard are perfect. I ride in dresses and heels, which seems to shock passersby. Yes, I wear underwear, so it must be the dress and heels? I have joined the female Velolution! Beauiful ladies on beautiful bikes!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09880191989157320990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-61172890645817085862010-07-30T04:21:36.228-04:002010-07-30T04:21:36.228-04:00Sorry that I missed the discussion, but to clear t...Sorry that I missed the discussion, but to clear things up: both the front and the rear light are dynamo powered. No batteries anywhere.<br /><br />The half-chaincase has never been a problem so far, but I will have to get a skirtguard eventually (when I transport plastic bags, they sometimes get pulled in the wheel).annahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14989947994626570874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-77046118288994261812010-07-29T12:07:13.022-04:002010-07-29T12:07:13.022-04:00Velorbis offers frame sizes 54 and 59cm, while Ret...Velorbis offers frame sizes 54 and 59cm, while Retrovelo only offers 57cm. I am 6'1" so the 59cm is a great fit.Mr. Haramishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05693886876649928414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-41678426794787529502010-07-28T09:50:30.040-04:002010-07-28T09:50:30.040-04:00Jeanette, please do wave and say hi! My bike is do...Jeanette, please do wave and say hi! My bike is dove grey with white wheels. I know what you mean about Adeline Adeline -- everyone there is lovely, particularly the owner, who worked in collusion with my husband and friends to surprise me with this bike for my birthday. <br /><br />I have seen one very good-looking Paul in Brooklyn (!) but no other Paula yet anywhere.neighbourteasehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17571138655370581828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-67882536967332192642010-07-27T20:52:51.819-04:002010-07-27T20:52:51.819-04:00Neighbourtease -- if I see a Paula in Manhattan, I...Neighbourtease -- if I see a Paula in Manhattan, I will assume it is yours, and smile and wave! There's one in the window at Adeline Adeline, with beach stuff in the basket, looking terribly irresistable. I really want to test drive it sometime....but I'm afraid to go into that store; my wallet really doesn't need to shed any more weight, if you know what I mean! But they have such a great selection.....and everyone there is completely lovely.Jeanettenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-35922646783133012532010-07-27T19:00:55.254-04:002010-07-27T19:00:55.254-04:00wow, sorry for the ultra-long post!wow, sorry for the ultra-long post!neighbourteasehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17571138655370581828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-55018634419389331272010-07-27T18:06:38.986-04:002010-07-27T18:06:38.986-04:00It's so interesting to read your and neighbour...It's so interesting to read your and neighbourtease's comments about the Paula. I have been struggling with a Paula crush for weeks now but it would be madness to add this to my Workcycles Oma and Pashley. I also much much prefer the Shimano 8 speed (on Oma) over the SA 5 speed. I think it's the main reason why Pashley has been relegated to back-up bike.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12694245723276830057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-32601161913279949742010-07-27T17:34:31.820-04:002010-07-27T17:34:31.820-04:00A picture is worth a thousand words :
http://lh5.g...A picture is worth a thousand words :<br />http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BnX47mu3IBs/TE9QKZwEu3I/AAAAAAAAFuU/4dvhU2Vz5P4/s800/paula.jpgphilippenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-79723083309855651402010-07-27T17:17:05.943-04:002010-07-27T17:17:05.943-04:00strange. in this picture:
http://farm3.static.fl...strange. in this picture:<br /><br />http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2690/4412724321_e31fdcc379_o.jpg<br /><br />it looks like there is a dynamo wire running from the taillight to the fender.<br /><br />i dunno. could it be a drum brake/dynamo hub combo?somervillainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13903377050982678550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-4572875746043066162010-07-27T16:30:48.535-04:002010-07-27T16:30:48.535-04:00My Retrovelo Paula came with dynamo lighting in fr...My Retrovelo Paula came with dynamo lighting in front and rear LED, like Frits describes above.<br /><br />I do not mind the half-chaincase because my bike lives inside both at home and at the office and I don't mind maintaining the chain and have yet to get any grease on myself. I do miss the dress guard but that's an easy enough DIY fix that I plan to do when I wear longer dresses in the fall and winter. Since it is minidress season I don't worry about it.<br /><br />I did not fiddle with my Pashley a ton before I decided to sell it, primarily because I knew after three months of riding it that I needed a larger frame size (have had it for a year). I did try a couple of things to make it less sluggish and cramped -- changing saddle positions, moving handlebars around, removing front basket, running tires at different pressures etc. Nothing worked for me. The dealbreaker was when I needed to move my son to a rear carrier and the bobike would not work on the Pashley without removing the rear rack, which I need for my panniers when I go to work. This seat does work on the 20 and 22 inch frames for those who have a toddler in tow and want a Pashley. I tried other bikes including the 20 inch Pashley, Gazelle, Batavus and Abici but found Retrovelo to be the best fit for me and the fastest among those. I absolutely love this bicycle. The only modification I have made has been to swap out the grips for some leather Brooks grips. The rubber ones it came with are in a tone of brown I don't like.<br /><br />I did notice a massive difference between the speed and agility of the Shimano 8 speed and Sturmey Archer 5 speed. I don't think I would have been so frustrated, nor would the Pashley have felt so sluggish had I had a Shimano hub. Maybe I could have also tried lowering the gearing. I didn't do these modifications because I wanted a bigger bicycle and didn't want to waste any more time or make modifications that might mess with my ability to sell it. <br /><br />I have also noticed that if I run the Fat Frank tires at a psi hire than about 30-35 the bike slows down a lot and I need to use lower gears more often. So I don't fill the tires very much and enjoy moving very quickly and with great agility and comfort over the potholes of Brooklyn.neighbourteasehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17571138655370581828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-45814990586633795202010-07-27T14:11:43.823-04:002010-07-27T14:11:43.823-04:00Frits and philippe - I am confused now. I too init...Frits and philippe - I am confused now. I too initially thought this was a dynamo light, but Anna told me it is not. Maybe I misunderstood and Anna can clear it up.<br /><br />Donaudampfschiffahrtsgesellschaftskapitän : )))<br />That would be great. <br /><br />Mr. Haramis - Sorry! I have seen both bikes and I prefer the Paula. But I am no authority and I am sure there are those who would violently disagree. This is all just my opinion. Different bikes to suit different tastes.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-1900431974653306352010-07-27T12:32:46.397-04:002010-07-27T12:32:46.397-04:00Philippe: There are at least three pics here where...Philippe: There are at least three pics here where the wire between headlight and righthand fork leg is visible. So forget about battery lights. A Lumotec doesn't run on batteries; they would be drained in a few seconds (halogen).<br /><br />Re the ship: is this one of those cruise ships steered by the famous Donaudampfschiffahrtsgesellschaftskapitän?Frits Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11399632570565541892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-79069969092182524082010-07-27T11:20:46.042-04:002010-07-27T11:20:46.042-04:00Hallo, My name is Sven; I am a Velorbis Scrap Delu...Hallo, My name is Sven; I am a Velorbis Scrap Deluxe bicycle. How could you say that Retrovelo Paula is better quality than I am? I offer a handy little hook on my intergrated rack for holding a briefcase. Also, my rear light is powered by the dynamo. OK I don't have the coronation of my fork, but is that no necessary?Mr. Haramishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05693886876649928414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-82547870665028556332010-07-27T11:02:57.537-04:002010-07-27T11:02:57.537-04:00Does Anna remember Isadora Duncan's fate? And...Does Anna remember Isadora Duncan's fate? And have you all seen these daily riding pants?<br />http://outlier.cc/main/womens-daily-riding-pant.phpAnne Welchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07773939487916426557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-11846153580223945332010-07-27T10:30:12.000-04:002010-07-27T10:30:12.000-04:00philippe- That is a front drum brake.philippe- That is a front drum brake.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-41610528958447198622010-07-27T07:51:16.431-04:002010-07-27T07:51:16.431-04:00Re the lack of a complete chain case : for reasons...Re the lack of a complete chain case : for reasons unknown to me, that's the way the german build their bikes.<br />I'm surprised Anna's bike has batteries powered lights. The dynamo hub is clearly visible on your photos. ready to be wired to that nice Lumotec head lamp.philippenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-21267849489976438212010-07-27T01:53:26.140-04:002010-07-27T01:53:26.140-04:00I agree, it's one of the most attractive trans...I agree, it's one of the most attractive transport bicycles on the market today.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-89965791333561950712010-07-27T01:33:40.513-04:002010-07-27T01:33:40.513-04:00Thanks for offering the review of this! I'd be...Thanks for offering the review of this! I'd been wanting to hear more about the Paula. SO very lovely!Cherilynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16091536510203894162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-40051403806662094742010-07-27T00:34:13.857-04:002010-07-27T00:34:13.857-04:00Beautiful! I've been a huge fan of Paula sinc...Beautiful! I've been a huge fan of Paula since I first saw her. Such a lovely bike in every way. I love Anna's outfit - so perfect for riding the soft blue bike.Dottiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03984050970208363927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-66597211252552893642010-07-26T21:41:22.010-04:002010-07-26T21:41:22.010-04:00Jeanette - It is a sportier bicycle, so maybe the ...Jeanette - It is a sportier bicycle, so maybe the designers thought a dressguard and full chaincase would conflict with that. Reminds me of the Raleigh Lady's Sports, which did not have either of those features either, but offered the benefit of being a step-over.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-43050114243908987992010-07-26T21:26:49.418-04:002010-07-26T21:26:49.418-04:00I love the retrovelo; they are gorgeous. However,...I love the retrovelo; they are gorgeous. However, they are very expensive without having all the practical components for a city/utility bicycle as noted above (chain guard, coat guard, etc). To me, they celebrate "form" first; I tend to prefer form-follows-function and the more straight-forward and practical esthetic of Dutch bikes. But that's personal preference, and if Paula's seductive beauty gets more people cycling, then more power to her! Interesting that they had a very different feel than Dutch bikes, too....Jeanettenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-36796629403517277632010-07-26T21:12:50.411-04:002010-07-26T21:12:50.411-04:00Velouria~ for sure natural fibres:) please update ...Velouria~ for sure natural fibres:) please update if you do find some safe sites please:)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com