window shopping
been spending the last few doing lots of window shopping online for a potential new rig. (BTW, DSL is much better than dialup for looking at bike pics). my initial craving took me straight to the Vanilla page, as their bikes really are as pretty as they come. as much as i'd like one, they're damn expensive- perhaps worth it- but, still...
the latest interest piqued has been a Bleriot, the QPB Rivendell 650B offering. very intriguing. you get a Riv quality bike for somewhat less than the full Riv price. you get this 650B thing. is it a fad? is it legit? one aspect that definitely works for me is that 650B is intended as a neutral size in between mtbike and full 700C, one for greater diversity of tire size, et.al. BUT you also have a size that makes better sense for smaller bikes. i ride a 54" generally, which puts me in the 26" range, like on the LHT. so the new 650B makes perfect sense as a way to get a greater rolling
tire in an appropriate size. this pic is from a flickr site from a guy named Aki_1965/Andrew/Andreas (not sure which one it is). thanks. also found a good resource for those considering such a purchase, a Yahoo group. some interesting issues on there, especially with respects to the Bleriot's Top Tube. that's an interesting one b/c i know for sure my general reach has shorted quite a bit of late. i'll get on the Blueridge and feel like i'm 10 feet out in front. at this point i definitely prefer comfort over aerodynamics, so that's an issue worth considering.
i found a really nice pic of another Bleriot, this one being JimD's. this one has that nice saddle bag/rack setup that i would do. i've already decided that if i bought one, i would switch the Carradice over to the Bleriot and refit the rear rack to the LHT. THIS is a good combo, blue front, honey saddle. rear mini rack. i like this alot. i may even copy it. i've been considering a SON for the Bleriot, but i'm indecisive. i want a generator light on one of the bikes, but really the LHT will stay the more fulltime commuter, so that's prob the bike to mount the SON on. BUT this would be a fromthestart setup, so there'd be more chance of doing it right, instead of piecemealing it like i did on the ebay-purchased LHT. and do i buy it from the local LBS- as capable with QPB-, or from Jim at Hiawatha, who is more attune to this kind of thing?? i think Jim, but the LBS has treated me well over the years. decisions.
gotta go visit the inlaws (suegra's bday- good lady). unfortunately won't be able to ride up there, but i'm going out tomorrow a.m. for a long noodle ride.
the latest interest piqued has been a Bleriot, the QPB Rivendell 650B offering. very intriguing. you get a Riv quality bike for somewhat less than the full Riv price. you get this 650B thing. is it a fad? is it legit? one aspect that definitely works for me is that 650B is intended as a neutral size in between mtbike and full 700C, one for greater diversity of tire size, et.al. BUT you also have a size that makes better sense for smaller bikes. i ride a 54" generally, which puts me in the 26" range, like on the LHT. so the new 650B makes perfect sense as a way to get a greater rollingtire in an appropriate size. this pic is from a flickr site from a guy named Aki_1965/Andrew/Andreas (not sure which one it is). thanks. also found a good resource for those considering such a purchase, a Yahoo group. some interesting issues on there, especially with respects to the Bleriot's Top Tube. that's an interesting one b/c i know for sure my general reach has shorted quite a bit of late. i'll get on the Blueridge and feel like i'm 10 feet out in front. at this point i definitely prefer comfort over aerodynamics, so that's an issue worth considering.
i found a really nice pic of another Bleriot, this one being JimD's. this one has that nice saddle bag/rack setup that i would do. i've already decided that if i bought one, i would switch the Carradice over to the Bleriot and refit the rear rack to the LHT. THIS is a good combo, blue front, honey saddle. rear mini rack. i like this alot. i may even copy it. i've been considering a SON for the Bleriot, but i'm indecisive. i want a generator light on one of the bikes, but really the LHT will stay the more fulltime commuter, so that's prob the bike to mount the SON on. BUT this would be a fromthestart setup, so there'd be more chance of doing it right, instead of piecemealing it like i did on the ebay-purchased LHT. and do i buy it from the local LBS- as capable with QPB-, or from Jim at Hiawatha, who is more attune to this kind of thing?? i think Jim, but the LBS has treated me well over the years. decisions.gotta go visit the inlaws (suegra's bday- good lady). unfortunately won't be able to ride up there, but i'm going out tomorrow a.m. for a long noodle ride.
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