tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post9117744137291904130..comments2024-03-27T05:14:23.738-04:00Comments on Lovely Bicycle!: 'Tis the Season!Velouriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-28524349176816360112011-03-22T09:00:36.783-04:002011-03-22T09:00:36.783-04:00Yay, I'm happy for you and your Bianchi! :)Yay, I'm happy for you and your Bianchi! :)Dottiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03984050970208363927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-33134536352222219562011-03-21T16:58:24.951-04:002011-03-21T16:58:24.951-04:00yeah, but it isn't sticking to anything, so it...yeah, but it isn't sticking to anything, so it's just like rain with bonus snowflake on your tongue catching action.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-15158905614523098822011-03-21T15:00:30.263-04:002011-03-21T15:00:30.263-04:00Well, good thing I rode over the weekend... today ...Well, good thing I rode over the weekend... today it's full on snowing!Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-41131466641395482782011-03-21T11:18:35.355-04:002011-03-21T11:18:35.355-04:00I had gone out on Sunday instead of Saturday and i...I had gone out on Sunday instead of Saturday and it was the first ride that I've had on the Club Racer since the winter started (aside from the brief week where the Raleigh was getting its bottom bracket replaced) ... so it was nice to just meander around the inner 'burbs with a freewheel and no particular goal in mind. I had a wool jersey with arm warmers, as well as tights and pants, and that was a little chilly but fine for hard efforts. <br /><br />I wound up stopping in Ride Studio and intersected with a few randonneuring friends who were coming off an impromptu Japan relief fundraiser ride. It had a very 'back-to-school' kind of feel, as we were catching up on what we were up to from the winter and fall, and scheming on spring and summer plans.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-64693515724583529132011-03-21T10:13:23.016-04:002011-03-21T10:13:23.016-04:00Yeah, those roads. I was just looking at a picture...Yeah, those roads. I was just looking at a picture on the NYTimes site of a Libyan rebel pointing his AK-47 at a suspected Gaddafi loyalist on a highway and found myself admiring how nice and smooth the asphalt was. Looks pretty flat, too. Would be nice to bike there, in some ways.Jon Webbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02944939117507730995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-48045336299126846562011-03-21T09:16:16.772-04:002011-03-21T09:16:16.772-04:00Hi Velouria:
I enjoy reading your blog almost as I...Hi Velouria:<br />I enjoy reading your blog almost as I enjoy riding my Benotto 3000, vintage steel bike all year around the Gulf of Mexico in Campeche, Mexico.<br />Your comment on how nice the Bianchi rides is in line with my experience with Columbus tubing bikes. It makes a difference.Jose Abreuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08721516187346029213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-183460338135113722011-03-20T23:46:27.639-04:002011-03-20T23:46:27.639-04:00Hi Velouria!
I'm from the Bay Area but happen...Hi Velouria!<br /><br />I'm from the Bay Area but happen to be bringing a bike to my sister in NYC via Boston. I took the bus (with boxed vintage Gitane mixte) to Harris on Saturday morning, bought a 3-speed rear wheel, tire, etc, and put it together outside the shop (good thing it was sunny!). Elton was great in helping me with small things (zip ties, and a bolt missing from the rack when I packed it).<br /><br />I half-expected to see you roll up to Harris (I also test-rode a stately Pashley). If you saw another rider in the same Chrome hoodie blasting along the Charles on a blue-green mixte with baggage strapped to the back rack, that was me!<br /><br />Anyway, thanks for bringing this part of the cycling world to the internet.<br /><br />(PS: now I'm working on the nexus 3-speed hub issue you wrote about in november. If I find an æsthetic enough solution, I'll post it)ianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16497311093224486519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-26973082159866389842011-03-20T21:28:17.193-04:002011-03-20T21:28:17.193-04:00Heather: there are three main criteria that must ...Heather: there are three main criteria that must be met for a 700C or 27" wheeled bike (with rim brakes) to be a good candidate for conversion to 650B:<br /><br />- brake reach: are the brake arms long enough to position the pads on the braking surface of 650B rims? The brakes must be able to reach an additional 23mm lower for a 650B wheel. This almost always requires long-reach brakes.<br /><br />- bottom bracket height: if the bottom bracket (which holds the crankset) is low to begin with, it will be an additional 10-20mm after conversion. This may increase the risk of pedal strike in sharp turns.<br /><br />- tire clearance: if your bike can only fit skinny 25mm tires between the fork blades and chainstays, chances are that it won't fit wider than 28mm or 30mm 650B tires... which largely defeats the purpose of conversion.somervillainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13903377050982678550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-74153260454343722972011-03-20T20:55:10.940-04:002011-03-20T20:55:10.940-04:00nice socks! :)nice socks! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-18312448308664026242011-03-20T20:51:18.547-04:002011-03-20T20:51:18.547-04:00Aaron - What sort of discomfort? Well, for me it&#...Aaron - What sort of discomfort? Well, for me it's most knee pain. If I lower the stem, or move back the seat, it disappears.<br /><br />Also, have you considered getting more swept back handlebars? Like inverted North Roads instead of drop bars?Iyennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-27518805133375026952011-03-20T19:29:42.922-04:002011-03-20T19:29:42.922-04:00Heather - Aside from the issue MDI mentioned, ther...Heather - Aside from the issue MDI mentioned, there is also the tire width. The only reason I would get a 650B bike is for the wider tires, as that size really works best with a 40-42mm tire width IMO. There's no way the Bianchi has clearance for those. <br /><br />Steve - I ride mostly on the road, not off. The Grand Bois Hetres have a very smooth tread and they are super fast. Just saying!Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-5059172094864489312011-03-20T19:11:41.341-04:002011-03-20T19:11:41.341-04:00Heather: Converting a road bike like Bianchi to 65...Heather: Converting a road bike like Bianchi to 650B while possible is difficult because of brakes and clearance issues.<br /><br />There is a very recent post about a Shogun (touring) bike 650B conversion, but that bike has canti brakes (and required a trip to frame makers & painters).MDInoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-65409293942391900482011-03-20T19:05:57.909-04:002011-03-20T19:05:57.909-04:00Wow, now I really want to try a bianchi or similar...Wow, now I really want to try a bianchi or similar bike. Could the stand over issue be solved with a 650B conversion or is that another can of worms? The only way I can really get onto bigger frames is if they are mixte or step through frames, but they are rarely built with the higher end tubing etc that a nice classic road bike would have.<br />Maybe the smooth fastness is just the nature of italian bikes. My husband's bottecia just flies.Heathernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-67996979035860747682011-03-20T18:51:54.457-04:002011-03-20T18:51:54.457-04:00V, thanks for the tire info. I got a Bleriot, 51c...V, thanks for the tire info. I got a Bleriot, 51cm. As you may know, it is the predecessor to the Sam. , except that all Bleriots are 650b. I wanted the Fasty Maxis (teflon bead), but they were out of stock so I'm getting the wire bead version instead. I guess i was reluctant to go too wide on the tires, as I'm used to narrow road tires, and will mainly be riding on roads. I may have this bike on the road by next weekend. Good riding, Steve in MDAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-34443172713276080382011-03-20T17:25:44.287-04:002011-03-20T17:25:44.287-04:00Arron - too much pressure on the hands and wrists ...Arron - too much pressure on the hands and wrists (feeling "thrown forward") and discomfort in the legs from the steep angle. But again, it really is a matter of personal preference. <br /><br />Steve - 700C x 28mm Panaracer Pasela Tour Guards on the Bianchi, and 650B x 42mm Grand Bois Hetres on the Rivendell (more on those <a href="http://lovelybike.blogspot.com/2010/09/full-fat-cream-grand-bois-hetre-tires.html" rel="nofollow">here</a>). What model and size Rivendell did you get?Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-11980314173387244362011-03-20T17:08:32.581-04:002011-03-20T17:08:32.581-04:00V, may I ask which tires you have mounted on your ...V, may I ask which tires you have mounted on your Bianchi, and which on the Sam? I'm getting Nifty Swifties for the Rivendell I'm building, and I'm looking forward to trying them. I'm very encouraged to hear that your Sam is your most comfortable bike for long rides! Thanks, Steve in MDAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-19074012876231891902011-03-20T15:40:24.038-04:002011-03-20T15:40:24.038-04:00Looks like fun! That Bianchi is nicely delicate lo...Looks like fun! That Bianchi is nicely delicate looking too.snarkypuphttp://rideblog.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-55541503439663297452011-03-20T15:14:05.075-04:002011-03-20T15:14:05.075-04:00Yeah, I've read that a lot. I'm actually i...Yeah, I've read that a lot. I'm actually in the processes of buying a shorter stem (eBay), so I think I'll wait until it arrives and see if it corrects the issue before purchasing a new seatpost. Yes I'll have to re-wrap my bars again, but I've been meaning to raise my levers slightly anyway, so I can kill the two proverbial birds while I'm at it.<br /><br />Velouria - It's an early 80s Dawes Galaxy - a road tourer, similar in geometry to your Bianchi I guess. What sort of discomfort?<br /><br />Thanks again for your help.Arronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02938354089402127506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-19686149379181827422011-03-20T15:08:00.956-04:002011-03-20T15:08:00.956-04:00Aaron - To add to MDI's comment, most people e...Aaron - To add to MDI's comment, most people experience discomfort with the saddle in a forward position. A better way to solve reach problems is to get a shorter stem. What kind of bicycle is this?Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-61849570084093172182011-03-20T15:00:27.308-04:002011-03-20T15:00:27.308-04:00Arron--moving the saddle forward is usually not id...Arron--moving the saddle forward is usually not ideal for solving reach problems. It affects a lot of things at once. I was going to ask you why you're considering moving it forward, but you just answered that.<br /><br />Of course try, since it's reasonably cheap to move the saddle, but a better solution is to shorten the stem. I keep noticing the crazy stems in bike shops and I think are too long even for people with average arm length. Depending on your bike, it may be expensive and may require the dreaded rewrapping of the bars...MDInoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-21599411876138120912011-03-20T14:50:18.491-04:002011-03-20T14:50:18.491-04:00MDI - Many thanks. I shall invest in a classic sty...MDI - Many thanks. I shall invest in a classic style seat post instead of struggling with my current micro-adjust... and as a bonus it'll probably match my vintage Dawes Galaxy and B17 a little better too. Cheers!<br /><br />Velouria - my preference is almost a necessity. Since I've started riding bicycles again, I've come to realise that my arms a little shorter than average so I struggle a little bit with reach in relation to leg length while finding that elusive perfect fit.<br /><br />Thanks again for taking the time to reply. Much appreciated.Arronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02938354089402127506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-16081328570857294502011-03-20T14:43:47.898-04:002011-03-20T14:43:47.898-04:00Arron - We basically have the opposite preferences...Arron - We basically have the opposite preferences when it comes to saddle position, whereas I like mine pushed back and he likes his forward. The reversed clamp allows him to achieve the forward position. Crazy if you ask me, but can't argue about preferences!Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-39610672307785756582011-03-20T14:38:29.668-04:002011-03-20T14:38:29.668-04:00Arron H.--You can absolutely push the saddle forwa...Arron H.--You can absolutely push the saddle forward a good 2" by reversing a standard Brooks clamp with B-17-style saddles that have very short rails and are otherwise impossible to push that far with a modern/swept back seat post.<br /><br />The Pashley Roadster comes that way from the factory, so it's a common adjustment mechanism. If someone at a bike shop tells you that you have the saddle clamp backwards, or that your saddle is too far forward--you know you've just made acquaintance of someone who shouldn't touch your bike.<br /><br />Cheers. :)MDInoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-35567768665314422252011-03-20T14:25:33.546-04:002011-03-20T14:25:33.546-04:00That's interesting. I noticed your husband has...That's interesting. I noticed your husband has a classic-style seat post and clamp but he has it reversed to how I've seen it most of the time. I have an issue with setback on my micro-adjust seatpost so I could probably use a classic style clamp in reverse which should allow me to move the saddle further forward! Is there any reason why your husband has the clamp in that direction? Or have I just never noticed and that's the normal direction for the clamp?Arronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02938354089402127506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-27971295737837804002011-03-20T12:19:18.610-04:002011-03-20T12:19:18.610-04:00Happy days are here again! Glad to see the Bianchi...Happy days are here again! Glad to see the Bianchi is out and about. It really looks suits you.Karahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12232157346482774504noreply@blogger.com