Dekonick
10-28-2010, 08:09 PM
OK - I picked her up earlier in the week from smiley. Couldn't ride yesterday, or the day before. Today was the perfect setting so it was just meant to be.
I did not want to do anything crazy as this is a change in my 'fit' and want to get used to the feel before going on any long rides. Today was a two hour trip with lots of stops to take pictures. The fall color will not last much longer and I wanted to take advantage of the fantastic light. Too bad I suck as a photographer...
Now to the report. The setup is different than I have been riding for the last 5 years. This is my first touring frame and a lot of thought went into the design. It was built to work with a Brooks B-17, and the new Campy brifters - this resulted in a 54 top tube, much shorter than I have ever had before - but was necessary to accommodate the Brooks, Brifters, and still put me in a comfortable position. The result is a 9cm stem (too short? ;) I think Kelly Bedford knows what he is doing so I think it is just right! ) with a 5cm drop to Poco bars. I left all of the design to the master - my input was on what and how I was going to use the bike. They asked, I answered. The result is my new Bedford.
The ride:
Today was clear, blue skies with a few clouds and around 70 degrees. Slight breeze, but nothing noteworthy. Leaves would mostly gently fall from majestic maples and oaks with the occasional swirl that would take them asunder. A near perfect cycling day! I left my house and for the first mile or so I descended through historic Ellicott City. A few pot holes were no concern for this bike. She easily floated over or gently curved around them. A noticeable difference from a race bike... this reminded me more of a luxury sedan compared to a go cart or porche like feel. Downhill she stayed true with only little reminders needed. You could almost ride her with your eyes closed and your hands off of the bars. I found I had more time to take in the scenery and needed to pay less attention to the road...
Where to go and test this bike? I decided to go to the Paptasco State Park because it offered a variety of roads to try from dirt, to gravel, to paved and pot hole ridden. I tried them all short of true off road mountain bike trails (I was tempted) as I felt this was the best way to see how she would take the varied terrain. No problem. No jarring... no rattle... just an easy roll over whatever is in your way. This bike just likes to meander from place to place with no destination in mind. Just go ride. In short, Kelly nailed it. Smiley and Kelly absolutely smashed the ball out of the park... this is the perfect bike to ride when you don't care about time and just want to enjoy being outside and free.
Now to the Campy triple - what a fantastic group! 53,39,30 with 12x25. New centaur 10 speed brifters, the rest is Record or triple specific.
Shifting is solid - like you expect from Campagnolo. You know when you shift gears but in a good way. Easy to go up and down the cassette. What I found interesting is that I did not use the 30 at all until I decided to just see what it feels like. I tried it on a hill I am extremely familiar with and normally never use more than a 12 x 23. Just for fun I tried the 30 x 23. I think you could climb any paved road with this - no need for a larger cassette... even dragging my big arse up hill is no problem. I can appreciate how this gearing could be extremely useful when toting 50 lbs in panniers...
OK - so I love the fit. I love the ride. It is the perfect bike to take out to just ride. It would not be a good choice for a group ride... for that take your race bike.
ok - now for pictures. :banana:
I did not want to do anything crazy as this is a change in my 'fit' and want to get used to the feel before going on any long rides. Today was a two hour trip with lots of stops to take pictures. The fall color will not last much longer and I wanted to take advantage of the fantastic light. Too bad I suck as a photographer...
Now to the report. The setup is different than I have been riding for the last 5 years. This is my first touring frame and a lot of thought went into the design. It was built to work with a Brooks B-17, and the new Campy brifters - this resulted in a 54 top tube, much shorter than I have ever had before - but was necessary to accommodate the Brooks, Brifters, and still put me in a comfortable position. The result is a 9cm stem (too short? ;) I think Kelly Bedford knows what he is doing so I think it is just right! ) with a 5cm drop to Poco bars. I left all of the design to the master - my input was on what and how I was going to use the bike. They asked, I answered. The result is my new Bedford.
The ride:
Today was clear, blue skies with a few clouds and around 70 degrees. Slight breeze, but nothing noteworthy. Leaves would mostly gently fall from majestic maples and oaks with the occasional swirl that would take them asunder. A near perfect cycling day! I left my house and for the first mile or so I descended through historic Ellicott City. A few pot holes were no concern for this bike. She easily floated over or gently curved around them. A noticeable difference from a race bike... this reminded me more of a luxury sedan compared to a go cart or porche like feel. Downhill she stayed true with only little reminders needed. You could almost ride her with your eyes closed and your hands off of the bars. I found I had more time to take in the scenery and needed to pay less attention to the road...
Where to go and test this bike? I decided to go to the Paptasco State Park because it offered a variety of roads to try from dirt, to gravel, to paved and pot hole ridden. I tried them all short of true off road mountain bike trails (I was tempted) as I felt this was the best way to see how she would take the varied terrain. No problem. No jarring... no rattle... just an easy roll over whatever is in your way. This bike just likes to meander from place to place with no destination in mind. Just go ride. In short, Kelly nailed it. Smiley and Kelly absolutely smashed the ball out of the park... this is the perfect bike to ride when you don't care about time and just want to enjoy being outside and free.
Now to the Campy triple - what a fantastic group! 53,39,30 with 12x25. New centaur 10 speed brifters, the rest is Record or triple specific.
Shifting is solid - like you expect from Campagnolo. You know when you shift gears but in a good way. Easy to go up and down the cassette. What I found interesting is that I did not use the 30 at all until I decided to just see what it feels like. I tried it on a hill I am extremely familiar with and normally never use more than a 12 x 23. Just for fun I tried the 30 x 23. I think you could climb any paved road with this - no need for a larger cassette... even dragging my big arse up hill is no problem. I can appreciate how this gearing could be extremely useful when toting 50 lbs in panniers...
OK - so I love the fit. I love the ride. It is the perfect bike to take out to just ride. It would not be a good choice for a group ride... for that take your race bike.
ok - now for pictures. :banana: